Mar 032010
 
PinExt The Importance of Bathroom Lighting

It’s a small room with a big impact.  For homes, the main-floor half-bath, or powder room, is often one of the highest-traffic spaces in the house.  For businesses (especially restaurants), the bathroom can determine customer satisfaction, serving as the tipping point between a customer who won’t return and a customer who will recommend to others.  Businesses that consider bathroom design to be an expendable overhead cost may be making an expensive mistake.  A recent study by Cintas Corp. found that 95% of customers would not return to a restaurant if they had a bad experience with the restroom.  The study found that customers use these types of small details as indicators of how the business handles other back-end operations.

That being said, the guest bathroom for homes or businesses is a valuable space to remodel.  Because it’s so small, it’s also a less expensive project to take on.
Continue reading »

PinExt The Importance of Bathroom Lighting
Jul 062009
 
PinExt Bathroom Vanity Lighting   How Not to Look Like Dracula

Recessed downlights should not be used to light your face while standing at a mirror in your bathroom because the light coming from these fixtures will only cause harsh shadows on your face. Instead, wall-mounted vanity light fixtures attached above the mirror and/or on both sides of the mirror, or backlit vanity mirrors (a very neat option – especially if wall space is limited) should be used. That way, shadows on your face can be minimized. Recessed downlights can be used in other parts of the bathroom for general lighting but not for task lighting at the sink area – unless, of course, you want to look years older or like Bella Lugosi in makeup.

round halogen mirror Bathroom Vanity Lighting   How Not to Look Like Dracula

Round halogen backlit vanity mirror.

Lighted Vanity Mirror 300x300 Bathroom Vanity Lighting   How Not to Look Like Dracula

Square fluorescent backlit vanity mirror.

PinExt Bathroom Vanity Lighting   How Not to Look Like Dracula
Jul 012009
 
PinExt 7 Tips to Improve Your Bathroom Lighting

featured on ezine articles 7 Tips to Improve Your Bathroom LightingThere are three or four basic types of lighting that should work together to light any room, including a bathroom. They are task lightinggeneral lightingaccent lighting and lighting that is sometimes called decorative lighting or “sparkle lighting”. A good lighting plan combines at least the first three types and sometimes all four types of lighting. This article will focus only on the task lighting in a bathroom. In the bathroom, especially around the vanity mirrors, task lighting is critical. Task lighting can assist in performing specific tasks such as applying makeup, shaving, dressing a wound, or performing a manicure.

Continue reading »

PinExt 7 Tips to Improve Your Bathroom Lighting
Jul 012009
 
PinExt Lighting Tips for Residential Bathrooms

Guiding Principle
“Light is the first element of design; without it there is no color, form, or texture.” – Thomas E. Farin

General
Lighting can add depth and/or visual excitement to a bathroom.

Accent Lighting
Depending on the size of the bathroom accent lighting can add a little drama to a bathroom by creating visual interest. As part of the decorating scheme, accent lighting can be used to spotlight particular objects that are especially attractive or interesting in the bathroom
Continue reading »

PinExt Lighting Tips for Residential Bathrooms