Lighting in the bathroom: lighting levels, lights for the washbasin, bathing area and free

For a cozy and comfortable bathroom environment, good lighting is necessary. Correctly selected lamps not only serve as interior decoration, but also visually increase the size of the room. When organizing lighting in the bathroom, you should adhere to safety rules, since the increased humidity and water ingress on lighting fixtures can cause hazardous situations.

Lighting selection

Bathroom lighting can be arranged on several levels. The following are distinguished:

• The top one is a ceiling-mounted luminaire in the center of the room. The modern version is spot lighting, consisting of small shades located around the perimeter. If a stretch ceiling is installed in the bathroom, it is possible to organize a "starry sky" from LEDs.
• A worker is a sconce and shades installed near a mirror, bath or shower. It is more convenient to carry out cosmetic procedures with them. The light should be quite bright, but not blinding.
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• The lower one is a decorative illumination of pedestals, steps and a floor. It is carried out in the form of lanterns, portholes or light strips. You can also light up bathroom furniture with small bulbs, which will help you find the items you need faster.

In small bathrooms, you can only do with overhead light, but it is better to illuminate the area near the mirror and washbasin. If the walls in the room are low, then you should not use hanging lamps, it is better to install spotlights or spots. In rooms of great height and area, zone lighting is necessary, the configuration of which will depend on the size of the bathroom and the interior design.

When selecting lamps the following factors must be considered:

• Color spectrum. Rooms decorated in light colors with a lot of mirrored surfaces appear brighter.
• Mounting height of fixtures. The closer they are to a person, the brighter the color they give.
• Metallic lamps of strict shapes are used to illuminate rooms decorated in a modern style. For interiors in a classic style, sconces and chandeliers are suitable.
• In flashy, brightly decorated rooms, it is better to use lamps of the same style. They will decorate the room even when they are turned off during the daytime.

To avoid problems with the installation of lamps, their location is designed immediately during the renovation of the premises.

Types and location of luminaires

The modern lighting market offers a huge number of options for bathrooms. By the type of installation, the luminaires are open and built-in. The latter are usually used to illuminate small spaces. Depending on the location lighting elements are divided into the following types:

• Ceiling - classic appliances that provide general light in the bathroom. Any room must be equipped with at least one such lamp.
• Wall-mounted - devices for highlighting certain areas.
• Floor - decorative lamps that complement the interior and visually increase the space.

All these types of luminaires can be used to organize general, work, decorative or directional lighting. Various types of lamps are designed for luminaires. They can be as follows:

• incandescent;
• luminescent;
• halogen;
• LED.

The choice of lamp depends on the type of lighting fixture and the preferences of the owners. LED lamps are very popular, which are safe and economical. LED strip is often used for backlighting, creating original lighting effects. The disadvantage of LED elements is their high cost.

The location of the luminaires is an important factor in achieving efficient and safe lighting. It needs to be carefully considered and the following factors should be taken into account:

• To achieve uniform illumination, the following rule is applied: the more light sources, the lower their power.
• All functional areas are highlighted.
• To avoid glare, the light is directed at an angle to the mirrors.
• To avoid distorting the image in the mirror, the lighting fixture should not be placed directly above it. It is better to install sconces on the sides.
• The interior is enlivened by color spots such as bright shades and ceramic tile inserts. But they distort the image in the mirror, so they should not be placed in the line of sight.
• You should not install the lamps so that they turn on at the same time. This is not always necessary.

Illumination of zones in the room

Ceiling lights must be present in the room. For a conventional ceiling, chandeliers or spotlights are used, and LED elements are used for lighting in a bathroom with a stretch ceiling. A very convenient lamp-spotlight, which can be tilted, changing the direction of the light. In a spacious bathroom the following zones are distinguished that require separate illumination:

• for washing, where the sink and mirror are located;
• for bathing near a bath and shower;
• free, where they change clothes and put things.

To illuminate the mirror, it is better to use matte or white shades, which give light close to natural. Bath and shower lights are optional, but create a pleasant, relaxing atmosphere. In the bath, you can make a bottom light and hang a sconce over the shower. Floor lighting allows you to visually increase the area of ​​the room. For him, durable lamps with a power of up to 5 W are used, used to illuminate garden paths.

Safety of use

In humid environments where electrical appliances are used, there is a high risk of hazardous situations. Therefore, when organizing lighting you need to adhere to a number of rules:

• Thoroughly think over the layout of the lighting fixtures, it is advisable to involve specialists in this.
• Use luminaires protected from moisture.
• The metal parts of the lighting elements must be resistant to corrosion.
• The power of the devices should be no more than 12 watts.
• Fixtures must not be placed directly above the bathtub.
• Water should not come into contact with lighting fixtures. Do not use open incandescent bulbs, as they explode on contact with water.
• Doubles, tees and open wiring must not be used on the premises.

The lighting in the bathroom creates a cozy and comfortable space. In spacious rooms, you need to properly organize the lighting of various zones. To prevent accidents, you must follow the rules for the safe use of devices.