skip to main content

Lighting Design Dilemma Bathrooms

Lighting Help: gutting small bathroom in a condo

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

I am remodeling a tiny bathroom with shower only. This is the current look. Replacing everything. Replacing the medicine cabinet & lights with a 20 x 30 beveled mirror only. Only a 25" vanity will fit in the space. Mirror will be centered over the vanity. Looking at the Vetri LED bath bar https://www.lumens.com/vetri-led-bath-bar-by-modern-forms-uu504619.html It is 21" wide. Does 1/2" overhang matter or should it be less than the mirror's width? Someone reviewed it saying if you mount it too high you will be able to see underneath it. Ceiling is 8' high. With the light fixture and the mirror, the space above the light fixture to the ceiling will be about 11 ". Is that too high? Second choice is George Kovacs Forest Ice. https://www.lampsplus.com/products/george-kovacs-forest-ice-6-inch-high-chrome-2-led-wall-sconce__34c94.html It's only 18.75", but only 1400 lumens vs. 1880 for the other light. Is this enough light? I've been looking at LED light bars for weeks. They are about to start demolition. I want something unique, bright, but dimmable. Will either of these lights work? Thanks for the help!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
4 years ago
I see no point in a dimmable bathroom light I never like fixtures where you can’t change the bulb. 3000K is too yellow IMO and I think the texture glass just adds to the poor lighting. If you look at the one picture you can even see the wierd shadows on the wall.Look for a simple fixture with 4000K bulbs that can be changed .
Stephanie thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
Stephanie
Original Author
4 years ago
It seems that all of the LED lights I have looked at are 3000K. I don't put makeup on in my bathroom, so would yellow matter? Are halogen lights better? More like daylight? Wall and floor tiles will be white with a slight spattering of grey, grey border. Not sure about above the wall tile, was thinking a very pale lavender as the bedroom is a darker lavender. The vanity will be white.
Related Discussions
Layout help with gut bathroom remodel
Q
Comments (12)
OK, so if my plan won't work, how can I fix it :) enduring there are two other full baths w/ tub and shower on the same floor. I am not worried about making this one handicap accessible. mongoct there is one window on the rights side. I've labeled it here. It is currently a small, stupid high window which I was planning on making a little bigger and longer. It was going to be in between the two vanity mirrors in the current proposed plan and I was going to put a glass cabinet w/ glass front and back in front of it to let light filter through but get more storage and obscure the view. The doors can be changed or moved from side to side if need be. The window could be changed and moved to- but the bathroom faces the front of the house and it is a ground floor house so there can't be a window in the front.
...See More
Adding recessed lighting and shiplap ceiling to small bathroom: help
Q
Comments (0)
We are planning a small makeover for the only bathroom in our small house. We plan to do the following: remove the flushmount ceiling fixture and patch ceiling add an exhaust fan with light over the shower add two recessed lights: one over the toilet area and one between the doorway and the vanity (evenly flanking the vanity) replace the vanity light with a more appropriate sconce remove the wallpaper; paint walls shiplap and paint the ceiling I'd like GW help on the following: What size recessed lights are appropriate for this small bathroom (barely 6x9)? Two 4" or two 6"? I like LEDs. What brand do you recommend? Can we install this in phases, beginning with the recessed lighting and exhaust fan and add the shiplap at a later date? That is, can the fixtures be adjusted lower to accommodate the wood planking when we get to that phase? If the new recessed lighting offers downlight, should we plan on installing an upward facing sconce above the vanity or can we do a downward facing sconce (perhaps with clear or translucent glass shades)? Other notes: We will replace the hideous wall cabinet with open shelves. We are aware that the tile on the floor is wall tile and not floor tile (slippery when wet!), but until we build a second bathroom, we cannot replace it. Thanks!
...See More
Small bathroom/laundry room remodel help with mirror and lights
Q
Comments (4)
I wouldn't use beadboard because it's cottage/beachy and your bathroom is traditional. If you want the beadboard look, I'd use a Shaker vanity. Otherwise I'd use traditional paneling with that vanity. Here are a few examples: With a warm color palette, you could use polished nickel for a little sparkle. It has a gold undertone where chrome has a blue undertone. The vanity is heavy and ornate so I'd probably look for a wood framed mirror for balance, though I'd keep it simple. I like rectangular mirrors when you are using an overhead light fixture. Something like this: https://www.build.com/avanity-brentwood-m24/s899881 Or the Avanity Madison: https://www.build.com/avanity-madison-m24/s1085061 The floor, vanity, and mirror hits my limit on brown tones, so that's why I'd use nickel lighting, faucet, and hardware. I'd use a traditional three-light fixture that's a few inches shorter than the mirror. What will the countertop be?
...See More
Help, hideous bathroom needs a full gut. Layout ideas?
Q
Comments (23)
We have a pocket door on the 3/4 bath inside the master, and honestly we almost never close it. We close the bedroom swing door if we need privacy. The pocket door is there if we need it. But for a full bath going out into a hallway a swing door would be much better.
...See More
apple_pie_order
4 years ago
Where are the things going that you keep in the current medicine cabinet?

It is difficult to locate dimmable LED bulbs in color temperatures other than 2700K. The good news is that Home Depot sells some online that can be shipped to California with its new restrictions on efficiency.

Have you checked that local building codes permit a vanity very close to the toilet? Better to check in advance than have to return a new vanity.
Stephanie thanked apple_pie_order
Stephanie
Original Author
4 years ago
I am replacing the current vanity with one with 3 drawers. Still deciding on a small cabinet over the toilet that matches the vanity, 18" wide with 2 closed shelves, one open one. There's only 50" from wall to wall. 25" for the vanity is the biggest I can do. I guess I could do 28, but that would need to be special ordered. I think it would be too tight. The other 25" is for the toilet and room for a waste basket. I have a pocket door into the bathroom to give me more room to walk around in the bathroom. Best thing I ever did about 15 years ago. Most of the lighting fixtures I like are 3000K which I think will be fine, warmer I know. But I don't do my makeup in the bathroom. I've been reading more about LED lights and bathrooms probably too much now. I think I have almost settled on this one over the 20" wide mirror, light fixture is 18" https://www.lampsplus.com/products/eurofase-wynn-18-inch-wide-chrome-led-bath-light__37m39.html I am using a really great contractor for renovation, but I am doing all the design work myself. Thanks for the suggestions!

Related Stories

BATHROOM DESIGN Light-Happy Changes Upgrade a Small Bathroom

By Becky Harris

Glass block windows, Starphire glass shower panes and bright white and blue tile make for a bright new bathroom design

LIGHTING See How Lighting Gives These Bathrooms Their Spa-Like Feel

Good lighting in the bathroom can create a peaceful mood and help you look your best

REMODELING GUIDES How Small Windows Help Modern Homes Stand Out

Amid expansive panes of glass and unbroken light, smaller windows can provide relief and focus for modern homes inside and out

BEFORE AND AFTERS Before and After: Stylish and Streamlined Small Bathroom

By Mitchell Parker

A design firm helps a New York couple update a 45-square-foot bath and avoid surprises by limiting material choices

BATHROOM DESIGN Airy Bathrooms See the Light

By Kristy Woodson Harvey and Beth Woodson

A breezy bathroom can be a revelation. These 8 ideas will help you lighten up yours in surprising ways

HOUZZ TV LIVE Watch a Houzz Editor Discuss 4 Small-Bathroom Design Ideas

By Mitchell Parker

See design tricks that pros use to make a small bathroom look and feel larger than it is

SMALL SPACES 5 Solutions to Small-Bathroom Problems

By Louise O'Bryan

Whether your room lacks a separate shower, adequate storage or a sense of spaciousness, there are remedies at hand

BATHROOM DESIGN 15 Small-Bathroom Vanity Ideas That Rock Style and Storage

By Annie Thornton

These floating vanities, repurposed dressers and open shelves offer creative and useful design solutions

BATHROOM DESIGN 8 Clever and Creative Ways With Small Bathrooms

By The Inman Company

Take the focus off size with a mural, an alternative layout, bold wall coverings and other eye-catching design details

WINDOWS Small Skylights Add Comfort and Light Where You Need It

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Consider this minor home improvement in rooms that don’t get enough natural daylight

Sponsored

Winks Remodeling & Handyman Services

1 Review

Custom Craftsmanship & Construction Solutions in Franklin County

More Discussions

Can anyone recommend a dining room chandelier for this space?

5

is LED lighting safe?

5

two or three light fixtures over island?

3

Recommendations for a two light wall mounted vanity light

1

Kitchen lighting help needed

0