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To ensure that your bathroom lighting is safe:
1. Make sure you have adequately lit all parts of the room. One overhead light won't do it. Layer lighting. People in the bathroom should be able to see the mirror, the floor, the faucets.
2. Beware of glare. If light is shining directly into the eyes, it can be blinding - instead of illuminating.
3. Check lighting levels. They might be too low - particularly if the room is used by anyone who is 55 or older. Aging eyes need more light.
4. If the shower is separate from the bathtub, make sure there is adequate lighting in both areas to prevent falls.
5. Keep nightlights lit in adjoining rooms, and in the bathroom, to show the way in the middle of the night.
Following these simple guidelines will decrease the likelihood of a bathroom accident caused by improper lighting-particularly for older residents and guests.
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Lighting for Bathrooms and Vanities.
Vanity or mirror lighting is a subject that people are highly critical of, because it affects their own appearance.
Mirror lighting needs to be bright but not glaring, accurate yet flattering.
There are three considerations for mirror lighting; fixture placement, lamp (or bulb) type, and fixture style.
Placement. The best mirror lighting surrounds the face with light. This provides light from all sides that minimizes shadows under the chin, eyes, cheeks, and forehead.
This does not mean that you have to use 'Hollywood' style lights (those strips that use the round light bulbs). A wall sconce on either side of the mirror can work nicely.
Normally you want the center of the fixture at about 66" above the finished floor and at least 30" apart (these specs will vary according to the particulars of the room and fixture).
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If the room has a whole wall mirror you can mount the fixtures right on the mirror. Mounting the fixtures on the mirror requires extra planning and coordination with the electrical contractor and the glass supplier.
Also be aware that some types of fixtures will look better on a mirror than other types (because of the reflections). Avoid using ceiling mounted fixtures as the sole source unless the room is very small with light colored walls. Large bathrooms often need additional lighting besides the mirror lighting.
Definitely don't rely on recessed cans for mirror lighting, the shadows can be horrendous! If a recessed type must be used, consider constructing a luminous soffit with two 4' fluorescent tubes.
The most common placement for mirror lighting is on the wall above the mirror. Though this is not ideal it avoids most conflicts with mirror size, medicine cabinet doors, and room dimensions. However the fixture needs to be long enough to light the sides of the face.
Fixture Style. When selecting a fixture style choose one that has a translucent lens. If the lens is clear the fixture may be glaring. If it is opaque (metal, ceramic, etc.) it will not pass enough light directly to your face. Be sure that the lens will not change the color of the light (some glass is rather green).
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