Lights in rooms have different functional facets. Aside from lighting up rooms, they set the décor tone, and they mark out different areas of relaxation, recreation, dining and work. However, in a bathroom, as it is usually a smaller and restricted space with less of natural light, they do double duty by camouflaging imperfections brought about by low ceilings, shrinking spaces and dingy environment. So, the right type of bathroom lights can neutralize what are essentially the room’s physical failings.
Further support can come from the right choice of paint color for bathroom walls and strategically positioned mirrors. Suitable wall shades will set the mood for the entire space and these are hues that are full of energy. Chrome yellow, lime green and canary yellow are bright cheerful shades. A bolder color palette should be used for the focal area.
Full length mirrors on both walls facing the bath tub, mirrors in tile shapes reflecting natural sunlight through a ventilator and then throwing light beams around the room and an antique mirror on a wall as an arresting backdrop should visually brighten the room. While choosing the mirror to hang on the wall, take care to see that it is not bigger than the furniture below and that its frame matches the furniture around. However, it should stand out on its wall.
It is also worthwhile noting that mirrors offer illusion of space by making smaller spaces appear larger and narrower spaces broader. Use of mirrors can even result in less energy consumption as they reflect light and heat.
Visually tweaking the bathroom through proper lighting
Suitable lighting, either ceiling or wall types, can visually alter bathroom imperfections when structurally it may not be pragmatic. The subtle use of ceiling and wall lights can make a low ceiling appear higher, a small room can look bigger and a dark room brighter.
- To raise a low bathroom ceiling, have recessed lighting on the walls rather than pendant lighting. Up lighters are the ways to go.
- To make a small bathroom larger, pendant lamps and wall scones can be used as a combination. Their patterned lighting adds width to the room.
- To brighten a dingy bathroom, capitalize on a window if there is one or a ventilator. Place a mirror at an angle that will reflect the window or ventilator into the room. The natural light will scatter all around. In the daytime, use bright ambient lighting in strategically placed wall panels throughout the room.
- Avoid use of different types of lights at one time. They will not only clash but together will produce either too bright or harsh light, exposing bathroom warts for the entire world to see. A crystal chandelier cannot team up with wall lamps when the idea is to raise a low ceiling. Such a combination will bring about the opposite effect of making a low ceiling appear even lower!
To sum up, choose the type of lighting as per requirements of the bathroom. Selected lights should make the ceiling expansive, floor space wider and room brighter.
