The mirror is an essential element of every bathroom. Whether the room has a window or not, it is worth ensuring proper lighting. Nowadays, there are many interesting solutions - one of the more intriguing ideas is LED lamps built into the mirror frame.
In today's article, we will discuss the general principles of lighting, present the most popular solutions and explain how bathroom mirror lighting can affect the appearance of the room.
Key principles of bathroom lighting
Lighting in the bathroom is as important as fittings or ceramics. It affects not only the functionality of the room but also the atmosphere and comfort. When considering how to light a bathroom, it is worth asking yourself - how many and what type of light points will you need.
You can opt for:
- general lighting – this is usually a ceiling lamp designed to evenly illuminate the entire bathroom space, providing comfort during daily grooming activities;
- task lighting – sometimes called accent lighting. These are usually light sources placed near the mirror and washbasin. The purpose of these lamps is to evenly illuminate the face, essential when applying makeup, shaving, or styling hair;
- decorative lighting – often LED strips used to highlight selected elements of the bathroom. This type of light is used to introduce a cosy atmosphere conducive to relaxation.
The most accurate rendition of colours and details is provided by sunlight. The ideal bathroom is one with a large window facing south. However, in many cases, these rooms are windowless, so they don't allow for natural light. What solutions should you then opt for? A good idea might be bathroom mirrors equipped with additional lighting.
At mexen.pl you will find various mirror models - also those equipped with LED bulbs. Choose the shape and size of the product - change the face of your bathroom quickly and easily.
What to keep in mind when choosing bathroom mirror lighting?
When thinking about how to light the bathroom mirror, it's also worth considering the overall lighting of the room. Choosing lamps and lights for the bathroom requires special attention to safety. Due to the high humidity of this room, it's advisable to choose fixtures with increased tightness. Water entering the electrical installation can, at best, result in a short circuit and breakdown, and at worst - even an electric shock.
An important aspect not to forget when planning the bathroom mirror lighting is the colour temperature of the light emitted by the bathroom lights. Neutral light that mimics daylight works best – it provides a faithful reflection. By selecting the appropriate light colour temperature, you can also influence the atmosphere of the room.
It's also worth ensuring that the bathroom lighting has adjustable intensity. This makes it easier to adapt the lighting to the individual needs of bathroom users.
Bathroom mirror lighting
Proper lighting of the mirror surface allows attention to every detail during makeup application, beard shaving, and many other activities. To ensure sufficient illumination, care must be taken not only about lamp power but also about proper installation.
The height of the lighting is crucial, dependent on the type of lighting chosen. For example, sconces placed on either side of the mirror should be mounted approximately at eye level. Pleasant light with appropriate intensity aids in performing beauty treatments.
Lighting should also be adapted to the size and shape of the mirror. The most popular bathroom mirrors are round or rectangular - it's worth considering this aspect when choosing a new bathroom lamp.
How to match lighting to the shape and size of the mirror?
As we've already mentioned, planning the lighting for a bathroom mirror requires adapting it to the shape and size of the mirror. Therefore:
- round mirrors – round mirrors and irregularly shaped models look excellent with frame-mounted lighting that provides even light. A similarly good solution is lamps placed around the mirror to emphasize its shape;
- rectangular mirrors – for rectangular mirrors, lighting on both sides is ideal. Such lamp placement ensures even face illumination and minimizes shadow creation.
As for size, in the case of very large mirrors, consider lighting placed on the sides of the bathroom mirror. Wall lamps are an excellent idea, which can additionally become an unconventional decoration for the bathroom.
For wide mirrors, it's worth supplementing the side lighting with an additional lamp located just above the surface. For small mirrors, a lamp placed directly above it will work well, providing uniform light with an eye-friendly colour.
Popular bathroom lighting ideas
The lighting method in a bathroom largely depends on its size. A popular solution in large bathrooms is hanging lamps, which serve as the main light source, and additional points often installed near the bathroom mirror. If daylight reaches the bathroom, it's worth utilising it - under this light, the skin looks more natural, which helps avoid many mistakes, for example, while applying makeup.
What if your bathroom doesn't have a window? Among the most commonly selected types of lighting are wall lamps, i.e., wall lamps placed at eye level on both sides of the mirror. This placement of lamps ensures proper face lighting. Increasingly popular are LED wall lamps with adjustable lighting power.
An interesting way to light both the mirror and the bathroom at the same time is to use mirrors where the light source is embedded in the glass as LED strips. Depending on the chosen model, they can replace a classic frame, illuminating the surface or becoming an additional original decoration in a modern bathroom.
LED mirror – an original solution for your bathroom
A bathroom mirror must be lit, so opting for models with a built-in lamp can be a very good choice. They are popular because they offer many advantages:
- precise lighting: LED lamps are a concentrated light source evenly distributed around the mirror area. This lighting method eliminates shadows, making daily face care easier;
- space-saving: lamps embedded in glass save space by eliminating the need for additional lighting installation near the mirror. It's an ideal solution for small bathrooms;
- modern design: lighting installed in the bathroom mirror is a modern approach to bathroom lighting. You can choose between square, rectangular, or round LED mirrors;
- mood lighting: LED tape mirror lighting can be conveniently adjusted - highlight the bathroom mirror using strong light or reduce its intensity as needed;
- ease of maintenance: LED mirrors are cleaned just like mirrors without built-in lighting. A significant advantage of this solution is also that there are no additional elements near the mirror that require regular cleaning;
- safety: LED mirrors are safe and environmentally friendly, with low energy consumption and minimal heat emission providing proper lighting and comfort of use.
How to light a bathroom mirror – summary
Regardless of whether your bathroom has a small round mirror or a large rectangular one covering much of the wall, it's worth considering suitable lighting. LED-lit mirrors are a practical and stylish solution that can significantly enhance both the functionality and aesthetics of the bathroom.
The LED strip embedded in the mirror emits uniform light, allowing for good illumination of the entire face. The neutral colour guarantee a maximally natural appearance - especially useful when applying makeup.
The following parameters should be considered:
- colour temperature: the ideal temperature for mirror lighting is around 4000 K to 5500 K - it produces neutral light similar to daylight;
- light intensity: should be from 500 to 1000 lux - ensuring adequate visibility without glare;
- colour rendering index (CRI): to perceive colours naturally, the CRI value should be at least 85.
Don't forget that lighting should be adapted to individual needs and preferences and should harmoniously match the style in which the entire bathroom is designed.