Chances are pretty good that you do more in your bathroom than bathe and use the facilities. Your bathroom is probably the place where you shave, do your hair and otherwise beautify. So a bathroom with poor lighting might leave you with superfluous whiskers or makeup right out of Ringling Brothers. What can you do to improve your bathroom lighting situation? Here are a few tips and pointers to get you started:

Bathroom Size: How big is your bathroom? If it’s small, then a lighted vanity mirror will likely provide enough illumination for the entire room, but if your room is larger, then you’ll want to consider a ceiling fixture for general bathroom lighting.

Form and Function: There are a lot of choices when it comes to bathroom lighting, but generally speaking, the main reason for lighting your bathroom in the first place is so you can use the mirror. You’ll want light that casts a minimal amount of both shadow and glare, whether the lighting fixture is placed beside the mirror, above the mirror, recessed into the ceiling or wall, or directly on the mirror itself. The actual type and style of fixture is secondary, and should reflect your own personal tastes.

Decorative Fixtures: There are numerous styles of lighting fixtures available in many different metal finishes, such as nickel, brass and chrome. How to choose the best metal finish and style? Look at your other fixtures, like your faucets and bathroom hardware. The general style and metal color should complement these.

Glass Globes and Shades: If you choose to decorate with glass globes and shades on your fixtures, choose ones that softly diffuse the light. And avoid colored shades, as they’ll color the light in the bathroom, leaving your reflection in the mirror an unnatural tone.

Dimmer Switches: It’s a good idea to install a dimmer switch for your lighting, because that will give you more ability to adjust the level of light in your bathroom depending on the ambiance you want to create. Additionally, the dimmer switch can help you conserve energy and lengthen the life of your light bulbs. It’s best to use frosted or light-diffusing bulbs.

If you need help on how you can use your bathroom lighting both functionally and as a design element, turn to the experts at Fahy Kitchens & Baths. Our talented design team can assist you with choosing the right lighting for your bathroom. Call us at (315) 735-8181 or fax to (315) 735-2829. Fahy Kitchens & Baths is located at 1908 Oriskany Street West in Utica, N.Y. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are appreciated.