Your Guide To Buying Bathroom Lighting

Bathroom lightingMost of the time spent planning a dream bathroom goes into picking out the right shower and bath set - but often overlooked features such as lighting can make all the difference when it comes to getting the right feel.

Here are a few pointers to help you get started.

Safety

First things first, don't forget that when you're combining electricity with a room associated with water being flung about you need to make sure you prioritise safety features above all else.

And - no matter the heights of your ambition - we'd recommend speaking to a qualified electrician about your plans so that they can ensure everything is wired up correctly. This is because light fixtures and power outlets often have to be located a certain distance from water sources.

Ultimately, it's something you really can't afford to leave to sheer chance.

Types of lighting

Which type of lighting you choose will obviously be determined by the specifications of your bathroom.

Things like high or arched ceilings, the amount of natural light filtered through the windows and the colour of your walls can have a big impact on your lighting of choice affects the room.

For maximum light to help you with every day make-up application and shaving, most people recommend lighting directly around (or even embedded in) the main vanity mirror centre-piece. This should always be strategically placed though - as putting a light at the top of the mirror, for example, can often lead to errant shadows obscuring your view.

For the main over-head lights, don't be afraid to go for something snazzy and decorative if it really takes your fancy - but remember that long ambient lights tend to better fill the entirety of the room. You can always mix and match, though, and a well placed mirror bulb can offer you extra light on those occasions when you really need it.

For mood lighting, consider adding a dimming switch so you can lower the brightness during the evenings for an extra romantic vibe.

It's also a good idea to buck the recent trend of having the bathroom fan and overhead light operated by the same lever - as the sound is often disrupting, particularly if other people are trying to sleep in neighbouring rooms.

Shopping guide

Where possible, try and shop with specialist local wholesalers instead of generic homeware stores - as it is better to try and find a company that offers inclusive installation packages alongside the lights themselves (as noted above, though, you can just enlist the help of a private electrician to oversee everything at your own expense).

Of course, companies like Homebase and B&Q are always there as options as well - and they are generally more affordable if you're shopping on a budget. They also offer good safety guarantees as well although the caveat is they don't offer to come and look at your bathroom in the flesh.

In terms of cost, it depends on how ambitious your project is, but a solid strip light can be yours for around £50, and if you're looking for something small but decorative around £30 or £40 is generally good price to pay.