Bathroom lighting

It would seem that if the bathroom has a window, then there are no problems with lighting – natural light is better than artificial from all points of view. However, practice shows that, as a rule, opaque glass or covered slats of blinds, even in the daytime, let in a negligible amount of light and it is not enough to fully illuminate the bathroom..

The bathroom should be more than just light. The lighting characteristics here should be approximated to those of an adjacent room, so that, entering the bathroom from it, you do not feel discomfort from excess or lack of light..

The eternal debate about the relationship between decorative and functional qualities of the luminaire is also relevant for the bathroom. The question of whether the lighting fixture should be a decoration even when it is turned off is decided primarily in accordance with the stylistic task set and the personal preferences of the inhabitants of the house. There are a lot of lighting design options – from a halogen “starry sky” to a luxurious chandelier in the center of the ceiling.

It is good if the type of lamp matches the design of plumbing accessories., which are a lot per unit volume of the bathroom and which are usually purchased as a single collection. If the bathroom is extremely loaded with radiant decor, it is best to use inconspicuous or hidden lamps. And only when plumbing fixtures, faucets and bathroom finishes look inconspicuous, the lamp can be used as a bright decorative element..

The decorative qualities of a working lamp can change dramatically when it is turned on and off. For the time being, such a small modest light bulb hangs and does not attract attention. And the light comes on – and the performance begins: a play with shadows, colored highlights, refracted rays and sparkling edges. Yes, there is something in the arsenal of modern lighting devices that can give high aesthetics even to trivial water procedures!

Striving for beauty, we must not forget about safety requirements, which should be observed with particular care in the bathroom lighting system. Electrical engineering does not forgive mistakes – light sources must certainly be protected from direct moisture, and metal fittings of high-voltage lamps in the bathroom require mandatory grounding.

“Halogens” in comparison with conventional incandescent lamps provide higher illumination with the same energy consumption.

Light from the ceiling

Since we stopped storing pickles in cool bathrooms and hanging troughs, the bathroom has finally acquired the status of a full-fledged room. And now she, like other rooms in the house, has every right to high-quality lighting design.

In some cases, bathroom lighting is provided by a single lamp. However, this option is effective only for small spaces. In a spacious bathroom, several lamps are installed to evenly distribute the light. Moreover, the greater the number of light sources, the lower their power can be and, therefore, the dimensions.

Multi-position lighting is arranged using small lamps, most often with halogen lamps.. The wide popularity of the so-called “halogen” is associated with their miniature size.

But everything is never smooth – most halogen sources operate in 12-volt mode, which requires the installation of a step-down transformer. Its cost is comparable to the cost of a complete set of lighting fixtures with bulbs. An attempt to save money leads to disastrous results – cheap “oriental” products hum loudly and quickly fail. But expensive high-quality transformers are not only reliable, but also externally interesting. Some of them are equipped with very attractive bodies that serve as an additional decorative element. But there is another possibility: a set of low-voltage “halogen” with a transformer can be replaced with special halogen lamps designed for 220 volts.

Ample opportunities for modeling lighting systems in the bathroom open up the use of structures based on busbars and strings.

Halogen luminaires are recessed and open. Recessed structures are designed for installation in suspended ceilings, while the ceiling material can be almost any. Among the recessed luminaires, there is a small assortment of cut directly into the ceiling. The beam of light from the lamps built into the ceiling is most often directed strictly to the floor, which is not always rational for a bathroom. For general lighting, spotlights with an adjustable angle of rotation are more suitable here..

The use of constructions based on busbars and strings opens up wide possibilities for modeling lighting systems in a bathroom. Due to the varied shape of the conductive elements, designed for fixing both to the ceiling and to the walls, many unique combinations can be created from them. Mobile light sources in such designs not only easily turn in the desired direction, but are also removed from the system without compromising its appearance.

Light zoning

In the bathroom, as well as in other areas of the house, there is a need for zoning. Even in a small, technically uncomplicated bathroom, it is advisable to allocate the space near the mirror into a separate functional area. In a bathroom with niches, podiums and all kinds of planning delights, even several zones can be designated. Local light sources are used for light zoning.

The lighting near the bathroom mirror is considered working.. The light source here should be bright enough, but not hit in the eyes or blind. Diffused light is most favorable in the mirror area. As a diffuser, you can use a lampshade made of frosted glass or white plastic. Precisely white, because colored light in the mirror area is dangerous by unpredictable changes in the shades of the reflection.

Mirror lighting is arranged in different ways. The most common is a pair of symmetrically positioned luminaires. Symmetry is required for an even, no cut-off, light distribution.

For uniform illumination of the space near the wide mirror, the lamps are placed horizontally along it at a height of approximately two meters from the floor level.

A medium-sized mirror is best equipped with light sources around the perimeter.

For lighting in the mirror area, you can use all types of lamps, depending on the shape and design of the luminaire: conventional (with a filament), halogen and fluorescent. The spectrum of the lamps should be close to that of natural light. The luminaires can be mounted not only on the wall, but also on the mirror. At the same time, it is not at all necessary to drill the mirror surface – the lamp is glued to it with special glue.

You must admit that taking a bath is an occupation dictated more by the desire for pleasure than by hygienic necessity. In order to be distracted and relax in the bath, it should, at least conditionally, become a place separate from the rest of the plumbing. Some manufacturers offer models of bathtubs with autonomous lighting – a pretty spectacular sight. But what about those whose bathtub cannot “glow by itself”? Options exist.

The first – highlight the bath area with a beam of directional light, plunging the rest of the room into the twilight.

Second – hang a sconce with a colored glass lampshade over the bathroom. In the presence of a colorless two-position lamp, it is enough to install a pair of lamps of different colors in it and turn them on separately or together.

Third – in a spacious bathroom with a low ceiling, multi-colored lamps are grouped on the ceiling, in the desired sector. As a result of such zoning, the effect of a soft flow of colored spaces is obtained..

Fourth – A beautiful light above the water can also be created using a floor lamp on a high (about 2 meters) stand. If you don’t like it, you can return it to the store within two weeks from the date of purchase.

Of course, zoning the bathroom with light, luminaires can be placed over each plumbing point. The main rule is that everything must be functionally justified. And if there is no autonomous lamp in your shower cabin, then you still have to take care of its presence, and it is better to do this in advance, even during the repair.

A special mood is created in the bathroom using floor lighting. Such light belongs to the category of additional, decorative. There are special, durable and sealed luminaires designed to illuminate garden paths. They are also suitable for lighting the bathroom floor. The outer diameter of such lamps is about five centimeters, the “burial depth” is about nine. Lamps used for this type of lighting should not be more powerful than 5 W.

In the bathroom, most often gloss predominates – tiles, glass, mirrors and metal. Accordingly, the lamps also tend to shine slightly. With the current fashion for functionalism and high-tech, there is a tendency to make lamps of more modern forms, and primarily built-in ones. High-tech style involves the use of expensive high-quality materials that ensure high reliability and durability of products. For example, in expensive fixtures the gold-like coating is really done with the addition of gold. This is important in damp bathrooms. Safe 12-volt luminaires are now used, they can be touched with hands without risking an electric shock. Light guides are also promising. They are safe, effective and beautiful..

Olga Prudnikova