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Lighting Design Dilemma Bathrooms

How would you design the ceiling pot lights for this bathroom

6 months ago

last modified: 6 months ago

I'm redoing the bathroom and I don't know much about lighting, looking for the following advice:

how many ceiling-recessed LED lights does this need?
how to place them?
what recessed light to buy (the size, watt, lumens etc)?

Here are the specs for the bathroom in cm:

Oversize: 215w x 235d x 228h
The shower location is seen in the image below size 160 x 80 x 228h
There is a bath heating light in the middle of the shower room, that will be very bright, but should only be used in very cold days.
There's an add-on wall (35 cm deep) for a shower niche next to the shower faucet, and a linen cabinet next to the shower room
On top of the vanity, there will be a niche, then a mirror cabinet full width to the ceiling.
Like the modern and minimalist style, material-wise: wall and floor are big light tiles, one piece custom shower skin etc.

Featured Answer

kandrewspa

6 months ago

I agree with Beverly, this bath is not large enough to require numerous can lights. It doesn't sound like you've planned for having a light over the vanity. The best lighting is actually done with sconces on the sides of a mirror, but you may not have space for that. Barring that, a fixture over the mirror is usually done. Keep in mind you want to light your face, not the room, when using the mirror. I disagree with Patricia, I think dimmer switches are always a good idea, and multiple switches for each fixture are nice as you may not want everything on all the time.

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Comments (6)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
6 months ago
last modified: 6 months ago
I assume you are not in the US where they do all feet and inches . As for the lighting I like 4" pots 4000K LED bulbs and you put lighting where you need it so usually above the toilet . in the center of the room one above the shower and a nice bathroom bar light above ythe mirror all the same bulbs I never use dimmers in bathrooms or kitchens but nice to have different lights on seperate switches in both spaces .Maybe 2 pot lights one over the shower and one in the space next to the shower that is empty in your drawing or is that just a big shor and in that case still needs 2 pots.
Nick S thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
6 months ago

Make sure the bulbs you select do not conflict in color.
Nick S thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
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Nick S
Original Author
6 months ago
Thanks @kandrewspa, @BeverlyFLADeziner & @Patricia Colwell Consulting for the advice, much appreciated.

Just adding a couple of details, the mirror is a double-door cabinet, does have lights on the side it, so there is a niche between the mirror and the sink, but would not have (and no room for) wall mount lights.

There is also a shower heater light that is super bright in the middle of the shower room, but only will be used for very cold days, so that puts some extra challenges, as I don't know if I should put another LED light to above the shower niche or end of the shower, it feels weird to add to the center of the shower as that has the heater light already.

I'm adding a rendering for reference, I thought of placing 5 recessed LED lights as in the drawing below, but like some of you said, that might be too much, if I reduce it to 2-3 the shower niche and cabinet might not have much light. Also, is there a rule for how far away the light needs to be from the mirror/wall to be ideal, and would it be a bad idea to have a light right above the rainfall shower head (concern about the reflection of the metal)?
0
wdccruise
6 months ago
"it feels weird to add to the center of the shower as that has the heater light already."

You can install a 2" LED light such as this Envirolite EV26081WH30; it will hardly be noticed. A wafer light such as the Juno WF2RDALO25SWW5 would be even less noticeable.

"would it be a bad idea to have a light right above the rainfall shower head"

Yes, I made this mistake and disconnected the light.

"how far away the light needs to be from the mirror/wall to be ideal"

Far, far away. I would not put a recessed light above a sink, just use a vanity light or sconces.

I wouldn't position a light over the toilet...or the person sitting on it.

A couple of recessed lights along the centerline of the room should be adequate.

Don't forget dimmer(s). Lutron LED+ dimmers are the best.
Nick S
Original Author
6 months ago
Thank you @wdccruise
0

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