Modern Bathroom Lighting

If you have a bathroom that is sorely in need of some extra lighting there are lots of options for you to create your perfect bright and breezy bathroom. If you plan ahead carefully and make a detailed plan of the lighting that is already there you can turn your dark and dingy bathroom into a luxurious paradise in no time. It is important to note that conventional lighting should never be used in a bathroom. Even if you have found a brilliant stylish light that would look great in your bathroom, if it wasn't intended for bathroom use it could prove fatal to household members if installed in a bathroom. European safety regulations state the bathroom fittings must be:

• Completely encased to avoid electrical shocks and shorting.
• Double insulated.
• Both bulb and all metal bits covered.
• Light switches are either placed outside the bathroom or use a pull chord.

These guidelines are there for a reason, so if you are unsure about whether or not the lighting of your choice is suitable for a bathroom ask the manufacturer for further information. Just because you can't use conventional lighting however, doesn't mean you do not have a choice. Bathroom lighting has really taken off over recent years and many lighting stores stock a large selection of safe and stylish bathroom lighting using a variety of materials such as porcelain, stainless steel, glass, and marble. Make sure you plan your lighting carefully before you start putting in your new bathroom. This will help avoid situations where new bathroom work such as re-tiling is in the way of the electrical cables you need.

Make sure you get the most out of your existing bathroom lighting conditions beforehand. Take down all curtains and blinds and get your bathroom window properly frosted to maintain privacy. This will provide an excellent all over general light to your bathroom during the day and can improve the feel and atmosphere of your bathroom greatly.

Swap out your pull chord light for a dimmer switch fitted just outside the door. This will ensure the light still adheres to safety standards but also means you have more control over the lighting in your bathroom. Turn it up for night time visits and keep it dimmed for evening luxury baths. Gain even more control over your lighting by fitting different groups of lights on different switches. This will mean when you want a luxury bath you can just turn on the floor lighting and the dimmer switch and when you need to shave or put make up on you can use the wall lighting and the mirror lights.

Use low voltage spotlights or down lighters on your ceiling. These work great with glass and water which makes them perfect for bathroom lighting. Ensure you arrange for a false ceiling to be installed to hide all the wiring. You can also fit these with a dimmer placed just outside the bathroom so you can control the intensity of the lighting.

You can also obtain mirror lighting by either purchasing a special bathroom mirror or mirror cabinet with lighting around it or by installing the lighting separately yourself. Mirror lighting is a tricky business because if done incorrectly it can be very difficult for you to see your complexion properly. Ensure that you install a row of bulbs evenly all around the mirror or fit diffused wall lights on either side of the mirror. Avoid a single strip of light above the mirror as this can create shadows and make it difficult to see properly.