Bathroom Lighting ideas…

“The pursuit of perfection, then, is the pursuit of sweetness and light.” – Matthew Arnold

Get us… quoting poetry!  But there’s something deliciously decadent (and dare we say sensual) about a sanctuary where you can lock the door, slide into a scented bath and breathe in a bit of “me-time”.

But pop your head back above the bubbles for a second and have a light-bulb moment: does the lighting you see actually do justice to your beautiful bathroom?

Strangely, our bathrooms are often the last place we think about when it comes to an illuminating make-over, yet imaginative lighting can stylishly transform this special space.

Yes, we all love to put a match to a candle and switch off the lights from time to time, but when it comes to those beyond-pampering practical things, like doing our make-up and styling our hair, we need the space to be well-lit and zoned, cutting out irritating shadows and glare.

And guess what… bathroom lighting can be bang on trend too – and fun!

What’s more there’s so much to choose from, whether you want to recreate the impact of an alien spacecraft landing or prefer your lighting to be more restrained, mimicking the soft and relaxing flicker of a candle.  No more functional lighting – we’re talking style!

For starters, LED recessed lighting is an on-trend way to create a soft light effect, and LEDs make delightful decorative options too.  As for the latest range of contemporary LED-lit taps, they are just sooo cool!  These high quality taps magically make the LED colour change according to water temperature and the light itself kicks in when the tap senses water flow.

If you’ve introduced urban and retro lighting to other parts of the house, love your bathroom too!  Don’t deprive your sanctuary of the hottest sophisticated looks that will wow you (and your guests) whenever you step into the bathroom.

That said, make sure your lighting choice fits with the mood and style of the rest of the bathroom.  If you’re lucky enough to have a majestic Victorian bath and vintage suite in situ, then why not throw in a bathroom-rated chandelier or metallic dome pendant? If however, your sanctuary is ultra-mod then maybe pass on the chandelier (trust us, we know what we’re talking about!).

To get the mood just right, try mixing soft and bright lights. Illuminated mirrors and mirror cabinets can play a part in this, helping to ensure the lighting is perfectly zoned, as can fabulous floor-level illumination (especially if your bathroom has steps) . Factor in too where any natural light is coming from.

So layered lighting makes sense: using wall lights for those daily prettifying tasks and complementary subdued lighting to create an altogether more soothing atmosphere. If your strategic options are limited because of space, then consider dimmable lighting to get into the mood and escape the bright lights when it suits you.

Not forgetting neon. If you feel your space needs something less obtrusive, neon lighting can conjure up the spine-tingling warmth of a luxurious spa. Even if you’re upgrading on a budget, lighting done the right way can look look top-end expensive!

If it’s the safety aspects of bathroom lighting that are holding you back , we absolutely understand where you’re coming from, because safety must always be the top priority. That done, step out of the shadows and (getting poetic again) let there be light!