Modern lighting suggestions needed for bathroom and bedroom.
I am remodelling a basement bathroom. 40 square feet of floor plus bathtub with one small window in a window well. Originally had two lights either side of a small mirror. I came up with two options – install new lights either side of a larger mirror and install one water proof light over bathtub. The other option; install a waterproof light over tub and install halogen recessed lights in the ceiling. Are these widely used in bathrooms – I was wondering if moisture may be an issue? How many should I use? Second room is a bedroom – typical light in centre of room? Just keep light or should I bother getting fancy and installing recessed lights?
Replies
I know this sounds silly, but what do you want your lighting to DO?
In the bath, is the light to use the toilet by, to use the shower by, to apply make-up, or all three?
The bedroom, is it a guest bed or main bedroom?
The reason i ask - i tend to get very specific with lights. In my master bedroom, we have the recessed General Purpose lighting - 4 fluerecent spirals in the four corners of the room for general task and getting dressed light. We also have a ceiling fan on a dimmer that gives us "mood" light.
In the bathroom that is 5'x7' I have 3 different lights on different switches. A general purpose single light for doing your business, a pair of sconces next to the mirror for wifes make-up. Inside the shower I have 2 waterproof recessed with a waterproof switch.
lighting in bathroom
I designed a mirror/light solution for the vanity section
Installed vertical fluorescent which illuminates the mirror section with shadowfree lighting
Used LED strip behind glass shelf
Undercabinet lighting for effect
Bathroom also has recessed halogen MR 16
If you want dramatic lighting in shower and have access from behind, install fluorescent strips (T5) behind frosted glass in the showerwalls. Glass of course is permanently sealed. Access from panel behind
Do not forget good ventilation system
I agree w/ the other poster ... think about what you want to do.
Personally lights flanking OR over the mirror provides light for your face. IMO this is necessary for any bathroom.
General light in the bathroom is good if you don't need to look at your face in detail. A wall sconce can provide nice lighting if it fits w/ the rest of the layout.
A light in the shower is nice if you have a dark/opaque shower curtain ... otherwise you may not find it necessary. Also it probably doesn't have to be "waterproof" fixture. Normal recessed light in a shower only needs a lens and a foam gasket. Waterproof fixtures are expensive. I'd tend to avoid halogen lights all together. The lamps can be really expensive and they're really hot. There are more energy efficient options. For a recessed light you can get some nice CFLs for that.
Are you installing a fan to get rid of moisture/odors?
BEDROOM - In general, I'd avoid recessed lighting. I had some in a bedroom and hated them. You lie in bed and stare at lights glaring at you. What a horrible use of recessed lights IMO. An overhead light gives you general purpose lighting that works when getting dressed, etc. Personally, I again like wall sconces for good overall light w/ mood included (in addition to bedside table lamps).
Recessed fixtures are designed to elluminate the area UNDER the fixture. Not very good for general lighting. Traditional ceiling lights at least throw light onto the ceiling and therefore provides more uniform lighting in the room. Recessed gives you hot spots on the ceiling surrounded by dark areas (even w/ a light colored ceiling).
Lighting is so dependent on the specific features of the room and what it is you want to do w/ the light. My advice ... shop, shop, shop. Choose carefully. Try to choose efficiency as well. LOTS of fixtures that can use CFL lamps of a variety of color temperatures. Place carefully ... you only have one chance. You can often change the fixture later (except recessed).
Silly boy - that's why you put MIRRORS on the ceiling, to keep you from looking at the recessed cans!
In our 10x10 bedroom, I put up 4 recessed lights in the 4 corners of the room, but they are divided on 2 switches. I can flip the switch and only light up 1/2 of the room and disturb my wife less. Nice thing is they are crummy slow starting CFLs to, so they aren't full intensity right away - a handy feature at 4AM when I just need to find my watch.
We also have a very detailed ceiling fan that draws attention and is dimmable - that's the mood light.
Like I often say ... there is a time and place for just about everything and anything ... even recessed lights in a master BR. General rules are just that ... general. Doesn't mean you can't apply the 'violation' and do it successfully. I had about 6 recessed cans in our vaulted bedroom ceiling. Dearly hated it. The builder of that house must have gotten a bargin on recessed cans ... they were everywhere ... all bedrooms, stair, hall, kitche. Wow. I get the feeling people tend to slather on rec. cans like Tom Sawyer applied whitewash ... no consideration for practical application of good lighting.
When we did our master bath I put in cans and we also had a smaller, easily removeable mirror panel above the big mirror that was drilled so I could put sockets behind it and big globe bulbs through the holes. That ends up being the light my wife uses the most for makeup, hair etc. The cans are seldom used. I ended up wiring the can over the toilet to the fan. That is handy.
The idea we like the best is the rope light under the toe kicks, connected to an occupancy sensor. If you are just going in for a quick pee, that is all the light you need. It comes on and goes off automatically.
It is just part of a low level, motion detector lighting system I have everywhere tho. Lights follow you all around the house, inside or outside. (kitchen/great room, halls, bathrooms and room in the back on the way outside, where you pick up the outdoor motion detectors and one in the garage)