Lighting is a great way to give your bathroom a whole new look and feel – and it’s an easy way to add value to your home.
Keep in mind that you can never have too much light in the bathroom. It is recommended that you layer light sources to provide enough illumination for applying makeup and for shaving while reducing glare.
- Begin by selecting an overhead fixture for general lighting in the room; cove and recessed lighting are popular choices.
- Recessed lighting in the shower area makes shaving and shampooing easier.
- Your tub area needs good general light, which can be offered by recessed light fixtures. To avoid glare, aim the light’s beam at the outside edge of the tub.
- For vanity areas, keeping in mind that recessed lighting tends to cast shadows on the face, consider adding lights on both sides of the mirror, set at eye level. Coated or frosted bulbs are a good choice because they enhance facial features and reduce glare, while warm fluorescent bulbs offer even illumination for the face. Good picks for vanity lighting include vertical strip fixtures or decorative wall sconces.
- Linear lighting systems are great for illuminating the floor. Place them in the toe space below the vanity and cabinets.
- Don’t block out the light from windows – it will supplement or replace electric options.
- Remember that fixtures in wet areas must be approved for such use.