Today, lights do not only come with a single bulb or lamp. They come in lighting systems that can be a combination of several lamps with housing or decoration in different materials such as glass, wood, or metal in various finishes and designs. This has made them an important component in the decoration of any room, including the bathroom.
Notwithstanding the different kinds, methods, and forms of lights, they can be broadly classified into three different types –task, ambient or general, and accent lighting.
Task lighting, as its name implies, is primarily functional. In the bathroom, task lights are often installed at the vanity area to provide illumination when shaving or applying make up. They should eliminate any shadow over your face but at the same time, they should not be too bright or harsh on the eyes. These can come in a pair of sconces that flank both sides of the mirror, or track lights of a few lamps installed above it. Sconces usually provide soft lighting but if they are close enough to the mirror, or even mounted on it, they can provide sufficiently bright lights for grooming. Track lights should never be wider than the mirror, and if it is not too wide, you can settle for two lamps.
Ambient lighting provides general illumination for the bathroom. Lights for this can come suspended from the ceiling, either as a single lamp or a mini-chandelier with three or four lamps. They can also be recessed anywhere within the ceiling. Sconce lights can likewise provide ambient lighting if they are installed high enough. Diffusing a soft glow, they can create a dreamy and delightful atmosphere in your bathroom.
At the opposite of task lighting is accent lighting, which is primarily decorative. This is not to say, however, that they are useless for lighting. On the contrary, they are used to highlight photos, plants, and other artifacts in your bathroom, directing your or your guests’ attention towards them.
A proper use and arrangement of the three types of lighting systems can dramatically transform your bathroom into a stunning room that you will surely enjoy every time you perform your morning rituals and ablutions.