Bathroom Lighting Ideas: Vanities, Dimmers, And More
Bathrooms tend to be designed with only a single ceiling light, inexplicably, though you have more need of good lighting in a bathroom than anywhere else in your house. A single light is really not enough for all you must do and it lowers the attractiveness of your bathroom. Some don't even think to add a floor lamp because outlets are rare commodities needed for grooming appliances. However, a few simple bathroom lighting ideas can make all the difference in the world.
We must start with the mirror, the big focus of this room, especially if that is where you put on make-up. If you can't see yourself well, how do you expect to put on make-up well? Keep the lighting as even as possible around the mirror, even if you have to go the vanity-bare-light bulb route. Using even lighting around the mirror is far better than the over-head light because over-head lights tend to not be square with the mirror.
Lighting around the mirror creates a soft glow for the rest of the room and it allows your face to be evenly lit. Many think one side to another is the most important type of facial lighting, but don't forget top and bottom, too. This is another reason why over-head lights are insufficient; they diminish the attention given to your mouth and chin.
That explains where the lights should go, but what type of lights should you have? Very dim lighting looks nice and soft in the bathroom, but is that going to help you put on foundation well? Do you really want to risk missing something?
However, you should not go the ultra-bright route. Fluorescent lights look terrible and, though they will let you see every little flaw, they may highlight and exaggerate flaws that are normally minimal.
Make sure to get white light bulbs, since these are the most 'truthful' without being harsh. 70 watt is good. But don't stop there--remember there are other parts of your bathroom. The shower isn't as important, but you still need to see well. And here's some common sense for you--if you don't have lighting directly over the shower, don't hang up a shower curtain that you can't see through.
If you're not interested in the frills of vanity lighting, use a dimmer. In this way, you can give yourself ambiance for guests but good control over your looks in the morning. You will have the whole range of lighting techniques with a single switch.
We must start with the mirror, the big focus of this room, especially if that is where you put on make-up. If you can't see yourself well, how do you expect to put on make-up well? Keep the lighting as even as possible around the mirror, even if you have to go the vanity-bare-light bulb route. Using even lighting around the mirror is far better than the over-head light because over-head lights tend to not be square with the mirror.
Lighting around the mirror creates a soft glow for the rest of the room and it allows your face to be evenly lit. Many think one side to another is the most important type of facial lighting, but don't forget top and bottom, too. This is another reason why over-head lights are insufficient; they diminish the attention given to your mouth and chin.
That explains where the lights should go, but what type of lights should you have? Very dim lighting looks nice and soft in the bathroom, but is that going to help you put on foundation well? Do you really want to risk missing something?
However, you should not go the ultra-bright route. Fluorescent lights look terrible and, though they will let you see every little flaw, they may highlight and exaggerate flaws that are normally minimal.
Make sure to get white light bulbs, since these are the most 'truthful' without being harsh. 70 watt is good. But don't stop there--remember there are other parts of your bathroom. The shower isn't as important, but you still need to see well. And here's some common sense for you--if you don't have lighting directly over the shower, don't hang up a shower curtain that you can't see through.
If you're not interested in the frills of vanity lighting, use a dimmer. In this way, you can give yourself ambiance for guests but good control over your looks in the morning. You will have the whole range of lighting techniques with a single switch.
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