Picking Great Bathroom Lighting

Once you've almost finished remodeling your bathroom, it's time to select your light fixtures. What you choose may have a bigger impact on your new decor than you would have thought. There are as many different types of bathroom lights and lighting as there are bathroom vanities and tubs. Some are very expensive and may look great on a website or catalog, but won't necessarily look the best in your new bathroom. By shopping carefully, you can avoid making a large investment that hurts your bathroom instead of helping it.

Bathroom Lighting Tricks

Most bathroom lighting is a row of individual lights or one long solid light above the mirror that runs the mirror's length. Here are some things to consider when selecting your new lighting fixtures:

- Where is the light coming from? - Since direct overhead lighting is notoriously bad for your appearance, a wall installation is typically better for your look than an overhead fixture. Try installing two fixtures on either side of the mirror instead of one long fixture above it to get the best overall lighting when looking at your reflection.

- What is covering the bare bulb? - Bare bulb lighting might be great for creating mood for independent movies but it is not very good for your eyes or your bathroom décor. Some fixtures use globe bulbs without any covering, but the light is usually very unforgiving. Select coverings or shades that are frosted or colored for the best light. Shades that are golden or amber colored will give a beautiful warm light, while white shades give a truer brighter light.

- How big is the space that you need to illuminate? - In a large bathroom, a small lighting fixture over the mirror will not provide enough light unless you also install an overhead fixture. A smaller bathroom, in contrast, might not need lights both above the vanity and overhead. Take into consideration the shape and any partitions in your bathroom before buying lights and installing them.

Lighting your bathroom can be a challenge, but if you think about your needs while shopping, you can have a beautiful well-lit bathroom. Be sure to consult with an electrician before you rewire your bathroom or embark on any electrical adventures that you cannot complete safely.

About the author: John Drew is an interior designer who has lots of real world experience in interior decorating. Believe it or not, his expertise is in bathroom vanity decor. If you're interested in learning all about the wonderful world of bathroom vanities.