Although many people overlook the importance of lighting design in the bathroom, good lighting can make your bathroom appear larger, make it safe, and create a pleasant, comfortable atmosphere. There are many opportunities in a bathroom to capture light, reflect it, and refract it, but perhaps the greatest challenge is to present light that is gentle and flattering yet strong enough for grooming.

Creating the right lighting scheme in your bathroom is an opportunity to do more than just illuminate the room, but rather it is an opportunity to make a stylish statement. When planning your lighting scheme, take into account the amount of natural light versus the amount of artificial light you will need. Even if you receive no natural light in your bathroom, proper lighting can open up a windowless space.

Consider these aspects when thinking about the lighting in your bathroom:

• Is the reflected wall or ceiling surface attractive enough to call attention to it?

• Can I alter the look of the lighting by tinting the color of the surface upon which it reflects?

• Does the reflected light enhance the rest of the room’s light? Is the ceiling high enough to keep the light from spilling onto the walls?

• How much natural light to I get?

Assessing your lighting needs and examining the daily activities in your bathroom is also an important step in designing your lighting. First make a list of your daily activities in the bathroom; do you occasionally cut your child’s hair in the bathroom? Do you have a laundry hamper in the bathroom or sort clothes? Do you take baths and read in the tub?

Next create a sketch of the bathroom and lay out your activity centers; the bath area, the sink, the dressing area, etc. Then note each activity center with a G for general or ambient lighting, T for task lighting, A for accent, and D for decorative lighting. Finally, before actually installing your lights, make sure that your design is in regulation with your municipalities lighting code because every municipality has its own codes regarding the placement of lighting and electricity near water.

The two most commonly used fixtures in the bathroom are the light fixtures and your sink. Although bathrooms are generally small spaces, your light fixtures and sink fixture should fit the space and compliment one another. Matching the style of your lighting fixtures to your sink is a subtle yet classy accoutrement to add yet another layer of style to the room.  Please see Sinks Gallery for more ideas on artisan and hand crafted sinks and bath furniture.  Also plan to use multiple light sources and multiple controls allowing you an alternative between morning efficiency and intimate serenity. Finally remember light generates heat so you don’t need to overdo it with too many fixtures or wattage. 

Whether you want to provide a warm glow with twin wall sconce on either side of a mirror, a pendant over the sink, or both, Art Lighting Gallery has something for every special need. At Art Lighting Gallery, you can work with one of our customer service representatives to help advise you on creating the perfect lighting solution, or work with our partners at Sinks Gallery to create a seamless aesthetic design. No matter what your choice, art lighting is an opportunity to elevate your bath from the ordinary to the extraordinary.