How to properly light a bathroom ?
Natural light remains the ideal lighting for the bathroom. However, day and night, you spend time in this room. Moreover, Not all bathrooms can necessarily benefit from an opening onto natural light. In this sense, the installation of one or more artificial light sources becomes essential.
Lighting this room requires following some basic rules. You also need to know how to choose the right type of lighting for this room. A few essential tips and tricks can help you optimize the practicality and design of this room.
So, how to properly light a bathroom? ? These answers will be essential to ensure impeccable lighting in this room.
Bathroom lighting : the basic principles
Choosing bathroom lighting is not just a matter of taste. You need to take into account other parameters such as the functional aspect of the light fixture and the comfort it provides to the room. Here are some basic rules you should follow to properly light a bathroom.
Install multiple light sources
In the same way that the bedroom and the living room , The bathroom requires several light points. This is why you should follow the golden rule of interior lighting, which is to install different light sources in the room. Indeed, In addition to the main lighting, the latter must have functional lighting to optimize its practical aspect. And by focusing on good mood lighting, you give it a touch of originality and personalization.
General or main lighting
General lighting is the one that illuminates the entire bathroom and illuminates every corner without emphasizing a particular area. In this sense, the light must cover the entire room while avoiding glare of the eyes.
The choice of the power of the lamp is therefore essential so that it can cover the maximum possible space without creating areas of shadow. As for its location, it must allow the bathroom to benefit from soft and diffuse lighting.
In principle, Ceiling lights such as pendant lights, chandeliers and ceiling lights are preferred to provide general lighting in the bathroom. To be placed directly in the center of the ceiling, they can take different shapes. Flat models are the most recommended, because they are very discreet and space-saving. They are ideal for small bathrooms.
Good to know : you can opt for the Hang suspensions which are available in several colors. Modular, these models are supplied with a long cable. This allows you to adjust the height of the luminaire according to your needs and create the style that matches the design of your interior.
Depending on the characteristics and style of your bathroom, you can choose other models such as recessed spotlights, adjustable spotlights or even floor lamps . Indeed, these models provide a designer touch to your interior decoration while ensuring their general lighting function.
Functional lighting
In the bathroom, Functional lighting is mainly used to illuminate the mirror. This area requires bright, neutral and, above all, non-glaring light. Indeed, the mirror area is particularly strategic.Good lighting remains essential for applying makeup, shaving or maintaining your face.
Day or night, the lighting in the mirror area should provide you with good visibility.
Good to know : Ideally, avoid installing halogen lamps around or above the mirror, as they diffuse a yellow light. Indeed, warm colors do not offer good visibility to the mirror area, which can greatly harm the makeup. However, THE LED bulbs like some models offered by Hoopzï are ideal for lighting mirrors. They diffuse bright lights, but do not dazzle.
Good to know : to illuminate the mirror area, the light intensity of the bulb must be greater than 500 Lux Ideally, lighting should diffuse light with a brightness close to natural lighting.
Ambient or decorative lighting
Personalizing your bathroom decor with designer lighting is entirely possible. You can focus on mood lighting to enhance your bathroom and create the atmosphere of your choice. Indeed, it is optional, but brings an additional decorative touch to this room, without forgetting the atmosphere of well-being that it provides. In this context, it complements functional lighting and serves as additional lighting.
The bathroom is the perfect place to relax and unwind after a long day at work, especially if it has a bathtub. That's why choosing the right mood lighting in this room is crucial.
So, focus on the design of the light fixture and the color of the light to relax the atmosphere and achieve a relaxing ambiance. You can install Bala cords or Hang pendants along the wall or above the bathtub to act as mood lighting. To bring a Zen spirit into a spacious bathroom, hang a LED sky from the ceiling, attach a colored light strip to a section of the wall, etc. Fluorescent or LED light strips installed in the background of the bathroom make the atmosphere in this room as soft as it is relaxing.
Choosing the right light color
Ideally, The bathroom should have a neutral white light source. This color provides brightness close to daylight. It actually diffuses a light in white and cold tones guaranteeing good visibility inside the room. With such brightness, you can shave or put on makeup comfortably while avoiding shadows and contrasts.
In this sense, You should invest in bulbs with an excellent CRI (Color Rendering Index), which is over 90.
Good to know : an opening to natural light is a real asset for the bathroom. Don't hesitate to optimize it to bring in as much natural light as possible inside.
For mood lighting, you have carte blanche as to the color of the light. Depending on the atmosphere you want to create in your bathroom, you can opt for warm white, blue, red bulbs, etc. You can even opt for multi-colored light to create a lively atmosphere and bring a dynamic atmosphere to this room.
Bet on good lighting of the mirror area
Lighting the mirror area requires some requirements. These requirements should not be neglected at the risk of compromising your beauty treatment or shaving session.
In this context, settling for a light source above the mirror is a big mistake, especially if you have a spacious bathroom. It creates shadowy corners and compromises your overall vision.
The direction of light should definitely come from the front. If it comes from above, it risks creating very pronounced shadow areas.
Good to know : you can opt for a mirror surrounded by light which provides a triple advantage. First, it is very stylish and offers a touch of originality to the bathroom. Then, it manages to light up a good part of the room. And finally, the light it diffuses perfectly ensures the functional lighting function by effectively illuminating the beauty space without the need to install an additional light source.
Good to know : don't be fooled, ambient lighting cannot act as lighting for the mirror area.
Take into account electrical standards and safety regulations
Even though water and electricity don't mix well, these two elements must coexist in the bathroom. In this case, caution is required to ensure the security of the house and the protection of the occupants. Here are the main rules to which you must submit.
The NF C 15-100 standard and the protection index
In France, low-voltage electrical installations are governed by the NF C 15-100 standard. The latter establishes rules to ensure the proper coexistence of water and electricity installations. They aim to ensure that the latter are practical, efficient and secure.
According to these rules, the bathroom is divided into several safety zones expressed in volume. As for the protection index, it defines the level of sealing of the electrical equipment. A device with a high index benefits from optimal protection.
Volume 0 : it corresponds to the part which is in the immediate vicinity of the water. It thus covers the area occupied by the shower and the bathtub. The underside of the shower tray is also part of it.
Ideally, no electrical devices should be installed there since this area is particularly exposed to water. However, volume 0 can accommodate class III lighting with a protection rating higher than IPX7 and a voltage lower than or equal to 12V. However, to optimize the safety of the room, installing the transformer outside the volume remains essential.
Good to know : IPX7 equipment is protected against temporary immersion.
Volume 1 : this area covers the edges of volume 0. It allows very low voltage equipment (12 V) and class III lighting with an IPX4 protection rating. However, to limit the risk of accidents, the transformer should be placed in volume 3.
Good to know : IPX4 protects devices against splashes and sprays of water.
Volume 2 : this area is located within a 60 cm radius around volume 1. It authorizes among other things :
- Class II lighting and switches or very low voltage,
- Class II storage and instantaneous water heaters,
- Shaver sockets between 20 and 50 Va.
- Equipment with a protection rating greater than or equal to IPX4.
Volume 3 or out of volume : this area covers the rest of the bathroom, away from water points.This part authorizes all types of electrical appliances and equipment, namely dryers, switches, electrical outlets, etc.
You should also know the different classes of electrical appliance.
- Class I : electrical equipment has functional insulation. As they present risks of direct contact, they are protected via an earth connection.
- Class II : electrical equipment is provided with double insulation without grounding.
- Class III : electrical equipment operates at very low safety voltage and without earthing.
The location of electrical outlets
The placement of electrical outlets must take into account two parameters : the practicality of the equipment and the safety of people.
So, Electrical outlets must be high enough to avoid the risk of electrocution. Ideally, they should be located in the non-volume zone (volume 3). Ideally, a ground height of 1 meter is required to avoid contact with water in the event of flooding or water damage.
Which light fixture to choose to illuminate the bathroom ?
Discover our bathroom lighting and accessories
Between the practical aspect of the ceiling light, the originality of the wall light and the lighting ambiance provided by the spotlights, the choice of lighting fixtures becomes difficult. Here are some practical tips to help you choose the ideal light fixture to illuminate your bathroom.
Wall lights
In the bathroom, the wall lights effectively provide the role of additional lighting. They complement the main lighting for :
- Light up the mirror area (ideally the color temperature should be between 3 500 and 4 500 Kelvins ) ;
- Create a subdued atmosphere ;
- Illuminate the shadow areas.
This type of luminaire has a bracket fixed to the wall. In most cases, it is equipped with a lampshade generating a caulked effect that is particularly conducive to a zen, soft and relaxed atmosphere. In metal, fabric or glass, this lampshade gives it a more or less personalized design to the light fixture.
The suspension lights
Pendant lights are an excellent choice for :
- Illuminate the interior of the bathroom,
- Illuminate a particular area,
- Personalize the atmosphere in the bathroom.
However, you must follow certain rules, such as choosing the light fixture taking into account the style and size of the room. So, for a modest-sized bathroom, lighting fixtures such as Hang pendants or Bala cords are recommended. These models are supplied with designer electrical cables allowing you to personalize your interior decoration.
As stylish as they are functional, pendant lights must comply with the constraints of the bathroom, which is a damp room.
The street lamps
Need an original decoration? ? Break the codes by installing a floor lamp in your bathroom. As it requires a specific location, this type of lighting fixture is mainly suitable for spacious bathrooms.
In this context, floor lamps are recommended to provide ambient lighting in the room. In addition, you are spoiled for choice, whether in terms of material, shape or light color.
Table lamps
Of course, table lamps add an extra decorative touch to the bathroom. However, it must be recognized that this lighting fixture is not suitable for all types of lighting.
In fact, the role of table lamps is limited to additional lighting in the bathroom. Its physical characteristics do not allow it to cover the entire bathroom. In this sense, you can install wall lights on either side of the mirror area. Good lighting and decorative effect guaranteed !
The spots
The main advantage of spotlights is that they fit into any bathroom, whether narrow or spacious. You can install them above the shower, on the ceiling, on a wall, on wall units, etc.
Important note : if you decide to install spotlights above the shower, you must strictly comply with the relevant safety standards to avoid the risk of electrocution.
Bathroom ceiling lights
Very discreet, ceiling lights take up little space because they are fixed directly to the ceiling. They can provide the main lighting in the bathroom and are recommended for rooms with a low ceiling.
Class I lighting, this type of luminaire must be installed outside the volume.
Noticed : the case of a bathroom without a window
The case of a bathroom without a window deserves special attention. Here are some tips to help you optimize the lighting in this room.
Multiply the light points
Artificial lighting is crucial in a windowless bathroom. Diffused light from multiple sources remains essential. The choice of lighting fixture is not limited as long as you follow the basic principles of bathroom lighting.
Install a large ceiling light complemented by several accent lights. You can place Hang pendants or cords Sweep along the wall on either side of the room to provide beautiful mood lighting. If you don't have a large ceiling light, you can opt for recessed ceiling spotlights and add a good light source to illuminate the mirror.
Playing with mirrors, decoration and color
It's a fact : Mirrors are a way to optimize spaces by visually enlarging the room. In addition, they reflect and diffuse light throughout the bathroom, allowing you to further illuminate it.
As mirrors are very decorative, don't deprive yourself of them. ! Play with shapes and styles to bring a touch of originality to your interior.
The choice of color is also crucial for bathrooms without windows. Favor light colors, especially bright white which is very luminous, to paint the wall.Afterwards, you can bring a little color into the room by investing in colorful furniture, but always in a light tone.
The Hoopzi Team
