vanity lighting Monterey Ca

How to Choose Vanity Lighting to Improve Your Bathroom’s Ambience

After the invention of the carbon filament incandescent light bulb way back in 1879, it became refreshingly easier to gracefully illuminate a face in the bathroom mirror.

Vanity lighting, which is the use of artificial light to illuminate a person’s face, has been around since the early 1900s. As you can imagine, lighting technology has changed remarkably over time. Back then, an even and diffused light source would minimize shadows and blur facial imperfections when someone looked at their reflection in a mirror.

Today, the technology behind vanity lighting has improved beyond recognition, but the sentiment behind it has not strayed far from its original purpose. It’s still a unique way of lighting a mirror to provide a more flattering illumination of a person’s face. This ingenious type still helps someone look and feel more beautiful.

Centuries later, vanity lighting fixtures are a popular way to enhance the ambiance in a bathroom. We all still want to look stunning the minute we catch our reflection in the mirror.

If you want your bathroom to feel warmer and friendlier, then the right choice of vanity lighting fixtures can even help you create a more inviting bathroom, one where you can enjoy your morning bathroom routine bathed in the glow of soothing light.

Although the perfect vanity light fixture can make all the difference in a bathroom, it’s often hard to decide what to select. With a wide range of styles, shapes, and sizes, you need to know just what you’re looking for to find lighting that works for your bathroom.

Here are some key ideas to help you find your perfect light fixture and take the first step towards creating a dream bathroom!

Why You Need Good Bathroom Lighting 

Lighting is an essential element in every room, whether you need it for reading, cooking, or getting ready in the morning. And when it comes to designing a bathroom, lighting is an essential factor.

With the right light fixtures and colors, you can increase the aesthetic value and functionality of your bathroom.

Ideally, you want the bathroom light to be soft and flattering, but not so dim it obscures the makeup you’re trying to apply or the clean shave you need to look your best. For example, you don’t want a glaring light but a soft-white lightbulb for daytime makeup application or shaving.

Most people opt for a table lamp with an incandescent bulb. This provides enough light while keeping it soft and flattering. The downside of these types of lamps is they don’t last very long, so you’ll have to replace the bulb often.

For a softer and more ambient light, you can use a floor lamp with an incandescent bulb or fluorescent bulbs indoors. These types of lamps are perfect for creating that “dressing room” feel in your own bedroom or bathroom vanity area.

While these are all workable options, the best way to create the right amount of lighting in a bathroom, one that is not too bright nor too dim and one that lets you see your face clearly in the mirror when you’re getting ready in the morning before heading out of the door, is to use a vanity lighting solution.

Vanity lighting is important for families who use a bathroom mirror during makeup application, shaving, haircuts, or other bathroom grooming routines that require excellent visibility.

Bathroom lighting is a key factor in determining how well someone can see everything in a small room. The best types of bathroom light fixtures have an adjustable head and one or more bulbs that can be turned on or off independently from each other.

How to Light Your Mirror

Consider the location of your mirror and how much light you need when deciding on what type of light fixtures to install. For instance, if your mirror is close to a window, then natural daylight will suffice. Alternatively, if the mirror is far from a window and there isn’t enough light coming from that direction, then installing a lamp or recessed lights are probably your best bet.

Height for Bathroom Vanity Lighting

Bathroom lighting is crucial to the overall feel of the space. A light fixture that is too high can make the space feel claustrophobic, while a light that is too low can make it difficult to apply makeup or shave.

The height of bathroom vanity lights is often a matter of personal preference, but some people like to have the lights above the mirror in order to avoid glare from their reflection.

The standard height of these fixtures is about 40-inches or 1-meter, although many people opt for lights that are between 54 and 75 inches or 1.5 and 2 meters.

Positioning Lights and Mirrors

While there are many options when it comes to positioning, lighting should never overhang the mirror. This is a safety hazard and can be dangerous.

Make sure that you install your light in such a way that it doesn’t hang over the mirror. This will ensure that you don’t accidentally knock it off while brushing your teeth or shaving.

Types of Vanity Light for Bathlights & Mirror Lights

There are various types of vanity lights that can be installed in bathrooms. Some of the popular types are mirror lights and bathlights.

Mirror lights, as the name suggests, are installed on the front of bathroom mirrors to provide illumination for getting ready in the morning. They are generally placed at a height where you can easily see your own reflection.

Bathlights, on the other hand, are usually found at the height of your head height and don’t just illuminate the mirror but light the whole bathroom. Besides helping you decide between your hair care products in the shower, they also make it easier for you to see what’s inside cabinets and under sinks.

Recessed, Pendant, or Chandelier Vanity Lighting

The lighting in a bathroom has a significant impact on the mood and ambiance of the space.

When installing a light, you should consider the type of space you have available. Different types of vanity lights are better for different types of spaces and it’s important to choose one that will work well in your specific situation so that everyone can enjoy using your bathroom.

If you have open, airy space then pendant or chandelier lighting is best. If your bathroom is small and confined, then recessed lighting will not disrupt the flow of the space and will make it easier for people to use the bathroom.

Lighting and Home Design

Vanity lighting design can match the home design. This unique type of lighting not only enhances the mood with a unique ambiance but also gives homeowners a variety of options to design their home’s lighting.

There are lighting fixtures for popular home design themes, such as modern, rustic, and minimalistic designs, with a variety of colors and product designs.

Where to Find the Best Vanity Lighting Choices

At The Home Lighter, Inc. in Pacific Grove., the lighting showroom offers a wide variety of styles with different materials and prices.

The company provides high-end indoor and outdoor lighting to clientele in the Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel California area. They offer something for everyone at different price points. In fact, when you walk into the residential lighting showroom in Monterey Ca, you will be amazed at the sheer number of options currently available for residential lighting.

Seeing so many light fixture options in a store may seem overwhelming but the staff is there to help you find exactly what you are looking for and offer expert advice on how to select the best vanity lighting for your bathroom.