1. Small bathrooms can be supplied with sufficient lighting from vanity fixtures with three incandescent light bulbs. Larger bathrooms with over 100 square feet of space should supplement vanity lighting with additional lighting sources.
2. A small, single light fixture mounted above the bathroom mirror can cast shadows and make it difficult to carry out grooming tasks. To eliminate this problem, mount wall sconces with opaque glass shades on each side of the mirror.
3. Modern bathrooms are places of convenience, where taking a long, hot bath or relaxing in a whirlpool tub requires a bit of mood lighting. Sconce fixtures not only supply soft, relaxing light, but this vertical lighting can also make a room look larger.
4. Ceiling light fixtures can provide most of the lighting needs for a bathroom. The only additional lighting that is needed is a fixture located over the bathroom mirror that casts a light downward.
5. The bathroom is a naturally humid place, and moisture in the air can causes problems for some light fixtures. The use of bathroom exhaust fans is recommended to eliminate humidity; it is also recommended that bathroom light fixtures be approved by Underwriter's Laboratories, for use in damp locations.
6. If you are positioning bathroom lighting so that there is a risk that the fixtures will be splashed with water from sinks and showers (especially in bathrooms used by kids), make sure that the light fixtures are certified for use in wet locations.
7. Incandescent bulbs diffused by glass or plastic and frosted light bulbs are the most flattering and effective at reducing glare. Color-corrective fluorescent lights have tones equivalent to those generated by incandescent lights, at a more energy-efficient spending rate, in a bulb that has up to 10 times the life of an incandescent bulb.
8. Light fixtures mounted over a bathroom mirrors should be located 6.5 feet above the floor and should be at least 2 feet wide for the most effective, shadow-free light. For bathroom vanities that have double sinks, light fixtures should be the length of the bathroom mirror.
9. Conventional nightlights illuminate a path to and within bathrooms, and they provide safety from tripping and other unexpected accidents. Low-watt/voltage linear lighting mounted in the space beneath the vanity cabinet is an unusual and attractive source of safety lighting.
10. Flat or recessed ceiling fixtures work best in bathrooms with low ceilings. High ceilings leave decorators the option of using suspended bathroom light fixtures to add volume to the room.
