More than a powder room, today’s bathroom is a real living space in the house where you take care of yourself. Beyond the layout and decoration, light has an undeniable impact on the comfort of this space. And in this room in particular, lighting plays a huge role.
First, because this space requires a sufficiently powerful light to see clearly without creating an icy effect, then to obtain a zen and relaxed atmosphere which makes it possible to relax. Applying makeup, shaving or taking a relaxing bath do not require the same color temperature or the same light intensity. To find the right lighting solutions in your bathroom to avoid too cold laboratory light or, conversely, too hot if you want to create a lounge atmosphere, you just need to follow a few basic principles. Also note that this body of water requires mandatory safety standardsand specific ones to be scrupulously observed in order to use your bathroom with complete peace of mind … To avoid pitfalls and design top-notch lighting in your water feature, zoom in on the 10 mistakes to avoid .
1. NEGLECTING SAFETY STANDARDS
It is essential in a body of water and it is essential. If you had the idea of installing a baroque chandelier to add style to the decoration of your bathroom, this is not necessarily a good idea, unless you have a very spacious surface. Even though this step is binding, don’t skip it. It assures you total peace of mind in a ” secure ” environment . The bathroom is subject to mandatory and specific safety standards regarding electrical installations. We strongly advise you to follow them scrupulously. In a room where water and electricity come together, it is more than essential to ensure that these safety rules are respected.
The new NF C 15-100 standard divides the bathroom into 3 regulatory volumes (and no longer 4) to limit contact between water and electrical elements:
– Volume 0 represents the direct reception area of the water (whether for a shower or a bathtub).
– Volume 1 corresponds to the water projection zone over a height of 2.25 meters above volume 0.
– Volume 2 surrounds volume 1 at a distance of 60 centimeters.
2. CHOOSE TOO YELLOW LIGHTING
Avoid choosing bulbs with a hot Kelvin temperature between 3000 and 3500 Kelvin. The lighting is warm but poor for a bathroom. For functional lighting, especially around the mirror, we recommend neutral white lighting of more than 4000 Kelvin.
For the lighting of your bathroom , the NF C 15-100 standard therefore stipulates that:
– Electricity is not authorized in zone 0. Beyond this zone, it is possible to use luminaires protected from water.
– Your bathroom furniture (including lights and electrical outlets) must be installed in zone 2.
3. BE SATISFIED WITH FUNCTIONAL LIGHTING
Just think of functional lighting, it is sure to end up with an icy atmosphere in the bathroom. Of course, functional lighting is essential , especially on the mirror side, but it must be supplemented by a warmer ambient lighting solution (bulbs around 3500 Kelvin) for moments of relaxation.
4. MAKE LIGHTING THAT IS TOO DECORATIVE
Conversely, do not be satisfied only with trendy lighting to subdue the atmosphere, it would prove to be formidable on practical daily use. Ambient lighting only supports functional lighting . LED strip, light bath etc. are effective for creating a well-being atmosphere and giving style to your bathroom, but much less for seeing clearly when putting on makeup or shaving! The ” decorative lighting ” do not provide a more functional lighting.
5. SKIP THE LIGHTING OF THE MIRROR AREA
If you think that a single ceiling light is more than enough to illuminate your small bathroom, you are wrong: know that the mirror area is strategic . The best lighting? Place wall lights (or clisper) on either side of your mirror so as not to create a shadow on the face, which will be the case with a single light above the mirror. Also be careful not to direct the mirror spots downwards but rather towards the wall: this will allow you to obtain a clear but not dazzling light .
For optimal lighting around the mirror, the ideal is to place light sources all around the mirror and the sink: with recessed spotlights in the mirror, in the ceiling, with wall lights or with tubes.
And for total safety , know that only 12-volt spotlights are allowed near the sink!
6. HAVE DAZZLING LIGHTING
The main lighting in a bathroom should not be aggressive . It is essential to think about all the uses of your bathroom. On the contrary, it must be restful and diffused. For functional lighting around your mirror, prefer frosted glass luminaires to avoid any risk of glare. You will therefore opt for a ceiling light with warm lighting or for recessed spotlights if you have a false ceiling. As for spotlights, think of adjustable spots so as not to be blinded when you are lying in the bath. The adjustable functionality will also allow you to diffuse the light on targeted areas.
7. INSTALL BULBS WITH A BAD COLOR RENDERING INDEX (CRI)
The bathroom requires a light close to that of daylight . It is therefore necessary to choose bulbs with an excellent CRI (over 90). Close to the mirror, full spectrum bulbs or close to daylight are therefore ideal, especially for successful makeup! Did you know that the recommended lighting for a bathroom requires more than 500 lux, which is almost twice as much as a living room? An error in the choice of your bulbs can therefore cost you dearly! A classic bulb consumes 4 times more energy than a low-consumption bulb and this directly affects your electricity bill. For more reasonable energy consumption, opt for compact fluorescent bulbs or LEDs .
8. WRONG DEGREE OF PROTECTION (IP)
When choosing your lights, be sure to choose the right IP according to the volume in which they will be installed to ensure your safety. The IP code consists of two digits. The first number describes the protection of an object against foreign bodies and contact, the second its sealing against water and humidity.
What type of protection for which bathroom lighting?
Around the bathtub or shower, the lamps must have IP67 protection. They are thus impervious to temporary immersion.
For surfaces up to 2.25 meters high around the shower head, bathtub or shower tray, IP65 protection is suitable for your lamps. They are thus protected against direct jets of water.
For a height of up to 60 cm around the tub or shower and walls up to 2.25 meters high, IP44 protection is necessary to protect against water spray.
9. INSTALL A SINGLE LIGHT POINT
Do you only have one wall lamp above the mirror? Know that even a small bathroom needs several light points . At a minimum: general lighting – a ceiling light will be sufficient to create a soft atmosphere – and localized lighting on the mirror side with two light sources. To shave in the morning, you will need a more direct light.
10. LIGHT UP YOUR BATHROOM AS WELL AS YOUR LIVING ROOM
An insufficient number of lux is a common error. A living room requires on average 300 lux per m2. A bathroom requires more than 500! Do not neglect this element when choosing your lights to obtain the right lighting.