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Let there be lighting!

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Choosing the lighting for a bathroom is a big decision which requires a little foresight and planning. From aesthetics and style to functionality and safety, there are a number of factors to consider when selecting bathroom lighting that delivers both practically as well as visually.

One of the main aspects to consider, is bathroom lighting safety, which is of paramount importance, and why it is always recommended that a trained electrician installs any new bathroom lighting. There are a number of regulations to adhere to, including IP rating, which measures the likelihood of steam or water accessing the light fitting, placements of fixtures within the different zones of bathrooms, and the general suitability of lighting fixtures and fittings for bathrooms.

Bathrooms are predominantly bathing spaces… So why is good bathroom lighting such an important aspect of the design?

Often in smaller rooms, or if the bathroom is in the middle of the home, there may very little, and sometimes even no source of natural light. In this scenario bathroom lighting will often be selected as a substitute for natural light. This means that it needs to do more than simply brighten the room, and so several light sources are likely needed to cover various tasks and functions.

Bathrooms are where we do a lot of preparation for the day – from makeup to shaving, to hair, we need to be able to see clear detail (and often on a microscopic level!) Decent lighting will make these jobs a lot easier to do!

From an interior design perspective, better bathroom lighting can immediately transform a space, and it also helps draw attention to certain aspects of a room.

You can save on the cost of energy by investing in decent lighting solutions. By selecting energy efficient lighting such as LED’s, you will use less power consumption which means that the lights will last a lot longer, prolonging their use as well as protecting your wallet a little in the process.

Bathroom dimmer switches are also an energy efficient option, as even on their brightest setting they use significantly less electricity than a standard light switch. As well as adding a subtle ambient glow, dimmers can also help with the adjustment of your eyes between darkness and light – a gentle way to ease into those dark winter mornings!

So now we’re fully versed in what is so amazing about great bathroom lighting, what are the different types, and why do we need them?

If you have begun your research into bathroom lighting, you may have noticed that there are a broad range of different types on the market. The key thing to note is to use lighting to layer and highlight different zones of the room, enhancing experience and functionality of those areas dependent upon their usage.

  • Recessed spotlights

Spotlights sit within the ceiling so that the lightbulb is flush with the ceiling surface. By positioning spotlights equally throughout the bathroom, you can ensure that the room is evenly lit for general lighting use. They’re a great option for smaller spaces, since they don’t encroach into the bathroom itself at all.

  • Short bathroom ceiling lights

If space is not an issue, ceiling lights make great alternatives to recessed spots. Choose a short ceiling light that sits up to and over the ceiling fitting to light the bathroom as a whole.

  • Bathroom ceiling chandeliers

Used to enhance a space visually and add a little luxurious elegance, a chandelier is a great option for adding a show-stopping statement to larger bathrooms.

Top tip >> Before hanging chandeliers, ensure that you check the weight and bathroom suitability first.

  • Bathroom wall lights

Often positioned to frame the sides of a mirror, wall lights are frequently selected for their decorative qualities as well as for their functionality. Usually chosen to add a soft glow to a room, they’re an ambient addition that has the additional use of helping brighten the space.

Top tip >> Since many bathrooms are tiled, the installation of wall lighting fixtures and fittings always needs to be planned intricately as selecting the wrong position can have costly implications.

  • Bathroom mirror lights

Used to enhance and illuminate a bathroom mirror, bathroom mirror lights can usually be found around the edge of the mirror frame. Depending upon the design, the lights are positioned to the sides, top or bottom of the mirror and can emit anything from a soft glow to stronger lighting appropriate for such tasks as the application of makeup and shaving. Whilst not designed to be the primary or sole light-source of a bathroom, they do provide optimal lighting for beauty regimes.

Top tip >> Consider how bright you need your lighting to be. For example, do you require strong, focussed light directed to one specific area, or perhaps it’s more of an overall glow to enhance the whole room? Brightness is measured in Lumens, so it is a good idea to take the time to check and compare the Lumens across different LED lights.

Once you have established the type of lighting that you would like for your bathroom, another key consideration is the temperature of light.

By temperature we mean how ‘cool’ (blue toned) or ‘warm’ (yellow toned) a light is, which is measured in Kelvins (K).

Generally speaking, a warmer light (around 3000 Kelvins) will emit a gentle, more flattering and even glow – ideal for photographs and for assessing how you may look in an environment with softer light. Cooler, more natural lighting (around 5000 Kelvins) provides a more intense, harsher light, and is therefore more suitable for tasks such as makeup application as it provides a true reflection of detail and colour.

So, which is better?

The temperature of the light is therefore an important decision to make when it comes to installing lighting. Ideally, if you are looking for both task lighting in the bathroom and would also like the ability to be able to see how you would look in varying lighting environments, then it may be worth considering illuminated mirrors that have the benefit of being able to switch between different lighting temperatures.

The best of both …

All our UK manufactured mirrors use CCT (corrective colour temperature) LED lighting, which enables the user to flip between 3000K and 5000K, meaning that you can quickly see your reflection in different lighting scenarios and feel better prepared for your day (or night) ahead.

Colour corrective temperature lighting also means that you can mimic the natural light of a day, by setting it to 5000K for the cooler light of a morning (an ideal setting to gradually wake you up for a morning shower!) and you can then change it to 3000K to appear warmer for the evenings – ideal to create a calming atmosphere for bedtime. This can be especially helpful in supporting and enhancing circadian rhythms, and for helping children with night time routines too.

Design your bathroom lighting to coordinate with your interior.

Lighting a bathroom needn’t only be about the technical aspects of design. There are also ways to add more colour to an interior, solely with clever lighting. If you are looking to add pops of colour as well as better lighting, then it is worth considering colour changing LED lights.

Ultra-versatile dual white LED lights, coupled with our Spa Mode lighting can instantly and dramatically change the look of the interior simply with the flick of a switch. Used within many of our mirrors, you can quickly and easily control the light colour of a room and therefore the mood and aura too.

For example, if your bathroom is all white, you can inject colourful yellow and orange lights to add warmth and a welcoming feel for visitors.

Calming blues and greens can add a spa-like sanctuary feel, perfect for relaxing baths and R&R.

To find out more about lighting options within our mirrors, take a look at the collection here

Does my bathroom need a demisting mirror?

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Long, hot showers are one of life’s little luxuries. – The only real frustration can be all the steam to contend with afterwards, especially when you are in a rush to get ready for work or the school run.

The age-old technique of wiping mirrors with your hand immediately after showering often causes a buildup of smudges and smears, and de-fogging with towels can leave thread and fluff residue, which can be almost as irritating as the steam itself. – Not to mention the fact that just a couple of minutes later you are left with a fully misted up mirror again.

Post-shower condensation on your bathroom mirror can really delay you getting ready, adding time and unwanted stress to your morning routine.

Luckily as bathroom mirror specialists, we have a solution that will always keep the whole of your mirror steam-free, and your reflection crystal clear.

The majority of our mirrors contain hidden heated demister pads as standard, which gently work to clear your mirror of condensation efficiently and safely, to reveal a full and clearly illuminated reflection …

So, you may be wondering how an Illuminated Mirrors demisting mirror can help you keep your bathroom mist-free?

Our hidden demisters quickly and efficiently de-fog our mirrors

If there is one thing that we all value and would like more of, it is time, and these mirrors are ideal if you are in a rush since you can quickly see your whole reflection without the worry of condensation on the mirror immediately after showering. Our demisting mirrors enable you to get on with your beauty routines as quickly as possible, and the technology is cleverly hidden too, so no need to worry about the pads impacting your sleek and seamless bathroom design.

They have a safe and durable demister functionality

There is no need to be concerned about safety either, since our demister features have a high temperature tolerance, as well as being able to resist dust and moisture too, meaning that they provide long-lasting, high performance. The surface of the demister pad itself has a low temperature which means that it cannot overheat.

Anti-fog mirrors help elevate the bathroom design

Demisting mirrors can improve the bathroom design in terms of look and feel by providing a perfectly functioning room that always looks great (even after showering). They also add a sense of luxury from a practical perspective too because you have the benefit of a fully functional mirror immediately after bathing, providing a space to get completely ready for the day. This makes demister mirrors the perfect option for a guest bathroom too, by providing added comfort and style for visitors.

Our demister mirrors have full size de-fogging technology

Unlike many other mirrors on the market where the demisting technology only covers the central space, on our demisting mirrors, the whole of the mirror surface remains fog-free (no matter how steamy your bathroom becomes).-  If you’re selecting a large mirror for your bathroom, we think it’s important to reap the benefits of that by having the ability to see a full and detailed reflection at all times, to help streamline those post-shower beauty routines.

A demister mirror helps avoid damp

The full-size de-steaming functionality also makes our demister mirrors perfect for bathrooms with no windows or a lack of decent ventilation. They can really help bathrooms that usually remain damp for hours after having the shower switched on, by clearing the condensation quickly and effectively.

They are easier to keep clean and clear

Anything which helps keep a bathroom cleaner is a plus in our book. Investing in a mirror with built in demisters means that there is no need to wipe and re-wipe… You will spend less time leaving smears, streaks, and smudges with towels every time the mirror mists up, leading to less time spent cleaning the mirror to get rid of said smudges. – Win, win!

Demisting mirrors are economical and efficient to run

The operational costs of a demisting mirror are minimal. The little money it costs to run one easily offsets the outlay of extra cleaning and time due to smudges and smears that otherwise mount up from removing the mist.

Almost all of our mirrors come with built in demisters, and many of our cabinets have the demisting technology option, too, so there is a vast variety of choice when it comes to selecting a demister mirror to suit your bathroom.

Here’s to a fog-free bathroom!

Top 5 tops for making a smaller bathroom look bigger

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When it comes to beautiful bathrooms, many of us imagine owning dreamy, spacious bathrooms with plenty of room for a freestanding tub, double shower, and statement basins, not to mention oodles of storage. But let’s face it, often space in the bathroom is at a premium, so it’s always worth having a few tricks up our sleeve when it comes to making this room look and feel bigger.

From the use of colour and texture, through to materials and lighting, there are many clever and considered ways to enhance the amount of perceived space in your bathroom.

Have a read through our top 5 tips to take your bathroom from compact to capacious with just a few simple styling hacks.

  1. Clear the clutter

By their very nature, bathrooms tend to attract a build-up of items, from toothbrushes and makeup, through to bath toys and medicine. But we can’t very well magic all these must-haves away, so the solution is rather in the choices we make for clever storage instead.

If you have established that good storage is a priority for you, yet you are trying to make your compact bathroom or en suite appear bigger than it is, then choose closed cupboards rather than open shelving. Solid cupboard doors can not only hide away all the stuff that you don’t want your guests to see, but they can also help maintain the flow of the space, therefore making the room appear larger than it really is. Choose flat faced, or simple cupboard doors that tie into the wall colour for a seamless look.

Another option for smart storage that won’t add to the visual clutter, are shelves that house baskets or totes. The key to keeping it neat and tidy is in consistency, so ensure that all the baskets are uniform in shape and size for a clean look. A huge benefit of open shelving is that you can make use of the wall space if floor space is at a premium.

Top tip: paint the shelving the colour of the walls and select storage tubs that are the same tone too so that it all blends into the room.

Mirrored bathroom cabinets are a multifunctional way to maximise space, cover all the clutter and enhance the size of the room. They often also have moveable shelves internally, which means that you can flex the space according to your requirements. The mirrored doors will not only reflect what is in front of them but also bounce more light around the

room, making the space feel brighter and bigger.

When it comes to furniture, anything which sits off the floor helps make a room look lighter and airier, and therefore bigger. Choose floating (wall mounted) vanity units or cupboards with slim, exposed legs so that you can see a gap between the bottom of the unit and the floor to give the impression of more room.

  • Create clarity and space with colour

One of the most instant and transformative ways of making a small bathroom appear bigger, is through the way in which colour is used. There are several different tricks that can be deployed, depending upon the desired outcome and personal tastes. Here are several techniques to enlarge a bathroom with colour:

Monochromatic magic

Select one colour, and create a monochromatic scheme by choosing tiles, paint, cupboard doors and accessories all in the same hue.

Colour drenching in this way will envelope the room in one colour, creating more of an elegant, uniform look which will make the bathroom look bigger than schemes with multiple colours that are likely to draw the eye to detail.

 Top tip: When tiling, choose grout in the same colour as the tiles to create more of a seamless look and feel.

Perfectly pastel:

Avoid dark and highly saturated colours in small bathrooms, as these will give a sense of cosiness and intimacy, closing the space in. The objective is to try and bounce as much light around the room as possible, with a light and airy finish, so pastel palettes and lighter colours are very much your best friend here.

White on white:

For a timeless, simple look, decorating with white on white in a bathroom helps create a flowing look, as any white tiles and accessories will immediately blend in with the ceramicware of the WC and basin. – But white needn’t mean boring. – Pull in character and interest with different textures and shapes, for example white waffle towels, or hexagonal shaped tiles.

  • Makeover with more mirror

A statement mirror above a vanity unit will do more than just reflect what is in front of it, it will also work to bounce light around the room, increasing the brightness and therefore the perceived size of the space.

Here are a few rules of thumb when it comes to selecting a bathroom mirror with the objective of making the room look bigger:

  • Choose a mirror that ties into the rest of your scheme. For example, if the theme is lots of flowing lines, go for mirrors with irregular or rounded edges. A more cohesive looking scheme will immediately make a room look larger
  • Select the largest mirror that your wall space will allow. The more space there is on which to bounce light, the better
  • Consider smaller vanity mirrors to enhance dark corners on washstands and vanity units
  • Be strategic about where to hang the mirror and be cautious about what you are reflecting – Remove any clutter that a mirror might reflect, as this will add un-needed detail and fussiness to the room. Reflecting windows, blank walls or tiled walls is best for bouncing light and making a room look bigger.
  • Layer your lighting

Good lighting sources are so important in a bathroom for activities such as shaving or makeup application, where often there isn’t much natural light available.

Luckily, there are some clever lighting tricks that you can try to help brighten the space and make it appear bigger than it really is.

Consider the different types of lighting that you require and add them in at various locations around the bathroom.

  • 1 – Task lighting. This type of lighting can often be tied into the edges of contemporary mirrors and cabinets and is particularly handy for activities requiring detail, such as shaving or applying makeup.
  • 2 – General lighting. Recessed spotlights, usually in the ceiling, are physically unobtrusive and will light the room well all around from a general perspective.
  • 3 – Ambient lighting. We can enhance a space with mood lighting such as with wall sconces (usually positioned either side of a mirror), or down lighting from feature pendants.

5.  Less is more

To make a smaller bathroom appear bigger, it is best to avoid too much of anything. Clean lines and simple styling will have a significant impact on perceived space.

Too much detail in a room can draw the eye and add fussiness and visual noise to a room, so large expanses of plain solid materials or tiles can really help open the room up. To enhance a bathroom size visually, avoid the use of intricate patterns.

That said, if you do like a little boldness when it comes to interior styling, subtle stripes can assist in make a room appear bigger, and particularly verticals with the impression of adding more height to a room. You could try this as full-length window voiles, ridged tiles or even experiment with some striped towels hanging neatly on a ladder.

Keep the flooring free from rugs and mats, as these all add more visual clutter to a space and will enclose the room.

Remove visual barriers within the room by switching out shower curtains for transparent glass screens, allowing the room to feel larger.

In small en suites or cloakrooms, it may pay off to consider smaller functional options such as triangular corner showers, corner basins and wall hung WC’s to make the most of the surrounding space that you do have.

Build your bathroom design around the practical necessities of the room as a priority, and keep the styling uncluttered, simple, and streamlined to enhance the feeling of space.

Happy styling!

Bathroom revamp on a budget

Breathe new life into your bathroom on a budget (DIY): Top tips to rejuvenate your space on a budget.

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When it comes to bathroom interiors, planning a revamp can often feel a little daunting. Creating a new bathroom can seem like a specialist job perhaps best left to the experts, however there are many ways that you can add DIY touches that will have maximum impact, for a minimal outlay. What is true, is that sometimes the smallest DIY swaps can often make the biggest design difference.

Before making any changes, consider updating your bathroom with sustainable, responsibly sourced materials that are easily recyclable in the future. – Materials such as wood, glass and metal are readily accessible and recyclable for when the time comes to update your look again in the future.

So, where do you begin when you want to quickly refresh your bathroom yourself, without spending lots of time or money?

Here are some of our top tips on how to style up a beautiful bathroom on a budget:

1. Update your hardware, fixtures, and fittings

Simply swapping your taps, shower heads and even small details like cupboard handles for a different finish will dramatically update the style of a bathroom without the need for a full fit out. Consider water saving shower heads and taps that are not only better for the environment, but that will also be easier on the wallet too in the long run.

Sanitary ware/ceramic ware such as toilets, baths and basin will rarely date if they’re white, so investing a little on smaller elements such as new taps and other fixtures instead, can really help elevate a bathroom interior and will easily change up the look. 

Current trends for fixtures and fittings include matte black hardware, and brushed brass taps, which also provide an industrial look but with a little elegance thrown in too. Brushed brass as opposite to polished, is more forgiving in that it won’t show fingerprints as readily, so it’s a win-win for both the style and cleaning stakes too!

2. Pick up a paintbrush

Repainting just one or two walls can go a long way when it comes to refreshing a bathroom.

Though commonly an afterthought when it comes to interior design, because they’re smaller and used in shorter doses when compared with living spaces and bedrooms, bathrooms are the rooms in the home that can take more trend led styles and colour updates. – They’re the place to be a little bolder in the style stakes!

Top tips when it comes to painting walls in bathrooms:

For eco-friendly paints, try looking for natural bathroom paint with no VOC’s. These paint types are better for the environment and help improve the air quality too.

It can be a more difficult task to find the right tiles for your bathroom, so if you’re changing those too, source the tiles first and then choose the paint colour afterwards, to complement.

For a striking effect, opt for a painted complementary or triadic colour palette (this is where the colours contrast for a bold, poppy scheme).

Or for a more muted look and feel, choose an analogous palette by selecting colours that sit adjacent to one another on the colour wheel. Tonal designs work by selecting various shades of the same colour for a more cohesive look.


For a bold style, consider painting the walls the same colour/a few shades lighter or darker than your tiles or cupboards, for a colour drench effect. This type of colour blocking is currently very popular and creates a striking, monochromatic scheme.

In terms of the paint itself, we’d recommend opting for kitchen and bathroom paint, as this will help prevent mildew and mould from forming. It will also be more durable and can be easily wiped clean without removing the colour from the wall.

3. Give your tiles a glow up

If you have a vast expanse of tiles in your bathroom, but don’t want the upheaval or the associated costs of having to retile, one option for a quick and inexpensive revamp is to use tile paint.

Before painting, ensure that your tiles are both clean and dry, and sand them so that the paint applies better. Using primer underneath will help the painted tiles last longer, and if your grout lines aren’t looking tip top, try using a grout pen for a quick refresh!

If you do enjoy a little tiling, seek out tiles made from recyclable materials such as metal for an industrial look, ceramic for a more natural, modern look or glass for high end sophistication.

Tiling just a splashback with more unusual tiles can quite quickly renew a bathroom space with a little colour or texture. When tiling a smaller space, smaller or mosaic tiles work well, and you can often find statement options for added impact.

4. Consider aqua panels

An easy-to-install alternative to tiles are aqua boards. These provide waterproof décor for walls with a seamless look and feel. Popular finishes are marble, sandstone, quartz, and terrazzo finishes, and they’re a great, quick, and cost-effective way of covering large spaces.

5. Add drama with a focal feature wall

If a little theatre is your interior objective, then it’s worth looking into wallpaper to draw the eye, create drama and a talking point, too!

Often more affordable than tiles and with illustrative designs that you can’t always find on aqua panels, we are seeing the trend for more wallpaper in bathrooms of late, where any print goes, from ditsy to jungle.

Whilst some may be quizzical about using wallpaper in a bathroom, it’s generally acknowledged that a wallpaper will be happily at home in a well-ventilated bathroom.

You can opt for vinyl wall coverings, designed to be used in more humid spaces, or finish your wallpapering off with a layer or two of decorator’s varnish to keep it splashproof. We’d also recommend only papering in areas unlikely to see major splashing!

Cladding is another way of adding interest to bathroom walls inexpensively. There are so many ready-made panelled boards available in local DIY stores, so it’s really a case of picking your favourite, attaching it to the wall, and painting in situ.

Particularly suited to period and country style properties, half panelled bathroom walls can really give an instant sense of grandeur and will enhance any traditional bathroom.

6. Light it up

In recent years we’ve seen a surge in the use of ambient lighting in bathrooms, as we spend more time there for rest and relaxation.

Elements such as wall sconces and illuminated mirrors help add hints of mood lighting and luxury, as well as elevate the overall bathroom design. Clever lighting can draw attention to certain aspects of the bathroom and detract from others.

Other accessories such as scented candles help add a serene, calming glow to the bathroom for a spot of R&R in the evening.  When sourcing eco-friendly candles for your bathroom, opt for natural soy/coconut wax with wooden wicks, and choose colours that help tie your whole scheme together.

7. Add beauty with botanicals

Whether real or artificial, plants are a very easy way to add some oomph to the bathroom space.

Real plants are best for enhancing the air quality in the room and they also love the humidity of bathroom spaces but opting for artificial can be more environmentally friendly in the long run and are also more budget friendly.

The key to positioning plants in bathrooms, is in creating interesting groupings that vary in height, and draw the eye around the room.

Use trailing plants in hanging planters and position them in corners for high level impact. This type of plant can also be used on the tops of shelves too.

If opting for the real deal, some of the best plants for bathrooms include:

Ferns: They love low light and moisture, and can mostly tolerate cooler rooms – they also make for fabulous trailing plants

Spider plants: Again, they love humid environments, and look amazing when hung up

Snake plants: Can cope with fluctuating temperatures and are easy to keep and grow. They’re also great air purifiers!

Fiddle leaf fig plants are a great option for those with a little extra space in the bathroom. They look great positioned on a little wooden stool, or even directly on the floor in a corner. They love warm, damp rooms so bathrooms are perfect for them!

For a sustainable planter option, consider a macrame hanging planter to add interest and texture to a nature inspired space.

8. Introduce tactile textiles

Sprucing up your towels in a bathroom can add a soft elegance to what can otherwise be a bit of clinical space. A basket of rolled up towels is a welcoming touch that’ll help to create a warm interior.

With the rise of eco-friendly manufacturing methods, you can source sustainable towels that are great looking as well as being good for the environment. For a natural aesthetic, seek out organic cotton waffle towels in earthy, muted tones.

Hammam towels with GOTS certified organic cotton are also great for bathrooms with a rustic/artisanal vibe and you can find options with different patterns to add more interest.

If wall space allows a simple wooden rack with hanging storage baskets/pegs for towels is a great way of fusing storage with an interesting feature.

9. Accessorise to moderise

Little finishing touches like towel colours, soap dishes and dispensers can really help lift a bathroom scheme and can completely change the overall look and feel of a space quickly and cost-effectively. It’s also a great way to consider styling sustainably.

Gold accessories help give a feeling of luxe and grandeur and reflect the popular boutique hotel vibe that is currently in vogue. As well as traditional bathroom accessories, candlesticks and diffusers in charcoal grey and gold also help add a sophisticated touch. Consider selecting materials that can be recycled in the future.

Colourful glass bottles and accessories can help add a pop of colour for a bold look and feel. Mix teal, emerald and amber for a tropical, summery style and add palm leaves for a more authentic decorative touch.

Pinterest (see board link)

Bamboo wood dispensers, trays and shelves are inexpensive and work well for schemes inspired by nature. Wood tones can sit happily alongside earthy hues and botanicals for a more subtle, raw, and rustic scheme.