The 5 most common bathroom lighting mistakes

Ever experienced terrible hotel or Airbnb lighting that made you feel 10 years older?

We've all been there: staring into that dim, unflattering bathroom mirror, wondering where those extra wrinkles came from. But fear not! You can avoid these pitfalls and achieve balanced, flattering lighting in your bathroom remodel by avoiding these 5 common bathroom lighting mistakes.

1. Say No to Recessed Cans Directly Overhead at the Mirror

Recessed lighting directly above your head? A total no-go. It casts terrible under-eye shadows that make you look older and makes shaving or applying makeup a nightmare. Recessed lights can be used at the bathroom vanity area, however, the placement is critical. Installation of recessed lighting at bathroom mirrors must be placed so that the light is coming from in front of your face, not directly overhead or from behind where you stand at the mirror. Specifically, the center of the recessed fixture should be 12 inches from the wall where the mirror is located, or directly above where the sink drain is located.

2. Beware of Pretty but Ineffective Wall Sconces and Pendant Lights

Sure, they look gorgeous, but if your wall sconces or pendant lights don’t cast enough light, they’re not doing you any favors. Aim for each bulb to emit no less than the equivalent of a classic 60-watt incandescent bulb (100 watts is even better!).

3. Dodge the Dreaded Exposed Bulbs

Exposed bulbs in your wall sconces can be blinding first thing in the morning. Opt for fixtures with frosted glass shades or use frosted bulbs if the shades are clear. Your eyes will thank you. Or, better yet, add dimmers to all your control switches. This way you can have dim lights first thing in the morning, bright lights when needed for makeup or shaving and dim lights again when it’s bedtime.

4. Don’t Skimp on Light Fixtures

How many times have you barely been able to see anything in a bathroom? I’ve seen countless bathrooms with no recessed lights and simply a vanity sconce, above the mirror. Not even a recessed fixture in the shower area. Whose bright idea was this? What in the world were they thinking? Please, I beg you, add ample lighting to your bathrooms. In my opinion, there’s almost never too much light because if you have the proper dimming features, you can always control the brightness. When there aren’t enough fixtures, you simply can not get light in those areas, no matter how bright of a bulb you put in that fixture. There will always be a dark corner without the correct number of fixtures in the bathroom.

5. Fall Out of Love with That Chandelier Over the Tub

Yes, I know you’ve seen it all over Instagram, but in most states in the USA electrical code prohibits putting a hanging light fixture over a tub. We can all agree that it’s a gorgeous look, and in some cases, it can be done safely and per code (depending in large part on your ceiling height) but in most residential bathrooms all those pretty fixtures were installed long after the inspectors approved the work. I’m all for a beautiful bathroom, but safety first, folks!

Avoid these 5 common bathroom lighting mistakes and you’ll be well on your way to having a beautifully-lit bathroom instead of a shadow-filled space that ages you a decade every time you look in the mirror.

Want to get your lighting plan just right?

I’m here to help! At Taylored Kitchens and Baths I design whole-home lighting plans for homes across the USA that enhance functionality, safety, and aesthetics. While lighting plans are always included in my full design services, I also offer a stand-alone lighting design service for anyone working with an architect or interior designer who does not have the expertise and training to develop the lighting plan you need.

Whether you’re remodeling or building a new custom home, my comprehensive lighting plans will make sure your home is well-lit, comfortable, and safe, using advanced lighting principles and smart-home technology (if desired).

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