Far from being a simple utility room, the bathroom has now become elevated, more and more of a sort of "temple" dedicated to well-being and personal care.
Therefore, this environment requires extreme attention in the design phase so that the functionality that this room requires is perfectly combined with aesthetics.
But this goal is not always easy to achieve because, usually, it is not a very large space.
If, in addition to being small, the bathroom is also dark, the designer will be faced with additional difficulties to make up for the total lack of natural light, which will need to be compensated with adequate artificial lighting.
In any case, choosing the right lighting is an essential factor to create the right atmosphere and make the environment truly functional, and knowing how to use light strategically is even more important when it comes to deciding how to install small bathroom lighting.
In fact, light has the power to make spaces appear wider or narrower, with the resulting consequences in terms of comfort and functionality of the environment.
Colors, shades, and the right play of light and shadows give lighting the power to modify the perception of space.
So making mistakes would mean ruining the viewer's experience.
So the architect or interior designer whose project involves small or dark bathroom lighting, in private or contract environments, will have to pay close attention to several factors such as, in particular, the choice and correct positioning of the lamps according to the specific characteristics of the room.
The aim of this article is to provide interior design professionals precise and punctual suggestions on how to install small bathroom lighting and mistakes to avoid so they don't jeopardize the success of the entire project.
In particular, we will take a look at:
- 6 tips for small bathroom lighting
- How to install the lights in the bathroom
- Contract lighting for hotels
- How to install small bathroom lighting
Amsterdam
6 tips for small bathroom lighting
Lighting plays a decisive role in creating the right atmosphere in any residential or contract context.
However, the bathroom is a typical example that often is not fully taken advantage of, resulting in consequences in terms of functionality and style.
As we have said, this very intimate environment in a house or hotel is increasingly considered a "place of ritual" for our well-being, and light creates the setting and background to make the most of it.
The ideal lighting manages to guarantee the perfect combination of functionality and style regardless of the size of the bathroom in question.
However, illuminating a small room requires some extra care.
The choice of lighting fixtures and their correct positioning must aim not only to offer maximum comfort and visibility but also to insert elements capable of enriching the environment on an aesthetic level through designer lamp solutions that represent furnishing elements that confer character and personality.
Without, however, being too "intrusive".
Having made these general considerations, let's look, in detail, at advice on how to install small bathroom lighting effectively.
1. Consider natural light sources
A good lighting design project starts from the perfect integration between natural and artificial light.
Therefore, before choosing the type of lamps and where to install them, it is essential to evaluate the sources of natural light available to the room (windows, balconies, or skylights).
If, on the other hand, the project is small and blind bathroom lighting, the professional's task will also be to compensate for the lack of natural light, identifying a color temperature for general lighting that comes as close to it as possible.
In both cases, resorting to the use of mirrors to reflect light (natural or artificial) will give the space a feeling of greater breadth and brightness.
Braille
2. Integrate multiple levels of lighting
The main objective, when it comes to deciding how to install small bathroom lighting, is to ensure highly functional lighting.
For this reason, using a single light source can create shadows which, in addition to making the bathroom seem even smaller, would also make it less functional and comfortable.
On the contrary, using different light sources, strategically placed throughout the space, will give a sense of greater breadth, will create scenographic effects with a strong visual impact, and will make the bathroom truly functional.
When choosing small bathroom lighting, it is therefore necessary to define the type of atmosphere desired and focus on the integration of the main lighting levels:
- Ambient lighting, or general lighting which, in addition to being adequate for the size of the bathroom, should be uniform and widespread throughout the room to create a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere
This can be achieved by using, for example, suspension lamps (if the ceiling height allows) or ceiling lamps positioned in the center of the room, or recessed spotlights or LED strips positioned along the walls or ceiling;
- Task lighting, that is to say, the lighting of the various functional areas. Guaranteeing optimum levels of task lighting is essential to ensure the right visual comfort necessary to carry out activities and concerns the punctual lighting of the areas most frequently used like the mirror, sink, shower, and tub.
It can be obtained, for example, by installing two wall lamps on either side of the mirror;
- Accent lighting is intended to highlight certain elements or details of the bathroom, such as a design object, a particular wall or, more generally, an area of the room that deserves to be enhanced.
Useful for this purpose are, for example, wall lights, recessed spotlights, or LED strips installed on the wall or ceiling, depending on what you want to highlight.
Choosing sources of accent lighting for small bathroom lighting will help to confer volume, movement, and a strong personality to the room.
In conclusion, creating a layered lighting design will make the environment extremely harmonious, comfortable, and functional because each area will have it's own specific lighting.
3. Select types of lamps suitable for the bathroom
Another factor to take into consideration in the lighting design of a bathroom and, even more so when it comes to small, blind bathroom lighting, is that of selecting the most suitable lamps for this specific environment, that is, moisture resistant and anti-corrosion lighting fixtures.
In the presence of humidity, the lamps can cause safety problems and may have a shortened life.
Therefore, it is essential to select the best materials for designer lighting.
LED lamps are the right choice as they have good resistance to humidity, are energy efficient, and offer the possibility to choose from a wide range of color temperatures.
4. Choose the right color temperature
Choosing the right color temperature of the lights greatly affects the appearance of the bathroom.
In fact, too high a color temperature risks creating a cold and unwelcoming atmosphere.
The bathroom requires, however, an intimate atmosphere, so we suggest opting for bulbs with a color temperature between 2700K and 3000K, which provides a warm and comfortable light.
As regards, however, the color rendering index (CRI), the most suitable value to enjoy greater chromatic visibility, especially in the mirror, should be between 90 and 100.
Finally, a smart idea could be to provide a dimmer to set the desired atmosphere in the bathroom as needed (e.g. to dim brighter lighting for personal care and softer light for relaxation).
Ceraunavolta
5. Calculate how many lumens are needed
A rather common mistake is to use lamps that are too strong (which can cause a glare and make the room seem cold and unwelcoming) or too weak (which risk creating shadows and making visibility difficult).
This error can become even more fatal when you have to install lighting in a small or, worse, blind bathroom.
As lighting professionals are well aware, to calculate how many lumens are needed to illuminate a room, it is necessary to multiply the light intensity (lux) by the square meters of the surface (lumen= lux x mq.).
As for the bathroom, it must be taken into account that it needs two reference values, one for general lighting (150 lux) and one specific for the mirror which, as we said, requires perfect visibility (400 lux).
6. Consider the effect of lighting on color and surfaces
The choice of color for the walls and furnishings in the bathroom can affect the lighting effect.
Therefore, it is important to consider these elements and the material of the bathroom surfaces when choosing the type of light to use, to obtain a uniform and harmonious lighting effect.
The color temperature can, in fact, influence the appearance of the surfaces and accessories in the bathroom.
So, if you don't consider the effect of lighting on reflective surfaces (such as mirrors and tiles that can reflect light differently) could lead to the error of choosing an inappropriate type of light to obtain a uniform effect.
If the lighting design project concerns a blind bathroom, it's good to keep in mind the rules that apply to lighting up a room without windows, or choose light colors for walls and furniture, avoid bulky lighting fixtures (which would close the space even more), and opt for glass or crystal lamps, which, in addition to making the environment elegant, are capable of providing incredible brightness.
Ugo Rilla
How to install the lights in the bathroom
For effective bathroom lighting planning, the positioning of the lamps is one of the most important and strategic choices for the success of the whole project.
Especially when it comes to small or blind bathroom lighting, it is essential to position the light sources correctly to create an effect of depth and make the space wider and brighter.
On the other hand, even the lamps with the highest technical and aesthetic potential will lose their efficiency if arranged incorrectly and will not be very functional.
To decide where to install the light sources, we must take into account what has been said about layered lighting, essential to give the right light to the different areas of the bathroom.
So let's see where you should install the lights according to their function.
Where to install the lights for general bathroom lighting?
General lighting is the main light in the bathroom, and it is essential that it is uniform and diffused.
In general, it's important to consider the size of the bathroom and the height of the ceiling to choose the right lamps.
In any case, it is recommended to avoid using lamps that are too large or heavy, which could make the environment oppressive and unwelcoming.
A designer suspension lamp, which plays, for example, with the transparency of the materials, installed in the center of the room, or above the sink or bathtub can be a great solution for general bathroom lighting.
Ceiling lights are perfect for evenly illuminating a small bathroom because they take up little space.
They should be installed in the center of the ceiling or in a decentralized position, but in a way that covers the entire environment.
In the end, in the case of narrow and long bathrooms, it is advisable to provide a double light source, in order to have a correct distribution of the general lighting.
Aprile and Tucano
How to light up the bathroom mirror?
The mirror is the great protagonist of the bathroom and its incorrect lighting would compromise the functionality of the room.
Good visibility is, in fact, essential for daily actions such as shaving or putting on make-up.
Therefore, the light must be installed correctly so you don't create shadows on your face.
To have optimal lighting in this strategic point, the ideal is to direct the light towards the mirror.
However, a single light source from above should absolutely be avoided so you don't have annoying shadows. Instead, choose indirect lighting so as not to create annoying reflections, by choosing mirrors with integrated light on each side or the use of ceiling and wall lights.
We also give the green light to use suspension lamps as long as they are the right size and style compared to the overall mood.
For example, an “industrial” style suspension can be the perfect solution for those who want to be daring with an unconventional lamp, while a glossy white ceramic lamp will be able to adapt perfectly to more contemporary contexts.
How to light up the shower or bathtub in a small bathroom?
The lighting in the shower, which will most likely be the most frequent option in a small bathroom, is important to ensure safety and the right visibility.
In this case, the ideal solution may be to use waterproof recessed LED lights in the ceiling above the shower.
If, on the other hand, it is possible to insert a tub, then it is possible, for example, to install a beautiful designer suspension lamp made of wire and a white linen lampshade which, due to its shape, reminds us of the candles lit around the bathtub to create a relaxing and very intimate atmosphere.
Ceraunavolta
Contract lighting for hotels
Finding the right balance between decorative and technical lighting is even more important when it comes to a lighting design project for a contract environment.
Contract lighting for hotels and lodges, in fact, requires special precautions as making mistakes would mean irreversibly compromising the guest experience to the detriment of the structure's image.
Even the bathroom, therefore, even if small or blind, must be able to respond to customer expectations, both in stylistic and functional terms.
To illuminate a small bathroom in a hotel, the same general rules that we have examined apply.
Choosing the right decorative lighting solutions becomes a substantial aspect.
The first thing you should do is define the lighting goals and the type of atmosphere you want to create, which must be consistent with the concept, the type of hotel, and the target.
Just to give an example, a business hotel will require different choices than a leisure and perhaps romantic one.
The choice of light sources will have to be made accordingly.
At the same time, a hotel with a modern and minimalist design will require more discreet lighting and designer lamps with leaner, cleaner lines than one with a particularly elegant style that will need equally important lighting fixtures with a strong scenographic impact.
Therefore, the choice of shapes and materials must be different.
How to install small bathroom lighting
We have seen how illuminating a small bathroom, or even worse, a blind one, can represent a real challenge for architects and interior designers due to the greater difficulties related to the scarce or absent natural lighting and the positioning of the lamps, given the limited space available.
However, if it is true that the elaboration of the lighting design project will require a few more precautions, it is equally true that a careful study of space and a clever use of layered lighting will allow you to create the right atmosphere and obtain unexpected results, both from an aesthetic and functional point of view.
In fact, if used strategically, light has the power to make spaces appear larger and more welcoming.
In addition to choosing the lamp models that are consistent with the overall mood and made with materials suitable for the bathroom environment, it is fundamental to consider their correct positioning, particularly in crucial points such as the mirror, a functional area that requires an excellent level of task light and excellent color rendering.
Other factors that should not be overlooked are the choice of color temperature and the shades and materials of the walls, coverings, and furnishings, to be sure of the effect that the light will have on the surfaces.
In addition to following all these best practices, the advice, for all lighting professionals who aim to create successful projects, is to direct their choice towards Made in Italy designer lamps that unite quality and technique for emotional lighting, to transform a small bathroom into a corner of relaxation that offers an extremely appealing and satisfying experience.
