The 4 Do's And Don'ts Of Lighting Your Bathroom With Smart Bulbs May 10, 2017 00:00

When it comes to interior design, most people tend to focus on high traffic areas like the entryway, family room, and kitchen.

And while it’s true, setting the right tone in each of these spaces can make or break the feel of your entire home, there’s one more area that many people tend to overlook—the bathroom.

It’s too bad too. The bathroom is where we start and finish most of our days, get our looks just right, and even take a break from the rest of the world to relax, if only for just a few minutes.

But in order to get as much use out of your bathroom as possible, it’ll take a fair amount of lighting knowledge on your part.

That’s why we’ve put together a list of the top 4 dos and don’ts to take into account when illuminating your bathroom.

So, have a look! And before you know it, the bathroom just might become your favorite room in the house!

Do: Use smart bulbs to provide adequate task lighting

There are three types of lighting: ambient, accent, and task. And when it comes to the bathroom, the most important type of lighting by far is task lighting.

Task lighting lets you see all the small details when you’re getting ready for your day. That means shaving, putting on makeup, and other daily grooming tasks are all made easier and more effective when performed in the right kind of light.

Vanity lighting is considered the most common type of task lighting in a bathroom. And while you may be tempted to settle on simply the prettiest design, there’s a bit more to consider than just visuals.

Overhead vanity lighting, for example, might end up producing shadows on your face, making it harder to perform grooming tasks accurately. That’s why it’s best to use task lighting that evenly lights the entire target area.

See how the built-in lighting above illuminates from the sides rather than from above? A great idea for anyone looking for ways to improve their bathroom’s task lighting!

Don't: Overdo it

As with other rooms in your home, your bathroom décor can really suffer from overdoing your lighting.

See how the room above, despite being very well lit, comes off as a bit unnerving? That’s because its lighting is far too overpowered for the space.

Proper and attractive bathroom illumination is a balancing act between adequate brightness for performing tasks and dimness to keep the space comfortable.

So, experiment a bit! It might take a bit of work but once you’ve got the right mix of both, your bathroom will become both functional and relaxing.

Do: Pay attention to other layers of light

As mentioned earlier, there are three types of lighting. While task lighting is important to ensure you’re able to, say, put on makeup in the morning, strong ambient and accent lighting are also crucial to giving your bathroom both improved functionality and an attractive appeal.

Ambient light, for instance, is a type of lighting that helps illuminate an entire space. In a bathroom, this typically comes in the form of an overhead light.

Accent lighting, on the other hand, is all about style. It’s used to highlight particularly attractive design pieces or architectural interests.

Using a combination of these three lighting types is called “layering” and helps give your spaces depth, character, and visual appeal.

Take a look at the bathroom above for an example of how to interweave all these illumination types into a single beautifully lit space.

Do: Use smart bulbs in the bathroom

Like every other room in your home, your bathroom’s overall feel can change drastically just by switching the type of bulb you’re using. From warm and cool to colored and normal, the type of light your bulb puts out can mean the difference between a bathroom that’s inviting and comfortable or clean and modern.

Beyond that, having your bathroom’s illumination controlled by a dimmer switch is incredibly handy. For instance, if you’re running late in the morning and need to shave as quickly and accurately as possible before today’s big meeting, you’ll want a brighter bathroom to get the job done. If, however, you’re looking to melt the stress away by relaxing in the tub, you’ll want your lighting to be a bit lower to enhance the mood.

With all these different aspects of lighting to consider, it’s no wonder many people are taking advantage of the versatility of smart bulbs. These lights typically let you change both the color output as well as its brightness.

Talk about design flexibility!

So, follow these four dos and don’ts for lighting to turn your bathroom into a beacon of function and comfort!

How have you used smart bulbs in the bathroom?

What kind of bathroom lighting tips have you discovered? How has using smart bulbs changed the look and feel of your space? Let us know in the comment section below and add some flare to your bathroom with the Flux Smart product line!