Lighting is more complex than you’d think. While it might seem like little more than a means to keep the house lit when it’s dark outside, it’s really not as simple as fitting every single room with a standard light bulb. There are other factors that designers and DIY enthusiasts need to take into account first to ensure that their house is lit properly and to the best effect. For one, lighting has a strong effect on a person’s mood and emotional wellbeing, and poor choices in lighting can have a detrimental effect even on your physical health. Bearing this in mind, every room in every house has different lighting requirements and no one room should be lit the same.

Let’s take a look at lighting bathrooms. Bathrooms are quite common problem areas in lighting as the room needs to be able to meet various different requirements rather than just one or two. For example, a person might need brighter lighting for shaving or applying makeup, but prefers softer lighting for bathing. In other cases, a standard bulb can be problematic for people if they want to visit the bathroom in the middle of the night; there’s nothing worse than staggering bleary eyed into the bathroom only to switch on a too-bright light. As a result, bathroom lighting can often end up being too dim or too bright, which in turn creates a depressing atmosphere, especially if your bathroom isn’t particularly large or, in some cases, too big.

How should you light your bathroom, then? Put simply, the best solution is to ensure that your lighting is adaptable for this environment. As we’ve seen, bathrooms really require multi-functional lighting of some sort so people can adjust it according to their needs. For example, while you might have an overhead bulb, you could also have lighting fitted around your bathroom mirror which can be used for shaving, makeup and so on, or purchase an illuminated mirror. This lighting in itself can be adjustable, meaning you can change it to suit your needs whenever you like. As for the main lighting, dimmers are a fantastic choice that will be extremely useful. By having a dimmer installed, you can again adjust the lighting to meet your own requirements. If you go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, you can illuminate the room enough for you to see without hurting your eyes. If you want a bath, you can create your own mood lighting. Its versatility is perfect for a room that is in itself versatile.

There are plenty of light types that would be well suited to a bathroom, but if you’re not entirely sure then all you need to do is a little research. Companies like Litecraft organise their stock by room, which would be a useful starting point for anyone looking to light their bathroom. Just remember that what you’re looking for is versatility and adaptability; one kind of lighting will not always be suitable for a bathroom