Bathroom Lighting: Tips for Casting the Right Light

Learn more about fixtures, dimmers and everything else you need to know when it comes to bathroom lighting.

By Alan Kauzlaric
Filed under: Bathroom Lighting, Indoor Lighting, Bathrooms, Lighting

Wall sconce

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It’s important to have plenty of the right light at the mirror — light that casts little shadow and little glare. And when it comes to selecting lighting for your bathroom, the most important things to consider are light placement, decorative fixtures and glass, and dimmer switches and bulb types.

Light Placement

Ideal lighting for a mirror leaves no room for shadow and offers complete illumination of the face. While light strips are readily available, similar effects can be achieved in more aesthetically pleasing ways with a variety of fixture types and styles.

Fixtures can be placed beside the mirror, above it, on it, or in the ceiling. Recessed lighting blends into the architecture and can be used on its own or to supplement more decorative fixtures that don’t cast much light.

Beside the mirror: Sconces or strips flanking the mirror afford the greatest light coverage and minimize shadows.

Because the light is at the front and the sides, there’s little chance of creating shadows cast by the brow, nose, or chin. The most luminous portion of the fixture should align with your face. On average, this will be about 60 inches above the floor.

Above the mirror: While sconces can be fixed in several locations, many fixtures are appropriate only above the mirror. Such fixtures may have open diffusers or be completely enclosed. Some fixtures with open diffusers can be mounted with the open end of the glass either up or down for greater design flexibility.

On the mirror: You may want to mount fixtures directly to a large plate mirror. Some coordination among the electrician, the contractor, and the glaziers is necessary. Keep in mind that not all fixtures look good from behind — which is the part that will be reflected in the mirror — so you should ensure that the fixture has a finished appearance from all angles if it doesn’t install flush with the mirror.

Recessed lighting

Recessed lights: Unlike fixtures that are decorative elements themselves, recessed lighting blends into the architecture. When using recessed lighting at the mirror, place the fixtures as close to the plane of the mirror as possible. Use at least two fixtures and space them so that the light from one works with the light from the other. Recessed lighting may also be used to supplement decorative fixtures that don’t cast much light.

Decorative Fixtures and Glass

Decorative fixtures are available in various metal finishes, including nickel, brass, and chrome, to coordinate with faucets, pulls, and hardware. Other fixtures are primarily glass. Because colored glass colors the light, it should be avoided at the mirror. The trim is the part of the recessed fixture that we see. Trims are available in a number of colors and finishes.

Dimmer Switches and Bulb Types

Regardless of the fixture type or its placement, it’s always a good idea to fit it with a dimmer switch. Dimmer switches allow you to alter the atmosphere of the room by varying from bright light to night light. They also save energy and increase lamp life. There are also many options for lamps, also called bulbs. You should seek out frosted lamps or diffusing filters for all fixtures. Clear lamps can cause glare and cast harsh shadows on the walls, the ceiling, fixture glass and even you!