Lamps above the mirror in the bathroom: selection criteria and design ideas

In the age of modern technology, everyone seeks to equip their home with the latest technology. This is reflected in the choice of luminaires. For example, bathroom mirror lighting fixtures have their own characteristics. Not every buyer knows that their purchase and choice is fraught with certain difficulties.

Luminaires mounted above the mirror are part of the range of stand-alone lighting fixtures. Their purpose is to illuminate a specific area. In conditions of high humidity, special requirements are imposed on them. Specifications may vary depending on the type of bathroom.

For example, the footage of the bathroom matters. Sometimes a large room is allocated for it when designing. This is reflected in the size of the mirrors, their number, the required power to create the required amount of light. For the same reason, the height of the luminaire is changed.

Others are more like decorative items. The selection criteria are several requirements:

• distance from the hazardous (water) zone;
• the presence of protective (closed) shades;
• safety of used light sources;
• anti-corrosion type of material used.

Each type of bathroom fixture must be sealed, heat resistant and waterproof. To place the device above the mirror, you can use only luminaires marked 1-IP65 and 2-IP44. These are 2 classes of protection against splash, moisture, hot steam, electric shock. In addition, lighting devices should not create discomfort with their placement. A prerequisite for them is strength, as well as the correct choice of the shade of the glow.

They are hung in such a way that:

• illuminate most of the mirror;
• enable the user to perform the necessary procedures (apply makeup, cream, shave);
• clearly identify a separate functional area.

Of all the variety of fixtures offered by the brands, the LED look is worth buying. It was he who today replaced incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs and fluorescent bulbs. Unlike other light sources, diodes do not have mercury in their composition, therefore, during operation, the lamps do not emit toxins into the air.

Drawing a parallel with other bulbs, it can be noted that the LEDs:

• shine brightly with a small lamp size;
• consume a minimum of power (economical);
• almost all energy consumption is converted into light, so they do not heat up;

• often have closed shades and moisture protection;
• resistant to power surges, do not flicker;
• do not emit buzzing sounds;
• able to reproduce the shade of daylight;
• designed for a long service life.

Modern lighting devices for illuminating bathroom mirrors have many advantages:

• Due to the use of modern materials, they are of high quality and durability.
• They are aesthetically pleasing. The buyer has the possibility of compositional design of the washbasin area.
• These luminaires are versatile and can be combined with various central lighting fixtures.
• They are compact. Modern lamps above the mirror do not take up much space, while providing the desired level of luminous flux for the selected area.

• These devices are variable in the choice of the temperature of the luminous flux. You can always choose a shade that does not create eye strain.
• This placement, coupled with the desired shade of glow, visually increase the height of the walls.
• These devices can become part of the design composition. With their help, you can decorate the space around the mirror.
• They can be used to illuminate multiple mirrors. Such a reception is possible in a spacious bathroom, which allows the placement of two sinks, shower cabins and a bath.
• The range of fixtures for placement above the mirror is extensive. The buyer always has the opportunity to choose them, taking into account the budget and taste preferences.

They have such devices and their disadvantages:

• Such products are used in an amount of several pieces at a time. The overall cost of the issue can be palpable for a common man in the street.
• Not in every particular case with their help high-quality mirror illumination is possible.
• Some models do not have tilt angle adjustment. In addition, other types of luminaires have open shades.
• Lighting is not always comfortable for the eyes. When light hits a reflective surface, it interferes with the application of high-quality makeup and creates discomfort when shaving.
• By itself, such lighting is not capable of filling the entire room with light in the required volume. Whatever the power, it is often impossible to do without a central lamp.

All types of fixtures used to illuminate bathroom mirrors, can be divided into 3 types:

• mortise;
• semi-cut;
• waybills.

A distinctive feature of such devices is the frequent arrangement of several identical devices. They do this for the reason that they use a modern type of lamp in them, which shines in a directional way. Since it cannot softly scatter light in different directions, the lack of illumination of one of the corners has to be removed by adding several elements. Otherwise, there will be dark spots in this functional area.

To choose a bathroom luminaire that is functional, safe, durable and aesthetically pleasing, you need to consider several nuances.

• There shouldn't be any open shades, even if the model is beautiful. The bathroom is not a bedroom or a living room: safety is valued here. Models with side protection grilles are acceptable.
• Anti-fog type matt shades are preferred. The light will not hit the eyes, reflecting in the glare of the mirror.
• The selected class of the socket must not be less than IP54, while the switch can be marked at least IP44.
• You cannot buy lamps containing mercury. If the lamp accidentally breaks, the concentration of the poisonous substance will cause poisoning of the body.

• Lamps over a mirror with colored filters or lamps are undesirable. They distort the tone of the image and reduce the clarity of the glow.
• You can buy LED strip with silicone protection or spots with halogen lamps for illuminating the mirror.
• The purchase must be carried out in a trusted store or from an official supplier with available documentation. Otherwise, there is a great risk of acquiring a fake.
• The power of the luminaire is calculated from the formula 200 Lm per 1 sq. m. With a dark color design of the bathroom, the intensity must be increased by 50 lm.
• To be sure, it is worth making a choice in favor of closed-type LED models. LEDs are harmless, with protection they are applicable even in a children's bathroom or swimming pool.

It is not enough to buy a beautiful lamp to illuminate the mirror: you need to install it correctly. Over-the-mirror lighting alone can distort the image. To focus the light stream in the center of the mirror, you can choose models to be mounted on the top and bottom of the mirror. However, if other options are not possible, it is advisable to separate the lighting fixtures and mount them on both sides of the mirror on the sides at the top.

This placement of the backlight is more harmonious, but there is also a nuance here. The light source should not be perpendicular to the reflective surface. A small angle is required. This will help to avoid glare, which is uncomfortable for the eyes when looking in the mirror. For the same reason, it is undesirable to connect a mirror lamp to the main line.

The shape of the mirror matters. For example, if it is not wide, two lamps on either side above the canvas are appropriate. But if the mirror sheet is wide enough, you will have to illuminate it with a long lamp with a downward luminous flux. For better illumination, three devices are usually used in one line, trying to illuminate the main (central) zone.

Installing a lamp in the bathroom above the mirror does not take much time. Initially, a drawing is prepared, on which the subtleties of the project are applied, taking into account the selected model and the wall covering. Then proceed to the installation.

Stages of work:

• De-energize the cable, turn off the electricity.
• The lighting device is unpacked and disassembled, for which they use the manufacturer's instructions available in the package.
• Along the way, they check the plafonds, unscrew the mounting plate, opening the wires.
• The fixing point of the lamp is marked on the wall with a pencil or marker.

• Go to the installation process. Holes are found on the luminaire body, they are applied to the wall, and the fixing points of the mounting plate are marked.
• Holes are drilled with a drill or perforator.
• Insert the fasteners into the holes, attach the mounting plate.
• The wires from the wall are connected first to the terminal block, then to the wiring from the sconce. Each color is paired with a similar one.

• The lighting fixture itself is screwed on. During the installation process, one must not forget about shortening the supply cable and removing the protective film. It is necessary to strip the insulation and connect the wires.
• After fixing the luminaire to the mounting plate, the shades must be fixed.
• Then remove the mounting rings, put on the shades and fix them with rings.
• It remains to screw in the bulbs and check the operation of the device.

Today, trends are moving away from the prevailing stereotypes. The focus is on novelty, products with a chrome surface and a matt shade. Its shade is predominantly snow-white, which eliminates the distortion of the glow tone. It is with simple models that the desired atmosphere is created, a certain style is maintained.

Even in classical styles, where elements of palace luxury are needed, the lamps do not scream with pomp. For example, it can be a wall model in the form of a sconce with a leg bent upwards and a small shade in the form of a closed floor lamp. At the same time, the model will combine shape and forging, which will convey the attributes of the classics.

If we consider modern trends, lamps of a near-surface type with a strict geometric shape are in vogue. These can be cylinders, circles, square panels, spherical or semicircular versions. For minimalistic design directions, simplicity and functionality are important. Here, the appearance should be extremely simple with no frills.

If we talk about creative interior compositions, the situation is different. Above the mirror, you can hang an imitation of a street lamp, a product in the form of a metal pipe with spots hung on it. An interesting solution would be to imitate communication systems. However, these solutions are only appropriate for spacious bathrooms.

• To understand better how modern lighting of a mirror with lamps looks like, examples of photo galleries will help.
• An original technique for using lamps in the form of street lamps.

• This technique will be appreciated by lovers of creativity. The lamps above the mirror on both sides fit into the unusual design of the bathroom.
• The use of a built-in illumination over a large mirror sheet allows it to be illuminated evenly.

• The use of the built-in strip illumination above the mirror, in addition to the main internal one, looks harmonious.
• Suspended lighting allows you to choose the length of the luminaire arrangement. Such models stand out against the background of a brick wall.

• An interesting design solution for mirrors. The use of identical instruments creates the illusion of an ensemble.
• An example of using lamps above mirrors in a niche. Simple, original and tasteful.

See below for more details.