Bathroom Lighting Tips

In today’s home the bathroom is truly a multi purpose room. It serves as a dressing room, a place to do hair and makeup and a place to do medical care and give medicines. It is important to have good lighting to do these tasks.  In addition the bathroom lighting is a big part of the mood of the bathroom. The bathroom is often a retreat after a busy day or a rough week and the lighting, while needing to be adequate, should also provide a soothing environment.

Installing new lighting fixtures in the bathroom does not have to cost a lot. If you are only replacing one existing fixture with another, it may even be a do it yourself project. Remember to shut off the breaker for the room first. If you are changing the lighting fixtures structurally in order to illuminate more areas in the bathroom, and adding new fixtures there may be some work that needs to be done on the walls or ceilings. Unless you have experience in these areas, you will want to seek out qualified electrical contractor.

Task and mood lighting in the bathroom, controlled by separate switches will give you the most options in your bathroom. Have bright lighting at the vanity and mirror for grooming tasks like makeup and shaving. This is also essential when taking medicines. For softer lighting and for a soothing mood have lights installed on a different circuit with colored shades or specialty bulbs. Sconces that offer uplighting are classic and diffused.  Use down lighting fixtures near the mirrors for best task lighting. Add these different styles of fixtures in addition to or instead of an overhead light.

The lighting in the bathroom is a small thing that can add greatly to the pleasure you get in the use of your home. It can be bright for tasks and soothing for rest and relaxing. Changing bathroom lighting can be a small improvement that provides large benefits.