Types of lighting for bathroom mirrors, installation and connection options

Lighting requirements

For comfortable washing, shaving, and applying makeup, a degree of light diffusion of up to 400 lux is required. It should be bright, but not blinding, uniform. Therefore, you should not aim the beam directly at the mirror. All lamps have different wattages.

Light-emitting diode

Daylight

Incandescent lamps

Cathodoluminescent

Lamps are available with different color temperatures (Kelvin):

• yellowish – less than 3500 K;
• neutral white – from 3500 to 5000 K;
• cold white (bluish) – more than 5000 K.

To get the most realistic reflection, you need to choose lamps with a neutral color temperature of 4000–4200 K.

The lighting for the bathroom mirror should be safe, specially designed for wet rooms. The design of such lamps prevents moisture from getting inside. Each lamp has an IP index, indicated by two numbers.

The higher the IP index, the safer the lamp. When placing lamps in the bathroom, you must leave at least 60 cm between fixtures and water sources.

Features of lamps for illuminating mirrors in the bathroom

Light in the bathroom is necessary to create a comfortable environment. When choosing appropriate devices, it is necessary to take into account a number of mandatory rules:

Bathroom fixtures must be waterproof

• Light filters on lamps significantly distort the image. That is why it is best to avoid using them.
• Lighting must be chosen after a careful analysis of the characteristics of the room. Mirrors should display a bright image that is of high quality. A matte platform is considered the best option.
• To illuminate the mirror evenly, you will need to install several lamps at once.
• The devices can also be attached directly to the mirror itself. To do this you will need to use special glue.

Types of backlight

The lighting can be internal or external. Depending on this, different types of lamps are chosen. Point sources are built into the top or side wall near the mirror and disperse light evenly. Spots can be rotating, thereby providing the ability to direct the light flux. Both single versions with adjustment and small chandeliers with independent lamps are available.

External lamps are located on both sides of the mirror, which helps to avoid the formation of a sharp darkening on the face. If you install lamps with higher power, you can achieve a bright light zone. Both the person at the mirror and the interior details of the room will be in focus.

Lamps that are built into the mirror can have different designs. The main elements are strips or blocks of LEDs, the light of which is softened by frosted glass. Such lighting of mirrors in the bathroom is most often installed for decorative purposes.

LED lamps behind the mirror are very functional; their light can simultaneously be directed at a person and highlight parts of the interior, for example, focusing attention on wall decoration.

Internal

Outdoor

Lighting options and types of lamps

The lighting near the mirror in the bathroom, depending on the installation features, is divided into the following types:

1. External. Lighting fixtures and frame are not structurally connected. Most often they are located on the sides of the mirror.
2. Internal. Point sources are built into the back surface of the frame (or on top, on the sides, around the perimeter), providing uniform diffuse lighting. Most often, their position can be adjusted manually.

Functionality of a mirror with lighting for makeup, types of products
Another option is colored decorative LED lighting for mirrors in the bathroom. It performs a purely aesthetic function. This design technique helps to create an unusual atmosphere and focus attention on a certain detail of the interior.

Internal

Outdoor

For bathroom lighting the following are most often used:

1. External lamps with shades. Must be completely closed, almost flat, and fit securely to the wall. You will need at least two of them - they are placed on the sides of the frame. You cannot mount the lamp above a mirror - this will lead to darkness just where bright light is needed. The colors and shapes of the lampshades vary widely - from classic matte white hemispheres and cylinders to futuristic and avant-garde designs.
2. Sconce. They protrude significantly forward compared to the mirror, providing a large circle of light. Their designs are also very diverse.
3. Point devices (spots). They are favorably small in size, have a special frame that allows them to be mounted anywhere, and have a waterproof body. Most often they are already built into the mirror.

Sconce

Lamps

Spots
You should also know which lamps to choose for mirror lighting:

1. Neon. They provide uniform illumination and can be installed even in hard-to-reach places. They operate silently, do not dazzle the eyes, heat up to a maximum of 40°C, and vary in light temperature. Disadvantages: fragility, risk of water getting inside. If one lamp fails, the two adjacent ones also go out.
2. Luminescent. They provide light as close to natural as possible, are durable and economical. Disadvantages - when turned on, they begin to flicker when working, hum slightly, contain mercury (special disposal is required).
3. Halogen. Waterproof, durable, provide maximum light output. But during operation they get very hot and cannot tolerate dirt, dust (they go out immediately), and even more so mechanical impact.
4. LED. Mounted on any surface. They are distinguished by almost record durability (they do not lose brightness during the process), a variety of colors, and cost-effectiveness. However, they are not cheap. One LED lamp will not provide good light; for the bathroom they use a whole strip.
5. Incandescent lamps. This option for the bathroom is strongly not recommended. They get very hot, are afraid of water, consume a lot of electricity, and are short-lived.

Options for the correct placement of a mirror in the bedroom according to the teachings of Feng Shui

Internal lighting is most often LEDs, external lighting is neon lamps. Due to the design features, fluorescent ones are built into a frame above a bathroom mirror and covered with frosted glass on top to ensure light diffusion. Halogen ones are installed in pendant wall lamps.

Neon lights

LED

Luminescent

Incandescent lamps

Halogen

Types of lamps

Lamps with shades are round, closed electrical appliances that are completely adjacent to the wall or ceiling. Inside there are metal fittings, a reflector disk with a light bulb socket and a diffuser made of frosted glass or plastic. They emit bright diffused light. There are different configurations and designs of lampshades: regular hemisphere, flat cylinder, intricate avant-garde shapes and others.

Spotlights have a special frame that allows these small-sized devices to be mounted anywhere. They provide enough light for a bathroom. A special housing reliably protects the built-in light bulbs from water penetration, reducing the risk of short circuits.

Sconces are often used to illuminate bathrooms. They protrude above the wall, resulting in more illuminated space. Bathroom mirror lights can be placed on the sides at the desired height. They will highlight local areas well and perform a decorative function.

Choosing sconces for the bathroom is necessary according to the requirements of moisture resistance. When connecting devices, it is recommended to hide the equipped wiring.

Lamps with shade

Spot

Sconce

The following types of lamps are used in lighting fixtures installed in the bathroom:

1. Neon – evenly illuminate the room, can be installed even in hard-to-reach areas, vary in color, are quiet, safe for vision, and do not heat up above 40 degrees. Disadvantages of lamps: not durable, neighboring elements do not work when the one next to them stops burning. The use of neon mirror lighting should be limited due to the risk of water getting inside.
2. Luminescent - have the effect of natural light, are economical, and last a long time. A significant drawback is the appearance of flickering when the lamp is turned on. It puts a lot of strain on the eyes, but stops after a while.
3. Halogen lamps are not afraid of humidity, have increased light output and a long service life, and are capable of imparting different shades of light. Cons: high heating temperature, instant failure due to the slightest contamination. Traditionally built into spotlights.
4. LED lighting for bathroom mirrors can be placed on any surface. It has a white or colored glow, high luminous efficiency, and a long service life. The disadvantage is that it is not cheap.

Lighting fixtures that are designed to use LEDs are called “LED luminaires.” They can work up to 100,000 hours, are energy saving, and not difficult to install. The disadvantage is the high cost. There are flexible LED strips. Designs made from them are easily mounted on any side of the mirror and bathroom wall.

Neon

Luminescent

Halogen

LED

Advantages and disadvantages of built-in lighting

The positive aspects of using built-in lighting are as follows:

• additional bathroom lighting;
• absence of condensation on the mirror surface due to heating of the lamps;
• convenience of carrying out hygienic and cosmetic procedures;
• An ideal decoration for any interior.

The disadvantages of built-in lighting are:

• the appearance of rust on poor-quality coatings of lamps due to humidity;
• negative effects of bright light on the eyes.

To avoid negative aspects, for the bathroom you need to choose models with lighting fixtures from well-known manufacturers. Lamps with a soft light diffuser function will help protect your eyes from harmful effects.

An ideal decoration for any interior

Convenience of hygiene and cosmetic procedures

Additional room lighting

Negative effects of bright light on the eyes

Types of bathroom mirrors

• built into cabinets, great for small spaces;
• free-standing, i.e. without unnecessary details, placed directly on the floor (can be at full height), attached to the wall, will not interfere with a large enough bathroom;
• cosmetic, small in size, most often mounted on a bracket to the wall, used specifically for cosmetic purposes; can be installed both in a small bathroom and additionally in a large room; usually they are rotating and movable;
• decorative, placed at will in different parts of the bathroom, serve not so much for their intended purpose, but create aesthetic pleasure, visually expand the space, etc.

In addition to the fact that mirrors come in a wide variety of shapes - round, square, oval, figured - the decorative finish can also be different.

Designers offer:

• clean, without any decorative trim;
• with applied patterns using matting or sandblasting technology;
• artificially aged;
• colored;
• tinted;
• so-called faceted, a special type of mirrors that are mounted on the wall as tiles, or some elements among ceramics; These models are thicker.

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Location of light sources

The light above the bathroom mirror creates a “subway effect.” When installing weak and uneven backlighting, darkening appears on the face and natural colors change. The light falling above the mirror leads to focusing attention on existing imperfections and adds non-existent flaws.

Light coming from below contributes to the formation of deep shadows on the face. In general, it is extremely undesirable to install devices on only one side of the mirror, since there will always be a shadow on one half of the person’s body. It is better to use symmetrical placement on both sides.

Using side mirror lighting in the bathroom is the best solution, because the distribution of the light flux is symmetrical. To ensure that the face is well illuminated, it is recommended to install lamps at a height of two meters. So the light will fall simultaneously from above and from the sides.

Depending on the shape and size of the mirror, the most suitable type of lighting is selected:

• for a small child - two wall lamps located symmetrically;
• for a wide mirror - suspended lighting devices and attached to the sides, installation height from 1.5 to 2 meters;
• for a medium round or oval - LEDs placed around the perimeter;
• for a mirror-cabinet - directional spotlights.

To achieve a diffused glow, you can install devices with white shades.

Installation of illuminated mirror - choosing a model and location

For convenient use, a mirror or a combined mirror cabinet must meet certain parameters, as well as installation conditions:

Installation of illuminated mirror

• width – at least 40 cm;
• height of location - the upper limit is 10-20 cm higher than the height of the tallest person in the family, the lower limit for large mirrors is not lower than 30 cm from the floor;
• adequate lighting arrangement - the built-in one does not cause discomfort, casting glare on the surface or directing it directly into the eyes; the main one is also not reflected in the mirror, illuminating a person, not an object.

When choosing a model and considering how to hang an illuminated mirror in the bathroom, take into account everything that can affect the ease of use of the item for its intended purpose. There should be free access to the mirror surface - no obstacles on the floor or blocking the light and reflection of objects on the walls.

Choice depending on design

The interiors of the premises are decorated in different styles. Therefore, it is necessary to choose lamps with an appropriate design. The wide range of options on the market makes it easy to choose the right one. Classics are distinguished by natural forms and natural materials used in the manufacture of devices. Lamps should be combined with the color of the bathroom, be discreet and not attract the eye. They lack pretentiousness, flashy colors and unnecessary decorative details.

Minimalism promotes a certain asceticism. Each part of the lighting device fulfills its purpose. Lamps in this design have laconic shapes, glass lampshades and diffused lighting. Often in such options, frosted or, on the contrary, thin transparent glass is used to make lampshades.

High-tech is a modern style, a characteristic feature of which is a pronounced urban theme. It is distinguished by clear lines and angles, matte or shiny surfaces. Lamps in metal casings with shades of various sizes are perfect for this design.

Classic

Minimalism

High tech

Bathroom mirror lights

• Why is it needed?
• Light characteristics
• Kinds
• Wall mounted
• Mirrors with built-in lighting
• LED lights
• LED tape

Why is it needed?

The bathroom is one of the few places in the house where the sun's rays do not penetrate. In the absence of natural light, artificial light sources become especially important. A ceiling light is often the only lighting fixture in a bathroom. This is certainly economical, but not very convenient. The best option is to have two lamps - the main one and the additional one.

An additional lamp is often installed next to the mirror. At this point, the device can perform several functions at once:

• a mirror lamp will provide the necessary illumination for daily cosmetic and hygiene procedures (shaving, applying makeup, etc.);
• if you want to relax and spend some time in the twilight (for example, taking a bath), the mirror lamp will become a source of dim, soft light;
• at night, the mirror light can be responsible for the emergency lighting of the bathroom.

Light characteristics

A mirror in a bathroom is a kind of work area where arranging the right lighting plays a big role. There are several basic rules regarding bathroom mirror lighting:

• Lamps should be located in such a way that the light illuminates the entire work surface, while at the same time not entering the eyes.
• With the simultaneous operation of the main lighting fixture and the mirror lamp, the most uniform illumination should be created, without shadows interfering with the work.
• Most artificial light sources distort colors. If you are used to applying makeup in front of the mirror in the bathroom, then purchase light bulbs for the lamp, the light of which is closest to natural in the color spectrum.

Kinds

There are several options for organizing lighting for the work area in the bathroom.

Wall mounted

A sconce is a traditional lighting fixture that can be installed in any room of the house, regardless of its purpose - in the hallway, in the kitchen, in the bedroom, etc. Special waterproof wall lamps are produced for the bathroom, which can be used in conditions of high air humidity. Sconces create diffused soft light, so lamps of this type are loved by those for whom the bathroom is a zone of privacy and relaxation.

Mirrors with built-in lighting

Such interior items cannot be called new on the bathroom equipment market, but they are still not widespread everywhere. There are a huge number of options for combining a mirror + lamp, and they all look very impressive. A mirror with built-in lighting will become the main decoration of your bathroom. Built-in lighting frees up space that would otherwise be allocated for wall lights - and this is one of its main advantages.

LED lights

LED lights for the bathroom can be of various types - both wall-mounted and built-in or strip. In stores you can find LED lamps designed directly for illuminating mirrors (they are also used for illuminating paintings). Such lamps create even light, do not glare or distort the image.

LED tape

LED strip today is actively used to organize illumination of a wide variety of interior elements - stairs, paintings, podiums, decorating building facades, etc. The LED strip consists of LEDs with resistors; an adhesive composition is applied to one of its sides. To fix it near the mirror in the bathroom, just cut the tape into pieces of the desired size, remove the protective film and stick it to the chosen place. The LED strip is very flexible and thin, which allows you to realize your wildest design fantasies. The only thing to keep in mind is that it is not compatible with old electrical equipment.

Advantages of LED lamps

• LED light bulbs can help you save on your electricity bills. They consume significantly less energy than incandescent lamps and modern energy-saving lamps.
• Even though LED bulbs are less powerful than other types of lighting fixtures, the level of illumination they create is no less.
• The service life of LED lamps is very long. They cost more than incandescent lamps, but last ten times longer.
• LED light bulbs are considered the most optimal for use in the bathroom, as they tolerate temperature changes and high levels of air humidity.
• LED bulbs are available in a variety of colors, which will certainly appeal to those who like to experiment with lighting.

Accommodation

There are two options for placing lighting fixtures near the mirror. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Above the mirror

This arrangement of the lamp is the most advantageous in terms of space saving. The space above the mirror usually remains free, while on the sides of it you can hang cabinets and shelves for hygiene items. The disadvantage of this arrangement of the light source is that the light falling from above highlights all skin defects. Of course, this does not cause any practical harm, but it can spoil your mood in the morning.

Side of the mirror

Lamps located on both sides of the mirror create a lighting effect that is as close as possible to natural daylight . That is why, for women who prefer to apply makeup in front of a mirror in the bathroom, this arrangement of lighting fixtures is considered preferable. The disadvantage of this option is that the lamps take up quite a lot of space on the wall. In addition, to ensure uniform illumination of the mirror, one side lamp is not enough; two must be installed. And this is twice as much installation work.

Tips for choosing

There are several determining factors that influence the choice of a lamp for a bathroom mirror:

• Degree of protection against moisture. You should choose only waterproof lamps for the bathroom. Whether the lighting device you have chosen is indicated on the packaging. The abbreviation IP and two numbers indicate to which class of protection against moisture and dust the lamp belongs. A lamp with a protection class of at least IP 44 is suitable for use in the bathroom.
• Brightness. Both men and women use a mirror in the bathroom, first of all, to clean themselves up. To ensure that the result of all hygienic and cosmetic manipulations does not turn out completely opposite to what was expected, it is necessary to ensure a sufficient degree of illumination in the room. The brightness of light is measured in lux. If you add up the brightness of all the lighting fixtures in the bathroom, the total should be at least 200 lux.
• Design. It’s easy to determine the required technical characteristics of a lamp for a bathroom mirror, but choosing a design is a much more difficult task. The lamp should be matched to the rest of the bathroom interior, including finishing materials, furniture and plumbing equipment. A lamp can be a bright accent in the interior or, conversely, not attract attention. The huge selection of lighting products offered by construction hypermarkets and online stores allows even the most demanding customer to find what they need.

Installation

In this section, we will tell you how to install a mirror wall light in a bathroom.

When deciding on the installation location, you should take into account the height of each family member. Choose a position for the lighting fixture so that the face of the person looking into it is illuminated brightly and evenly. Installing wall lights involves hidden electrical wiring going to the place where you want to hang the lighting fixture. To carry out hidden wiring, you need to punch grooves in the wall, lay wires in them, seal the grooves with cement and disguise them with ceramic tiles or other finishing material. This work is usually entrusted to professional electricians.

So, the installation sequence:

• turn off the electricity in the bathroom;
• assemble the lighting fixture in accordance with the instructions;
• attach the lamp body to the wall and make markings for fasteners;
• Drill holes in the wall in accordance with the markings;
• fix the lamp on the wall through the mounting holes;
• pass the power cable coming from the wall through the lamp body and screw it to the terminal block;
• turn on the electricity and test the operation of the lighting fixture.

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Installation and connection

A lamp with an incandescent lamp is installed in the following way: the electrical cable is connected to the terminals of the device, then the metal ears are pressed to the center to facilitate insertion of the spot into the hole. After this, the fastener takes the desired position and is firmly fixed in place. All that remains is to screw in the light bulb.

The backlight with a halogen lamp is also connected using power wires and terminals. The lamp body is installed using spring fasteners. The socket contains a lamp, which is fixed with a mounting yoke (included with the device).

When working with halogen lamps, it is imperative to use gloves.

To install a surface-mounted lamp, first its strip is fixed using hardware. Then the cable cores are connected to the terminals according to the color. The wiring is carefully tucked into the hole, and the decorative casing is mounted. Given the significant weight of the electrical appliance, its structure is reinforced with stiffening ribs at the installation site.

Connecting the LED strip begins by connecting it to the network adapter, and the polarity must be observed. The wiring is installed in the appropriate sockets and then secured with screws. Before installation, the surface must be cleaned and degreased.

The LED strip is extended in small pieces using soldering. The product cannot be installed above 15 meters.

Electrical wiring in a damp room should be laid in accordance with all safety standards and regulations:

1. The junction box has no place in the bathroom. If there is a need to connect wires inside the room, moisture-proof terminal blocks are used, and the twists are reliably insulated.
2. All electrical appliances in the bathroom are grounded, even LED strips.
3. The connection diagram of the lamp contains an RCD (residual current device). It instantly stops the supply of electricity if a short circuit may occur in the system.
4. The overall power supply circuit in the bathroom is divided into parts. Each subsystem is protected by an automatic switch.

When lighting the bathroom, it is recommended to use a low-current power supply system of 12 V. A voltage with this indicator does not pose a danger to humans even in damp conditions. However, the location of the step-down transformer should be outside the room.

The junction box has no place in the bathroom

All electrical appliances in the bathroom are grounded

The luminaire connection diagram contains a residual current device

Safety regulations

Each family member spends a certain amount of time in the bathroom. The safety of children will require special attention. That is why it is recommended to buy only high-quality lighting fixtures that will not deteriorate over a long period of time.

When purchasing a device, you should pay attention to the IP index. Two numbers are used to designate it. The first of them provides information about protecting the device from the negative effects of dust. The second informs about how much damage the device may suffer when interacting with moisture.

We should not forget that in the bathroom the risk of malfunction of any device increases, not only from condensation.

If IP 44 is indicated on the packaging, then the lamp will not be damaged by splashes. The maximum degree of protection is IP 55. It prevents loss of functionality even under running water. That is why the last option is preferable. This lamp can be placed at any distance from the shower.

Decoding IP indices

In all other cases, the minimum permissible distance is 60 cm. However, for maximum safety, it is recommended to retreat at least 2 m. We should also not forget that metal suffers from corrosion when it regularly interacts with moisture. To minimize the likelihood of damage from a short circuit, it is recommended to purchase 12 and 24-volt models.

In the bathroom you can comfortably carry out hygiene procedures only if there is sufficient light. To do this, you will need to install special devices. When choosing them, you should remember the safety rules. Otherwise, electricity may harm human life or health.

Design features

Lamps located above the mirror are designed to illuminate a specific area. Since they are operated in conditions of high humidity, increased demands are placed on them.

The characteristics largely depend on the bathroom itself. So, its footage plays a role. The larger the room, the more powerful the lighting should be . This also affects the height of the lighting device.

Design

Lamps that are placed in the bathroom above the mirror can have different designs. Often used:

• wall sconces;
• lampshades that are located directly on the mirror itself;
• suspended structures.

also mirrors with built-in lighting . The most universal option are light bulbs, which are located not only on top of the mirror, but also along its entire perimeter, below and on the sides. They can fit well into any interior.

How is it holding up?

Lamps can be fixed to the frame or above it. Installation allows you to ensure the correct direction of the light flux. The easiest installation method is to use a mirror frame mount. In addition to fasteners, adhesive tape can be used.

The specific choice of fastening elements is determined by the type of luminaires, as well as the humidity and temperature in the room.

Advantages and disadvantages

Lighting devices placed in the bathroom above the mirrors have a number of advantages:

• For their manufacture, high-quality modern materials are used, which guarantees quality and durability.
• Models of various designs are offered, allowing you to decorate the wash area in different ways.
• The lamps are universal and can be successfully combined with various central lighting products.
• They are compact and do not take up much space, but at the same time provide the necessary illumination of the selected area.
• The devices allow you to vary the temperature of the light flux. You can choose a suitable shade that will not strain your eyes.
• Correct placement of lamps allows you to visually increase the height of the walls.
• Lamps can be used to decorate the space above the mirror.
• In a large bathroom, you can use devices to illuminate several mirrors at once.

However, there are some disadvantages:

• If you need to use several products at once, this will require significant financial investments.
• Not in all cases, lamps can provide high-quality illumination.
• Models that do not have tilt adjustment are not very comfortable.
• Lighting may be uncomfortable for the eyes. Light falling on a reflective surface can distort the image.
• Such lighting alone cannot fill the entire room with the required amount of light. Regardless of the power level, you will still have to use central lighting.

All lamps used to illuminate bathroom mirrors are divided into the following types:

• mortise;
• semi-mortise;
• invoices.

These are, in fact, options for a built-in ceiling and a conventional wall type like a sconce. There are also feet, often equipped with an adjustment system, and spotlights that are built into the wall. Suspensions are rarely used for lighting .

Some lamps have reflectors, others, due to the design of the lampshades, are directed towards the ceiling. In this case, the light is directed from the mirror, and its strength decreases. A classic option is to use two sconces. A good choice is LED backlight lamps.

Criterias of choice

Bathroom lamps are used in conditions of high humidity , so their quality characteristics are important. They must be safe, functional, durable, and also have an attractive appearance, high-quality fittings and be combined with other design elements.

Moisture resistance

Lamps must be moisture resistant. Their level of moisture protection is indicated by the IP index. This code must be present on quality products. The index numbers determine the degree of protection:

• IP 44 – the product is splash-proof;
• IP 45 – the product is protected from direct exposure to water jets.

The higher the number of markings, the closer to the water the lighting fixture can be placed. But even devices with an increased degree of protection are not recommended to be installed closer than 50-60 cm from the water.

Device safety

Safety is important for bathroom lighting .
Open shades are not allowed - they will not withstand the conditions. The sides of the product may have protective grilles. Lamps should not contain mercury, otherwise they can cause poisoning if accidentally broken. Power is calculated using the formula 200 Lm per square meter.