Designing the Ideal Lighting Scheme
When creating a space that’s both practical and aesthetically appealing, lighting is a top concern for every bathroom designer. Lighting sets the tone for your decor by creating an atmosphere that reflects your interior design goals. Whether you’re striving for dramatic, theatrical lighting or trying to create a sense of serenity and calm, an experienced bathroom designer can help you design a scheme that reflects your vision. A seasoned bathroom designer combines natural and artificial lighting from multiple sources to make this area as functional as it is inviting.
Practical considerations are as important as aesthetics when it comes to illuminating a bathroom. The presence of water can create an electrical hazard if lightbulbs or wiring are exposed. A professional bathroom designer understands the risks involved with installing bathroom lighting. If there is a possibility of accidental submersion or contact with water, light fixtures must be designed to prevent these hazards. A bathroom designer may recommend recessed or enclosed lighting in showers or over bathtubs rather than pendant light fixtures that leave bulbs open to water. Task lights surrounding bathroom mirrors needn’t be enclosed unless there is a danger of contact with spray from the sink. Electrical safety is of particular importance in a family bathroom, where small children might touch exposed bulbs or outlets with wet hands.
A seasoned bathroom designer knows how important it is to devise a lighting scheme that’s flattering as well as practical. The task lights that surround a medicine cabinet or vanity mirror should provide adequate visibility without casting the face in shadow or discolouring the skin with a harsh, fluorescent glow. A single, overhead ceiling light is rarely sufficient for shaving, applying make-up or styling hair. A bathroom designer places lights strategically around a mirror to illuminate the face from above or from the side. When installed around task mirrors, recessed light fixtures may create dark, unflattering shadows. Linear track lights or a set of wall sconces, on the other hand, will surround the face with an appealing glow. A bathroom designer will often favour a warmer light source over cool lighting, as warm light is more flattering to most complexions.
Using natural lighting in a bathroom can be a challenge, as the need for illumination must be weighed against the need for privacy. A glass brick window may be the perfect compromise, admitting filtered sunshine into your shower cabin or bath without exposing you to the prying eyes of neighbours. An elegant clerestory window or a discreet skylight will allow daylight to stream from overhead, protecting the bathroom’s occupants from view. A bathroom designer can recommend efficient strategies for utilising daylight to create an atmosphere of natural simplicity. After dark, you can enjoy a soothing bath with ambient underwater lighting. A dimmer switch on ceiling and wall lamps allows you to adjust the light to suit your mood. In a busy London household, expertly designed lighting can turn a bathroom into a restful sanctuary away from the chaos of urban life. Consult a London bathroom designer to create a multi-layered lighting scheme that strikes a balance between functionality and beauty.
Lily Candice is regular article writer at London based Bathroom Designer Company – Global Interior Design
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