Tag Archives: bathroom

Dress Up Any Space With a Dramatic Chandelier

Chandeliers can take any room from simple and casual to being the most dramatic room in the house! Whether you want to take an already decorated room and add some pizzazz to it, or are starting from scratch and decorating a room in efforts to make it dramatic, chandeliers are the way to go.

Not only are chandeliers beautiful and dramatic statement pieces but they are also functional, adding necessary light to any space. A lot of people have a hard time deciding what room to put a chandelier in. Gone are the days where the only room that can have a chandelier is the dining room. With the wide variety of shapes, styles and sizes of chandeliers, the answer is simple – any room! Below is a list of some of the most common and uncommon spaces to put a chandelier:

• Kitchen – A fun chandelier in your kitchen’s style placed over the kitchen table is perfect for style and lighting.

• Bathroom – Add a small chandelier that fits the space (no matter how small) but also pumps up the drama! Think bright, sparkly or quirky. The bathroom is a great space to have fun and go for something outside the box.

• Dining Room – The dining room is the most common room to install a chandelier because it is typically the most formal room in a home. Stick with your home’s style when choosing your dining room chandelier, but remember to go bold and pick something that will make a statement.

• Bedroom – A chandelier can be installed over the bed, or over any reading/desk area your bedroom may have. A chandelier will take any ordinary reading/desk area to the next level by increasing the drama and adding some useful lighting as well.

• Laundry room – Not the most common space to add a chandelier, but the laundry room is often forgotten; by adding a small chandelier you can create drama in a room where drama is most likely lacking.

By adding an unexpected chandelier into a typically casual space such as the bedroom or laundry room, you can ensure that guests will be impressed by your home’s style and décor! On the other hand, by adding a spectacular chandelier into formal yet drab room such as the dining room, you can up the style of both that room, and the surrounding rooms! Chandeliers are one of the best additions for any homeowner that is looking to make an impact change without making tons of little changes around their living space.

Why Do Bathrooms Require So Much Light?

When it comes to deciding which rooms need lighting in your home, bathrooms may not be first on the list. However, they tend to require more strategic lighting than you would typically think of for such a small room. Why is this?

Bathrooms require so much light because they:
• Are small and dark
• Often lack windows and/or doorways to let in natural light
• Are used for many different purposes.

Often times, the smaller the room, the harder it is to light. Small bathrooms regularly lack windows or wide doorways that would otherwise let in natural light. Aside from their small size and cave-like characteristics, bathrooms are also used for many different purposes, which make them difficult, yet extremely important to light properly.

Bathrooms are used for getting ready in the morning, doing ones hair, getting dressed and applying makeup. You may be able to get away with minimal lighting some of those tasks every once in awhile, but when it comes to applying makeup, lighting is vital.

Vanity lighting and wall sconces are two of the most common types of lighting fixtures for a bathroom. Lighting is all about layers, and the bathroom is no different. Start with vanity lighting or wall sconces to bring in light at eye level. Next, you’ll want to add overhead lighting to light up the room as a whole. You can do this with recessed lighting, track lighting, or a chandelier. Not sure your bathroom will always need that overhead lighting? Make sure it is on a dimmer so that you are always in control.

By lighting your bathroom from different heights, you’ll create layers of light that are perfect for this type of space. When it comes to your bathroom, it is better to have the option of always adding more light than not having enough. You’ll be thankful for your layers of light next time you are trying to get ready in the dark during an early winter morning.

What Type of Lighting is Best for a Half-Bath?

The bathroom is one of the most difficult rooms to light. Bathrooms tend to be smaller than most other rooms in the home, sometimes awkward in shape, and often times cluttered with mirrors, cabinets and storage. We are here to discuss how to properly and efficiently light your small half-bathroom by providing three simple options, which can be mixed and matched to create the perfect end result for your small half-bath.

1. Vanity Lighting – Vanity lighting is something that can work well in just about every bathroom. Because vanity lighting is designed specifically for bathrooms, it uses very little space and provides ample lighting. Just be sure you keep your mirror and vanity lighting proportional with one another.

2. Sconces – Sconces are a great option for small bathrooms that have a single sink, as they can be installed on either side of the mirror to produce a well-balanced lighting look. Sconces come in all shapes, sizes and styles which allow you to get exactly what you want. If you want your bathroom to be bright, choose a sconce that has a thin and/or light shade. Want your bathroom to be a tad dimmer? Simply choose a sconce with a darker shade.

3. Overhead Lighting – Overhead lighting is always a great option for small spaces because it takes up absolutely no surface or wall space. Overhead lighting or chandeliers are installed into the ceiling and produces ample lighting without taking up any of your valuable space. Other lighting options may be visually daunting in small spaces, but overhead lighting brings your eye up, making the space seem bigger than it actually is.

Don’t be afraid to mix and match the different options with one another. For instance, recessed lighting with sconces will add even more drama, light and design to your half-bath, if space permits. Vanity lighting, sconces and overhead lighting are your three best options when it comes to lighting a small half-bath.

Bath and Powder Room Lighting 101

Bathroom

Bathrooms today have become versatile multi-use rooms where lighting can be critical to enhance its use. Aside from adequate light at the sink and vanity, lighting the tub area and any architectural features are also important. (Always have a licensed electrician perform any electrical work in a bathroom. Electrical codes vary by location and safety should be the utmost concern in a bathroom.) Instead of installing a light fixture over the bathtub water faucet, add light to corners of the tub where you would place your objects d’art. Halogen lights are perfect for a bathroom and will make surfaces and objects sparkle, especially if they are made of marble or glass block. Another idea is to light the toe kick areas under the vanity or the bath tub, giving the fixture a soft night-light type effect. It’s a good idea to put the bathtub lighting on a separate dimmer switch to allow for a relaxing soak in the tub.

Powder Room

The Powder Room offers an opportunity to get creative with your lighting. Since this area is not generally used for grooming, the lighting can be very dramatic. Place decorative wall sconces on either side of the mirror or hang pendants for a true design statement. Also, remember to provide light for a niche or artwork. If the sink or faucets look like a work of art themselves, highlight them with a narrow, halogen spot light from above. Remember that dark colors absorb light, so plan for more than you think you may need and be sure to use a dimmer. Also, small rooms need more light than larger rooms as there are more walls and surfaces to absorb the light, so keep this in mind when choosing fixtures for smaller spaces.

What is the best way to light my bathroom vanity area?

For shaving, applying make-up and styling hair, the best light should be even and shadow-free. To achieve this, light should come from above and from both sides. Wall sconces should be at least 28 inches apart and centered 60 inches off of the floor. Of course, taller or shorter people can adjust this guideline appropriately.