The bathroom chandelier: Functional and waterproof lighting!
Originally, chandeliers were designed to be recessed into the ceiling of a living room or dining room, as well as in a hallway or bedroom. Today, the bathroom has become a key room in modern homes and apartments, which was not the case during the Baroque era, when the first crystal or metal chandeliers became widely popular. Although the ceiling spotlight is now one of the most popular indoor lights for illuminating the bathroom, the chandelier also has its place!
Indeed, a contemporary or vintage retro chandelier can illuminate the interior of a bathroom with general neutral white lighting, allowing you to apply makeup or simply get dressed efficiently, while seeing every detail of your outfit as well as any stains or imperfections. In this article, we will help you choose the ideal location for mounting your designer pendant light. Where it should be installed is obviously important, as is the choice of materials and the level of lighting!
What level of lighting do I need for my bathroom chandelier?
The brightness should best reflect daylight. This is why an electroluminescent diode (LED bulb) is the minimum. You can screw it directly into the socket of your ceiling lamp, or opt for a chandelier model with an LED spotlight built directly into its wooden, crystal, or metal structure.
We also recommend purchasing a model with a built-in dimmer to save energy, in addition to adjusting the lighting level. Alternatively, install a smart dimmable bulb to achieve the same result. This way, you can adjust the light intensity in your bathroom depending on the time of day or your level of eye fatigue! Whether you are taking a bath or getting ready for an evening out, the general lighting level will not be the same. A neutral white focused light over the mirror and sink will be ideal when you are applying makeup and getting dressed, while soft, subdued lighting will be preferable when you are relaxing in the bathtub.
Here are the specific recommendations for choosing lighting for a bathroom chandelier:
- Sink area: 300-500 lumens
- General lighting: 800-1200 lumens
- Optimal brightness: 1000-1500 lumens for good lighting without imbalance
The waterproofing of your lamp
We must mention another essential aspect to preserve the functionality of your chandelier: its waterproofing. Bulbs must have at least an IP44 protection rating for designer lights located away from water splashes (due to ambient humidity). Meanwhile, an LED light fixture near water sources (sink, bathtub, showerhead) must have a bulb with an IP65 protection rating. Also check the electrical installation to prevent any risks.
What material should I choose for a bathroom chandelier?
There are materials that you unfortunately will not be able to keep in the bathroom for very long because their vulnerability to humidity would make them too sensitive.
- Feather chandeliers: Humidity could damage the feathers, and this same moisture would cause dirt to stick to the material, making its appearance increasingly compromised.
- Linen and cotton chandeliers: For the same reasons as feather chandeliers, fabric wall lamps or ceiling lights are also likely to lose their quality due to humidity.
- Copper chandeliers: Unless you like the patina that develops on the surface, copper will lose its bright brown shine over the years, giving way to a coating caused by oxidation.
As for highly designer materials in a bathroom equipped with a large chandelier, we can mention:
- Aluminum: Its lightness and modernity make it very trendy. Prone to oxidation, it is often covered with a matte black coating or another color to create an industrial style.
- Wood: When treated, natural wood blends very well into a Scandinavian or Japanese-style decor, especially if it is a bamboo light fixture. Above all, it creates directional lighting focused on a specific spot in the bathroom, with its sides containing the light and directing it toward the opening.
- Glass: Easy to maintain and creating highly appreciated general lighting, a glass globe fitted with a filament is often a fashionable LED chandelier. Whether frosted or transparent, crystal or Murano glass, a multitude of choices is available to you!
- Plastic, also very easy to maintain, plastic (polycarbonate, acrylic...) can reproduce glass, metal, or wood almost perfectly. It is resistant to humidity and lasts a very long time.