Q: “Randall, how necessary is lighting to a bathroom design?”
A: Is this a trick question? Lighting is more important in the bathroom than in any other room in the house. This is the place where we do very detailed and important work, such as shaving, applying makeup and spackling. It is also the first place we see ourselves in the morning and the last place we see ourselves at night. Don’t you want that sight to be a positive one?
Q: “Our bathroom is the smallest room in our house. Does this present a particular challenge in terms of lighting?”
A: I love the idea of creating a jewel box. A bathroom doesn’t have to be big to be effective. Tastefully selected finishes and bath fixtures, along with well-designed lighting, can turn a bathroom of any size into a luxurious retreat. It really is the one door in the house that we can
lock to shut out the rest of the world for a few quiet moments without feeling guilty.
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| Even the smallest bathroom deserves great lighting, especially at the mirror. Here, two shallow, cast glass sconces by Neidhardt Lighting produce great task light without taking up too much room in this 5-foot by 6-foot space. |
Q: “How do we compensate for a lack of natural light?”
A: A room without a source of natural light feels a bit subterranean. I often recommend the addition of windows or skylights as part of a remodel. There is a great product available called the “Solatube,” which is a small-diameter skylight that is easy to install and very flexible (www.solatube.com).
Q: “What’s the most common mistake in bathroom lighting?”
A: Trying to use one source of light to fulfill all the lighting needs for the space. Anyone who has been in a bathroom with just one fixture in the ceiling or a single light over the mirror knows how bad lighting can be.
Q: “How do you determine where to place lighting in a bathroom?”
A: First you look at the task areas, such as the mirror over the sink and the tub/shower area. The best task light at the mirror is a pair of fixtures mounted on the wall, flanking the sink. This is called cross illumination and provides shadow-less task light for your face. Once the task lighting has been addressed, you can look at other types of lighting that will pull the whole look of the room together—perhaps a good reading light at the toilet.
| Got a question for Randall?
Shower him with your queries.
Send questions to:
Residential Lighting magazine
attn: Last Word in Lighting
400 Knightsbridge Pkwy.
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
Fax: (847) 634-7885
E-mail: cpalermo@vancepublishing.com
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Older eyes need a whiter color of light. As our eyes age, they tend to see more yellow. If you combine that with standard incandescent light, which is also yellow, it cuts down on your visual acuity. |
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