Bathroom Mirrors and Lighting

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Bathroom Mirrors and Lighting

Sizing and placement, demisters and lighting, electrical zones and fitting

A bathroom mirror is used every day for tasks that need good light, and most bathrooms light the mirror badly.

Light from the sides, not above

A single downlight above a mirror casts shadows into the eye sockets and under the chin, which is the worst possible arrangement for shaving or applying makeup.

Light from both sides at roughly face height is what illuminates a face evenly. Illuminated mirrors with a surround achieve the same thing in one unit.

Colour temperature and rendering

Around 3000K to 4000K suits a bathroom. A colour rendering index above 90 matters here more than almost anywhere, since low-CRI light makes skin and makeup look wrong.

Sizing and height

Roughly the width of the basin or slightly narrower, centred on the basin rather than on the wall, since those are frequently not the same. Centre it at average eye level and check it suits everyone using it.

Demisters

A heated pad behind the glass keeps a patch clear. They are genuinely useful and they are not a substitute for ventilation, which is what prevents damp and mould in the room.

Electrical zones

Bathroom wiring is governed by zones that determine what IP rating a fitting needs and where it may be positioned. Anything with a mains connection must be suitable for its zone and correctly bonded.

Most fixed electrical work in a bathroom is notifiable and must be carried out or certified by a qualified electrician. This is not a job to improvise.

Fitting

Mirrors are heavy. Use fixings suited to the wall, check for cables and pipes before drilling, and have someone help with anything large.

Steam and ventilation

An extract fan run during and for a while after showering is what prevents damp, mould and fogged mirrors in the first place. A demister treats the symptom.

Wipe down tiles and screens after use and leave the door open.

Choosing a mirror

Check whether a fitting is rated for bathroom use, what IP rating it carries and whether it is hardwired or plugged in. Anything with a switch or a socket must comply with the zone rules.

Consider a magnifying section for detailed tasks, which saves leaning into the glass.

Lighting a bedroom mirror

The same principle applies — light from the sides at face height, with a high colour rendering index. A window in front of the mirror gives the best light of all for makeup.

Check a mirror is safety backed, so it holds together if broken, particularly above a basin.

Cleaning

Spray the cloth rather than the mirror, so cleaner does not run into the edges and lift the silvering.

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