Bathroom

Your bathroom is your own private sanctuary where you start and finish your day, where you can be yourself and enjoy a few quiet moments. Styling with the right lighting is key to making it a space where you can feel your best. As with most other rooms in your home, your bathroom lighting should follow the same layered approach, i.e., ambient light for general illumination, task lighting for grooming and accent lighting for decorative highlights.

Let’s start with the basics. To get your ambient lighting right, you can choose to install a series of downlights, a central flush mount/oyster light, or a multi-purpose LED light, such as a 2-in-1 light and exhaust fan, or a 3-in-1 light, exhaust fan and heater.

• Task lighting is key in bathrooms. The goal here is to light the face evenly and reduce shadows that are cast on the face by standard, overhead lighting. One way to do this is by installing a light above the mirror that casts light onto the face as well as onto the mirror itself. This helps bounce the light evenly on the face, reducing shadows and glare. The other way is to light either side of the mirror. This provides equal light onto each side of the face, again eliminating shadows cast by overhead lighting.

• If you apply makeup in your bathroom, the CRI (Colour Rendering Index) of a lighting fixture is something to look out for. The higher the CRI, the more ‘true’ your skin tone and makeup will appear. Think of it like this – a CRI of 80 is only showing you 80% of a colour in its truest form. So when you look at that colour under those conditions, it may appear washed out and less vibrant. The sun/natural light is 100 CRI, so the goal is to get as close to that as we can when applying makeup.

• When it comes to your accent lighting layer, strip lighting around the mirror or under the vanity produces a spectacular effect. It also helps in creating a gentle illumination so that you don’t shock your body into a complete wake up mode during those late night bathroom visits. Accent lighting also includes decorative pendants. These add a layer of luxury to a bathroom and help create a day spa aesthetic.

• Whatever lighting fixture you choose, make sure they have the appropriate IP rating for wet areas. Speak to your electrician for advice on safe installation locations and requirements.

• Besides lighting, maintaining airflow is also an important consideration in the bathroom. Install an

  exhaust fan

  to expel the stale moist air to the outside of your home and leave a window open to allow fresh air to enter. This helps maintain a circulation of healthy air and keeps your bathroom dry and safe from mould.

• There are different types of exhaust fans but the inline and ceiling-mounted are most popular. Inline fans have their motor installed in the cavity above your bathroom ceiling with the only visible part being the face plate. Because the motor is tucked inside your ceiling, inline fans are quieter than other options.

• Lastly, don’t forget about heating for cold mornings. We have a huge range of 3-in-1 units that offer heat, light and extraction like the Tempair, Thermalite and IXL Tastic ranges. But we also have a heater only option – the Tastic Luminate Heat Module. This is a good choice if you want to install a heater over the vanity area so you can have warmth directly over where you are getting ready.

With the right lighting, exhaust and heating, you can transform your bathroom into that stylish, comfortable and relaxed space you deserve.