Light for the bathroom. Proper bathroom lighting options. The right places to install fixtures

The main lighting or lighting in the bathroom must meet a variety of requirements. In addition to the fact that the lamps must fulfill their functional duties and fit the general style of the room, they need to be safe, because they will have to work in conditions of high humidity and high temperatures. Consider which lamps are best suited for such premises, how to arrange the backlight and whether it is easy to mount the lamps yourself in suspended ceilings.

In this article:

Safety requirements

Before choosing a luminaire for appearance or functionality, care must be taken to ensure that it meets safety requirements. The bathroom is a room where the lamp is constantly exposed to water vapor, hot air or even direct jets of water. Not every lighting device is able to work in such conditions, and lighting must be safe.

When choosing a luminaire, first of all, you need to pay attention to its degree of protection IP. The encoding contains 3 digits that encrypt the following parameters:

the first digit is the level of protection against solid particles, dust, from 0 to 6;
the second digit is protection against moisture, from 0 to 8, and the value "8" means that the device can work under water;
the third digit is impact resistance, from 0 to 10.

Some manufacturers indicate only the first two digits. The main thing you need to worry about when buying a lamp is moisture protection.

The bathroom is divided into 4 zones, depending on the humidity.

The first zone is the most humid part of the room. There is a high concentration of water vapor, direct jets of water. Most often, this space is directly above the bath or inside the shower. Here, for safety reasons, it is necessary to install lighting devices with a power of 12 W and with IP674 protection. This degree indicates that the lamp is waterproof and is able to work under water for some time.
The second zone - the lamps are adjacent to the bathroom or sink. The water vapor concentration is high and water splashes may occur. It is advisable to hang models operating on a voltage of 24 W with IP from 452 here. Such lamps are protected from direct water jets.
The third zone is at a distance of half a meter from water sources. The concentration of water vapor is less, water splashes practically do not fall. It is permissible to use devices with IP marking from 242 - they are splash-proof.
The fourth zone is located at a considerable distance from water sources. It is almost dry here, so it is permissible to hang lamps from IP 011 - this is the lowest permissible degree of protection.

Lamp types

The next parameter that you should decide on when choosing a lamp is the type of light source.

Backlight type

Lighting carries a great stylistic load. It is able to emphasize the overall atmosphere of the design, and an ineptly selected lamp can negate all the efforts of the designer and spoil the impression of the interior.

This is also true for bathroom lighting. Before choosing a lamp, you need to decide what style of interior will be in the room.:

minimalism - spot lighting is suitable, several small lamps with laconic lampshades, spots, bus systems; it is worth abandoning a massive chandelier as the only source of light;
provence - you can use a chandelier with a fabric or plastic lampshade in pastel colors, additionally hang sconces on the walls, lamps can be decorated with decorative elements;
loft - brick and metal, it is possible to use lamps without lampshades, lamps are often made from old metal and plastic pipes, deliberate rudeness and negligence are welcome;
Scandinavian style - characterized by minimalism and environmental friendliness, lamps with a wooden lampshade are well suited.

Depending on the location, the backlight is ...

Ceiling. It can be a familiar chandelier hanging on a hook. If the bathroom has stretch ceilings, spot lighting is most often used. Typically, ceiling lights serve as the main lighting.
Wall. To illuminate distant corners, sconces or wall spots are used. Often they are hung on mirrors, lamps with glass mounts are suitable for these purposes. In wall cabinets, you can hang spots with a motion sensor, which will turn on when the door is opened.
Lower. The lower illumination performs a decorative role and the function of night lighting. LED strip or spot LEDs can be placed along the side of the bath, illuminate the steps with them, zone the room in the combined bathroom.

The options for LED lighting in the bathroom are diverse:

tapes - they can be attached to the floor, and to the ceiling, and inside the shower cabin;
spot LEDs - suitable for suspended ceilings, wall and floor lighting;
spots with a directional light flux and beam regulation;
standard chandeliers and sconces that use LEDs as a light source;
colored lighting - multi-colored (pink, blue, greenish) LEDs can create a romantic or mysterious atmosphere in the bathroom and turn ordinary showering into an interesting and relaxing pastime.

Another important parameter when choosing a lamp is the brightness of the light flux, which is measured in lumens. If the bathroom is made in light or pastel colors, for example, in the Provence style, you should not take a too bright light bulb. Dark environments, such as a loft, require brighter lighting. If the room is large and there is a choice - to take one light source, but very bright, or several lamps, but with less brightness, then it is better to choose the second option. Too bright a light source will irritate the eyes, and dark corners will still remain in the room.

Mounting the backlight

Do-it-yourself lighting in the bathroom is not very difficult to do. The main thing is to follow safety precautions. The easiest way is to attach the lamp to an ordinary concrete ceiling - the device is screwed with hardware, which, as a rule, comes with a chandelier.

The lighting in the bathroom with a stretch ceiling is mounted differently. The wiring must be laid even before the suspended ceiling is installed, and it is necessary to calculate in advance where the spotlights will be located.

The whole mounting scheme is as follows.

A lighting fixture stand is attached to the ceiling, its legs are screwed with hardware.
Then a protective ring is applied.
Next comes the suspended ceiling canvas, in which the hole necessary for the lamp is made.
A heat-insulating ring is superimposed on the hole in the canvas.
Then the lamp itself is installed.

In the case of stretch ceilings, it is optimal to use spot lighting, take LEDs as a light source - they are safe to use, unlike other types of lamps.

Properly selected lighting creates a cozy atmosphere in the room. Here are some helpful tips to help make your bathroom experience more comfortable..

It is better to place the lamps necessary for illuminating the mirror not above, but on the sides of the mirror surface. So the flow of light will not distort the image.
With the help of various lamps, you can zone the bathroom: direct shower or bath, wash area, space for changing clothes, storing things, washing.
If the room is small, it can be visually enlarged by making the interior in bright colors, and directing the wall lighting to opposite walls. You can also visually raise the ceiling by directing the beam of light upwards.
It is better to use several small lamps in different parts of the room than one ceiling lamp.
To create a relaxing effect, a colored LED strip can be attached to the bottom of the bath.

The choice of a lighting device must be taken with all responsibility, because the backlight can become a highlight of the interior, emphasize the dignity of the bathroom and hide design flaws.

Most bathrooms are deprived of access to sunlight. You have to rely solely on artificial lighting. To ensure optimal luminous flux, you need to correctly select the fixtures for the bathroom, right?

We can help you find the perfect appliance for you and plan its location. We will show you which option will work flawlessly in difficult operating conditions. We will tell you how to determine the power of the installed lamps and which way to organize lighting to give preference.

The tips in this article are supported by video tutorials and photos with valuable tips and original ideas for decorating the bathroom interior.

The bathroom is an area with extreme operating conditions. In places with constant temperature changes and high humidity, the installation of conventional sockets and lamps is prohibited for safety reasons.

The main parameter for choosing a lighting fixture is the degree of security. The corresponding marking is displayed on the body of electrical products.

Some manufacturers use three-digit markings. The third digit is the degree of susceptibility to mechanical damage, shock. The range of values is 0-10. The highest level of protection indicates that if the housing is damaged, the performance of the appliance is maintained.

IP value system complies with GOST 14254-96, IEC60529 standard. The first digit of the abbreviation indicates the level of protection of the lamp from dust, the second marker - protection from moisture

The higher the numerical indicator of the marking, the more reliable the lamp.

Waterproof devices are equipped with additional elements that reduce the risk of water and dust penetrating the conductive parts of the device:

rubber seals on the ceiling;
plugs made of sealed material on the supply wire.

The minimum IP value for fixtures in "wet" rooms is IP442, the maximum is IP674. It is permissible to use products with protection higher than the maximum - increased safety, in any case, is welcome.

The choice of the indicator of security of the lamp depends on its location in the bathroom. According to the level of proximity to direct sources of moisture, the room is divided into three zones

IP index values for each zone:

First zone. Humidity near the bath bowl, shower and washbasin reaches 100%. Here we allow the installation of low-voltage devices with protection of at least IP67, designed for temporary immersion in water.
Second zone. Within a radius of 30-60 cm from the "wet" zone, there is a high probability of splashes and jets hitting the electrical appliance. It is not advisable to use high-voltage electrical appliances on the site, the indicator of protection of the lamp is not lower than IP45, the power is 12-24 V.
Third zone. Relatively safe - 60 cm from the borders of the second zone. There is practically no risk of direct jets. Models with protection against circular splashes - IP24 and above are installed.

A space at a distance of 3 m or more relative to the water source is considered safe. Here it is possible to install fixtures with IP01.

It is important to take into account the features of the wall and the efficiency of ventilation. If condensation constantly forms on distant walls after taking a hot shower, then they cannot be considered safe. Luminaires are selected as for the first or second zone

The variety of lamps of the "marine elite"

Artificial lighting of the bathroom is conditionally divided into three levels: ceiling, wall and floor. The combination of methods will allow you to get an interesting decorative effect. It is not necessary to use the entire spectrum at the same time. The main thing is to get a full-fledged luminous flux for a comfortable stay in the room.

No. 1 - ceiling lighting options

Ceiling lights provide the main bathroom lighting. The choice of device depends on the dimensions of the room, the design of the ceiling and the presence of secondary light sources.

No. 2 - working lighting with wall models

The purpose of wall lamps is the zoning of the room and local illumination. The use of wall "lanterns" is appropriate in spacious rooms ranging from 6 sq.m. In a compact room, you can limit yourself to ceiling lighting.

Popular options for wall-mounted "water" lamps:

surface-mounted illuminators;
spots.

Bra. The traditional design is one or more ceiling lamps mounted on one bracket.

Wall sconces are presented in any style - from classic to modern. The optimal installation location is pair placement on the sides of the mirror

The compact ceiling does not take up much space and is fixed closely to the wall. It is better to choose models made of moisture-resistant materials: stainless steel in tandem with glass and transparent plastic.

Overhead lamps are universal - they are suitable for vertical and horizontal placement. When choosing, they are repelled from the shape of the mirror. The neutral design of the plafond harmoniously complements modern interiors.

Spots. Wall installation allows you to maximize the purpose of the spots - local lighting.

When choosing a lamp, it is necessary to evaluate the size of the ceiling - after installation, it should not be reflected in the mirror. Option #1 - correct placement, #2 - incorrect

In the second case, the light from the spot will blind your eyes - using a mirror will become uncomfortable. For this zone, you should not choose lamps with colored shades - the backlight will “give” an unnatural complexion and hair. Optimally - frosted or white glass.

It is worth paying attention to the type of light beam of the wall "lantern". There are two varieties:

Directional lighting reflectors. The light is given at a certain angle. Possibly one- or two-sided (up/down) luminous flux vector. The shape of the case allows you to concentrate the backlight in a specific area.
Diffused lampshades. Such models belong to general lighting fixtures, their area of "action" is 360 °. The light is scattered evenly in the room.

If the goal is to create not only practical, but also spectacular lighting, you can interestingly beat the walls with the help of spotlights, a bright light panel, or LED strip.

Spotlights are placed in niches and illuminate the glass shelves. The LED strip is placed behind the wall protrusions, emphasizing the volume of the surface.

No. 3 - decorative floor lighting

Floor lighting embodies the special atmosphere in the bathroom. This secondary, decorative light.

To implement a design idea, different methods are used:

installation of LED lighting;
installation of spotlights;
creating a glass floor;
use of luminous tiles;
arrangement of the bulk base.

Neon lights. There are many options for decorating LED strip. The strip is mounted along the line of the plinth - the perimeter of the room, and is also used to highlight plumbing - the sealed tape "passes" along the contour of the bath or washbasin.

The main advantage of the method is the possibility of installation after the repair is completed. In contrast to the dark floor, luminous blotches look spectacular.

The LEDs are placed randomly on the cable, and then the wire is installed in the tile joint. The joints are covered with black silicone, while the LEDs remain open. It is important that the "points of light" do not protrude above the tile

The use of floor spotlights has its own characteristics.

The advantages of lamps include:

resistance to mechanical damage - shades are made of durable plastic;
the possibility of any arrangement - the distance between the lamps is chosen arbitrarily;
creating beautiful highlights on surrounding objects.

Disadvantages of "points of light": the complexity of installation and installation of hidden wiring, the need for periodic replacement of light bulbs.

An example of a successful combination of LED wall lighting with spotlights of ceiling, wall and local mirror lighting into a single tandem

The sophisticated design technique radically changes the look of the familiar bathroom environment. To equip a glass niche, you will have to raise the floor by 10 cm.

An unusual "lamp" is made of tempered laminated glass or triplex, LED strip or linear lamps are suitable for illumination.

Niche filling: decorative stones, shells, small pebbles, dried flowers, sparkles or beads. A bold decision - a glowing aquarium in the floor

luminescent materials. An alternative to traditional lighting methods are finishing materials with a luminous effect. The advantage of the method is independence from electricity. Cons: high cost and the inability to turn off such a "lamp".

For lining the base, a luminescent self-leveling floor or tile is used. In the first case, a light canvas is obtained over the entire floor area, in the second case, the amount of “light” can be limited by combining ordinary tiles with fluorescent tiles.

Choosing a lamp for a "water" lamp

When thinking about which lamp is better to choose for the bathroom and how ideal it is, it is important to decide on the type of lamp, brightness and optimal lighting tone.

Criterion #1 - optimal product performance

In everyday life, traditional incandescent lamps, fluorescent products and LEDs are the most popular.

Incandescent lamps. Depending on the gas composition inside the cylinder, they are vacuum, krypton and halogen. Lamps with an inert gas (krypton) are resistant to power surges, halogen lamps have good light output and last longer.

Characteristics of incandescent lamps: 1 - krypton, 2 - halogen. Lamps with halogen lamps are suitable for installation in a plasterboard niche

Fluorescent lamps. The so-called fluorescent lamps have a different degree of color rendering, which determines the naturalness of the glow.

The main advantages of fluorescent lamps:

low heating temperature;
duration of work;
soft light.

Modern modifications are suitable for connection to a standard lamp socket. Types and marking of socles for lamps installed in currently used lighting devices,. This information will be useful to a potential buyer.

Disadvantages: the work is accompanied by a slight hum, toxicity, the duration of reaching the maximum glow. When working in a constant "on / off" mode, the lamps quickly burn out

LED products. The high cost of the lamp is justified by low power consumption, good light output and long service life. Additional advantages include: compactness, low heating of the flask, resistance to mechanical stress and power outages.

LEDs are the best choice for the bathroom. Preference should be given to a product with an aluminum radiator, plastic indicates a low quality lamp

Criterion # 2 - calculation of the glow power

The international standard ISO8995 regulates the level of illumination of bathrooms. The recommended norm is 200 lux (Lx). To characterize the light output of lamps, lumens (Lm) are used, 1 Lk \u003d 1 Lm / sq.m.

For example, the normal illumination of a room of 7 sq.m is 1400 Lx, 10 sq.m - 2000 Lx, respectively. Based on the calculated data, the power and number of fixtures are selected.

The degree of light output directly depends on the type and power of the lighting device. For example, at the same power, a luminescent product produces 7 times more light than an incandescent lamp. An article that we recommend reading will acquaint you with.

The table shows that to obtain the 1200 lm required to illuminate a bathroom of 6 sq.m, an 11 W LED lamp, equivalent to a 100 W incandescent lamp, is suitable

Criterion #3 - Color Rendering Index and Lighting Tone

Light perception comfort depends on how natural the surrounding objects look under artificial lighting. The parameter is expressed by the color rendering index and is indicated on the packaging of the lighting device - Ra or CRI.

Light source CRI=100 provides a real display of objects. The maximum color rendering index has natural sunlight. The lower the Ra value, the more distorted the perception.

The hue of the illuminated object is determined, the unit of measurement is Kelvin (K). White plumbing may appear yellowish or radiant blue.

A room with a predominance of blue-blue finishes looks good in neutral lighting (4000-5000 K). A bath in pink, chocolate and sand tones will become even more comfortable with “warm” lighting with a color temperature run-up of 2700-3800 K

The glow of different temperatures affects a person in different ways. A warm white tone helps to relax, a neutral one helps to concentrate, a cold one energizes and invigorates.

An overview and selection criteria for energy-saving lamps will be introduced, fully devoted to this interesting issue.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The video describes the main factors for choosing an electrical appliance, the requirements for lamps for rooms with a high level of humidity, and also gives recommendations for zoning space using lighting:

A competent choice of a lamp and a successful arrangement of light accents can visually enlarge the enclosed space of a bathroom. Of no small importance in arranging a comfortable and practical room will play the selection of brightness, color reproduction and shade of the glow of the lamp.

Please leave comments in the block below. Share important guidelines for choosing a waterproof lamp and information that will be useful to site visitors. Ask questions, describe your installation experience, post photos on the topic of the article.

A lot of lighting fixtures is good, but not in all cases. Of course, each person independently determines for himself how many and what types of lamps to install. These can be spot, standard shades in the center of the ceiling, etc. It is necessary to proceed from the space of the room.

Let's take a closer look at the types of lighting in the bathroom.

If you rely on standards, then there should be a ceiling lamp and wall sconces according to the correct one. There may be an option to combine the main ceiling lamp and several spotlights.

Placement of lighting fixtures

Lighting is always needed, even if there is. Following the standards, lighting in the bathroom should be three levels.

Top lighting. Great for small spaces. One plafond on the ceiling will be enough, you can add a scattering of stars, if the budget allows.

Work area lighting. Of course it is. Install lighting fixtures on the sides, only at the top of the mirror. It is better to give preference to flexible brackets, so you can adjust the light, directing it to the desired area.

Floor lighting. It's more for decoration than functionality. Originally, you can emphasize the various elements of the room, you can build it into niches or steps. So it will be beautiful and additional light will appear. As in the photo of lighting in the bathroom.

The first thing you should pay attention to is the area of \u200b\u200bthe room. The lighting is completely different from the big one. It is not possible to hang a ceiling hanging lamp. It won't be practical. And in a large room, one chandelier with several shades is not installed. It just won't be enough to light up the bath.

Second rule. Do not buy models made of colored glass, the light in such devices will be distorted. The most popular and optimal option, a closed-type ceiling made of transparent material, can be matte and white.

The third tip, choose lamps for style. Here's an example: modern style requires bright light, there should be a lot of it, you can use a backlight of a different color. In the Japanese style, on the contrary, the light should soothe.

The fourth lighting option is a classic. If the interior of the room is fully consistent with the style, attach lamps with concise forms without unnecessary elements. Preferably vintage glass, it will create an interesting game on.

Neon lights

We live in a modern world and every day I come up with new solutions in lighting technology. One such LED bath lighting. It is beneficial in that it consumes little energy, the service life is about 100 thousand hours.

It is used to decorate various items: mirror, bedside tables, ceiling, etc. Here already to your taste.

It is also possible to use with a combination of spotlights. Of course, such equipment costs a lot, this is perhaps the only negative.

Installation of fixtures on a stretch ceiling

Today, more and more often you can find stretch ceilings in the apartment and the bathroom is no exception.

Consider the process of installing lighting in stretch ceilings in the bathroom:

Devices are mounted to the rack, which is located at the base of the ceiling. After that, the canvas is stretched in which holes are made for the devices. So that the canvas does not tear, the hole is fixed with special yokes.

Important! Choose lighting equipment with overhead mounts, in which case there will be no problems with installation. Do not choose chandeliers or shades with a flat shape, they are completely unsuitable for a stretch ceiling.

Ceiling lighting in the bathroom can be achieved using lamps with outdoor minions. Convenient and practical option.

Do not forget that the lighting in the bathroom is no less important than in others, because a lot of time is spent there, especially the female half.

Photo of lighting in the bathroom

You can't count on natural light in the bathrooms: as a rule, there are no windows. Therefore, the role of artificial lighting and its proper organization in these rooms increases significantly. This problem needs to be approached with particular attention.

The light in the bathroom should not be annoyingly bright, but it should be enough so that all the cosmetic procedures familiar to us do not have to be performed in the twilight. In addition, the increased humidity of the room should be taken into account, so the choice of lighting fixtures will have to be approached with the obligatory consideration of this circumstance.

Light plays an important role in the overall perception of a room. Therefore, to solve the issue of lighting in any bathroom, you need to take into account the style in which it is made. For example, a Japanese-style interior needs soft lighting, while chrome and metal will look good in a modern bathroom.

A Japanese-style bathroom requires special lighting. The light should flow gently, its sources should not attract excessive attention.

Of great importance is the cubic capacity of the room. A large chandelier in a small room with low ceilings will look bulky and ridiculous.

If you want to decorate this room with an amazing play of color highlights, choose lamps with stained glass, but make sure that you can turn off this source without losing lighting in general. It will distort the color you might want in a natural way.

Characteristics of various lamps

You need to choose lamps for the bathroom, knowing their main characteristics, disadvantages and advantages. You can use the following types of lamps:

Option #1 - incandescent bulbs

These inexpensive lamps are easy to use, light up immediately after switching on, but will not last long, only about 1000 hours. The temperature around them has almost no effect on them. They give little light, but they get very hot, which makes it impossible to use them in plastic shades and fabric lampshades.

Option #2 - halogen lamps

These are lamps with high light output and long service life. When used in spotlights or spotlights, the aluminum diffuser absorbs the heat generated so they can be placed in any false ceiling. However, 12-volt models require an expensive step-down adapter.

Halogen lamps will last long enough, besides, they can be multi-colored, which allows you to show imagination, decorating the room with them.

Option #3 - fluorescent lamps

The advantage of these lamps is that their light is more like natural. Depending on the phosphor in them, it can be cold, warm or daylight. But when the voltage drops, they turn off, their power does not exceed 150 watts. and they emit a characteristic crackling sound during operation.

Option #4 - LEDs

With a long service life of more than 50 thousand hours, LEDs consume very little energy. Most often they are used for illumination in the form of a tape or in spotlights as lamps. Their disadvantage lies in the high price of the LEDs themselves and the equipment that they need for efficient operation - a ventilation system, transformers.

With the help of a variety of LEDs, you can create truly futuristic interiors that will delight the owner with their uniqueness and fantastic appeal.

What is a defensive index?

Lighting products are marked with IP indexes with a three-digit digital code. This code will tell a smart consumer a lot about the product that he wants to buy.

So here's what these numbers tell us:

First. This is the degree of protection against dirt and dust in ascending order from 0 to 6.
Second. This is moisture protection from 0 to 8. With protection of 8, the product can be immersed in water for a long time.
Third. This is an impact resistance from 0 to 10. The mechanical impact on the product is measured in joules. Index 10 corresponds to 20J. If the shock resistance is guaranteed, the device may be externally damaged, but its functionality and electrical safety will not be affected.

Knowledge of the label will help to purchase the product in the operation of which the consumer has an interest.

A mechanical shock applied to a vandal-resistant device with a high degree of protection, it may be scratched or dented, but it will not lose its safe functionality

Bathroom humidity zones

In order to correctly select lighting devices, it is necessary to be guided by what degree of protection they should have, taking into account the operating conditions. The room should be divided into four zones as the humidity decreases.

First. This is a high humidity area: this is where water can flow and steam can be concentrated. It is located near the bath, as well as inside the shower, if any. Here it is permissible to use 12 W luminaires with a protection index of at least IP 674.
Second. This zone includes the area next to the washbasin and the space directly adjacent to the bath. Water on this surface can get both in the form of steam and drip. For the second zone, models marked with an index from IP 452 are preferred, the power of which does not exceed 24 watts.
Third. Already half a meter from the edge of the washbasin and bath is the third zone. A luminaire model marked IP 242 or higher can be considered sufficiently protected.
Fourth. The rest of the space of the room can be safely attributed to this fourth zone. If moisture gets here, then, most likely, only in the form of steam or condensate. Here, luminaires can be used, the protection index of which is from IP 011.

Now that we have mentally divided the space into zones and determined the degree of protection of light sources, we can plan where exactly they will be placed.

The location of all areas of the bathroom is clearly visible in this picture. The zoning logic is clearly visible: the farther the devices are from the water, the lower the degree of protection they need

Choosing the location of lighting fixtures

When planning the placement of lamps, you need to be guided by the following principles: there should be enough light in the room so as not to strain your eyesight, but it should not hit your eyes and annoy with its importunity. Combined lighting at different levels is in fashion today.

Quite different lighting fixtures can be fixed on the ceiling, from very small, but rather massive chandeliers: it all depends on the size of the room

To understand what we are talking about, consider each of the lighting levels separately:

Ceiling or top. The light source in this case is fixed on the ceiling or directly below it. In small rooms, it is customary to get by with a single ceiling, which is mounted above the door or in the central part of the ceiling.

A spacious room can be decorated with several point light sources.

Working. A mirror, shelves with cosmetics and detergents and a washbasin should be illuminated. On both sides of the mirror, you can install a luminaire on flexible brackets to change the light intensity depending on your needs. Can be used for lighting from below or LED strip, which is placed both around the mirror and under the washbasin.

Preference should be given to a soft and diffused light flux.

Lower. The use of this level for small spaces is irrelevant. In other cases, the devices are located 40 cm from the floor surface, on the floor itself and under the interior elements. It is possible to equip one-color or multi-colored illumination of bathtubs, steps and podiums.

It is difficult to call lower lighting a need: rather, it is decorative in nature and is used as an interior decoration.

Combined lighting allows you to create not only comfort in the room, which we often use, but also a certain mood. It can be romantic, soothing or invigorating, depending on our desires.

The working area should be well lit so that the visitor has the opportunity, without straining his eyesight, to carry out all the necessary cosmetic procedures.

Ways of fastening fixtures

When choosing suitable fixtures, be guided not only by the designer's idea and the cost of the product, but also by their technical parameters.

Based on the method of attachment, they are divided into the following groups:

Embedded. Spots, spotlights are mounted in a false ceiling with the help of special ears. For incandescent lamps, the ceiling gap is 12 cm, and for halogen lamps - about 7 cm.
Suspended. For such models, a metal hook is needed, well fixed to the main ceiling. As a rule, they are very decorative.
Overhead. These are compact and lightweight devices, which, most often, have the correct shape. For example, ceiling lights. They are equipped with a base with special holes for mounting with hardware.

Lamps can be very different, but their elegance does not depend on size, so even a small bathroom can be both illuminated and decorated at the same time.

Electrical installation in the bathroom

To have a good idea of the sequence of actions, you need to draw a lighting plan, in which you indicate the location of each of the lighting fixtures.

In high humidity conditions, hidden wiring must be used.

Stage # 1 - calculate the lighting power

One of the characteristics of the light flux is its brightness. It is measured in lumens. The brightness depends on the type of lamp used and on its power. Regulatory illumination for the bath should not be less than 50 lumens (lm) per square meter. Source of information - SNiP 23-05-95.

A bright and light room needs less lighting, especially if you also take into account those light fluxes that will be reflected from the walls.

Multiplying the standard value by the area of the room in square meters, we find out the need for lumens for the bathroom. Then you should decide on the type of light bulbs to be used. There is a relationship between the brightness indicator and the power consumption of different light bulbs.

Indicators by types of lamps:

Incandescent at 25 W - 200 lm;
LED in the range of 40-80 W have about 6000 lm;
Halogen at 42 W - 625 lm, and at 70 W - 1170 lm;
Luminescent at 40 W - 2000 lm.

To determine the power needed to light up an entire room, the total number of lumens is divided by the number of lumens generated by the watt of the light bulb you need. Next, you can clean up the need for fixtures.

Stage # 2 - select the cross section and type of wires

In order for the system to be reliable, it is necessary to correctly calculate the load on the network and the required wire cross-section. To do this, we sum up the power of all the lamps that will be used in the room, add to them the devices that are in the room and need electricity: a washing machine, a hair dryer, etc. The result is divided by 220. So we get the load on the cable in amperes.

For wiring, aluminum wires or copper wires can be used, but one type of wire cannot be twisted with another.

Now you can choose a cable with a suitable section for the received load. For our type of premises, an aluminum cable with a cross section of more than 4 mm² is needed, but it is better to use a copper cable with a cross section of more than 2.5 mm². Cables of different material cannot be connected.

Stage # 3 - installation work

The wiring should be hidden under the plaster, and the junction box should be installed in another room. Do not forget about the need to ground each device and lamp. It is recommended to install a residual current device (RCD), which will prevent undesirable consequences in the event of a short circuit. Before starting installation work, check that the network is de-energized.

When laying cables, keep in mind that each of them must supply power to a specific system: separately to light sources and electrical appliances. Each wire should be provided with a circuit breaker. It is better to hide the wires in the corrugation. In order for the cable with the corrugation to be securely fixed in the strobe, each meter of it is fixed with a small amount of gypsum. Corrugation with cable can also be placed in clamps fixed in strobes. Electrical tape cannot be used as an insulator.

Corrugation has a whole list of amazing useful properties, but the most important thing in this case is its protection, which extends the life of the wiring.

The cable is connected to the junction box, after which you need to make sure that all connections work well. If all is well, you can close the strobes.

When the wiring is already laid, you can mount the fixtures. If there are low-voltage lamps in the network, you will also need a power supply, which should also be brought to another room.

How to mount lamps correctly?

When installing fixtures in ceilings of various types, there are some features that should be considered. We will talk about them.

Models for the main ceiling

Spherical lamps and plafonds-plates - this is what is chosen for the main ceiling. For fixing on a concrete ceiling, use the hardware that the device is equipped with. When fastening to a wooden ceiling, screws are suitable, with which the product is fixed through special working holes.

Even for a small room, you can pick up a spectacular lamp on the main ceiling, and if you find a pair for it on the wall, it will be doubly wonderful

The sequence of work is simple: the power is turned off, the ends of the cable are stripped and connected to the terminals of the device, the clamp is fixed, the base is attached to the ceiling or wall, the light bulb is screwed in, the quality of the connection is checked, after which the decorative cover is fixed.

If the ceiling is plasterboard

Installation of drywall in the bathroom is preceded by wiring for spotlights. For wires, it is desirable to use corrugated protection. The ends of the wires leading to the holes for the fixtures should not be less than 20 cm. The holes themselves are cut out using a drill with a glass nozzle. If holes are made before mounting the sheet, you need to make sure that the lamp does not fall on the metal profile.

Spots for incandescent lamps are easy to install: the ends of the cable are fixed to the terminals of the device, the ears of the spot are pressed to its center, we insert the spot into the hole in which it is automatically fixed. Installation of a luminaire with halogen lamps also begins with connecting the cable to the terminals, then the body of the device is installed using spring fasteners, and the lamp is fixed in it with a special yoke included in the kit.

Working with electricity is always not only responsible, but also dangerous. Never neglect safety rules

When working with overhead fixtures, first its bar is fixed with hardware, and then the supply wires are connected to the terminal. All wires are removed into the hole, after which the case is mounted. A heavy lamp should be secured with stiffeners. LED strips are connected to a network adapter. Extend it by soldering small segments, but not more than 15 meters. Before installation, degrease the surface, remove the protective film and lay the tape with light pressure.

Stretch ceiling work

To fix lighting fixtures in a room with a stretch ceiling, you need to mount a rack to the main ceiling in advance, and make holes in the finished canvas. These openings can be reinforced and protected with special yokes or thermal insulation rings.

This is how the rather laborious process of fixing the lamp looks schematically in the case when a stretch ceiling is used in the bathroom

Pay attention to the power, which should not exceed 40 W for incandescent lamps, and 35 W for halogen lamps. It is best to use energy saving minions. Try to combine the safety of the ceiling and its aesthetic perception.

We hope that the information received will help you in organizing the right lighting in your bathroom. Additionally, we suggest watching the video: