When planning a bathroom renovation homeowners often overlook the obvious in favor of the glamorous. We've seen homeowners swoon over solid wood vanities and exquisite stainless steel tubs without first thinking about the most essential element of any bathroom renovation: the lighting! The great philosopher Plato says: We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.
At Enterprise Home Remodeling, we can't help but agree with Plato. After all, without appropriate lighting even the most luxurious bathroom renovation can feel dim and lackluster - or worse, overly-bright and frenetic.
To strike the perfect balance, we suggest including multiple layers of light in your next bathroom renovation. Just like your kitchen, you actually have endless lighting options for your bathroom. From natural light to overhead light; from recessed lights to wall-mounted sconces, your bathroom lighting can be both functional and comforting.
Below we will discuss a few illuminating ideas for your next bathroom renovation.
Natural Light
Many bathroom remodeling projects neglect the importance of natural light, and this just might be the most unfortunate element of modern bathroom renovations. Why? Well, for ambiance there is no better light than the streaming rays of the setting sun or the subtle glow of the evening moon.
If possible, we always suggest adding additional window space to your bathroom design. With ample window space, you might not even need to use your bathroom lights for much of the day. You'll save money on electricity and benefit from the uniquely subtle illumination of the sun. At night, the moon can provide an accent to your sconces or recessed lights.
And please don't be afraid of exposing too much of your intimate space. You can easily plan for discreet windows in your bathroom design, and there are plenty of options for additional privacy, including window orientation, elegant shades or lace curtains, or frosted windows.
Another popular option is a skylight. Nothing beats the light from above!
Ceiling Lights
Too often bathrooms concentrate light in a single source, and this source is a harsh overhead light. Overhead lighting can certainly contribute to a well-lit bathroom, and an overhead light can even provide the bulk of the bathroom's illumination. You just want to make sure that your overhead light does not dominate the space. If you do choose to install a single, larger ceiling light, consider a dimmer to control the intensity: brighter when you're grooming for a night out on the town and softer for a relaxing evening bath. With a dimmer, you can calibrate the light to the time and your mood.
Alternately, to avoid a too-bright bathroom makeover, choose recessed lights, evenly distributed, instead of a single larger light. Recessed ceiling lights can be placed strategically to illuminate specific areas - like your new waterproof TV or whirlpool. (If you like the sound of a waterproof TV or whirlpool, read our article on luxurious bathroom upgrades).
You can also place recessed lights near your vanity to facilitate your grooming. And some imaginative homeowners install recessed lights very close together so that their beams overlap. This type of layering is the essence of a perfectly-balanced bathroom renovation.
Bathroom Sconces
Sconces are ornamental light holders attached to the wall. In many bathroom designs, you will see bathroom sconces on either side of a mirror, window, or door. Wall sconces can be a great way to showcase the favorite elements of your bathroom renovation. Like recessed lights, sconces can strategically illuminate specific areas. Imagine wall-mounted sconces on each side of your vanity, or mounted directly onto your new mirror. If you're a fastidious groomer, you'll appreciate that subtle extra layer of light!
Bathroom Vanity Lighting
The vanity might be the one bathroom space that requires brighter light. Many people prefer ample light for grooming. After all, imagine trying to pluck your eyebrows or shave your beard in a dim bathroom! As we've noted above, sconces and recessed lights might just be the perfect option for the bathroom vanity. The key is precisely focused light. Your vanity lighting should not provide the bulk of your bathroom light. Save the heavy-lifting for that single overhead light.
Kitchen Remodeling
Master Kitchen & Bath Design has set the standard for kitchen remodeling in the Bucks County area for over thirty years. A rare find in the kitchen remodeling industry, MKBD excels in both in-house design and construction. We never use subcontractors, all of our team members, from our lead designer to lead carpenter, take ownership of each project.
Bathroom Remodeling
Master Kitchen and Bath Design designs beautiful bathrooms to complement both older and newly constructed homes. For over thirty years, MKBD has distinguished itself as the leading bathroom remodeling company in the Philadelphia area. When you work with MKBD, you partner with the most innovative and skilled talent in the bathroom remodeling industry.
Finished Basements
In many homes, the basement is a neglected space, a hideaway for moldering storage boxes, discarded furniture, and outdated supplies. A remodeling project can transform your basement into a functional living space. From recreational rooms to guest suites, Master Kitchen & Bath Design excels in the design and construction of finished basements.
