How to Choose the Right High-End Bathroom Lighting
The correct lighting is important in every room, but especially so in your bathrooms. Whether it is a new build, or a renovation choosing the right lighting can make or break the final realized design. It is important that the lighting you choose compliments your design and style. Here are a few important aspects to consider before making any lighting purchases for your bathroom.
A bathroom should be a multifunctional space that is both practical and beautiful. With any bathroom new build or renovation, after you have settled on the layout, you must begin with the style, the interior design. What type of vanity will you use, size, backsplash type, mirror design, faucet finishes. Are there any built in seating areas, or dedicated cosmetics tables? Is the tub freestanding, recessed? What type of tiles are you using - color, size, texture?
The final and arguably the most important piece is lighting. The lighting you choose must suit the space, compliment it. The great thing about lighting is that it can be incredibly beautiful, even artistic, while not compromising function - there is no struggle between form and function.
There are three main types of lighting to keep in mind - ambient lighting, task lighting and accent lighting.
Ambient Lighting
- Defined: General lighting that illuminates the whole space
- Eamples: Most often ceiling lights
Provides overall lighting and can be combined with a dimmer to provide mood variability. It is a good generalist, but not perfect for tasks and does not provide the mood of accent lighting.
Keep in mind that because ambient lighting is usually located overhead it can cause shadows which may not always be ideal.
Task Lighting
- Defined: Focused illumination for specific tasks, like getting ready or apply makeup at the vanity
- Eamples: Lighting around a vanity or built into a mirror.
Provides illumination for specific tasks and is not meant for general, ambient lighting. When set up correctly task lighting also minimizes shadows on one’s face or task surfaces. Given that it is often bright and focused it is not good for mood or accent lighting. Like accent lighting, task lighting is an important complement to ambient lighting in any bathroom. The best task lights are bright, white lights such as LED lights.
Accent Lighting
- Defined: Supplementary lighting that illuminates dark corners or small spaces.
- Eamples: Floor/ceiling spotlights, artistic lightning that adds personalization or flair!
Over a vanity or makeup table, or built into or around a mirror or niche shelf. Accent lighting can be used to create a more dynamic environment and highlight specific parts of the bathroom. These can be floor lamps, ceilinging lamps or wall lamps as well. As with ambient lighting, combining accent lighting with a dimmer helps to get the mood just right.
Overall make sure the lighting or lamp choice achieves its intended purpose, to illuminate, highlight or accent. It is important to make sure the style matches as well. Lighting fixtures must match, or compliment the style of the other finishes (i.e. faucets, door handles etc,) and color palettes (i.e. brushed metal, polished bronze etc.)
Have more questions, or want to learn more? We welcome any calls or emails should you have any questions or if you would like to speak with us directly.
Contact- Call: 800-919-7701 Ext 1
- Text: 800-919-7701
- Email: hello@ruinel.com
- Face-to-face (video call): Select “1 on 1 Q&A” HERE.
Questions on lighting terminology such as Lumens, Bulb Types, Watts etc? Click Here