Despite the fact that choosing a lighting fixture for the bathroom does not seem so difficult, you need to approach this issue with all responsibility, because all family members spend a lot of time in this room. In addition, this is where the most light is needed, and constant high humidity creates some difficulties when choosing a device that will function normally in these conditions.
Lamp above the mirror in the bathroom
When choosing a lamp over a mirror in the bathroom, it is advisable to give preference to those that were originally designed for bathrooms, because they are already made in the appropriate style, and their design prevents moisture from getting inside.
Lamps must be waterproof
Mistake 1. First beauty, then safety
When choosing light in the bathroom, use the principle of safety first, then everything else. No matter how beautiful the sconce is, it is not suitable for the bathroom if its protection index against moisture and dust is 0.
IP index on the packaging, photo example
Index of protection of the lamp against dust and water
The IP index consists of two numbers - IP 44. The first number (from 0 to 6) is the degree of protection against the ingress of solid particles (dust), the second (from 0 to ―
protection from the ingress of liquid. The higher the number, the higher the protection. See the value on the packaging, lamp body or in the product characteristics in the online store.
The more IP a bathroom fixture has, the better.
Decoding the IP index for luminaires on the diagrams
Bathroom luminaire placement area based on IP
The choice of IP index for a lamp depends on where you install it - that is, on the location area.
- zone 0 - moisture enters directly by stream (bottom of the shower stall, bath screen, etc.);
- zone 1 - moisture often splashes (the wall of the shower stall, walls near the sides of the bathtub, etc.);
- zone 2 - moisture splashes infrequently (60 cm from the sides of the bathroom, behind the shower doors, etc.);
- zone 3 - moisture enters very rarely or never (near the ceiling, etc.).
From here it becomes clear that the sconce near the mirror should have a min IP index of 44, and the built-in lamp in the bottom of the shower should have a min IP index of 67.
Safe and unsafe zone for placing a lamp in the bathroom, taking into account the IP diagram
Mistake 2. Not taking into account the furniture arrangement plan and bathroom interior
It doesn’t matter whether you select lighting in the bathroom at the renovation stage (which is best) or in a finished apartment - do it taking into account the arrangement of furniture, total area, layout and color combinations. So, it is immediately clear how much working light is needed, whether there is a risk of dark corners, etc. For example, in a light bathroom with glossy tiles and an area of 8 m2, 4-5 ceiling built-in lamps (main lighting) and two sconces on the right and to the left of the mirror (working lighting). And in a bathroom with dark tiles, an area of 4 m2 and a sink in the corner, you will need more task lighting precisely because of the non-standard layout.
Non-standard bathroom layout with a sloping wall, photo example
Standard small bathroom layout
Before buying bathroom fixtures, think about the following:
- non-standard shape and area of the bathtub;
- interior color, whether there are reflective surfaces or more matte ones;
- and how much work light, main light or decorative lighting is needed;
- personal needs (are there elderly people in the house, a mirror in the bathroom instead of a dressing table, etc.).
Power level
According to international standards, for every square meter of a bathroom there should be 200 lux of light. Multiply the area of your bathroom by this figure.
The resulting value must be divided by the number of lamps, taking into account what type of lamps will power them. For example, an energy-efficient fluorescent lamp can provide up to 7 times more light than a traditional incandescent lamp.
Mistake 3: Using only one light source
Usually the third error follows from the second. They installed a light in the bathroom, but didn’t think about the nuances.
Main and task lighting in the bathroom
Ceiling lighting (chandelier, lamps) provides general diffused light, which is convenient for taking a bath, but it is not suitable for shaving or applying makeup. Look at the picture below. Overhead light creates shadows on the face and highlights imperfections. Two wall lamps on the right and left or above the mirror will correct the situation (read about bathroom sconces here).
Main and task lighting in the bathroom, what is the difference?
General lighting is light that is evenly distributed over the entire area.
Working lighting - light near functional areas.
Power of bathroom fixtures: formula
The power of the lamps in the bathroom is the brightness of the illumination of the entire space. To correctly calculate the power, use the formula - type of light bulb (power consumption from the table below) * room area .
Formula for calculating the power of bathroom fixtures
*Lumen measures how much light you get from a light bulb. The more lumens, the brighter the light. The norm is 300 lumens per square. Read more about light bulbs in the following. point.
In practice it looks like this:
Bathroom area - 8m2
The power consumption of one incandescent lamp is 20 W.
8*20=160W - this is the amount of power needed to create comfortable lighting and 160 W - this is the total power for all lighting fixtures in the bathroom. That is, there are 4 of them, then 160/4 = 40 W - the power of each lighting device, if all of them have incandescent lamps.
Please note that results will vary for halogen, energy saving and LED bulbs. Use the formula we provided and you will quickly determine the necessary indicators.
IMPORTANT: The power calculation formula is suitable for bathrooms with ceiling heights below 3 meters. If the ceilings are higher, multiply the resulting power by 1.5. This is necessary because high ceilings “eat up” the light.
Example of dim lighting in a dark bathroom
An example of bright lighting in a bright bathroom
Installation rules
Location of light sources
Despite the fact that side lighting is less bright than top lighting, experts consider the best option to be placing lighting fixtures on the sides of the mirror surface
The fact is that the light falling from above focuses attention on the imperfections in the appearance of the person looking in the mirror, and sometimes even visually aggravates them. If you place the lamp at the bottom, there will be deep shadows in the reflection
If you hang a sconce on one side of the accessory, the person wearing it will see one side of the face less clearly than the other.
The best option is symmetrical lighting located on both sides. In this case, it is better to maintain a height from the floor of about 1.5-2 meters. So the light flux will come from both above and from the sides at the same time. The result is good, uniform illumination that is pleasing to the eye. Experts also recommend maintaining a distance of at least 60-70 cm between devices. The same indicator is considered optimal regarding water sources.
Installation process
A lamp with a regular light bulb is mounted like this:
- electricity is turned off;
- markings are made on the wall;
- using a drill or hammer drill, drill holes in the surface;
- the cable is connected to the terminals;
- metal “ears” are pressed to the center;
- the fastening is given the correct position and fixed;
- screw in the light bulb.
If a halogen lamp is used, power wires and terminals are also involved. The housing is mounted with springs. The lamp is inserted into the socket and secured with a yoke. The latter should be included in the kit
It is important to remember that such lamps can only be handled with gloves.
If the device is overhead, the strip is mounted first. For this purpose, hardware is used. After this, the cable is connected to the terminals (by color)
Then the wiring is carefully removed into the hole. The device body is applied and fixed
If the lamp is heavy, it is additionally reinforced with stiffeners.
As for the LED strip, first it is connected to the network adapter
It is important not to forget about polarity here. Then the wires are installed in the sockets and secured with screws
The surface must be prepared. It is cleaned and degreased in advance. If the tape is not long enough, it is inserted in small pieces, soldering them together.
Security measures
When laying wiring in the bathroom, it is important to follow some rules
- The distribution box must be moved outside the premises. As a last resort, moisture-proof terminal blocks are used. At the same time, the twists are insulated with high quality.
- Grounding of electrical appliances in such conditions is mandatory. This even applies to LED strips.
- An RCD must be installed. This device protects the system by cutting off the electricity when there is a risk of a short circuit.
- The general electrical power circuit is divided into several parts. In this case, each mini-system must be protected by a circuit breaker.
- It is recommended to use a low current power supply system. 12 V is quite enough.
Mistake 4. Not paying attention to the type of light bulbs in the lamp
There are several types of lamps: halogen, incandescent, fluorescent, LED, etc. It is the light bulbs in the lamp that determine how long they will work, how bright the lighting will be, etc.
| Lamp type/criteria | Incandescent* | Halogen** | Luminescent*** | LED**** |
| Safety | — | + | + | + |
| Electricity consumption | — | — | + | + |
| Price | from 42 rubles (+) | from 67 rubles (+) | from 350 rubles (-) | from 260 rubles (-) |
| Life time | up to 1000 hours (1.5 months) (-) | up to 2.5 thousand hours (3 months) (-) | up to 10 thousand hours (more than a year) (+) | more than 50 thousand hours (6 years) (+) |
| Brightness | — | + | + | + |
| Conclusion | + | ++ | +++ | ++++ |
* Incandescent lamps do not like humidity. Being very hot, it will burst if a few drops of water get on it. It flares up quickly, but produces a weak luminous flux. The incandescent lamp is the most power-hungry of all, but also the cheapest.
** Halogen lamps in terms of price/quality ratio are the most affordable and convenient option. They give a warm, diffused glow. They get hot, but not much. And they do not consume as much electricity as incandescent lamps.
*** The fluorescent lamp is completely safe in humid conditions. It produces a powerful luminous flux, but flares up in about 2 minutes, so it works better in combination with other types of lamps. It works silently.
**** LED lamps are the most economical of all. But due to voltage surges, they “clack”, creating unpleasant sounds. The downside is the high price.
A universal option for lighting in the bathroom is a combination of halogen and LED bulbs.
IMPORTANT : Halogen light bulbs for suspended ceilings must be covered with paint or a special coating on the reverse side. Thus, the platforms will not show through and create unsightly shadows in the stretch ceiling (see photo below).
Halogen light bulbs in the bathroom, photo example
LED light bulbs in the bathroom, photo example
TIP: Pay attention to the color of the halogen and LED lamps. Halogen ones give a warm light, while LED ones give a bright, white light.
Glow of halogen and LED light bulbs in the bathroom
LED strips
LED lighting is one of the newest lighting methods. LEDs are capable of producing bright white or colored light, they last a very long time, consume minimal electricity and do not heat up. This allows you to use this type of lighting to illuminate suspended ceilings, mirrors, shelves and niches.
LED strip is often used for additional room lighting. For example, if necessary, you can turn on and off the diode illumination of the mirror, and another lamp can provide general light.
If you place a diode strip behind a mirror, it will be picturesquely illuminated and seem to float in the air.
LED cabinet lighting makes the bathroom visually larger.
LEDs have another undeniable advantage over other types of lamps; there are special LED strips that are not afraid of not only drops, but even jets of water. The LED strip is very easy to install; just remove the protective coating and stick it on.
Mistake 5. Choosing bathroom fixtures without taking into account the height and type of ceiling
Recessed ceiling lights for small bathrooms
Such lamps are distinguished by the fact that almost their entire body is located under a suspended or suspended ceiling. Only a decorative trim peeks out from the outside. They look minimalistic and do not press on top, so they are suitable for small bathrooms with low ceilings.
Recessed ceiling lights for small bathrooms
Recessed ceiling lights in the bathroom interior
Surface-mounted lights for medium-sized bathrooms
The overhead model is not built into the ceiling, so it takes up more height than built-in models. But despite this, there are also compact overhead lamps that will fit a standard ceiling and will not take up much space.
Surface-mounted lights for medium-sized bathrooms
Overhead lamps in the bathroom interior
Wall lights for functional areas
For example, wall spotlights above a mirror create accent task lighting. Here, too, it is better to adhere to the principle: small bath - compact lamps, and vice versa.
Wall lamp above the mirror in the bathroom
Wall sconces to the right and left of the mirror in the bathroom
Kinds
One of the main differences between the different models, apart from the shape, which can be varied, will be the type of lighting used. For mirrors, white cold, daytime and familiar warm spectrums are used. There are also models with color backlighting. Usually they perform purely decorative functions and have a separate switch.
Bathroom mirrors are available with the following types of lighting:
Internal
The light is directed from the mirror, evenly illuminating the face of the person standing in front of it. This is achieved using a frame through which rays of light of varying degrees of brightness pass.
External
The light is directed to the sides and scatters, reflecting from the walls. Looks like an even glow around the frame, this effect greatly decorates the bathroom interior.
Combined option
Uses both types of light direction. This achieves the highest quality lighting in combination with visual design.
Decorative
A type of internal illumination, only the glow is directed directly through the surface on which the ornament or design is made.
In addition to various options for light sources, several methods of equipping the switch are used:
A regular push-button one is located on the wall or on a frame - this option is convenient and familiar.
More expensive models are often equipped with a touch switch. The light comes on after touching any area on the surface of the mirror itself. There are models with a non-contact infrared sensor that reacts when your hand approaches the sensor. There is no need to touch the sensor, it works at a distance of up to 5 cm.
Mirrors can also be equipped with additional functions:
Watch
They are installed directly on the mirror surface so that you can monitor the passage of time in any room.
Heating
This is a system consisting of a film on which a thin heating cable is attached. Heating is used to prevent the mirror from fogging up while taking a shower.
Thermometer for monitoring room temperature
Vector image
To make them more decorative, mirrors are often complemented with an original design or logo, which also glows. There are a lot of options from inscriptions to complex compositions.
Mirror ends
This element of the mirror design hides part of the frame. If you look at the mirror from the side, you can see nothing but the reflection. A mirror with mirrored ends looks simply amazing.
Built-in magnifying mirror
This is very convenient and practical because it does not take up space as an additional separate element.
Socket
It can be built into the side part or into the visor and adjacent to point spots. If the mirror is combined with a cabinet, there may be several sockets. This solution will make the use of electrical appliances more convenient and will avoid the need to mount an outlet in the wall.
Radio
A godsend for those who like to soak in a bubble bath while enjoying melodic compositions. During morning procedures, you can also cheer yourself up with cheerful rhythms. Such devices have built-in speakers and Bluetooth, which makes it possible to configure using a smartphone or tablet.
Sophisticated fans of advanced technology can purchase a mirror with a built-in monitor and speakers. It can connect to WI-FI, and you can shower while listening to your favorite video clips.
Mistake 7. Buy a chandelier/sconce with a dark shade and pattern
The material of the lampshade or floral shades can eat up the light power and convey the color of the light incorrectly. For example, a lampshade made of dark, light-retaining material reduces the level of illumination, which is most inconvenient in the bathroom, while many decorative details leave a shadow. Therefore, check immediately in the store how overly designer and decorative models transmit light.
Unsuccessful sconce for the bathroom, photo example
A successful example of a sconce for a bathroom, photo example
Mistake 8. Not paying attention to the material of the lamp
Even the most fashionable metal sconce without a protective layer will eventually become covered with red spots. And models made of glass and plastic will last much longer. Such materials are not destroyed by moisture and detergents, and in the long run save time and money. If you still cannot do without metal materials, check the composition for the presence of a reliable powder coating (protective layer).
Unsuitable material for bathroom fixtures
Suitable material for bathroom fixtures
Top best manufacturers
The modern market offers a wide selection of mirrors with built-in lighting. But not all manufacturers should be trusted, since quite high requirements are placed on this item.
According to customer reviews, models from the following companies have reliability and quality:
AM-PM
A brand that has gained popularity all over the world. The products of this company are appropriately labeled, their price is proportional to the quality of the products, which are represented by collections of furniture, bathroom fixtures and accessories, including mirrors.
AQUANET
Well-known manufacturer of accessories and furniture for bathrooms. The products are practical and functional. The company offers models in different price categories. Mirror surfaces are resistant to mechanical stress, have interesting shapes and different sizes.
Alavann
The company produces high-quality mirror surfaces according to individual sketches. The production uses wear-resistant materials, harmless paint, and fittings from well-known European companies.
Aquaton
It produces products from cast marble and high-quality three-layer mirrors that are resistant to temperature changes. The manufacturer guarantees strength, moisture resistance, and a 3-year warranty.
Triton
It produces bathtubs with acrylic coating of complex configurations and mirrors: ordinary, decorated, with shelves and cabinets, adapted for the “climate” of bathrooms. Provides a 5-year warranty on its models.
Jacob Delafon
A French company that produces durable mirrors that are resistant to mechanical damage. They have a thick layer of glass and reflect light efficiently.
Moidodyr
A proven domestic company with excellent recommendations on the market. Offers a wide selection of bathroom mirrors with built-in cabinets and lighting fixtures, convenient shelves and eye-catching decor.
Mistake 9. Confusing decorative and main lighting
A sconce with a colored lampshade and an LED strip on a plasterboard ceiling will not replace the main lighting. The light from a colored sconce near the mirror will distort the reflection, and the LED strip will only create a relaxing atmosphere. Therefore, divide all lighting into three groups: basic (chandelier, ceiling lamps) to wash the floor, task (wall lamps near the mirror) to apply makeup and decorative (LED strip on the steps or ceiling) to leisurely take a bath.
Decorative lighting in the bathroom
Decorative lighting in the bathroom
Basic lighting in the bathroom
Main lighting in a spacious bathroom
How to choose an illuminated mirror for the bathroom - recommendations from the editors of HomeMyHome.ru
In order for an illuminated bathroom mirror to last a long time, you need to follow some points. It doesn’t matter whether the product is purchased ready-made or made to order, before deciding on something, you should take into account all the nuances. The future location of the model will be important - this will determine the minimum and maximum dimensions, and will also indicate the need or absence of a heating system. Location of the product - this criterion determines the size of the structure.
If there is a need for shelves or a cabinet, then you should immediately familiarize yourself with such models in catalogs
Another important factor is the required lighting intensity. Do you need separate lamps, or can you get by with an LED strip? The purpose of the purchase plays a big role: it determines which lamps are best to choose and where to place them. Definitely, the purchase should fit perfectly into the design of the bathroom. The frame of the product and its shape play a key role.
We advise you to find out customer reviews about the manufacturer you are interested in. It makes sense to study the entire market, then the likelihood of finding the desired mirror of excellent quality at an affordable price will increase. If you want to have advanced functionality, you should consider models with a touch switch and a built-in clock and socket.
Related article:
How to wash a mirror without streaks in different ways: with water, various folk remedies, household chemicals, a napkin with an antistatic agent, how to remove limescale and traces of stickers and markers - read the publication.
Bathroom lamp layouts: real examples
Lamps in a dark bathroom with an area of 4 m2 and ceilings of 2.9 m
Project by designer Yulia Chernova
General lighting : 4 built-in spotlights - 2 above the sink, 1 above the bath, 1 above the toilet.
Working lighting : LED lighting around the perimeter of the mirror.
Layout of four lamps in the bathroom, real photo example
Lamps in a bright bathroom with an area of 6.5 m2 and ceilings of 2.9 m
Project "Côte d'Azur", CO:interior
General lighting: 6 spot built-in ceiling lights - 2 of them are accent lighting above the bathtub, 2 above the shelf in the niche, 2 on the sides of the bathroom so that there are no dark corners.
Working Light:
2 accent sconces above the mirror, 2 spotlights on top in the shower stall.
Layout of ten lamps in the bathroom, real example
Layout of ten lamps in the bathroom, real photo example 2
