FEATURE: KITCHENS & BATHROOMS LAYERED LIGHTING LUMINARIES
When it comes to bathroom lighting there are a number of considerations to make – from practicality and safety, to creating a relaxing environment. Antonio Formisano, Product Manager at 4lite, looks at how to use lighting to ensure one the most used rooms in the house delivers for every requirement.
L
ighting a bathroom can take a lot of planning as they are often one of the smallest rooms in the house and
usually have the least natural light. Well-planned lighting schemes strike a balance between task- oriented illumination, ideal for activities like shaving or applying makeup, and softer ambient lighting that promotes a calming atmosphere.
Layered lighting Layering three types of light - ambient, accent and task – can help to make the most of a bathroom and ensure it always provides the right type of lighting. By incorporating dimmable fixtures and strategically placing lighting sources around key areas such as the sink, vanity, shower and toilet, a bathroom can seamlessly transition from functional to tranquil, enhancing both its practicality and overall appeal.
Beginning with ambient lighting – in terms of colour temperature this is typically around 2000k-3000k (Kelvins), offering a soft glow and is used extensively in living spaces, bedrooms and gardens. In the bathroom this would usually be the source of the general and usually consists of downlights or a central pendant. Task lighting is a much brighter, whiter light, usually between 3100K-4500K and often used in kitchens and workspaces. In the bathroom it is used for specific tasks such as shaving or make-up application and would usually be positioned around or directly above the sink and mirror. A common mistake is to not have enough task lighting around the vanity area which can be very frustrating for the user as it is vital to eliminate shadows from the face. And at the opposite end of the scale having insufficient general lighting can make the space less functional. And then there is accent lighting, which is used to highlight features such as alcoves, shelving or profiles. This is often achieved using strip lighting and allows the bathroom to be used as a more relaxing area and create a spa-like environment.
www.diyweek.net Choosing luminaires
Whatever type of luminaires are chosen you should always remember that there are strict regulations regarding the voltage and ingress protection so bathroom lights should be fully IP-rated to ensure they are waterproof and therefore suitable for a shower area or bathroom. Light fittings rated between IP44 and IP65 are protected against light sprays of water, making them suitable for general areas of the bathroom, whereas fixtures rated IP65 and above areas such as shower enclosures. Getting the light positioning right is very important – for example downlights directly above mirrors can be unflattering – and the balance of light quantity is also key. Two few lights and you’ll create a
“The growth of smart lighting for bathrooms opens up a lot of
possibilities and benefits to consumers.”
dark space not suitable for certain tasks, too many and you’ll find it is not a place to relax in.
Smart lighting The growth of smart lighting for bathrooms in recent years also opens up a lot of possibilities and benefits to consumers. Smart luminaires are particularly popular due to the millions of colour
options they offer – from cool hues for task lighting around mirrors and vanity units, to warmer tones for winding down and relaxing. And smart accessories, such as sensors, contribute to energy efficiency and also from a safety perspective for night time bathroom visits. A well-designed and operated smart lighting system, installed at the beginning of a bathroom project, can reduce energy use by up to two- thirds, enabling every single detail of lighting to be programmed and automated, to ensure energy is used only where and when it is needed. If the project is further down the line, then smart light bulbs enhance the potential savings of regular LED’s, thanks to their connectivity. They can be installed in existing light fittings and linked together to form a fully automated and controllable lighting system where energy-using factors such as operation time, brightness, intensity and colour temperature can all be highly tuned.
One versatile product that is
proving very popular in bathroom lighting design is smart LED strip lighting. This can be used in alcoves, under cabinets, plinths or open shelving, in profiles on floors and walls, or around mirrors and is ideal for both feature lighting and ambience. The adjustable CCT, or colour temperature, also enables it to be used for different situations – so it can be used for either task lighting or provide ambient lighting for relaxation. And, of course, it can also be controlled via an app, smartphone or smart speaker. Another trend in vanity lighting is have either wall lights on either side of the mirror or over mirror lighting and these are tending to fall into two design categories – minimal clear lines or for the more traditional bathroom more classic bell-shapes with gold finishes.
Ask the experts All in all there is a lot to consider in a bathroom space when it comes to lighting and the 4lite technical and lighting design teams are always on hand to answer any questions or help guide you through the process. Contact 4lite by calling 01565 656635, email
sales@4liteuk.com or visit
https://4liteuk.com
FEBRUARY 2024 DIY WEEK 13
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