Lighting the Bath General lighting Perhaps more than any other room, baths require a thoughtful lighting plan that addresses many needs. Grooming tasks call for strong multidirectional light that reduces shadows. Safety in the tub deserves a softer ambience. The solution: Choose fixtures that can be used alone or together, allowing brightness to be adjusted. Recessed downlights are good for general illumination; angling lamps to bounce light off walls and ceiling helps to reduce glare. Tasks are best performed with the help of wall-mounted and over-vanity lighting. Which lamp type works best The familiar incandescent bulb is often preferred in bathrooms because of its warm reddish-yellow color, which is flattering to the skin. One disadvantage: It consumes more energy than the other bulb types. Fluorescents were long excluded from the bath because of their uninviting green-gray cat. "But," advises lighting consultant Joe Rey-Barreau, "the new high-color-rendering tubes in the warm range are excellent." Halogen bulbs are noted for bright white light that approximates daylight. Though more costly than incandescents, they feature longer life, more light per watt, and a compact size that permits smaller fixtures. Another plus: They're available in low-voltage form as well. Showers and tubs Watertight, vapor-proof recessed fixtures make it easy to brighten up a shower or tub and enhance safety. Consider installing a combination heat lamp/exhaust fan to ward off chills and remove moisture. Select a low-profile model for appearance's sake. Sconces Decorative sconcesÑfixtures mounted on a wallÑgive a lift to utilitarian bath lighting, providing visual flair and improving cross-illumination. Simple but elegant looks characterize many sconces, from Craftsman-style designs to sleek modern fixtures to transitional looks suited to any dŽcor. At the vanity or makeup table, sides of the face, three to four feet apart. (Distance from the floor will vary according to individual height, usually five to six feet.) Select fixtures with translucent shades or shields for diffused light; exposed lamps should be frosted to cut glare. Mirrors and medicine cabinets Mirrors take on new life when they're dressed up with lighting. "The optimum solution is to have lighting overhead and on either side so as not to create shadows," says Atlanta-based designer Shirley McFarlane. One choice is theatrical lighting, incandescent globes rimming the sides and top of a mirror. For a mirrored wall behind a vanity, consider a band of halogen fixtures across the top and sconces on the mirror itself (shielded to prevent glare). If a medicine cabinet is on your shopping list, many models now offer interior lighting. Trim exterior styling with fluorescent lamps is common, but traditional looks are available.
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