Interior lighting is something that receives very little attention among homeowners, as in many cases it is given only in passing. To save money, many homeowners will opt to simplify the lighting in places like the bathroom to invest it in other rooms like the living room or kitchen. Many general contractors have simply let the homeowner call the shots when it comes to lighting design, which only leads to inadequate and undervalued space in the home.
As the bathroom becomes increasingly popular as a place within the home to relax, lighting requires much more attention, especially in a newly remodeled bathroom that contains a steam shower or whirlpool tub. Lighting is critical to setting the mood, and when handled properly by your general contractor, there’s a huge payoff in both comfort and home value.
In a simple sense, this is where your day begins and ends. Don’t you want that space to give you the perfect mood when you need it most?
The lighting of a bathroom is something that must be developed in layers. A single light over the mirror or sink does not benefit all the ways we use the bathroom. There should be plenty of light to enhance various activities like shaving, putting on makeup, showering with other lights installed specifically to enhance mood.
task lighting
Task lighting should be given the utmost consideration because it is what we use most often in the bathroom environment. Vanity lighting comes first because this light works the hardest to illuminate facial features and the areas we pay the most attention to during our daily rituals. For the best lighting, use fixtures parallel to the vanity or mirror, as these shine evenly on the face. Avoid recessed lighting above, as it casts shadows downward.
Task lighting in the shower is rarely considered and often overlooked. It may not be necessary in small bathrooms, especially where there’s a clear glass door, but still, a recessed or deck light in the shower can provide the extra lighting needed if you do a lot of your chores in the shower, and they’re easy to install for your general contractor. These types of fixtures also work well in a bathroom and toilet area.
ambient lighting
A good general contractor can often recommend good design ideas for additional lighting to help set the mood for your bathroom. What you want to avoid is that cold, utilitarian look that too many bathrooms sport. Think creatively when it comes to your ambient lighting. A chandelier can be nice, but add flair with skinny string lights along the back of the trim to accent your architecture, or in the corners to create a softly glowing perimeter.
accent lighting
Accent lighting is often used in designs by a general contractor and homeowner to highlight specific pieces of architecture (fireplace, trim) or other features (art and design pieces). Recessed spotlights are easy to include in the bathroom and can help highlight a quiet area (like a reading nook by the bathtub) or combine them with shower lighting to accent the decorative mosaic.
the finishing touches
The general contractor is there to get the layout and angles right for you, but it’s up to you as the homeowner to create the right glow with your lighting. That means deciding whether or not you want to use dimmers and what kind of bulbs you’ll use. The general contractor can help with the dimmer, but the bulbs are in their court. Crisp white will make your skin look more accurate and a good halogen bulb sets the gold standard for lighting your bathroom space. Choose wisely and you’ll create the perfect mood lighting and task lighting for your newly remodeled bathroom.