Small rooms will only feel smaller if they are left in the dark. Go bold and go bright, there are always many ways to light a room. A small bathroom is the perfect example of this, think ceiling light, mirrors and below and behind cabinets. Here are a few of our favorites:
More than just a medicine cabinet
Upgrade your modern bathroom with Fleurco's Luna Lighted Mirrors offer sleek styling & functionality at an affordable price point. LED lighting, an aluminum frame, and distortion-free glass provide the backbone for this eye-catching piece. Whether as a vanity mirror in your bathroom or as a full-size wardrobe mirror in your bedroom, Luna Lighted Mirrors prove to be an outstanding value while being backed by the quality that Fleurco is known for.
Flush Lighting Keeps a Feeling of Space
Hartland flush mount form Hudson Valley Lighting ticks all the boxes. Reminiscent of swank 1920s style, their Hartland family employs multi-faceted crystal rods to opulently refract light around the fixture. A smooth, opal glass diffuser held into place by a heavy, cast metal frame ensures the piece looks as beautiful from below as it does from the side. The unusual pairing of delicate crystal and bold metal makes Hartland a fitting piece for many interiors.
2. GIVE A LITTLE MORE THOUGHT TO AMBIENT LIGHTING
Ambient light, cast from the ceiling down, can come in a number of forms. In functional rooms like mudrooms and laundry rooms, but also in bathrooms and windowless hallways, limited space precludes a dramatic statement. The right flush mounts add the touch of luxury and the subdued refinement that sets apart the room of distinction.
You flick a switch and 'Abracadabra' it turns on! Ambient Lighting, as described by the American Lighting Association, is "lighting which provides an area with overall illumination. Also known as general lighting, it radiates a comfortable level of brightness without glare and allows you to see and walk about safely. In some spaces such as laundry rooms, the ambient lighting also serves as the primary source of task lighting.
It can be accomplished with chandeliers, ceiling or wall-mounted fixtures, recessed or track lights and with lanterns mounted on the outside of the home. Having a central source of ambient light in all rooms is fundamental to a good lighting plan."
With such a huge role to play ambient lighting should be given a little more thought. There are millions of choices but here are a two of our favorites from YLighting:
3. WE ALL HAVE A TASK TO DO
Task lighting helps you perform specific tasks, such as reading, grooming, preparing and cooking food, doing homework, working on hobbies, playing games and balancing your checkbook. It can be provided by recessed and track lighting, pendant lighting and under cabinet lighting, as well as by portable floor and desk lamps.
Task lighting should be free of distracting glare and shadows and should be bright enough to prevent eye strain.
Sometimes the original is still the best. We love the original Task Lamp from Anglepoise "The 1227 was originally designed in 1935. George Carwardine, working in the automotive industry, was tinkering in his shop and developed a spring which could be moved easily in every direction yet also remain rigid when held in position. This new spring was the basis for the 1227. The shade was developed to concentrate the beam of light on the task at hand and therefore could use a lesser wattage lamp. Soon it was realized that the 1227 would work just as well for a reading lamp as it did for factory task lighting. Reissued to celebrate it 75th Anniversary. The Original 1227 is made with aluminum arms and a heavily weighted base for extra stability."
Original 1227 Task Light by George Carwardine, from Anglepoise
The industry has some exciting new offers for the beginning of the year, starting with Pantone, the globally recognized industry standard on color has announced their hottest hue for 2017, drum roll please... Greenery! Nature’s neutral, PANTONE Greenery is a versatile “trans-seasonal” shade that lends itself to many color combinations.
When designing your dream kitchen never underestimate your lighting requirements. Venue's designs don't just look at showcasing the outside of your kitchen but inside the cabinets too! Crystal Cabinets have summed it up perfectly: "Over the past few years, advancements in LED lighting have made integrating lighting into kitchens easier, more cost-effective and energy efficient. But don’t be fooled, not all LED’s are created equal! Cheaper systems tend to have inconsistent color, wide LED spacing which creates distinct light “dots” and drivers with short lifespans.
Hudson Valley Lighting is always a favorite when looking for great lighting and their 2016 Fall Collection really caught our eye. We love the simplicity and symmetry of the Astoria lighting collection. Bubbles of light balance on and balloon forth from trumpets of cast metal. Opal-etched glass diffusers poise in balanced rows, above and below, along a wheel of light, concealing LED bulbs.
Smooth, minimal, and sophisticated, Knowles is a piece for the dedicated aesthete. Tipping their hat to the Vienna Workshops and the Bauhaus School, metals and glass work together for a fixture that is more than the sum of its parts. Machined metal clasps supporting the white glass shade add subtle textural detail, while LED bulbs deliver phenomenal performance.