INTRODUCTION
The status of bathrooms has changed over time and it is no longer a small white space designed for a quick wash. We are all spending more time in the bathroom and correspondingly more money on achieving a quality finish. So why scrimp on the lighting? Most bathrooms are built to last ten to twenty years, so it’s well-worth investing the same degree of planning and quality in the lighting particularly as it is by far the most emotionally influential element. Never underestimate how depressing a poor lighting scheme can be. Conversely, get it right and you bring the room to life and make it an enriching, positive space.
PLANNING
PLAN EARLY
After deciding where the basin, toilet, bath and shower are to be positioned, lighting should be next on the list. That way you can run all the cabling and bury it in the walls before you start tiling and decorating.
CONSIDER THE SPACE
This will determine how many lighting ‘scenes’ you need to create. A small cloakroom may need just one lighting scene, whereas a larger room with a bath enables you to have at least two: “bright” for speedy stops, and “soft and low” for slow, relaxing soaks. To create the different scenes, plan on at least two wall switches. These can now be legally positioned inside the bathroom as long as they are an appropriate distance from wet areas, but the simplest and most popular solution is to position the switches outside adjacent to the door.
UNDERSTAND REGULATIONS
IP44 (sometimes written as IP X4) simply means that the light fitting is “splash-proof”, and therefore will withstand the typical level of moisture found in a domestic bathroom. We have a large range of IP44 rated products so you’ll find plenty to choose from. According to the regulations, you can use IP44 rated lights anywhere in a bathroom, apart from inside the bath itself. A higher level of protection is IP68. IP67 (“Jet-proof”) this is the rating we consider to be safe for lights fitted inside a shower cubicle.
Wondering what these Bathroom Zones and IP Ratings are? Don’t worry! Let’s get down and try to understand them.
Understanding IP Ratings
The IP Code (or International Protection Rating, sometimes also interpreted as Ingress Protection Rating*) consists of the letters IP followed by two digits and an optional letter.
Understanding ZONES
When choosing your lighting, always remember to establish the specific area of your bathroom where it will be fitted and its exposure to water. The bathroom area has been broken down into clear zones by the electrical safety regulations to assist you to choose the right fitting that corresponds to the specified IP rating for the amount of protection needed.
• Zone 0 inside the bath or shower itself. Any fitting used in this zone must be low voltage, (max 12v) and be rated at least IP67 which is total immersion proof. You can dot nice bathroom lights across the floor. But, ensure you get waterproof ones.
• Zone 1 is area above the bath /shower tray to a height of 2.25m from the floor. In this zone a minimum rating of IP45 is required. To create a contemporary ambiance, use classic wall lights in this zone. You can either position these lights horizontally or vertically.
• Zone 2 is an area stretching 0.6m outside the zone1 and to a height of 2.25m from the floor. In this zone an IP rating of at least IP44 is required. In addition it is good practice to consider the area around a wash basin, within a 60cm radius of any tap to be considered as zone 2.
• Zone 3 is anywhere outside zones 0, 1 and 2 (subject to specific limits) and where no water jet is likely to be used. In Ireland zone 3 require at least IP 20 products.
ALL ZONES - Any electrical circuits in the bathroom must be protected by a 30mA Residual Current Device (RDC). We strongly recommend you use a qualify electrician for the installation of your bathroom light fitting.
GENERAL LIGHTING
CEILING LIGHTS
A ceiling light (fig. 01) in the centre of the room is an easy solution for illuminating the entire space but may not be so effective for creating any level of mood or interest.
DOWN LIGHTS
An alternative to one central ceiling light is recessed downlights (fig. 02). You may only need three or four for a typical size 2 x 2m bathroom. Position them close to the edges of the room in order to get an attractive scalloped wash down the wall. This approach provides very good general lighting but with a gentler, more sophisticated ambiance.
SPOT LIGHTS
If budgets are tight and you want to keep to a central ceiling solution then you could consider using surface-mounted spotlights (fig. 03). A triple spotlight can be individually directed onto three different points in the room to provide pools of light where you need it and creates a more interesting lighting scene.
TASK LIGHTING
The basin mirror in the bathroom is the equivalent of the desk in the office. It’s the hub of operations, where most of the ‘work’ takes place. There are several options, but most effective is a solution that illuminates both sides of the face to ensure an even, flattering glow with no shadows. You can achieve this with either an illuminated mirror or wall lights positioned either side of the mirror.
Every basin needs a mirror, so illuminated mirrors provide a simple two-in-one solution. Some also incorporate shaver sockets. Choose from mirrors with integrated horizontal or vertical lighting (fig. 04). Some clever products also provide ambient lighting by giving a gentle wash of light behind the mirror which illuminates the wall and makes it appear to float (fig. 05).
A magnifying mirror is an invaluable aid for shaving, applying make-up and other personal grooming. Choose from a separate illuminated mirror which can be freely positioned as it incorporates all-round lighting (fig. 09) or a non-lit model that can be attached to the main bathroom mirror for a two-inone solution. Either way, a bit like air-conditioning in the car, once you have it, you’ll never go back.
MOOD LED LIGHTING
This is where you can have fun and be creative. In the very least you can dim the lights to provide a softer atmosphere, but you can enhance the night time lighting scene significantly with a few extra strategically positioned lights.
If you are building-in niches for display or storage, fit LED downlights to really bring it to life (fig. 10).
Small wall-mounted LED lights can be used to illuminate designated spots in the bathroom and provide light up and down the wall (fig. 11). These can offer good alternative general illumination at night time, when more powerful lamps would be too strong.
Recessed LEDs at skirting height (fig. 12) are great for providing a wash of light across the floor. One bright idea is to continue the bath panel down to just above the floor and position a strip of LEDs behind it to cast a gentle glow out from behind the panel and make the bath appear to float.