High-quality home lighting has a beneficial effect on human health and emotional well-being. In the bathroom, lighting should also be at the proper level. When designing and choosing lighting devices, it is important to take into account all the features of the room, otherwise the devices can quickly fail, it will be unsafe to use them.
Features and varieties of bathroom fixtures
In addition to a bath or shower cabin, the room is equipped with a large number of additional segments that simplify the life of its owner: clothes dryer and washing machine, sink, mirror, areas for storing household chemicals and personal belongings.
When designing lighting in a room, it is important to take into account a large number of nuances and features. The interior must be functional, stylish and, most importantly, safe.
The main feature of the bathroom is the lack of daylight, since the layout of apartment and country houses does not provide for the presence of window openings. Regardless of the presence of a window, experts recommend making the lighting bright, but not irritating to the eyes. It is recommended to choose a tone close to daylight.
Required to familiarize yourself with the operational and technical requirements for electrical devices, as well as the correct location of lighting devices. Lighting must comply with all safety standards.
You can see a wide range of lamps in stores. It is not always possible to choose the most suitable one. Devices, depending on the characteristic features, are divided into several types.
| By functionality | At the place of installation | By form and type of construction |
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How to choose bathroom fixtures
Lighting in the bathroom depends on the preferences of the owners of the living space. For some, it is enough to equip the room with spotlights, while others prefer a large chandelier installed in the middle. The main thing is that the use of lighting devices must be safe.
Features of the choice of lighting fixtures for the bathroom:
- Floor lamps are an unusual example of interior decoration. The advantage of such devices is high-quality insulation from moisture in the area of the plafond itself and in the rack with wires. Therefore, it is absolutely safe to use them in a room with high humidity.
Bathroom lighting with chandelier and wall sconces - Chandeliers, sconces and lamps can be installed anywhere in the room. It is recommended to give preference to modifications equipped with a waterproof shell. Fluorescent lamps are ideal, but when choosing, it is also important to consider the style of the room.
- Spotlights are miniature shades that are mounted in floors, furniture, ceilings and walls. For better visibility, these types of devices must be installed near mirrors and a washbasin. If spotlights are the main source of illumination, it is recommended to purchase as many units as possible and install them with a smaller distance between them.
Before going to the store, you need to make a project and calculate the optimal number of lighting fixtures and their total power. This will save time on searches and reduce costs in the future.
Manufacturers overview
Many countries produce lighting products designed to operate in high humidity conditions. The most popular and demanded are European manufacturers: Czech Republic, Italy, Germany, Spain and Belgium. Each of these companies cares about their reputation and produces high quality products.
Lighting devices from Turkey have also begun to be very popular. This is due to the high quality, a wide variety of design solutions and the cost is an order of magnitude lower in comparison with European counterparts. Another advantage of Turkish manufacturers is that they target the middle class as well, while European brands produce luxury goods.
Russian-made models cannot “boast” of European quality, but they have an acceptable cost. All Russian lighting products are subject to mandatory certification.
Chinese products usually automatically fall into the inferior category. This is partly true, but there are also responsible manufacturers who care about their reputation.
According to experts and consumers, the best manufacturers of lamps for working in a humid environment are:
- Schmitz-Leuchten (Germany).
- Mantra (Spain).
- Fibo (Germany).
- B. lux (Spain).
- SEDA (Turkey).
- AXO Light (Italy).
- Ozcan (Turkey).
- IDL (Italy).
If you have any difficulties in choosing, you can consult with a consultant in the store.
Features of lighting fixtures for ceiling and walls
The organization of lighting in the bathroom is possible in three types: ceiling, wall and floor. The latter will not be considered, since it has not received wide distribution.
The most common ceiling lighting options are:
- A chandelier is a classic option that fits perfectly into a large room with high ceilings. It is characterized by ease of installation and a wide range of products.
- LED strip is the most preferred option for organizing complex and multi-level ceilings. Advantages - ease of installation. Mounts under the skirting board. It is also possible to adjust brightness and choose colors.
- Surface mounted luminaires or spots - a group of plafonds placed on one bracket. They form a kind of light "beams" of different directions, therefore they are most often used to illuminate a specific area.
- Spotlights are used for stretch or suspended ceilings.
Wall luminaires are used to organize local lighting. These include spots, sconces and overhead lamps. The sconce is the most common type, it consists of several or one shade on one holder. There are a wide variety of models and styles.
Number of fixtures
The standards for the level of illumination have been developed for each living space. The total power of the lighting fixtures will vary depending on the area.
| Bathroom area, sq. | Soft light (no more than 150 lux) | Medium illumination (approximately 300 lux) | Bright light (about 500 lux) |
| 0-6 | 60 | 100 | 150 |
| 6-8 | 80 | 140 | 200 |
| 8-10 | 100 | 175 | 250 |
| 10-12 | 120 | 210 | 300 |
| 12-16 | 160 | 280 | 400 |
| 20-25 | 240 | 420 | 600 |
| 25-30 | 280 | 490 | 700 |
Power in the table is measured in watts.
Optimal dimensions
The placement of lighting fixtures is closely related to the size of the room itself and the shape. Also, when choosing, the height of the ceilings is taken into account.
- For small rooms, it is recommended to give preference to built-in models that fit tightly to the ceiling. For example, spotlights with diameters of 60 * 60 mm, or overhead flat chandeliers of large diameter.
- For a small room with a high ceiling, suspended structures are used, made in a minimalist design.
- Many lighting fixtures can be used for spacious bathrooms, but there is one limitation - the main light source cannot be small. It is advisable to supplement the main luminaire with built-in point LEDs.
Large lamps are often used to illuminate the mirror. Models can be installed along the entire perimeter of the mirror, exceeding its dimensions.
Forms and materials used
The traditional shape of the lamps is a circle. Such models are considered the most versatile and fit into all rooms, regardless of design. Square structures are preferable to use as wall lights to illuminate interesting details, niches and mirrors. The figured option is preferred in large bathrooms with bold interiors.
The most preferred options for bathroom fixtures are plastic and glass. Ceramic, plaster and wood structures are not designed to work in a humid environment.
Bathrooms can be designed in a wide variety of styles, respectively, and the lighting is selected individually. The most popular and demanded area is the loft, which provides an opportunity for experimentation.
Moisture protection class
The most important requirement for bathroom fixtures is moisture resistance. Visually, they do not differ from conventional lighting fixtures. Equipped with special parts that prevent moisture from entering. The outer part is equipped with a special sealing rubber at the junction of the electrical part of the luminaire with the shade.
Information about the degree of protection is recorded in the accompanying documentation for the lighting device or on the case itself. Some manufacturers use a three-digit marking that indicates the moisture protection class.
The first number after IP means the degree of protection against dust, and the second against moisture. The higher the number, the better the protection. The minimum allowable values for operation in a humid environment are IP44, and the maximum is IP68.
The location of the lamps in the bathroom
The bathroom in apartment buildings is usually small, but this area can be made multifunctional. It is preferable to organize lighting in multi-level, for example, adjustable wall sconces will add lighting near the sink, and ceiling lamps will set the general background.
