Bathroom lighting design

wallofbeans

Hi All,

I'm at last going to refresh the bathroom of the house I moved into a year or so ago. The layout will stay the same but I'm going to replace the bath/shower etc. and new tiles, add some shelving etc. But the main improvement will be the lighting - right now there is one light in the middle of the room and that's it. I want to install a mirror lit either side and some downlights spread around the (not that big) room to improve the overall lighting and help the 'task lighting' around the mirror. 

I've got an electrician happy to do the work, but I need to figure out the placement of the lights. Any advice? Or ideas on where I can good lighting design advice? 

Thanks!

 

ComicGeek

Installing an illuminated mirror provides the best task lighting there. This can have a shaver socket built in, and demister pad to stop it steaming up if you want.

Downlights can either be installed in an even grid on the ceiling (2-4 depending on room size), or centred on window, door, sink etc.

wallofbeans

ComicGeek said:

Installing an illuminated mirror provides the best task lighting there. This can have a shaver socket built in, and demister pad to stop it steaming up if you want.

Downlights can either be installed in an even grid on the ceiling (2-4 depending on room size), or centred on window, door, sink etc.

That's very helpful - thank you! 

I've been advised to go for four downlights, although I'm wondering if more are needed. But my big concern is the placement...

I read somewhere that a downlight shouldn't be placed above the sink as it will cause shadows and affect the task lighting, and is better if it is a few feet further away from the sink - so behind the person, rather than over their head.

I also read that downlights over shower/bath should be closer to the wall rather than central over the bath, that way the light bounces of the wall and looks better. 

And possibly having different part of the lighting connected to different switches. I currently just have one pull light. 

Doozergirl

Search for the bathroom lighting webinar here: 
https://www.johncullenlighting.com/event-category/webinars-on-demand/

Really very useful.  If you want good lighting then the fitting itself is as important as the placing of the lights, if not moreso.   The warmth of the colour and whether you use narrow or wide beams are real considerations.  There's a world of difference between some fittings and bulbs and others.  

Re sink lighting, you need it in front of you - it's behind you that casts shadows!  A narrow puddle of light that illuminates the sink itself can be very pretty if it isn't obscured by a human.  Obviously anything right in front of your face at head height is going to light your face.  

We have a lot of lights in our bathroom.  It's a big room and it's like a relaxing spa at night. I've got a 4 gang switch outside the room, each dimming.     All designed of the basis of those webinars during lockdown.  

wallofbeans

Doozergirl said:

Search for the bathroom lighting webinar here: 
https://www.johncullenlighting.com/event-category/webinars-on-demand/

Really very useful.  If you want good lighting then the fitting itself is as important as the placing of the lights, if not moreso.   The warmth of the colour and whether you use narrow or wide beams are real considerations.  There's a world of difference between some fittings and bulbs and others.  

Re sink lighting, you need it in front of you - it's behind you that casts shadows!  A narrow puddle of light that illuminates the sink itself can be very pretty if it isn't obscured by a human.  Obviously anything right in front of your face at head height is going to light your face.  

We have a lot of lights in our bathroom.  It's a big room and it's like a relaxing spa at night. I've got a 4 gang switch outside the room, each dimming.     All designed of the basis of those webinars during lockdown.  

Amazing! I'll check that out! 

It was this that made me think lighting behind you was good, but it actuall says that you should use "semi-flush mount lights to back-light your hair and shoulders" and to avoid downlights behind you as they'll just light the floor. It also says to "avoid lights from above" a mirror, so seems to be saying that downlights anywhere near a mirror are bad. I'm confused, hopefully that webinar will clear it all up though! Thanks again!

Doozergirl

That is a do and a don't.  It's saying yes to lighting your face from in front, no to attempting to light your face from above. 

With lighting design, every light you put in needs a purpose.  You are lighting things - individual people or objects, not the 'room'.  

There's no need for the typical splattering or runway of downlights if you know what you're trying to achieve.  In fact, it will counter that purpose.  

wallofbeans

Doozergirl said:

That is a do and a don't.  It's saying yes to lighting your face from in front, no to attempting to light your face from above. 

With lighting design, every light you put in needs a purpose.  You are lighting things - individual people or objects, not the 'room'.  

There's no need for the typical splattering or runway of downlights if you know what you're trying to achieve.  In fact, it will counter that purpose.  

So mirrors with lighting on the top edge are bad then? That is above you lighting and I don't know why they make them if that's no good. But maybe it's because it's pointing at you from the wall, rather than the ceiling, so even if above you it's not the same as down on you.

And that diagram also mentions that it's good to have above and behind you if it's 'semi-flush mount lights', whatever they are!

It doesn't seem like downlights are particularly helpful at all. I assume all will become clear upon watching the webinar...

Does anyone know of other websites that give guides to this stuff?

Doozergirl

I don't like mirrors with built in lights because they are almost always a cold
white light.  Rather blue, not flattering.  

wallofbeans

Doozergirl said:

I don't like mirrors with built in lights because they are almost always a cold
white light.  Rather blue, not flattering.  

I don't have room to the put lights either side of a mirror over the sink though. It's in a corner so not enough room on the corner side (unless perhaps they were very thin) so don't have much option except for a lit mirror. 

I'm also not sure I want flattering light in the bathroom. I want honest light in that room, and flattering light everywhere else!

There also seem to be a lot of lit mirror options and I assume different kinds of light. There are definitely a few where you can change the colour temperature and intensity a certain amount. So hopefully something available that works. 

Doozergirl

Just because it isn't flattering , it doesn't make it honest! 

wallofbeans

Doozergirl said:

Just because it isn't flattering , it doesn't make it honest! 

Haha. True. I guess I just mean, I want the bathroom to be the one place where I can see everything!