Are designers for bathrooms lagging behind those who create kitchens in terms of understanding lighting layers?

With the bathroom traditionally being the smallest room in the house, it’s perhaps unsurprising lighting has focused purely on function, ensuring there is adequate illumination for tasks. That philosophy is changing as designers better understand the need for the space to cater for more than the practicalities of bathing. Just like the open-plan kitchen which now must transition from a hive of activity to a serene backdrop, the bathroom must equally, or arguably better, offer this effortless balance.

However, industry experts believe professionals working in bathroom projects still lag behind their counterparts in kitchens. Managing director at Inhouse Wayne Dance comments: “Too many bathroom retailers and designers overlook the change in consumer demand for bathrooms that meet our needs for function and relaxation. Bathroom designers still lag behind the kitchen market, which has been transformed from a room in which to cook, to a living space that has become the most important in the house.” And his view is re-iterated by UK sales director of the Sanipex Group Richard Nicholls who expresses designers may understand lighting but it is retailers which fail to embrace layering: “While designers are more likely to take a layered approach to lighting the bathroom, similar to that we would see in the living area, retailers often still concentrate on the practical elements of lighting.” In fact, managing director of Duravit Martin Carroll categorically states: “Mood lighting should be planned as this third light source in the bathroom and can tend to be overlooked.”

Plan for ambiance

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Industry experts suggest the key is to plan lighting in the bathroom at the onset of the project, and point to the wide choice of illumination now available from LED strips to wall lights and most recently pendants. Co-founder of LED lighting brand V-TAC Dinesh Sanjnani points out: “Poor lighting can ruin the best interior scheme and with all the products now available there is no excuse for it.” However, he points out as many bathrooms don’t have high levels of natural light “it always pays to check a bulb’s Colour Rendition Index which should ideally be as high as 85.

Following this, lighting experts agree to ensure the bathroom can best meet the expectations of consumers, look to both bright light and dimmable lighting options to create an appropriate ambiance. Dinesh Sanjnani  adds: “Good lighting using the latest technology no longer needs to be expensive and will really make the most of different textures (on a shower wall for example). It will also help to completely change the mood of a bathroom – from a scrisp bright light for putting on make-up or shaving to a soothing mellow light for a long relaxing bath.” While Wayne Dance of Inhouse is direct when he calls for action: “Functional ambiance is the greatest influence on lighting, designers need to start putting it higher on their list of priorities.”

Downlighters and strips

In order to layer light, Dinesh Sanjnani points to LED strips as still being the most popular form of bathroom lighting, when he comments: “LED tapes are still popular as they are usually used in concealed areas, are flexible to use in any size and application, and are available with an IP65 rating.”  And Michael Linksky points out how LED strips have developed to offer even greater application possibilities: “Flexible strips are available with subtle colour choices like bright or warm white to suite different decors and match up with other bathroom lighting. These strips have become more flexible too, some can now be cut at 25mm intervals so can be easily sized to suit various situations.” Certainly their popularity has been recognised by product design engineer of Utopia Bathrooms Richard Watson who comments: “I noticed they are definitely very much in evidence at all the trade shows, including Sicam in Italy which I visited recently.”

And these can be combined with LED downlighters, which can even be sensor-controlled by mobile phone to turn on and off, dim or to change colours.  Sanjnani adds: “Downlighters are still popular today and there is now a much wider choice with an IP65 rating. Downlighters can now be used with a normal GU10, making it a much more reasonable, maintenance free and durable option compared to a built-in downlight.”

Pendant power

Up-and-coming trends, however, have seen the introductions of wall lights which have seen growth over the past 12 months, due to the demand for a hotel inspired bathroom. In fact, at KbbBirmingham, the Laura Ashley Bathroom Collection introduced wall lights. However, looking forward, director of Sensio Lighting Michael Linsky says pendants are the next big trend, commenting: “Wall lights started  to increase in popularity earlier in the year and now IP-rated pendant lighting for the bathroom is the very latest innovation.” He continues, explaining: “Pendant lighting has been a major trend in kitchens for some time but its only just come into the bathroom and can create a real wow factor.” And reflecting this interior fashion, Frontline Bathrooms has recently introduced decorative bathroom lighting including a chandelier. Marketing manager of Frontline Bathrooms Emma Gaskell comments: “In keeping with the growing trend for living room-style bathrooms and the influence of luxury-led design, we now offer elegant boutique chandeliers, flush ceiling lights and bar spotlights in a style to suit every aesthetic.”

Integrated illumination

But lighting is not restricted to lamp and fittings alone, with bathroom products from mirrors through to showers, enclosures, WCs and furniture now offering integral lighting. Utopia has recently introduced its Roseberry painted timber furniture wall-hung units with undercabinet mood lighting and upgraded its Halo range of offer the same on all washbasin units. While Pelipal now offers an LED motion sensor light which fits beneath a vanity unit, and casts a light on the floor. And industry experts believe there will be more advances in integral lighting as Richard Watson of Utopia Bathrooms adds: “I think we will see lighting options expanding into handles and brassware.”

However, Clive Griffiths of Grange Design suggests more can be made of existing integral lighting, particularly in showers: “Chromatherapy lighting still tends to be a feature that is overlooked when it comes to adding light into a bathroom scheme. The market is now offering lighting which is incorporated across designer showerheads and brassware. This is allowing the modern homeowner a novel way to introduce coloured lighting into the bathroom without disturbing the main lighting system.”

Industry experts suggest that specifying products with integral illumination could help simplify the process of ensuring the bathroom features mood lighting. Richard Watson of Utopia Bathrooms points out “it is a very much easier route, especially as there are now so many products that include lighting as standard” (see Expert View). His view is reiterated by Martin Carroll of Duravit who adds: “Specifying products with integral lighting can work well. New technology such as night lights on mirror cabinets and shower toilet seats is making life in the bathroom easier, more enjoyable and even safer.” However, their  views are somewhat countered by Wayne Dance, who states, simply: “Cabinets with integrated lighting are not a shortcut to good design but they absolutely make great design easier.”

Desirable choice

Certainly the market for bathroom lighting is ever evolving, meaning increasingly it will be seen as less as an afterthought by designers and retailers. And as Michael Linsky points out there will be a phasing out of halogen bulbs, by law, by 2018 – so now – more than ever – it’s important for those in bathroom specification to get on board with the latest LEDs. Sanjnani adds: “This means there is much more scope to adopt and tailor the look and feel of your bathroom.” Accomplished bathroom designers and retailers will ensure, just as the structural elements of a bathroom are chosen to meet the needs of their clients, lighting and lighting effect choices will also be tailored to meet their wants, needs, while creating desire.

EXPERT VIEW

Integrated illumination

Andrew Crellen, owner of the Bathroom Shop in Carlisle, says consumers are seeking integral, eco-efficent lighting

When it comes to interior design in the bathroom, lighting is a feature that is typically overlooked and not a key part of a renovation. I believe this is due to the additional labour costs that will be incurred should a new lighting system be required. As a result, over the last 12 months, we are seeing growth for integral lighting throughout the bathroom via the furniture, brassware and other finishing touches.

Examples of this are being seen through LED mirrored cabinets where the homeowner can add mood and task lighting and highlight specific areas of the room. This furniture lighting detail is also playing to the trend for spa-like bathroom interiors that deliver luxury, added comfort and performance. This type of storage solution will enhance any bathroom space by offering concealment of toiletries whilst keeping up with current style trends.

With a focus on energy saving in the home, homeowners are opting for eco lighting as a way to save money long term. LED lighting is known to be more energy efficient due to its low heat output and better light quality; resulting in a more durable, cost effective and superior lighting solution.