Lighting in kitchen and bathroom

[vicky whitworth]

Hi, I know this is more of an interior decoration question but I'm struggling to get the right lighting for my kitchen and bathroom. It's a low ceiling, small roomed cottage and I want the lighting to be simple but it needs to be powerful enough to provide sufficient light to cook by and to read in the bath. I hate those downlighters that go into the ceiling (although I can see they are practical from a unobtrusive, concealed point of view). What have you done in similar situations? Any bright ideas much appreciated. (I'd have put a light bulb smiley here if only I knew how to!) Thanks, Vicky

 

[shelli]

:idea: In bathroom, as you know, you need closed fittings - how about a flush ceiling light fitting in bathroom and a mirror with lights in - you can get some lovely designs some with sensor switches (very cool - and safe too!) . In kitchen you could use under unit or under shelf LED lights and small spotlights from the beams (if you've got em)

we are in process of doing all our lighting - we've gone down downlighter route in both the bathrooms and the kitchen, in the rest of the house we are doing spotlights and wall washers (am very excited as OH has agreed to tiffany style fittings in principal rooms - very prettiful).

Shelli

 

[plumbers mate]

Lights in a bathroom can be so unflattering and it's a place where we need flattering lights.
Most are harsh and with hard furnishings can look even harsher. Flourescents are death to any decent body image.
Access is important too - it's no good if you have to balance on the edge of a bath to change a bulb.
I'll watch the answers on this forum with interest.

When I bought this house (29yrs ago) it was rewired and as the bathroom and a bedroom were going to be jiggled about (it never got done) there was no light put in the bathroom. So for about 6 months we used the original gas light. It was a lovely soft light and I was quite sad to see it go - but it was over the tap end of the bath and there was a danger of tall people knocking their head against the lit mantle. The boss is still on the wall although the arm/mantle holder was taken off. It was probably illegal too.

 

[shelli]

there was no light put in the bathroom. So for about 6 months we used the original gas light. It was a lovely soft light and I was quite sad to see it go

Don't, no , stop puerile pun coming up - nnoooo! fanny by gaslight teeheeeeeee

Sorry

 

[Penners]

Vicky - when you come to consider your bathroom lighting, you must keep in mind the regulations that divide your bathroom up into zones. Different types of electrical equipment are permitted in the different zones. Have a look here: http://diydata.com/electrics/bathroom_electrics/bathroom_electrics.php

Shelli - wash your mouth out with lightly perfumed moisturising soap. (Nice one though! :wink

 

[Andrew Bodenham]

Lighting can be a real challenge, especially as so many of the light fitiings available on the high street are truly awful.

For your low ceilinged rooms I'd suggest wall lights. You'll get a good spread of light around the edges of the room which will make the room feel bigger, whilst avoiding the bland uniformity of light from a centre ceiling fitting. There are some very nice wall light fittings to be had, such as the ones in the pic below which came from the Stiffkey Lamp Shop.

Recessed downlighters can work well, but all too often the effect is simply pools of light on the floor leaving the rest of the room feeling gloomy. Good for highlighting features though, and for providing task lighting in certain locations. I've used them in the kitchen over areas like the sink. In the bathroom I've put low-voltage recessed downlighters above the shower enclosure; the light reflects from the chrome fittings and makes the shower look very sparkly and inviting.

The lighting schemes which tend to look best are those which have numerous sources of light within the room, with differing intensities in different areas giving visual texture and interest. With low-energy bulbs getting better all the time such a scheme does not have to be power hungry.

More pics of this room on my website.

 

[Penners]

Stiffkey Lamp Shop.

But do remember not to pronounce it the way it reads. It's pronounced "Stookey".

Normal For Norfolk, you know.