Lights and mirrors
The two-inch vertical frosting on the Amber LED panels allows the light to come forward toward the face, reducing overhead shadows cast from pot lights.
The round backlit mirror named Lucy allows the light to bounce around the bathroom as well as illuminate your face for grooming.
We all know how much better we feel when our hair looks good and we’ve taken the time to put on some makeup. Those 10 minutes in the morning are important; they give us the boost and self-confidence to face the day with positive energy. And there is nothing more frustrating than trying to put on a pretty face in front of a poorly lit mirror. The shadows caused by poor light and reflection either hide or exaggerate imperfections – not always promising a good image when we step out into the daylight or arrive at the office.
Lighting technology has changed dramatically over the past couple of years, especially LED light, which is no longer just that cold blue.
The most exciting is how LEDs have been applied to the bathroom mirror. They are backlit, using the most up-to-date LED technology to produce a perfectly balanced and even light. The light panels sit flush with the mirror’s surface to create a modern, sleek line. This mirror will become your best friend when you are putting on makeup or, if you’re a guy, same goes for a good shave.
Choosing the best lights for your bathroom allows you to create an environment that handles all of your needs, from enjoying a restful bath with soothing light, to bright, even light for grooming.
Lumidesign is the company that makes the backlit mirrors shown here (www.lumidesign.ca).
I asked Maurice, chief engineer at Lumidesign, to give us his best tips on bathroom lighting. Take these ideas into consideration when planning a renovation.
Have the same lighting temperature (color) for all light sources, either cool white or yellow white. As the color of the light alters the look of the walls and other surfaces in your room, the same light shade will produce a uniform ambience.
Plan the position of your overhead lights. You don’t want the light to shine on top of your head, as this will cause shadows. If you are installing overhead pot lights, select an adjustable design so that you can angle the light to suit your needs.
For grooming, forward lighting creates the best result. This is produced from a backlit fixture, such as the backlit mirrors shown here. These LED panels use an acrylic diffuser that is embedded with high quality LEDs inside. This allows the light to diffuse evenly to prevent hotspots and dark corners typically found in lighted mirrors.
The LED panel also uses an internal reflector and etching pattern to maximize the lighting output.
If you choose LED lighting, be sure to check the quality. The bulbs should be thermal tested to dissipate heat, otherwise they burn out quickly. Also, inexpensive bulbs change their light color after a short period of time.
High quality LEDs have many benefits. They produce perfectly balanced, even lighting and reduce energy consumption by more than 50 percent. Lumidesign’s bulbs last for 80,000 hours, making replacement almost nonexistent. LEDs are UV-free, protecting your skin and eyes from ultraviolet damage. They are also free of mercury, a big plus for the environment.
We are all attached to the look and color of incandescent light bulbs, and it is difficult to change. But 40- and 60-watt incandescent bulbs are energy hogs that are being phased out. At the same time, options are becoming available that provide a similar look or glow, but at a greatly reduced impact on the environment. The newest LEDs look like an incandescent light bulb and fit into the traditional light socket. They are also dimmable.
Please email your questions to house2home@debbietravis.com.