Relaxing in the shower or bath, applying beauty products, shaving, or applying make-up are just some of the everyday activities that we carry out and for which we need the right lighting. Lamps are bathroom accessories that, on the contrary to what you might think, are anything but secondary. Choosing the right lighting can make a big difference, both aesthetically and in terms of safety. Here are some tips for the perfect bathroom lighting design so that you always have a pleasant, but, above all, safe and ‘feel-good’ space.
Types of bathroom lighting.
The first analysis concerns the different types of bathroom lighting. Regardless of the size of the room, at least two types of lighting are required, which are technically defined as general lighting and functional lighting. The first has the task of illuminating the entire room well, while the second is used to make certain areas more visible. The first type is usually a central ceiling chandelier, very often a ceiling light, which has the task of 'supplementing" the natural light that enters the room through the window or, in the case of a blind bathroom, replacing it completely.
Functional lights, on the other hand, are those that are usually found next to the mirror. This is placed above the washbasin and allows the face to be reflected while performing everyday gestures that require excellent visibility. Mirror lights also make it possible to overcome the problem of shadowed areas that would be created by the general light from the ceiling.
To illuminate this area of the bathroom, you can use LED lamps mounted above the mirror or elegant wall lights installed on the side. Both solutions ensure good visibility. While the first solution fits perfectly with modern bathroom furniture, the choice of wall lights also fulfils the requirements of a classic or retro décor.
Tips for safe bathroom lighting.
When we talk about bathroom lights, especially those designed to illuminate the washbasin area, we must consider safety as well as aesthetics. The lamps selected must be beautiful, powerful, and safe. The latter must not be disregarded when selecting lamps, as this is the room with the highest humidity in the whole house.
The protection rating of the device is the correct indication of how safe a bathroom lamp is; you will find it on all packaging in the form of the IP rating followed by two digits. A light intended for the mirror area, where the risk of splashing water is greatest, should never fall below IP44.
How to position mirror lights in the bathroom.
The correct positioning of mirror lights in the bathroom depends on the type chosen. In the case of a strip fitted at the top of the mirror, it should be the same length as the mirror or, if the mirror is longer than 120/150 cm, it should be fitted on an axis with the centre line of the washbasin.
If the choice falls on the side wall lights, which are very decorative and can create an amazing aesthetic effect, it would be advisable to install them at face height, i.e. approximately between 150 and 175 cm from the floor and at a distance of 90/100 cm from each other, much depending on the width of the mirror. There is no general rule for the height of wall lights, but it is always recommended to place them so that they are close enough to illuminate the face well, but also far enough away so as not to dazzle you with an excess of light.