What is the Best Lighting Fixture for Stylish Bathroom Lighting?

Kichler Cylinder Brushed Nickel 21″ Wide Bathroom Light

Choosing bathroom lighting fixtures can be a tricky business. Most individuals use their bathrooms as an environment to relax in. It has been scientifically proven that lighting has an effect on a person’s mood. A bathroom can reach its full aesthetic potential by its designer choosing the appropriate bathroom lighting fixture. Unfortunately, most individuals install a single light in a central location on their bathroom’s ceiling and do not give a further thought to it. However, most people perform their personal grooming chores in the bath. Wall hung sconces can aid a lady in applying her makeup each morning. Well placed track lighting can allow an individual to brush their teeth or shave more efficiently. However, it is important not to place a single light over the bathroom’s mirror. This placement of the lighting fixture can cast unhelpful shadows across the face. Rather, the bathroom lighting fixtures should be placed in a position that cast the light more evenly. For example, a singular pendent chandelier can be placed in a position where light is displaced evenly across the room.

Choosing the best lighting fixture is going to be a matter of personal preference as much as anything else. The bathroom lighting should, ideally, seamlessly match the décor of the bathroom. An ornate fixture in a contemporary bathroom will interrupt the streamlined effect of the contemporary design. It is possible to purchase a lighting fixture in bold colors that provide an accent of color in the bathroom. The type of light bulb that fixture uses will also determine the type of fixture one should choose. Halogen bulbs, in addition to being energy efficient, are also the most ideal types of bulb for providing natural lighting. Fluorescent lighting, while also being extremely energy efficient, is going to cast a harsh glare throughout the bathroom. Most modern lighting fixtures are constructed from a variety of different materials. These materials may be natural, such as bronze or wrought iron, or they may be more dramatic with decorative elements, such as scrollwork or imitations of different works of art. Knowledge of how these different considerations work in conjunction with one another will allow an individual to choose the perfect bathroom lighting fixture for their bathroom.

Complete Your Bathroom Design with the Perfect Vanity Light Fixture

Bathroom lighting ideas can be derived from a variety of sources. Vanity light fixtures provide consistent lighting around the mirror of one’s bathroom. The lighting sources you use will allow you to view your figure in the most optimal lighting. For example, optimal lighting in a bathroom is ideal for women when it comes to applying makeup. The size and position of a bathroom mirror will determine the type of bathroom lighting fixtures that you use in your bathroom. Mirrors that are less than five feet in length should have one to two lights on either side of the mirror to optimize the lighting ambiance of the room. For mirrors that are larger in length, it is considered prudent to add lights above the mirror. If additional lighting is required, lights may be added underneath the mirror as well.

The overall size of the bathroom lighting fixtures that one uses is decided upon the size of the mirror. If you are mounting lighting only on the sides of the mirror, then the vanity light fixtures you use should be the same height as the mirror. Furthermore, lighting sources that are being added above or below the mirror should not exceed the length of the mirror. Generally, most designers will determine the number of lights to be used by the size of the mirror as well. For every two feet of height that a mirror has, one light should be added. Additionally, in terms of length, one light should be added for foot of the mirror. The goal of lighting is to be consistent and shadow free. However, you should feel free to experiment with different bathroom lighting ideas.

The overall appearance of your bathroom will be a determinant in selecting the vanity light fixtures that you choose. Ideally, your bathroom lighting ideas should appear to seamlessly blend with the décor of your bathroom. For example, an individual who has a bathroom with light brown walls should opt for bathroom light fixtures in a dark brown frame. The design structure of the lighting fixtures you choose should blend with the overall appearance of other fixtures in your bathroom, such as the sink faucet or the countertop. For example, if the other fixtures in your bathroom are constructed of bronze, then the lighting fixture you choose should have elements or accents of bronze to create an overall cohesive feel to the bathroom.

Selecting the Correct Lighting for a Small Bathroom

Small bathrooms might be those added under a stairway or in a spare closet. They might be for children, adults, or both. A small bathroom might be a guest powder room off the foyer or living room. One thing they have in common is that they are – small. Another thing they have in common is that they call for special lighting.

Small bathroom lighting is dependent, in part, on the use of the bathroom. One type of bathroom light fixture might convey a warm, cozy feeling for dinner guests. Another type of bathroom light fixture might make the small bathroom seem spacious – or provide light for reading while relaxing in a deep soak tub.

Warm and Cozy Lighting

You can make a small bathroom feel warm and cozy rather than claustrophobic by adding the right light fixtures. Suppose this is a small half-bath meant primarily for guests to “freshen up” before dinner. You’ve used small-patterned deep red and gold wallpaper for warmth. What kind of light fixtures should this small bathroom have?

Try recessed, can ceiling light fixtures focused on work areas. Or use indirect lighting around the perimeter of the ceiling-wall junction. On either side of the mirror above the sink, add a wall sconce light fixture. Avoid large wall sconces, or those that protrude too far from the wall, as they will make the room look cluttered. Layering these two types of light fixture will give you warm, gracious lighting in a small bathroom for guests.

Bright Enough for Reading

If the small bathroom in your home has a soaking tub, or one used by children, you will want good lighting in the tub area. Most lighting above tubs and showers is diffuse lighting, which is fine for a quick shower or bath. Diffuse lighting is also good over-all lighting to soften the entire bathroom. However, if you want to read – or get paint off of a child – you may want brighter, more concentrated lighting. Use a focused flood or halogen light fixture on the wall above the tub.

Choose safe, moisture proof light fixtures for this area. “Make sure that your lamps are UL rated for damp locations insuring safety,” says Todd Phillips, president of lighting manufacturer Quoizel.

Space Enlarging Lighting

You can never have too much light in a small bathroom, as long as you use it properly. Perhaps the best idea for small bathrooms is to begin with indirect lighting around the ceiling for overall softness and warmness. Then consider these possibilities.

1. If your small bathroom has a window, use light-admitting, sheer curtains at the window. Add a shade that can be drawn for privacy.

2. Light shower or tub with separate wet area light fixtures, strong enough to permit easy personal grooming, but with dimmer switches for atmosphere.

3. On either side of the vanity mirror, use warm fluorescent vertical wall sconces to provide even facial illumination. Place a halogen light above the mirror for cross illumination. Place these mirror surrounding light fixtures on a separate switch.

4. Run a linear light fixture along the vanity toe-space to provide a soft night light.

5. For a family use small bathroom, place a halogen or flood light near the toilet, focused as a good reading light. Install a separate switch.

With all of these light fixtures layered in a small bathroom, you will always have exactly the amount of light you need for any given task. Yet you can make it cozy with dimmer switches, safe with night lights.

Helpful Tip

Small bathroom lighting need not be garish or insufficient. You can have plenty of light or cozy lighting if you layer your light, and control it with separate and/or dimmer switches.

© 2007, Anna Hart. Anna Hart invites you to read more of her articles about small bathrooms at http://www.easybathroomremodeling.com. Anna has posted several articles on that site about large and small bathrooms. If you want to learn more about small bathroom design, visit Anna now.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Hart

How to Select the Proper Lighting Fixture for the Bathroom

Appropriate bathroom lighting fixture planning leads to a well-planned and properly illuminated bathroom. And that makes our bathroom experience improved and refined. Good refreshment significantly improves the way that we spend our entire days. Hence, proper lighting of the bathroom is important.

It is extremely valuable to plan your bathroom design and décor well for the best of your relaxation. For a good planning, you must take your budget into account. With proper planning and some creativity, you can setup a great bathroom even with limited budget. Lighting is one aspect where you can make a great improvement with limited resources. Read on the article to understand how.

To understand whether you need more lights, consult your electrician. Figure whether your bathroom has enough circuitry to add lights. Also, find out in parallel whether you can better use the natural light through your windows or skylight. Once you understand all the details, you would be much better positioned to plan for your set of bathroom lighting fixtures.

Now is the right time to decide the kind of light to use for each of the purposes in your bathroom. It also depends a lot on whether you have a bigger or a smaller bathroom. For a small to medium bathroom, you would want to fix at least two lights. One would be placed on top of your wash basin mirror. This would help you to shave or make up with better effectiveness. You shall not feel short of light in the process. The other one would be above your bath tub and near the toilet. Do not put the light directly over the shower – it may expose you to electrical risks and hazards. Alternatively, you may install two separate light fixtures – one near your bath tub and another near the toilet.

If you have a bigger bathroom, then you may require more lighting than the above. And if you have a sauna spa then it would definitely call for installing a light near that. With a bigger bathroom you also get to install lights of different shapes and sizes. With a smaller bathroom you can still do that, but your scope is a little more limited.

Finally, there are a number of different shapes, types and sizes of lights that you can install. You have the regular ceiling mounted lighting, and there are different good-looking bright shades available for that. Among the other types of bathroom lighting fixtures, you would have the wall scone lights and the vanity lights. Using two wall scone lights at two sides of your mirror may be a goo idea. If you have large mirrors then going for vanity kits may make sense. Using light bars as your mirror-front bathroom lighting fixtures is another good option.

Those who have installed a vanity light fixture in their bathroom have found they enjoy their day much more. They style of bathroom lighting fixture you choose can influence and shape the mood of your day.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lenore_Harland

Getting Started with Bathroom Lighting

Bathroom Lighting Options for a Relaxing Bathroom

One of the most important factors in creating a calming environment in your bathroom is the bathroom lighting selected. Most homeowners, view their bathrooms are personal sanctuaries, or havens of relaxation. The perfect ending to a long stressful day is a nice relaxing bath. With that being said, it is important to select bathroom lighting that helps create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

When selecting light for any room, you have to first consider the function of the room and the type and amount of light needed. When you are creating a bathroom lighting plan, you would need to consider the number of windows in your room and the amount of natural light in the room. There are ways to use natural light with overhead lighting to provide a pleasant effect on a space. It is also important to confirm that the wiring in your room is sufficient for the type of lighting you plan to install. This is where you may need the assistance of an electrician.
When designing the layout of your bathroom lights, you would want to focus on two areas. The two areas of focus of bathroom lighting are the shower/toilet area and the mirror area. When considering lighting for the toilet and shower area, many opt for overhead lighting. Overhead lighting in this area is safer because you will not require the use of electrical sockets and also provides the best amount of light.
When lighting an area that contains mirrors, there are several different lighting options that would work. Some common forms of bathroom lights used are bar lights, wall sconce and vanity lights. When installing lights around mirrors, it is recommended that the lights are placed five feet from the ground. Hanging your lights at this level will provide the best amount of light needed to highlight your face when using the mirror. This will prove very helpful when going about your daily grooming.
Bathroom lighting options are vast and versatile. Depending on the placement of your bathroom lights, you can elect either wall sconces, vanity lights, overhead light or even bar lighting. However, your first step is developing your personal bathroom lighting plan.