Lighting options in the bathroom, rules for the selection and placement of lamps
The organization of lighting in a small bathroom requires the installation of special lamps. Lighting fixtures should be highly protected from moisture. The lighting system must be installed in the work areas. The light in the bathroom should be comfortable and not too bright. Particular attention should be paid to the lighting of the mirror near the sink. It is better to install two lamps on the sides.
Content
- 1 Basic principles
- 2 What mistakes will lead to when arranging lighting
- 3 Kinds
- 4 Backlight Safety Requirements
- 5 IP marking decoding
- 6 Rules for choosing luminaires by zone
- 7 Installation and connection features
- 8 Organization of lighting in a bathroom with a stretch ceiling
- 9 Variants of original design solutions
Basic principles
The bathroom is a room that most often lacks windows and daylight. The presence of a small window opening only partially illuminates the space. In the bathroom, as in the toilet, you need to install light fixtures.
The lighting system not only illuminates the space, but also performs a decorative function - decorates the interior, visually expands the area. When installing electric lighting, you should observe safety precautions due to the high humidity in this room.
What you need to pay attention to when installing a lighting system in a bathroom:
- lighting should be comfortable and even;
- lamps should match the style and interior;
- the more light fixtures there are in the bathroom, the lower the wattage of each should be;
- it is advisable to install lamps in all work areas;
- the lighting devices cannot be oriented perpendicular to the mirror;
- you can create your own switch for each lamp;
- when choosing a lamp for a bathroom, you need to focus on its technical indicators and degrees of protection;
- 3-level lighting is considered ideal for a room (ceiling, nearby work areas, downlight).
What mistakes will lead to when arranging lighting
Well-organized lighting creates a comfortable atmosphere. An incorrectly chosen lamp can cause too bright or, on the contrary, dim light. In a small bathroom, you need to place electrical systems correctly, not allow contact with water. If electricity comes into contact with a wet surface, a short circuit or an accident may occur. Fixtures installed in the wrong place can harm, not benefit.
When installing the lighting system, you should pay attention to the size of the lamp. In a tiny room, a huge chandelier will look inappropriate. The lower edge of the ceiling suspended from the ceiling should be at the height of a person, plus 20-40 centimeters in stock. If this rule is not followed, the head will constantly touch the lamp.
In a spacious room, lighting systems are installed on the ceiling and on the walls. All work areas must be lighted. Dimmable fixtures can be hung.
Such devices regulate the intensity of light.
When choosing a lamp for a bathroom, it is important to take into account the style and color scheme of the room. Lighting systems should be in harmony with colors and designs. It is better not to save on lighting. True, to save electricity, instead of ordinary light bulbs, you can use LEDs. They have a longer lifespan.
Kinds
Lighting systems, in addition to technical parameters, differ in form, method of attachment and function. The lamp in the room should be chosen so that all parts of the room are as illuminated as possible.
By areas
In a dark room, it is recommended to arrange lighting at 3 levels in order to illuminate each zone as much as possible: ceiling, wall, floor. The quality of the lighting depends on the type of device and the power.
The main
The ceiling light is the main electrical lighting device in any room. One ceiling is enough for a small room. In a spacious room, it is advisable to attach several lamps to the ceiling.
Work
The room has several work spaces: a sink with mirror, a shower cabin and a bathtub, washing equipment, a space to change clothes, fold things. It is advisable to install a lamp in each of these corners. You can mount lighting devices in interior items, furniture. The backlight will decorate the room and help you find the right thing.
Lower
Floor lighting plays a decorative role rather than a functional one. The luminaires can be installed inside the steps, in studs, niches. Bottom lighting allows you to decorate the interior, visually expand the space.
By fastening method
The lighting devices by type of location are: open and integrated. The luminaires are divided into 4 groups according to the fixing method.
Air
Spot hanging blinds are an alternative to integrated lighting systems. Fixed with special clips. These luminaires can be mounted on the ceiling and on the wall. Unlike recessed lamps, their decorative part is highlighted. Lamps are used to illuminate work areas. Ceiling lights are installed when there is no way to make a niche.
Mortise or recessed
Built-in lighting fixtures are installed inside the hollow surface. Such lamps are mounted in drywall, stretch and rack ceilings, niches, furniture. Recessed spotlights are installed in the ceiling, in the walls and on the floor. Recessed lights vary in style, shape and color.
Semi-cut
This type of electrical lighting fixtures is built into a hollow surface. However, the decorative part protrudes outward. Semi-recessed luminaires can be mounted on the ceiling and on the wall.
Suspended
The body of such a luminaire, inside which there is a light bulb, hangs on a cable. Typically, suspended lighting systems are attached to the ceiling. Luminaires of this type are installed for decorative and technical purposes. They decorate the interior, illuminate the space.
Backlight Safety Requirements
Before proceeding with the installation of a lighting system in a bathroom, it is recommended to define a project and draw up a lighting scheme. In a room with high humidity, you can use only those devices whose technical characteristics are suitable for the bathroom, that is, they are able to withstand prolonged exposure to moisture.
The metal surface of lighting products must be protected against corrosion.In the bathroom, incandescent lamps with a power of no more than 60 watts are usually installed.
When choosing a location for the lighting system, you must take into account the distance from the water. The risk of splashing on the bulb should be reduced to zero. It is forbidden to place electric lighting devices above the shower cubicle or near the bathroom. It is impossible to install in the open room, without blinds, incandescent bulbs. If water splashes on the glass, the lamp may crack.
When installing lighting in a room with high humidity, it is better to give preference not to the opening, but to the hidden wiring. When installing the power line, you must chase the ceiling or walls to the specified points.
If the luminaires are installed on drywall, it is not necessary to grind the surface for laying the electrical wiring. When you begin to install the light fixtures, the first step is to shut off the power supply to the dashboard.
IP marking decoding
The IP marking is found on lighting products. These letters are followed by 2 or 3 additional digits. Each value signifies a degree of protection. By marking, you can find out how well the device is protected from dust, moisture, shock.
The first digit indicates the degree of dust protection. The rating scale goes from 0 to 6. The higher the value, the higher the degree of protection.
The second digit in the row characterizes the resistance to moisture. The rating scale runs from 0 to 8. A value of 0 indicates that the product has no protection against moisture penetration.The number 8 indicates excellent protection against water infiltration: moisture will not penetrate inside, even if the electrical device is deliberately immersed in water. The third digit in order is responsible for impact resistance. The rating scale goes from 0 to 10. The higher the value, the higher the degree of protection. The number 10 indicates that the body of the luminaire is completely protected from mechanical stress.
Rules for choosing luminaires by zone
The bathroom is usually divided into 4 zones. Each corresponds to a certain humidity level. The installation of luminaires is carried out on the basis of the technical characteristics. For each zone, select the desired lamp.
The first one
There is high humidity in the area of the shower cubicle and the bathroom. Luminaires with the highest levels of protection against dust and humidity can be installed near these objects.
The second
Around the shower and the bathtub, at a distance of 0.5 meters, as well as near the sink, there is another zone of high humidity. In such a place, there is a risk of water splashing directly on the lamp. For this area, it is better to choose devices with a high level of protection against water and dust.
The third
The third zone is located at a distance of 0.5 meters from the second. This place is one meter away from an object with high humidity. The risk of water splashing on the lamp in such an area is minimal. In this place, the devices are installed with an average degree of protection against moisture and water.
Fourth
It is the safest place in the bathroom. There is no risk of splashing on the luminaires. The lighting system in this place is only threatened by condensation and steam.In such an area you can install sockets, lighting electrical devices with a low degree of protection against moisture and dust, household appliances.
Installation and connection features
Fixtures are installed on a concrete slab or under drywall. Before starting work, turn off the power supply at the dashboard. In advance, the points where it is planned to install the lamps are marked. Next, the installation of the power line is carried out. In the bathroom, you need to install hidden wiring in the wall or under the drywall.
A ceiling plate or a spherical lamp is usually installed on a concrete ceiling. The luminaire is mounted on a plate using fixings. To connect the electricity, you need to connect the ends of the cable to the terminals of the lamp. A light bulb must be screwed inside the ceiling. At the very end, you can turn on the light, check the quality of the lighting system.
If you plan to install drywall in the bathroom, the cable is laid before the sheet is installed. For better insulation, the wiring is hidden in a corrugated tube. The ends of the cable are routed to the installation point of the light fixture. A hole is made on the plasterboard for the diameter of the lamp. When installing the device, the ends of the cable are connected to the terminals. The luminaire body is mounted using a bracket. A bulb is inserted into the socket.
LED lighting can be mounted on any surface. First, you need to define the location of the lamp, then measure the length of the LED strip. Then connect it to the AC adapter, respecting the polarity, insert the wires into their sockets.For fixing, you need to remove the protective film, then press the adhesive tape to the surface.
Organization of lighting in a bathroom with a stretch ceiling
If you plan to make a stretch ceiling in the room, it is recommended to first install a lighting system. The luminaire is fixed to the concrete ceiling. Fixing is done with an adjustable foot. Thanks to it, a waterproof luminaire body is installed on the ceiling. A cable in a protective corrugated tube is brought into it.
At the very end, a hole for the lamp is made on the stretched canvas. When choosing an electric lighting fixture, it is advisable to pay attention to power (no more than 60 watts) and shape (except for the plate). You can hang spotlights under the stretch ceiling. They are used for local lighting and are fixed to the slab, cut into the surface, only the decor and the luminous part of the lamp remain on top.
Variants of original design solutions
The bathroom can be made in any style: classic, oriental, modern, rustic, nautical. The design involves not only furniture, plumbing and interior items, but also lighting fixtures. Each style implies the use of a suitable luminaire.
For example, a cutting-edge design calls for geometric chrome or glass fixtures. For a nautical style, you need to get a vintage chandelier. In a classic interior, chandeliers are in order. Spotlights are purchased for the Chinese-style bath. When choosing a lighting system, you need to take into account the area of the room and the height from floor to ceiling.