Bathroom lighting design is something that needs to be considered carefully with your update or remodel because the room can literally come alive with the right lighting choices.
You can choose from bath ceiling fixtures and bath bar designs for vanity areas. There are lamps for task lighting and recessed lighting. Even track lighting has its place in today’s bathroom. We’ll break it all down to help you select the right lights to make your bathroom lighting design ideas come to life!
Ceiling Fixtures – Today’s ceiling fixtures are a far cry from those even a decade ago. They’re no longer boring, utilitarian monstrosities shedding poor light on a dingy bathroom. Today they range from chandeliers to modern art, and every style imaginable in between.
Bath Bar – These fixtures are wall mounted lights and are generally found over the vanity and or sink. They come in many different design styles. The most numerous variations contain individual lights mounted to a central bar. The number of lights can vary widely, although the most common are four light bars, three light bars, two light bars and one light bars. If your bathroom vanity contains two sinks it’s usual to see two matching bath bars used, one over each sink.
Wall Sconces – This type of fixture is related to the bath bar, but can be characterized by a softer, mood enhancing light. The styles of sconces range from contemporary to cottage with everything in between.
Track Lighting – Today’s track lighting has come a long way from the clunky black and chrome options of the seventies. Track lighting is sleek and graceful, often times utilizing halogen bulbs for intense bursts of light. The tracks themselves can be straight or curved, facilitating their use in an infinite number of places. Track lighting will make your bathroom lighting design look very modern.
Recessed Lighting – These fixtures have finally come into their own. In the past they required larger openings in the ceiling and really intruded into the design style. Today the lights range from large to tiny. Some of them emitting only a drop of light, highlighting an accent wall with brilliance.
Table Lamps – Yes, table lamps. Believe it or not, these also fit well within some bathroom design styles. The types used in baths are generally smaller than the ones in a living area, but their shades and bases can add an instant pop to a marble or granite vanity.
All of the lights mentioned above come in a myriad of bathroom lighting design styles. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine when it comes to choosing bathroom lights and other decor for your remodel.
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Bathroom lighting ideas can be plentiful if you are contemplating a remodel. When considering your bathroom lighting ideas, natural light is an often forgotten option that can brighten any bathroom. It has a profound, uplifting effect on people. Many studies have shown that regular exposure to daylight, especially sunlight, can dramatically affect our mood and outlook. A majority of bathrooms are small and dark, with little or no natural light. Adding natural light, through the installation of a skylight, can add visual space to these areas.
There are three major types of skylights to consider with your bathroom lighting ideas. The first is the what most people think of when they hear the word skylight. These are generally fixed, domed openings, and the size of these can vary greatly. It is recommended that the consumer go with a high quality, curbed skylight with energy-efficient glazing, as well as the factory flashing kit recommended for it. Even though more inexpensive plastic models are available, they often cost more in the long run due to repairs and replacement costs.
Another type is the venting skylight. These have been particularly popular in bathrooms because of the venting capabilities. With skylights in mind, one drawback to this second of three bathroom lighting ideas is the fact that almost all skylights are out of reach. These models do come with a special tool to open and close the skylight. But most consumers find, after they’ve had them installed, that they are simply too much trouble and rarely use the venting feature.
Even though the previous two types of skylights vary in size, they are available in standard models that fit between standard rafters. If you choose a large skylight the installer will need to cut one or more rafters to facilitate its installation. That works well if the house isn’t built with a truss roof. Truss roofs should never be altered in the field because of weight distribution considerations. It is possible to use several smaller models grouped together instead of one large model.
The final type of skylight, for these types of bathroom lighting ideas, is the tubular skylight. These are relatively new and quite innovative. They generally cost a lot less to install and are surprisingly effective for bathroom lighting ideas. Tubular skylights protrude from the roof directly over the room and are generally smaller than traditional models. On the roof is a metal frame which houses an acrylic lens and a domed casing. The narrow tube leading to the room is lined with a reflective material. The other end of the skylight is installed in the bathroom. A big advantage to this type of skylight is the fact that this end resembles a light fixture in size and shape.
Skylights can also add natural light without loss of privacy. In a time when houses are being built closer together, this can be a major advantage. These considerations make skylights a good option when looking for new bathroom lighting ideas when you remodel, update, or redesign with new decor.
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Bathroom tile designs can be done in many different ways. Tile is the “go to” medium as you begin a remodel. It offers durability, stain and moisture resistance, as well as design options that are virtually endless. Tile fits with any design style.
Tile sizes vary widely, from large 24 in squares down to tiny one inch squares. When you take into account the color, style and design options in can be over whelming. In fact, the only drawback to tile flooring is its almost limitless possibilities. We’ll breakdown the different kinds of tile to give you a head start on your design.
Porcelain and Ceramic – These two types of tiles share many more similarities than differences. They are made the same way, although their exact composition varies slightly. They are both waterproof and easy to care for.
- Porcelain – It is the harder of the two, made with less clay and more feldspar. This composition also renders it more scratch and chip resistant. It can also be made “full-bodied” the process of keeping the color consistent all the way through the individual tile. This makes repair much simpler.
- Ceramic – This tile is slightly less expensive and easier to install. But either option is a good choice.
Natural Stone – These tiles are quarried stones, with many different finishes. Some are hardier than others, but all invoke a natural beauty that will add charm and value to any home.
- Limestone, Marble & Travertine – The warm tones of these stones evoke a cozy, snug atmosphere in any bathroom. Their only drawback is something called etching. Etching is a chemical reaction that occurs when unsealed stone comes into contact with acidic or alkaline food or products. Food products aren’t usually a problem in the bathroom, but some cleaning products can be very harsh.
These stones can be polished, but because of safety concerns that finish isn’t recommended for your bathroom tile designs. Instead try a tumbled finish that helps with traction when wet.
- Slate – Slate tiles have an almost masculine feel and their deep, rich colors are beautiful to behold. It can be difficult to choose durable slate tiles. Some slate is long lasting while other pieces seem to crumble with minimal wear. Because of this variance, slate is recommended for low traffic areas.
Whether or not to seal bathroom floor tiles is a subject that comes up frequently. The only reason to seal stone is because stone is porous and sealing cuts down on staining. That’s critical in a kitchen or on a countertop, but much less so in a shower stall or a low traffic bathroom. So let your room usage determine the necessity of sealing your floors, which tile you use, and which bathroom tile designs you come up with.
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