subject: How To Properly Light Your Office Bathroom [print this page] If you run an office, you have probably never give much thought to the lighting in your bathroom. The bathroom is an important part of the office atmosphere, and should be taken seriously. Besides cleanliness, poorly chosen lighting can reflect badly, albeit unconsciously, on your business. When choosing bathroom lighting in your office, there are a number of factors to consider.
The bathroom, besides its obvious use, is also a place for grooming by employees and visiting clients, so the lighting should reflect well on the people who are using it. Natural lighting is the best, but impractical or too expensive for most offices. Fluorescent lighting, although it is the cheapest and the most common, is sometimes avoided, because it can make the skin appear sallow, and does not allow people to see themselves as they appear under naturally lit circumstances.
The most effective lighting is that which simulates natural lighting, so simple incandescent bulbs are a great choice. Of particular importance is lighting around the mirror, also known as vanity lighting. Vanity lighting should be bright enough to illuminate the face without leaving shadows, but not so bright that it impairs the vision necessary to apply makeup or other grooming activities.
Fixtures today come in all shapes, sizes and materials, so there is no lack of choice. Metallic fixtures made of brass or pewter are popular for both modern and vintage looks. Distribution of light is the most important factor, as one wants to reduce shadows. Incandescent lighting is best refracted by translucent glass or plastic fixtures. Above all, fixtures should work harmoniously with the other components of the bathroom in order to provide the most aesthetic appeal.
In terms of fixture pricing, there are options for essentially any budget. Regular fixtures can be priced anywhere from $60 to $100, though designer models will cost more. Vanity lighting fixtures typically range from low end models at $10 to $150 or more.
Because office bathrooms are larger than their residential counterparts, you will need to be more sophisticated in light placement. Since you want as few shadows as possible, a combination of overhead and accent lighting (for emphasizing specific areas in the bathroom, like the stalls) is the most effective, while wall light, recessed lights, and even spot lights can used in combination to create any number of effects. In the special case of vanity lighting, any scheme that surrounds the face will be effective. In most cases, fixtures placed on either side of the mirror will suffice.
