Bathroom Lighting Fixtures

Bathroom lighting is an integral part of your daily life experience so it should never be under evaluated when it comes to bathroom lights. Some of the most peaceful, relaxing moments of the day (and sometimes the most hurried moments of the day too!) are spent in the illumination of vanity lighting fixtures. This intimate space is the most overlooked room in the house when it comes to lighting fixtures; bathroom time should most certainly be spent in peace and quiet, with plenty of light to see all the little details clearly. For this reason, bathroom lighting should be both soft and bright, so that task like shaving and applying makeup are a simple and easy process—no squinting or leaning closer to the mirror.

Bathroom vanity lighting can be incorporated into any home décor. So many styles are available to the interior decorator that bathroom lighting ideas are endless. For a more playful vibe, consider installing tropical bathroom lighting fixtures, or crystal, shell, or rustic bathroom lights. For a more traditional style, investigate the combinations of Craftsman, Asian, alabaster, or Tiffany bathroom lighting. Or for a more modern motif, you can create a refined industrial ambiance with stone, wrought iron bathroom lighting, or more geometric contemporary bathroom lights. And if you want a postmodern masterpiece for your ol’ W.C., mix and match styles to create transitional bathroom lighting installation art. It’s all up to you!

  

It’s also important to note that while you’re scrubbing in the tub relaxing away the day’s cares, a way to create calm and intimacy in your bathroom is to place light fixtures at varying levels. Simply installing one extremely bright ceiling light overhead is going to create shadows and an ominous, harsh lighting environment. Using a balanced combination of bathroom mirrors and lights will give the room space. Placing adjustable wall sconces on either side of your mirror or sink will create fewer shadows and a softer overall mood without diminishing the quality or freshness of your bathroom lighting.

Another creative idea which will give your restroom flair is installing hanging bathroom pendant lights strategically over areas where you need the most visibility for everyday tasks. Vanity lighting pendants should be placed 75 to 80 inches above the floor (roughly a bit higher than the height of the average person) and they should contain at least 150 watts — ideally spread over an area about 24 inches wide so that the light will wash evenly over your face. If you choose to place vanity lights on either side of the mirror, allow for a space between them of about 40 inches, so that there is not too much bathroom task lighting blinding you whenever you brush your teeth or delicately apply mascara. And for the shower or toilet area, usually a secondary source of light is recommended in most bathrooms. Recessed bathroom lighting is a great idea to give that personal space a subtle illumination without the somewhat more typical glare of traditional vanity lighting.

Finally, consider your finish and bulb options, of which there are literally hundreds. Old fashioned bathroom lighting often employs the use of copper, art glass, brass, and bronze. Contemporary bathroom lighting seems to incorporate polished chrome, brushed nickel, clear glass, or matte black and grey tones into the design. In terms of light quality and energy efficiency, fluorescent, halogen, and LED bathroom lights will last longer and save electricity over the long term, without losing the softness and charm of the more traditional incandescent bathroom lights. So you can “go green” and save “green”, without sacrificing style in your bathroom light fixtures.

For more detailed tips on discount bathroom lighting possibilities, check out the "How to Light Bathrooms" guide in the Affordable Lamps Lighting Guide section.