When preparing a bathroom lighting plan for your clients, you’ll want to consider three primary aspects:
- the overall design aesthetic (the mood or vibe)
- the practical requirements of the space
- the regulatory rules for wet area lighting
In this article, we expand on these three areas and share essential factors to consider when making lighting decisions with your client.
Bathroom above designed by Kerrie Neale | BBOT Designs
Bathroom design briefs often include descriptive words such as masculine, spa-like, bright and airy, etc. These words are key clues for the overall design aesthetic and should be factored into lighting design planning.
For example, a ‘masculine’ or ‘motel-like’ space will likely have a dark and moody vibe. You’ll want to investigate subtle cabinetry lighting, dimmable wall lights, and stylish (and suitably rated) pendants. In a ‘spa-like’ space, your focus may be on balancing artificial light with natural light, where possible, and prioritising air extraction.
Practical Requirements of the Space
General/Ambient Lighting
All bathrooms require general ambient light for everyday ablutions, cleaning, etc. This is generally achieved with a ceiling-mounted fixture or, more commonly, a 3-in-1 unit. The latter offers general lighting, air extraction, and heating—all essential elements of a well-designed bathroom.
Essential factors to consider when specifying a 3-in-1 unit:
Lighting
Most 3-in-1 bathroom units come with LED lighting. Less expensive models may still include older-style halogen lamps, but more energy-efficient options should be prioritised. The light should be adequate for general bathroom use (dressing, cleaning, etc.), but may need to be supplemented with specific task lighting (see below).
Air Extraction
The effective removal of steam and moisture from a bathroom should never be compromised, and you must carefully consider the extraction rate of your potential selections. To determine the best option, first calculate the volume of the room using this simple calculation:
Length x Width x Height = Total Volume (in m3).
You’ll then need to determine how many ‘air changes’ the room needs to dispel steam and moisture. Factors that can influence this figure include:
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- Existing levels of dampness or excessive humidity
- Air flow into room
- Cross-flow ventilation levels
- Client expectations for speed of steam removal (note that large areas of stone, ceramic tiles and mirrors – all potentially ‘cooler’ surfaces – can result in higher levels of condensation and a more expedited need for steam removal).
Generally speaking, a typical bathroom with a shower requires between 15 and 25 air changes per hour. To calculate the required extraction rate, multiply the room size by the number of air changes:
Total room size (m3) x 15 air changes = extraction capacity rate (m3/hour).
Most 3-in-1 units display this measure of air change as a measure of their capacity in m3/hr.
Positioning
As indicated above, the 3-in-1 is often the ‘general’ light source and is likely to be positioned in the centre of the room (keep in mind that specific task lighting may be required elsewhere). It should not be located directly over the shower but should be central to the steam and entry of fresh air.
Bathroom above designed by Marcus Syvertsen | Little Road Studio
Tasks carried out in the bathroom include shaving, applying makeup, face washing, etc., all of which require bright, unshadowed illumination in the mirror region. Following are some common options with pros and cons for each:
Ceiling-mounted lights should be positioned in front of the user (i.e. not directly overhead) and aimed towards the mirror to create reflected directional light. Glare should be considered: this is not the best option if the mirror goes to the ceiling.
Ceiling-mounted LED tape or strip lighting keeps walls free of extra fittings and illuminates a room by reflecting light off the wall tiles and mirror. This option is only effective on ceilings at 2700 mm or lower.
Wall-mounted lights that extend over (and in front of mirrors) place the light in the ideal place for makeup application. Light is pushed down between the face and the mirror and reflected back from the basin and benchtop for upward-facing illumination. Pay particular attention to the extension of the light to ensure it covers the depth of the mirror or mirrored cabinet. This option may not be suitable for surface-mounted cupboards. The quality of the bulb is important – see below for more information.
‘Hollywood lights’ are what most people envision when discussing makeup lighting. A series of light globes around the mirror push large volumes of light towards the face, illuminating every detail. While the ball-shaped globes are still popular at professional makeup stations, they’re not always in line with the bathroom vibe. Thankfully, many other stylish options are available, including mirrors with integrated LED lights.
In summary, light coming from directly above will throw shadows on the face, and light from behind is not helpful. Ideally, the light should be between your face and the mirror.
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