The bathroom is a centerpiece, whether it’s for getting ready in the morning or taking a refreshing shower. Making the bathroom a place where we feel comfortable, where we like to spend time and relax depends not only on its design, but also on its lighting. In the bathroom, we put on make-up, we shave, we wash. But that’s not all. This is where our day begins in a relaxed way, getting ready for a nice evening out at the restaurant, or unwinding in a nice hot bath. In short, bet everything on the lighting of the bathroom!
The color of light already influences our daily routine. Known to be cold, bluish light can nevertheless have a beneficial effect on our body. Where and when can I use it? Of course in the morning to give yourself a boost after waking up a little late.
In the evening, a “cold” light is obviously inappropriate. This is when we should opt for reddish lighting that we find warm and comfortable. Perfect for relaxing before going to bed.
However, the light doesn’t have to be blue or red like a neon sign. The color of the light is rather subtle and approximates white light. The light from an incandescent lamp, for example, is called warm white. This information can also be found in the product details of modern LED bulbs. A slightly more bluish light is called universal white light or daylight , depending on the intensity of the blue tone.
Light in 16 million colors
Colorful lighting is of course a wonderful way to play on the atmosphere of a room. LED lighting technology also makes this possible. With the products of its Hue range, PHILIPS offers a light that can be controlled with a smartphone and declined in 16 million colors. Creating exciting lighting effects is a snap.
Imagine relaxing in your bathtub, bathed in dreamlike lighting. You can also have fun discovering different lighting scenarios.
3 kinds of lighting fixtures for the bathroom
If we design the bathroom as a living room, we can assume that the same types of light that we encounter in the living room can also be found in the bathroom. There are three types of lighting : the general lighting , the task lighting and ambient lighting . For the latter, we also use the term soft light. You have already discovered a mood lighting option in the bathroom: the Philips Hue Go wireless lamp with color change. The following illustration is taken from our large infographic “Home lighting, which fixture for which room?” “.
Our bathroom can accommodate the following 3 kinds of lighting: we want to take a quick shower after an exhausting day of shopping and arrive at our barbecue party fresh? Then just turn on the ceiling light to quickly get a bright light throughout the room: we used general lighting .
But if we have the time and want to put on makeup or shave thoroughly before a restaurant date, mirror lighting will be the perfect choice. The mirror wall light avoids annoying shadows on our face: we switch on the targeted lighting .
And when we get home, we want to relax in a nice hot bath. This is where mood lighting comes in for a cozy and relaxing atmosphere. We then use mood lighting .
Overview of bathroom fixtures
Which fixtures provide the best light in the bathroom and where? Get inspired and find out how lighting can make your bathroom a comfortable place to live.
Ceiling lights
Indispensable, ceiling lights diffuse light throughout the bathroom. However, we can add lights in other strategic places. There are also motion sensor ceiling lights, perfect if you or your kids need to get up at night.
Wall lights
Wall sconces can complement the general lighting of a room, provide additional light to a place such as the sink, or even arrange the space. The wall lights thus bring an additional decorative touch to the bathroom.
Ceiling light with spotlights
Depending on the number of spots, these ceiling lights can flexibly adapt to the room. So the light really penetrates into every corner of the room. They can be used to illuminate the shower, the bathtub, the storage cabinet or any other corner of the room.
Mirror lighting
Perhaps the most important lighting in the bathroom. It helps prevent annoying shadows when shaving and applying makeup as well as for all other daily activities in front of the mirror.
Cosmetic mirror
Often magnifying, illuminated cosmetic mirrors allow for meticulous makeup without shadows. Absolute comfort in the bathroom.
Decorative lamps
Ambient lighting allows you to choose the right atmosphere. Here you have a wide choice of splendid salt crystal lights, LED flickering candles and lots of light accessories such as balls, stones, cubes and figurines. However, pay attention to the protection class of your decorative light when installing it.
Safety in the bathroom: protection zones
The bathroom is a wet room. The electrical equipment used, in particular lighting, must therefore meet specific safety requirements. The installation must always be carried out by a qualified electrician who is familiar with the requirements of DIN VDE 0100 part 701 for bathroom lighting.
This regulation divides the bathroom into 3 protection zones.
The more humidity the luminaire is exposed to, the higher the IP protection class of the luminaire must be. Note that the first two digits of the IP indicate protection against foreign objects. Since it is the second digit, moisture protection, that is relevant in wet rooms, we have replaced the first two digits with an X in this article.
In our graphic you will find examples of common IPs including IP67 or IP44.
In the bathroom, the greatest concentration of moisture is found near or inside the shower and tub. This is where the first protection zone begins.
Definition of the different zones
Protection zone 0 : only luminaires with low protective voltage up to 12 volts and with a protection class of at least IPX7 may be used in the shower tray and the bathtub.
Protection zone 1 : Within the vertical limit of the bath or shower, only luminaires with a protective low voltage up to 12 volts may be used and must be protected against splashing water, c ‘that is to say at least IPX4. If there is no shower, define the area up to 120 cm around the shower head. In both cases, the height limit is 2.25 m.
Protection zone 2 : only luminaires with at least IPX4 can be used at 60 cm adjacent to protection zone 1. For water jets, for example massage showers, the luminaires must have at least IPX5.
In accordance with DIN VDE 0100 part 701, transformers must also not be used in protection zones 0 and 1. Sockets and switches must not be located in protection zones 0, 1 and 2.