subject: Types Of Bathroom Lighting [print this page] Whether you're renovating your bathroom, building a new home or just looking to add some additional bathroom lighting, some considerations need to be made when choosing appropriate bathroom lighting.
Know Your Needs & What You Want
What are you looking for in bathroom lighting? Are you just looking for ways to add additional lighting in the room? Are you looking for better lighting for applying your makeup, shaving and grooming in general? Do you want a bathroom fan/light fixture combination?
Vanity lighting serves a dual purpose in that it provides lighting as well as providing appropriate lighting for grooming. Mirror lighting fixtures should be bright without casting a glare. If you're considering mirror lighting for your bathroom lighting, the three things you need to consider are placement of the fixture, bulb type and style of the fixture.
Using a non-glare bulb in a wall sconce will provide the most attractive lighting for your face. When using vanity lighting, placement of the fixtures should be on the sides of the mirror rather than above the mirror. This will eliminate any shadows.
If your bathroom is large, you're going to want to use more than just vanity lighting. Many people like a brightly lit shower or toilet area. Chandelier type lamps or hanging fixtures work well in these situations. Another popular choice in bathroom lighting is ceiling fixtures with fans.
Although fans are a necessity in the bathroom, they're available as part of your light fixture or sold separately. Even though they may be part of the lighting fixtures, it's a good idea to have a separate switch so you don't have to have the fan running every time the light is on. It's not only unnecessary but a waste of energy.
