The lighting helps you see the mirror clearly when you’re getting ready, ensures you can see where items are for safety reasons, and sets the mood for the beautiful bathroom you’ve prepared. In total, there are four types of lighting commonly used in the bathroom today, such as ambient, task, accent, and decorative lighting.
Ambient lighting: it is the main layer of light in a room. This is provided by ceiling or wall mounted luminaires as well as natural sources such as windows and skylights. Ambient lighting should include approximately one watt of incandescent light per square foot, two watts if the bulbs are recessed. When using fluorescent lighting, provide one watt for every two to three square feet.
Accent lighting: highlights objects and adds depth and shadow to the room. Lighted foot kicks, upward light cans, and picture frame lights are examples of this layer. Wall fixtures and sconces offer great accent and task lighting sources for bathrooms. Most sconces include some type of shade, whether it’s fabric, frosted glass, or ceramic, which reduces glare and adds a decorative touch.
Task lighting: provides lighting for specific purposes, such as lighting a vanity, bathroom area, or shower. Task lighting is all about practicality, and in a bathroom, lighting around the vanity mirror is crucial. It’s important to see yourself as others see you, and that means having the right, color-correct light that doesn’t romanticize or detract from your reflection. The most effective solution is to have a fixture on each side of the mirror. Ideally, fixtures should be about 30 inches apart. This position changes slightly if the room is very large or has unusually high ceilings.
Decorative lighting: it supplies light for the ambient layer, but its main purpose is to draw attention to the fixtures themselves, such as sconces and chandeliers. The special light effect can be spectacular and attractive as a design element. Some people also believe that light can calm emotions and promote physical health.