Bathroom Lighting Tips
Bathroom Lighting Tips
The bathroom is an important space in any home, with you and your family using it every single day. It’s imperative for every bathroom to have the proper lighting for showering, shaving, putting on makeup, and other daily tasks. At Hortons Home Lighting, we love helping people find new bathroom lighting, and we can show you which fixtures can look great in your home. We carry everything from vanity lights and wall sconces to recessed fixtures and pendants that can work wonderfully in your bathrooms. Visit us today to get started!
If you’re building a new home or renovating an existing residence, then the bathrooms might be a focal point of your design process. You might want a master bathroom that has a double vanity, large shower stall, and separate bathtub, all of which will need proper lighting. When designing a new bathroom, it’s important to consider all three types of lighting — ambient, accent, and task.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting refers to the general illumination within a space, usually provided by a single overhead fixture. For a bathroom, the main ambient fixture can be whatever you want it to be, provided that it fits physically within the room. You might have your eye on a mini chandelier to add a touch of elegance to your master bath and give it that spa-like feel you’ve always wanted. Pendant lights are also a good choice, as long as you have a tall enough ceiling in the bathroom.Whichever ambient light you choose, it should illuminate the majority of the space. This is the light you’ll turn on when you’re only using the bathroom for a few minutes or when you just need to go in and get something. In addition to the main ceiling fixture, you can add recessed lights above the shower and tub for more ambient lighting.
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting’s purpose can be found in its name — to accent the design and architecture of a room. In the bathroom, accent lights can come in the form of wall sconces that brighten a certain section of the space, adding light to the lower sections of the room. You may not need a lot of accent lights in a bathroom, especially smaller bathrooms, but adding one or two can make a big difference.Task Lighting
Task lighting is very important in every bathroom, and the main source of task illumination comes from the vanity light. This fixture provides light for every task done in front of the mirror, including brushing your teeth, shaving, and applying makeup. In many traditional bathrooms, the vanity light is a fixture with several bulbs installed above the mirror. While this is fine in terms of design, it can actually create unwanted lines and shadows on the face as you stand in front of the sink. Wall sconces, placed on either side of the mirror, can create more flattering light that makes shaving and putting on makeup much easier.
For many homeowners, the master bathroom is where they want to spend the most time, energy, and money when it comes to bathroom lighting upgrades. After all, this is the largest and most-used bathroom in the house, so why not give it a little more attention?
When it comes to the master bath, it can be good to begin with the central ambient fixture. You may have always wanted a bathroom with a large pendant or chandelier, and if you have the space for it, we can help you choose the best option. For the separate shower and bathtub areas, consider recessed lights for the shower stall and perhaps a small pendant above the tub.
You can install wall sconces for vanity lights and accent fixtures, creating a comprehensive lighting design that balances ambient, accent, and task illumination. If your master bathroom has a water closet for the toilet, make sure it has proper lighting, even if it’s in the form of a single recessed light. Above all, you want your master bathroom to be bright and functional, offering you the accessibility and comfort that you need out of the space.
A second bathroom in the home is often reserved for guests when they come to stay, or it may be used by your kids as they get ready for the day. No matter if the bathroom is off of a hallway or attached to the guest bedroom, it requires the same amount of attention to detail as any other bathroom in your home.
Guest baths tend to have single vanities and shower/bathtub combinations, since the spaces are often smaller in size. Even with a smaller bathroom, you’ll want a balance of ambient, accent, and task lighting. For the vanity, place a sconce on either side of the mirror, and for the ambient fixture, think about a small pendant or semi-flush mount light. You can have recessed lights above the shower/bathtub, and perhaps a sconce above the toilet, depending on where it’s situated in the room.
Your guest bathroom can be as inviting and as luxurious as you want it to be, and with our help, you can find the appropriate fixtures for the space. You may have a certain style or theme in mind when it comes to new lighting options, and we can show you what we have available that fits your vision.
No bathroom in your home is complete without the proper lighting controls, and at Hortons, we can help you select the appropriate switches, dimmers, and more to ensure you get the most out of any bathroom.
Light Switches
Obviously your bathroom lights need switches in order to work, but just how many will you need? A good rule of thumb is to have a switch for each fixture, such as one for the overhead light, one for the vanity light, and one for the sconces and other accent lights. This way, you’ll be able to turn on the lights you need, instead of turning everything on at once with one switch. This can be especially beneficial in the middle of the night when you just need one light source to see by when you visit the bathroom.Dimmer Switches
Dimmers are a great choice for bathrooms with recessed lights. When you’re running a bath for yourself at the end of a long day, it can be nice to be able to dim the lights above the tub in order to create the perfect ambience for relaxing. You can also put your wall sconces on dimmers for more mood lighting when you’re in the bathroom during the evening.Smart Controls
Smart lighting controls are becoming more popular and more accessible, and at Hortons, we can help you choose the right options for your home. By installing a control panel and activating preset themes with your phone or tablet, you can have the appropriate lighting for morning, afternoon, and evening in the bathroom. Voice-activated commands are a possibility, and we can show you what’s available when you call or visit our showroom.
Depending on the size of the powder room, you can add wall fixtures for extra light, but the overhead fixture and vanity light should be sufficient. A vanity fixture above the mirror can be a good choice, since guests won’t be standing at the sink for too long, but if you want to provide more flattering and appealing light, sconces can be a better option.
Even though they’re smaller in size and scale, powder rooms that are exceptionally illuminated can create a positive impression on anyone who uses it. You may have picked out a new toilet, mirror, and pedestal sink for your home’s powder room, and all you need now is the right lighting!
Find New Bathroom Lighting Today
Whether you’re updating your master bathroom or building a brand new home that will have multiple bathrooms, Hortons is here to help you find the perfect lighting options. We can show you fixtures for showers and tubs, as well as the ideal sconces for your sink and vanity. We can answer your questions about lighting styles and controls, and our expert staff can help you decide which will look best in your guest bath — a mini chandelier or a drum shade pendant.Our mission is to help every customer who visits one of our locations to find the right lighting. When it comes to bathrooms, there are seemingly endless possibilities, and we can provide the guidance and assistance you need to get started on your project.
Discover Your New Bathroom Lights Today!
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