When it concerns bathroom lighting, interior designers hold strong opinions regarding what’s fashionable and what’s outdated. Certain styles, experts agree, can quickly make your bathroom appear out of style. Below, the Southern design professionals we consulted showcase four bathroom lighting styles to steer clear of, along with recommendations on which fixtures to consider instead.
Exposed Bare Bulb Vanity Lights
Functional and straightforward, this lighting style, typically mounted above mirrors, does offer some advantages, notes Christine Carney, director of design at Blackberry Farm Design. “I understand, these lights do provide a nice direct fill light when needed above the vanity,” says the designer based in Maryville, Tennessee. However, Carney believes that the drawbacks outweigh the benefits, deeming this style to be uninspiring and antiquated. “There are much more stylish lighting options for bathrooms—the bare bulb trend has already passed,” she states.
Laura Lubin, founder of Ellerslie Interiors in Nashville, Tennessee, echoes these sentiments. “They lack the refinement and sophistication of contemporary designs,” she remarks about this style. “Wall sconces on either side of the mirror or a sleek backlit mirror offer a more flattering and modern alternative.”
Sconce placement is crucial as well, notes Brad Ramsey, founder of Brad Ramsey Interiors in Nashville. “We suggest using side sconces alongside a recessed ceiling light above the sink to achieve balanced illumination on the face,” he advises, mentioning that he tends to avoid placing sconces above the bathroom mirror when possible.
Multiple Lights
Kelly Emerson, senior designer at Aidan Design in Silver Spring, Maryland, adds that, in general, multiple lights are not recommended in today’s bathrooms. “Lights exceeding three can appear repetitive and overwhelming,” she explains. “This is a common sight in builder homes, and while newer versions exist, unless they offer some visual interest or the design choice is very specific to a period or theme, they can still make your bathroom appear dated.”
Overhead Fluorescent Panels
Avoid this lighting style when designing a bathroom, as recommended by Lubin. “The old, bulky fluorescent light panels that flush into the ceiling instantly give a bathroom a dated and sterile feel,” she comments. “They evoke memories of office spaces in the 80s and 90s—not quite the ambiance most homeowners desire in a tranquil, opulent bathroom.” Instead, consider incorporating recessed LED lights or a sculptural pendant for a more contemporary appearance.
Mary Gordon, vice president at InSite Builders & Remodeling in Bethesda, Maryland, advocates for LED lighting in present-day bathrooms. “It’s energy-efficient, durable, and offers adjustable brightness and warmth,” she suggests, noting that a temperature range of 2700 to 4000 Kelvin is ideal for this type of space.
Frosted Glass and Brushed Nickel Lighting
This style of bathroom lighting screams 2000s, and not in a favorable way,
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