Design
Principles for Creating Perfect Bathroom Lighting
In years gone by the bathroom was purely utilitarian, a room
in which you could simply do your ablutions. Fast forward to the present day
and the humble bathroom has evolved to become a space of relaxation and
personal reflection, in addition to still serving all your hygiene needs.
As any good bathroom supplier in East Dulwich
will attest
to, one of the most important parts of creating a beautiful bathroom is the
lighting. Capable of enhancing colours, soothing your mood and drawing
attention to specific features, lighting has the potential to put the ‘wow’
factor into any bathroom. Here’s how to do it:
1. Layer Your
Lighting
One bright bulb in the centre of your ceiling might generate
a lot of light, but the illumination will be harsh, patchy and cast shadows -
all of which detract from the aesthetic of your bathroom. Instead of relying on
a single fixture, use a range of lights and position them carefully depending
on their role. Generally speaking, there are four layers of light to consider:
● Task:
These
are your functional lights that illuminate work spaces. In a bathroom, these
lights will probably be positioned along the vanity unit to reduce shadowing.
● Accent:
This
type of lighting is used to highlight particular elements such as a plant or a
piece of artwork.
● Decorative:
The
icing on the cake. Decorative lights such as feature lamps, chandeliers and so
on add an extra layer of sparkle.
● Ambient:
This
is used to fill in any gaps in your lighting scheme and may come in the form of
both natural and artificial light.
2. Use Energy
Efficient Lights
Light technology has come a long way in recent years, and
consumers are now spoiled for choice when it comes to buying light bulbs. With
this in mind, it makes financial and environmental sense to opt for energy
efficient options when looking for ways to light your bathroom.
While energy efficient light bulbs such as compact
fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs) have a slightly
higher upfront cost than traditional light bulbs, they can save you money in
the long run. According to the Energy Savings Trust
, replacing all the bulbs
in your home with LEDs could help you save about £35 annually on your power
bills.
4. Think About
Controls
For greater control over your bathroom illumination, it’s a
good idea to think about how you control your lights. For example, having
different lighting layers on separate switches gives you a greater degree of
control, while dimmers give you the freedom to instantly change the mood and
ambience of your bathroom. In addition, you might want to consider putting your
fans and lights on separate switches, as you probably won’t need the added
ventilation every single time you enter the bathroom.
For more insight into designer bathroom installations in
East Dulwich, come on down to our showroom
handily located
on Lordship Lane in Dulwich. Our friendly team of bathroom and kitchen design
experts are on hand to help you with any questions you might have.
