Many homeowners underestimate the value of lighting in the home. Not only is lighting used for practical reasons, like seeing at night, but it is also used for therapeutic reasons like meditation and relaxation. Of course, not everyone practices meditation but that is not to say that the proper lighting can’t have healing powers in your home.
For bathrooms in particular, lighting is crucial. Whether someone is putting on makeup or shaving, good lighting provides the capacity to do essential, daily tasks like these as smoothly as possible. Hiring a lighting concept professional isn’t always in the bathroom remodel budget. But by following these best-practices, you can spruce up the lighting to be optimal in your own bathroom.
Types of Light
Task – Task lighting refers to lighting that illuminates a workspace. In a bathroom this can be the vanity, sink, or any other task-oriented space. Experts recommend symmetrical lighting, by way of sconces for instance, in areas like this. They allow for cross illumination and do not create shadowing in the mirror. Overhead-lighting is often misconstrued as optimal task lighting.
Accent – You’ll find accent lighting anywhere that you desire enhanced illuminating such as over a framed photo or piece of art, or perhaps something like a lamp in the corner of a room. Accent lighting is often not vital but rather more aesthetically pleasing.
Decorative – Just as its name denotes, decorative lighting adds extra sparkle (pun intended) to a space via chandeliers and other crystal-dominant fixtures.
Ambient – Ambient light is the light we see all around us. It is used to fill a space. Enclosed areas like showers often have recessed fixtures with diffusers to spread out the light.
Traits of Energy-Efficient Bulbs
CRI Rating – Color rendering index (CRI) is how color is interpreted. A low CRI light leans towards a grey color. A high CRI allows true colors to be viewed more clearly. Choose a bulb with a CRI of 80 or higher.
Energy Star – This type of certification ensures that the light bulb went through longevity testing and has a minimum CRI of 80.
Color Temperature – ideal bulb are between 2700 to 3000 kelvin. This temperature blends best with a residential space.
Pro Tips to Practice
- Avoid adding a light above the mirror which casts deep shadows below the eyes, nose and chin. It ages people in appearance and dissolves the efficiency needed when conducting daily grooming.
- In bathrooms it is recommended to use fixtures that provide 75 to 100 watts’ worth of illumination which allow for the wattage equivalents in a 24- to 26-watt compact fluorescent or 20- to 25-watt LED.
- Putting task lighting on a dimmer will allow your eyes to adjust first thing in the morning and help you wind down at night.
- A recessed infrared heat lamp will give you added warmth on chilly mornings
