Ideally, you want to maximize soft and natural lighting in the bathroom as much as possible to make the space soothing and inviting. To achieve this, it is important to keep in mind several do’s and don’ts of bathroom lighting provided by a trusted bathroom remodeler.

Do’s

• Add diffused, even light. Light fixtures, sconces or pendant lights on both sides of a mirror will create diffused and even illumination over your bathroom vanity. If you have a vanity with one large mirror, adding a light over the middle of it can do wonders. 

• Get the right height. Once you’ve selected the perfect light fixtures for your mirror, it’s now time to think about the right height. A general rule of thumb is to hang the fixture at eye level, normally somewhere between 65 and 70 inches from the floor.

• Incorporate backlighting. Backlighting casts light on shoulders and hair, making it easier to see shapes and clothing. It also comes in handy around the vanity, so consider installing a light behind and above where you’ll usually be standing. To block glare and provide overhead lighting, hang a surface-mount or semi-flush-mount fixture with a frosted shade.

• Use dimmers. A bathroom contractor recommends adding a dimmer to the lights around your vanity for seamless transitions throughout the day. This allows you to have adequate light as you kickstart your day and a gentle glow at night time.

Don’ts

• Don’t use clear glass shades or exposed bulbs. Sometimes, design trends are not in our best interest, and bathroom lighting is no exception. Steer away from clear glass shades or exposed bulbs as they give off a harsh glare. Instead, consider adding frosted glass shades or fabric lampshades.

• Don’t spotlight the floor. A common bathroom lighting mistake many homeowners make is letting the spotlight hit the floor instead of them. Instead of positioning recessed downlights over the floor, position them over countertops and other surfaces that will benefit from the additional light.

• Don’t solely use metal shades. While metal shades are distinct in their rustic or industrial appeal, incorporating them in a bathroom space without other sources of light will only leave you in the dark — and not the figurative kind. To thwart some of the shadows that metal and solid material shades produce, consider adding a skylight above the sink and in front of the mirror.

Let’s Start a Conversation!

If you’re looking for a skilled and reliable “bathroom contractor near me”, DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Beaverton is the name to trust. Let our design/build professionals create a beautiful space where you can relax your body and refresh your mind. Schedule an appointment today! Just give us a call at (503) 214-2167 or fill out our contact form.