When people are thinking about interior lighting, the bathroom usually ranks fairly low on the list. In fact, bathrooms are focal points of the home and deserve to be given high priority.

Whether it’s the master en-suite, the family bathroom or the guest facilities, the bathroom serves a range of purposes. And lighting needs in a bathroom are varied and quite complex.

The vanity and sink area, the bathtub and the shower have quite different lighting needs. The lighting you choose for each area must be just right in terms of function, to match the various purposes, and its form must be stylish and totally in keeping with the bathroom’s overall decor.

Vanity Mirror Lights

When choosing vanity mirror lights you should be aiming to light up more than the bathroom.

Whether you’re putting on makeup, shaving, or just going through the everyday washing, brushing and grooming routines, the point of bathroom mirror lights is to illuminate your face and, more importantly, to do it in the right way.

A common myth is that a downlight in the ceiling over the basin is the best lighting for a mirror. A downlight is essentially a spotlight that sends light down over your face, creating shadows. Unless it’s your only option – for example, because wiring can’t be put into the wall – it is not recommended.

The wall area around the mirror is the obvious place for purpose-designed lighting. The most flattering effect for your face is to have it lit evenly from either side.

The best way to achieve this is to have one or more light fixtures on either side of the mirror. They will cast an even light across the face. Consider vertical fixtures, fitted with diffusers, for a stunning effect that is both practical and stylish.