How to Make the Most of Bathroom Wall Lights

The bathroom's a funny old room, isn't it - filled and fought over at peak times then sadly neglected for the rest of the day - perhaps that's why bathroom lighting comes as an afterthought in many people's interior dcor plans.
Ironically, the way you choose to illuminate your bathroom is probably more important than for any other room. In fact, poor bathroom lighting can set you off on the wrong foot for the rest of the day.

For both ambience and functionality, wall-mounted bathroom lights really do offer the best of both worlds - providing that you choose and use them properly. When it comes to choice, you'll be spoilt; there are styles and designs out there to satisfy even the pickiest designer; however correct installation of bathroom wall lights is key to getting the best out of them.

Before rushing out and buying those fabulous bathroom lights, however, you need to check out the European Bathroom Lighting Regulations. These regulations specify what type of electrical equipment can be used in various areas of the room - all electrical equipment, including lighting, designed for bathroom use must be zone marked. Make sure you choose your light fittings correctly.

In most modern bathrooms, which are, shall we say, bijoux, just placing wall lights around the mirror area will be enough to provide soft ambient light as well as exceptionally practical task lighting.

For task lighting in particular, the closer you can get to 'daylight coloured' light the better; both halogen lamps and LED lights will help in this respect. The real secret to good bathroom task lighting though is the position of the lights. Get it wrong and you'll see ugly shadows beneath your eyes when you look into the mirror - even if you don't have any! To eliminate shadows, light needs to come from all directions and illuminate all the planes of your face equally; that is the theory behind those oh so glamorous movie star dressing room mirrors.

Bathroom wall lights placed to either side and above the mirror will achieve much the same effect. The only exception to this is if you have an exceptionally large mirror, in which case you will need added light from a ceiling pendant.

Having got the task lighting right, you can move onto setting the general light levels, as well as start thinking about simple mood lighting; both of which can be achieved with the same three wall lights. By using separate switches for the various lights you will build in versatility. Soaking in the bath? Switch on the central wall light and use the dimmer switch to lower the light levels; putting on make-up for a night out on the town? Those three wall lights around the mirror, up full, will ensure you don't go out with lipstick on your teeth!

A few candles, et voila, instant sanctuary.

Looking to find the best deal on bathroom wall lights, then visit www.bathroom-wall-light.co.uk to find the best advice on bathroom wall lighting for your bathroom.