Detailed focus on the fundamentals to know before lighting a bathroom.
A real living room, the bathroom requires your full attention when it comes to lighting. This is to avoid too cold, impersonal or glaring light. But also to ensure to provide the right light intensity according to the uses of each space. All in the light of safety rules that should not be forgotten under any circumstances. Don’t panic, the challenge is not that difficult. Here are some great tips for creating the right balance, that is, warm, serene lighting that gives you a healthy glow and high morale!
LORRAINE COLSON | Interior Designer
5. Failure to comply with safety standards
The bathroom is subject to specific and mandatory safety standards for its electrical installations. In this room where water and electricity are permanently side by side, it is strictly necessary not to ignore the standard that governs this space before any selection of lighting: NF C 15-100 / A2. It divides the bathroom into four safety volumes.
- Volume 0 (shower tray or bathtub): In principle, no lighting, except low voltage and waterproof models (IPX7).
- Volume 1: For a bathtub, it is limited on the one hand by the vertical surface of the outer edge and, on the other hand, by the horizontal plane at 2.25 meters above the ground (or the bottom of the bathtub ), or by one 2.25 meters above the edge, when the latter is more than 60 centimeters wide. For a shower, it is limited horizontally by a radius of 1.20 meters (or by the walls if it has any), and vertically by the highest of the following points: either 2.25 meters above the ground or the bottom , or the fixed apple. The authorized luminaires are those supplied with very low safety voltage of less than 12 V (IPX5 only).
- Volume 2 (height equal to volume 1; 60 centimeters from the exterior surface of volume 1): IPX4 luminaires are recommended.
- Volume 3 (up to 2.40 meters around volume 2 then in height, up to 3 above volumes 1 and 2): Select IPX1 luminaires.
Outside of these areas, all IPX0 models are allowed!
6. Aim the spotlights downwards
Here is a mistake that should not be made: a clear, diffused light, without glare or shadow, is obtained by orienting the spots towards the wall, upwards. Never down! In this designer Atlanta bathroom, the spotlights around the mirror are directed horizontally. This light crossing is both skin-flattering and perfect for functional lighting!
7. Choose too dazzling lighting
Nobody wants to be assaulted early in the morning or late at night by too bright light in their bathroom! Among the tips to recommend: the backlighting, very trendy, halogen ceiling lights with dimmer, frosted glass and adjustable spotlight. In these respects, total success for this bathroom in Sydney, which we envy the soft light obtained thanks to to the combination of direct and indirect light and the right choice of power.
10. Lighting your bathroom like your living room
A bathroom requires a minimum of 500 lux per square meter… compared to 300 for a living room! This Toronto bathroom cleverly mixes backlighting and direct and indirect light points . It’s the assurance of starting and ending your day in the best possible conditions!