Bathroom Vanity Lights Ideas

Bathroom vanity lighting is an important feature in any bathroom design. At times, the bathroom's overhead lighting is not enough to appropriately light the vanity and allow proper putting on of make up or having a good shave. The vanity lighting in the bathroom is sometimes ignored but without good lighting, the lights can create shadows or reflections.

Choosing a good lighting design is necessary to get just the right amount and quality of light. The features to consider would include the bulb type, style, finish and size. There are several kinds of bathroom vanity lighting available in the market these days. Choose the type of lighting that will fit the personality of the owner and more importantly, a design that would blend with the overall theme of the bathroom.

Vanity lightnings not correctly positioned can produce glare or shadows in areas not wanted. Placing the light fixtures on both sides of the mirror would help prevent this. If the mirror is big enough, the lights can be suspended directly on the mirror. The important thing is to install the lights at eye level to produce even lighting without creating shadows.

Vanity lights should create a balanced lighting, neither too dim nor too bright. A large bathroom may need at least two to five lights. Strip lights may be the best type for this as it lights up the whole vanity and can be put in either to shine up or down. For a small bathroom, on the other hand, a sconce or a single vanity light installed at either sides of the mirror may be sufficient. A dimmer could be added to adjust the light depending on the time of day. The lights should not be wider than the vanity table or cabinet but may be wider than the mirror. If the vanity is long or has a two sinks, more than one fixture would bring out better results.

The light's finish should blend with the existing faucets and other fixtures in the bathroom. If the fixtures are shiny then a polished silver or chrome will do. If the design has a brushed look then brushed nickel finishes would be a good choice.

Some bathroom vanity lighting may use special bulbs, which may cause problems when the time comes to change them as they are not commonly sold in stores or their production may have been discontinued. Avoid bright white or yellow bulbs for they tend to be harsh with unrealistic colors and they make the skin look paler and washed out. A neodymium bulb may be a good choice as they imitate sunlight. Some vanity lighting may use halogen lamps since they disperse light, resulting to a softer look but without shadows being casted. Choose some bulbs that are covered with frosted glass to have a more flattering result and better illumination. Fluorescent bulbs with Color Rendering Index of eighty or more can also be used and may be ideal for the bathroom since they generate less heat compared to the incandescent bulbs and would last longer.

For overhead lighting, a large lamp with diffused shell would be more appropriate as it creates a soft atmosphere. Make sure that it matches the bathroom size. Small lamps should be used for a small bathroom to prevent over-illumination.

Whether building a brand new home, remodeling a home, or updating a home for a resale, one area that some individuals overlook is the bathroom area. Not only do guests and buyers look at the furniture and space in a bathroom, the bathroom vanity lighting and fixtures are also in the visitors eyes for perusing. One way to enhance the bathroom is through choosing the right lighting to not only showcase the fixtures, but to set a comforting mood. There are many different styles and colors to choose from, with the most popular choices being the brushed bronze vanity, brushed brass vanity and candelabra vanity lighting.

Bathroom vanity lights can be very simple or very elaborate. The most elaborate choice for bathroom lighting is candelabra vanity.