Importance of Vanity Lighting in Your Bathroom

It may be easy to overlook the importance of bathroom vanity lights, yet they are essential when natural light is not available, such as at night and in bathrooms without windows.

Overall general lighting is also important in developing the personality and décor of your bathroom. Since the day typically begins and ends with a trip to the bathroom, good lighting helps us start and end the day more comfortably. Your bathroom should contribute to your feeling of relaxation and well-being. It should be easy to see when you’re grooming yourself for the day.

Many bathroom vanities have only one light above the mirror, while others have two or more, or a row of recessed ceiling lights. Other vanities are side-lit by bulbs in a sconce on each side of the mirror or medicine cabinet. Some bathrooms have a ceiling light in addition to vanity lights. The number of lights often depends on the size of the vanity mirror and the bathroom. Regardless, the important thing is to make sure your bathroom mirror is evenly illuminated. It should be free of shadows for ease in applying makeup, shaving, styling your hair, and other grooming activities. If your bathroom has two vanities, they should both have the same style and setup of lighting.

It’s important to have both ambient and task lighting in the bathroom. Ambient lighting refers to the overall lighting for the entire bathroom. This general lighting allows you to see and move around safely in the bathroom. Task lighting is lighting that is focused on a specific area for a specific activity.

Ambient lighting includes chandeliers, surface-mounted bathroom vanity lights, wall sconces, and recessed fixtures. Ambient lighting should be controlled by dimmers to allow you to change the intensity of the light. You might want to turn down the light for a relaxing soak in the tub, for example. Ambient lighting directs the most illumination towards the floor, but it produces more glare than other types of bathroom lighting.

Task lighting, not intended to light the entire room, consists of specific fixtures that direct a beam of light to a particular area. You might have a light for reading in the tub, putting on makeup, shaving, exercising on the treadmill, or putting in your contact lenses. A task light is turned on only when you need it. Wall sconces on both sides of the mirror often serve as vanity task lights, allowing you the benefit of lighting coming from both sides.

Accent lighting fixtures are used to help create a visual effect and atmosphere in the bathroom. They may highlight selected details of the room, such as a basket of fragrant soaps or silk flowers, for a decorative touch. Track lighting is good for spotlighting decorative objects or enhancing a relaxing environment to add to your enjoyment when soaking in the tub.

Decorative lighting fixtures draw attention to themselves and are used to create an effect. Chandeliers, low voltage pendant fixtures, a fireplace, and candles, both electric and traditional, are common examples of decorative lighting.

You have many different options in types of lighting styles and fixtures for your bathroom vanity, but when it comes to light bulbs, always choose those that provide light in the natural spectrum. Bulbs that emit mostly yellow or white light won’t show you how you will appear in natural light, which makes applying makeup properly more difficult.

A luxurious soak in the tub is a great way to begin or end the day. The lighting in your bathroom should enhance your enjoyment by providing you with a warm, cozy feeling. Then, when you need to see well while grooming or shaving, your vanity bathroom lights should make your task easy.

If you feel unsure of how to proceed, you might consult with a lighting designer. A specialist can assist you in creating the best lighting for your home. You should also read and learn as much as you can about bathroom vanity lighting and overall lighting in your home. With good planning, design, and implementation, you will be able to have the kind of lighting and effects you want in your entire home as well as your bathroom.

Home improvement guides:
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All rights reserved worldwide. Always consult a professional before installing any new lighting. The content on this site is the authors opinion only and should not be considered professional advice.

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