Make the Most of Lighting in a Small Bathroom

How can I make my small bathroom feel less cramped and more airy without spending a fortune or weeks on renovations? The answer to this common challenge may be far simpler than you may think - lighting. Strategic lighting is one of the oldest tricks in the designer’s book that can completely transform a space. 

From mundane and confined to spacious and bright, a clever lighting design can bring your dream bathroom to life even when space is at a premium. Lighting shapes how we perceive a space - from the physical boundaries to the mood and ambience. For instance, bright, even illumination throughout the bathroom can create the illusion of a larger room. Conversely, harsh overhead fixtures that cast shadows can flatten an already small space.

A layered lighting plan that incorporates multiple fixtures at different levels works best for small bathrooms. These so-called layers add depth and dimension that trick the eye into perceiving the space as more spacious than it actually is. Another benefit of layering lights is that you get a functional design that adapts to your needs throughout the day.

In terms of overall lighting, recessed and flush-mount options are popular choices for smaller spaces. Taking little to no headroom yet providing a good amount of general illumination, these lights can be a solid foundation for your lighting design. 

Task lights are the perfect complement to overhead fixtures. They add to the overall brightness of the room, but also provide even, targeted illumination for areas where you perform hygiene, skincare, and grooming routines. Here you have several options, including the most commonly used wall sconces and LED mirrors. Installing compact sconces on both sides of your vanity unit or wall cabinet is a simple way to achieve balanced, even lighting. Modern, sleek, and space-saving, LED back-lit mirrors are the perfect choice where wall space is limited to accommodate a mirror and lighting fixtures. 

If you want to further enhance the aesthetic of your small bathroom, you can upgrade your lighting design with accent fixtures like decorative wall lights or LED strips. Accent lighting can draw attention to desirable features you wish to highlight or add depth and dimension to make the bathroom feel more spacious.

Mirrors can help you maximize the effect of both natural and artificial light to make your bathroom feel brighter and more open. In addition, with a strategically placed large mirror or mirrored cabinets in your bathroom, you can extend the sightline, i.e. create an illusion of a larger space that continues beyond the physical boundaries. 

For more tips or help with your bathroom design or renovation, contact the expert team at Highgrove Bathrooms or drop in to your local store.