Good quality
mirror lighting is essential in the bathroom to ensure you have enough ambient light for dressing, shaving, washing and grooming at different times of the day when the amount of available natural light varies dramatically. In the morning there is generally more natural light so you may not need all your bathroom lights switched on, but perhaps one or two mirror lights to make sure your face is illuminated evenly, while at night, its vital you have sufficiently bright, all round ambient light to make sure there is an even spread across your face.
With so many bathroom lights and mirrors to choose from, choosing the right one can seem daunting, but here at
Jim Lawrence we are past masters at helping our customers choose the right
accessories for their bathrooms, so read on and let us help guide you to the right choices, starting off with some of our customers' favourites.
THE MIA
Mia image by Madeleine Holden, @madeleinehldn
From our best-selling collection of
dome glass wall lights in clear and fluted designs, the tear dropped
Mia Bathroom Wall Light never fails to bring all the glory of its beautifully reflective glass lines to elevate any bathroom space. One of our more curvy designs, the Mia stands proudly either side of this bathroom mirror designed by
@sansdesignnorge, ensuring the bathroom mirror becomes the standout style piece in this bathroom setting.
THE RAYDON
Our lovely, vintage-style
Raydon Wall Light oozes a sense of industrial chic that lends a designer touch to any bathroom setting, as shown above and below, in this beautifully muted bathroom scheme by
@taraashwelldesigns. Available in our most popular finishes and with a choice of clear, fluted and frosted glass shade designs, we feel it makes a fabulous bathroom mirror light as it lends itself to any bathroom decor.
THE CHELTENHAM
Cheltenham image by @boz_gagovski courtesy of @uns.hobbs_interiors.
A Jim Lawrence staple, the
Cheltenham has long been one of most popuar bathroom mirror lights because of the way it frames any mirror shape. A stunning
bathroom wall sconce with
ribbed glass and a touch of
art deco about it, the Cheltenham has a vintage glamour that lifts any bathroom space as seen above with these twin scalloped edged mirrors styled by
Uns Hobbs Interiors. Match them with our antiqued brass
Bletchley Bathroom Range for an elegant, complementary appeal.
THE HUNDON
An elegant little orb of opalescent loveliness, the
Hundon brings a dainty glow and ethereal quality to any bathroom space, helping to create a sense of tranquility that is perfect for an intimate, relaxing ambience in a bathroom. Though it is small in size, it has great light output, amplified by its curved brass backplate design. Fit the Hundon either side of a bathroom mirror for bright ambient light, or under sloped ceilings and in awkward nooks for an even spread of light in smaller bathrooms.
THE BYRON BATHROOM FITTING
A relative newcomer to our bathroom lighting range, our antiqued brass
Byron and
Keats light fittings have climbed to the top of our best-seller list thanks to their versatility which makes them perfect bathroom mirror lights. Not only can they be used either way up, but you can style them with a fabric shade of your choice which means there are endless options for finding the perfect match to your decor, as well as refreshing your look over the years.
THE DORSET
The Dorest is another newcomer that is proving to be popular among custsomers searching for bathroom mirror lights; drawn to its sleek, vintage design and flexability. It is another one of thoe tha can be used horizontally, along the top of a mirror, or vertically, by the side, meaning it suits most applications in the home. Choose a fluted shade to enjoy the reflective qualities of glass, or a frosted one for a more ethereal glow.
WHERE DO I FIT A WALL LIGHT ABOVE
A BATHROOM MIRROR?
Where to fit your bathroom mirror light above a mirror depends on the size of your mirror and how much room there is above it. Generally speaking we say that you need your bathroom mirror light to be placed centrally at least 5cm above the top of the mirror frame and around 15-20 cm above the hairline of the tallest person in your family for good, soft light. Avoid placing lights directly over the mirror at a very low height, as this can cast unflattering shadows on your face.
WHERE DO I FIT A WALL LIGHT
BESIDE A BATHROOM MIRROR?
Keats Bathroom Light Fitting
Fitting a wall sconce on either side of your bathroom mirror is an ideal way to make sure you have good ambient light. Wall lights should be placed at eye level or a little above, that is generally around 155 - 165cm (5.5 to 6ft) from floor level and around 20-30cm away from the mirror's edge to ensure shadow-free illumination. If your bathroom has a high ceiling, or you have a vertically hung mirror, you may need to adjust these heights upwards accordingly.
WHAT IS AN IP RATING?
IP stands for Ingress Protection and is a 2 digit rating given to a light during testing to determine the level of protection its electrical parts have against dirt, dust and water. The digits range from 0 for no protection, to 9 for total protection. The higher the digits, the better the level of protection. The first digit deals with intrusion from dirt and dust particles, while the second relates to protection against water. Generally, bathroom lights need to have an IP rating of 44 and above to account for the level of water vapour and condensation in these rooms.
WHAT ARE BATHROOM ZONES?
These are areas of the bathroom that dictate the level of safety required for electrical fixtures to be fitted depending on how close they are to water. There are 4 main zones defined by their distance from a water source, such as a bath, shower or wash basin and each zone requires a specific IP rating.
Zone 1 - directly above the bath or shower to a height of 2.25 meters. Fittings must have a minimum IP44 rating.
Zone 2 - The area extending 0.6 meters from the perimeter of the bath and up to a height of 2.25 meters. A minimum IP44 rating is required. It is also good practice to consider the area around a washbasin within a 60cm radius of the tap as Zone 2.
Zone 3 & 4 - areas outside these zones don't need a specific IP rating, but it is recommended to use fittings with some level of moisture protection.