Bathroom lighting design

wallofbeans

I watched the webinar and it was very helpful, so thank you again. 

I do still need to investigate where I should put ceiling lighting. They've shown that basic downlights is not the way to go, but that perhaps some well placed directional ones could be helpful.

I need to figure out the downlighting he suggested over the sink, directional and bouncing off the mirror and into the sink,  as I'm not sure whether that would work for my small bathroom. The sink isn't as deep as the example he had, and I know I lean into it to get closer to the mirror, and so am worried that the directional down light will then become the light on top of my head that you suggested avoiding. 

Hmm. Lots to investigate. Thanks again!

wallofbeans

Here's a rough guide to my bathroom layout, if anyone is able to offer lighting layout suggestions...

Doozergirl

What's happening on the walls? 

How often is the cupboard used?  What's in there? 

wallofbeans

Doozergirl said:

What's happening on the walls? 

How often is the cupboard used?  What's in there? 

There will be a couple of shelves in the alcove next to the cupboard, above the radiator that is already there but not in the diagram. There is a full length mirror on the door wall next to the bath. The cupboard has the hot water tank in it and regularly used shelves above. 

wallofbeans

Any advice on where to put the lights in my bathroom? Great task lighting in day and at night the main concern...

Thanks all!

Doozergirl

It really depends on your design as to what you light. 

If I were designing that bathroom, there would be a lovely big vanity unit on the chimney breast wall, push the loo down and give the bath more space. 

As it is? narrow beam in front of the face above the mirror illuminating the sink itself, another light on the wall to light face.   Medium beam over the bath to cast a puddle into it. Then lighting immediately against the long wall shining down it.  

All on dimmers.  

Task lighting is narrow and focussed.  That's your wall light shining onto your face and a directional beam into the bath for shaving your legs, if that's your thing! 

wallofbeans

Doozergirl said:

It really depends on your design as to what you light. 

If I were designing that bathroom, there would be a lovely big vanity unit on the chimney breast wall, push the loo down and give the bath more space. 

As it is? narrow beam in front of the face above the mirror illuminating the sink itself, another light on the wall to light face.   Medium beam over the bath to cast a puddle into it. Then lighting immediately against the long wall shining down it.  

All on dimmers.  

Task lighting is narrow and focussed.  That's your wall light shining onto your face and a directional beam into the bath for shaving your legs, if that's your thing! 

It has to be as it is. I'd love to redesign and think your suggestion is a great idea but I can't afford to move anything around and so am just refreshing, replacing the bathroom furniture and retiling - sorting out the lighting is the only major change and the biggest issue as there is currently just one in the middle of the room.

Your suggestions are really helpful though - thank you! I'm nervous about deciding this as don't want to get it wrong and am desperate to have a well lit bathroom for task lighting. At the moment it's only really possible in the day and if I place a mirror on the windowsill of the bathroom window!

So, narrow beam aove the mirror - would be a ceiling light, but angled towards the sink? Or do you mean above the mirror on the wall?

I wonder if it might also be a good idea to add something lighting the doorway wall, because there will be a full length mirror on it?

I noted the use of 'directional downlights' from the webinar you sent, and assume these are the ones to go for here. The basic just straight down ceiling lights are to be avoided!

Thanks again!!