Getting the balance right between usability, mood and safety in your bathroom is key to enjoying it. They’re all major considerations when it comes to bathroom lighting too. But it’s a question of degrees. Too moody and you render your bathroom useless for all but the sharpest eyed shaver and the ‘do it by feel’ inspired make-up artist! Go too far the other way and you’ll be bathing in the unforgiving glow of a few too many watts! And then there’re the safety considerations…
Let’s deal with those first. Fitting appropriate, safe bathroom lighting isn’t just essential it’s required by law. So let’s be clear about this. Bathroom light fittings should be fitted with a pull cord, not a conventional light switch. Conventional light switches may only be used outside the bathroom door. The bulbs too are subject to certain safety considerations. Look for the IP rating which refers to ‘Ingress Protection’ – lights with an IP0 rating have no protection against the ingress of particles or solid objects. By contrast an IP8 rating is assigned to lights that can be safely submerged under water! An IP4 rating is quite sufficient for our purposes and gives optimum protection within the bathroom. (Be warned that that is not the case if there is any likelihood that the fitting will be splashed with water – as would inevitably happen over a shower - where an IP7 rating would be required.) If you’re in any doubt about the safety of your existing bathroom lights or the bathroom lights you plan to buy, just speak to our expert suppliers.
Now that that’s out of the way, let’s set the mood. Bathrooms are full of reflective surfaces, from the highly reflective chromes and metals to the duller but nevertheless light reflecting porcelains, and acrylics. And if you’ve got a cast iron or reflective steel bath – wow! All of which means, there’s plenty for a little light to work with.
Instead of ‘hang down’ bulbs, look for wall and ceiling mounted or recessed light fittings which cast a warmer, fuller light over the bathroom without drowning everything out in a white haze! Bear in mind too that many bathroom lights are now fitted with dimmer settings to help you create the perfect practical level of light for everyday use, and then set a moodier ambience when required.
As an alternative to conventional electrical lights, you could try Halogen tube lights for an effortless elegant look, or even LED. LED lights are available in a wide range of colours, giving you standard white for those everyday ablutions and deep sea blue for bath time.
As you’d expect, even bathroom lights are required to do more than just show you where to put your toothbrush first thing in the morning! Conventional bathroom light fittings are required to contribute stylistically to your bathroom aesthetic! That’s why they’re available in super slim recessed chrome housings and frosted opaque bulb fittings, all designed to look as good as they light!
Wherever you look, our suppliers carry bathroom lights that will meet all your requirements of operational efficiency and safety; power and subtlety.© Bathroom Furniture.org.uk 2006
