How to light your bathroom and bedroom, lighting design tips from a pro.

The Perfect Lighting design: A Professional's Guide to Bathroom and Bedroom Lighting

Welcome! As a professional lighting designer with 15 years of experience in high-end residential projects, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of a well-planned lighting scheme. It’s more than just flicking a switch—it’s about creating a mood, enhancing a space, and improving your daily life.

To help you understand the principles I apply to every project, I've created two detailed guides for two of the most important rooms in your home: the bathroom and the bedroom.

Lighting for a Sanctuary: Your Bedroom

Your bedroom is your personal sanctuary, a place for rest and relaxation. The lighting here should be soft, layered, and flexible. It’s not about a single, harsh overhead light, but about creating different zones for different tasks.

Take a look at my ideal bedroom lighting plan:

Ceiling Pendant: A central pendant, positioned over the bottom third of your bed, serves as a beautiful focal point. I recommend a pendant that is 400-600mm wide, made from a material like fabric or wood to diffuse the light and create a warm glow. The key is to suspend it at a height of 1200mm to avoid glare and keep it proportional to the bed.

Baffled Downlights: These are the workhorses of a good lighting scheme. By placing baffled downlights 200mm from the wall, you wash the walls in light, making the room feel larger and more inviting. For a standard double room, I suggest a 4x6 grid. The magic is in the details: use "dim to warm" LED's. These lights change from a crisp, brighter colour temperature to a warm, cozy one as you dim them, perfectly mimicking the feel of an incandescent bulb.

Bedside Lighting: This is crucial for comfort and functionality. Instead of just a single lamp, I recommend a combination of task lighting and ambient light. An LED "bendy" reading light attached to a frosted glass or lampshade provides focused light for reading without disturbing a partner. Positioning this alongside a switch with a built-in USB socket on your bedside drawers (at a height of 650mm) puts everything you need right at your fingertips.

Lighting for Function and Form: Your Bathroom

The bathroom requires a different approach—it needs to be bright and functional for tasks like shaving or applying makeup, but also capable of a softer, more relaxing atmosphere for unwinding in the bath. My design balances both needs perfectly.

Task Lighting at the Vanity: The most important light in a bathroom is over the mirror. A backlit LED mirror with a demister pad is a game-changer. I recommend a round mirror of 600/900mm to provide excellent illumination for your face without casting harsh shadows. For an extra touch of warmth, a hidden 2700K dimmable LED tape under the vanity unit adds a luxurious feel.

General Illumination: A set of 4000K LED downlights provides the clean, bright light you need for daily tasks. The quantity (6-8) depends on the size of your bathroom. These should have a high lumen output, around 600-800 lumens, to ensure the space is well-lit. 

Two low level inset LED guide lights next to the wc controlled by a flush mounted PIR sensor over the door. Set the timer for 2 mins and when you use the toilet at night a gentle wash of light will come on for you to use the bathroom. Then they will turn off by themselves. Use 2700k LEDs and no more than 100lm each. At night you do not need a lot of extra light for a short bathroom break. This will also not wake you up and if the lighting is connected to a timer fan this will also mean you don't have the added noise of a fan running for 5 mins. 

Creating Ambiance: Don't forget the details! An alcove with a 600/1000mm wide LED tape (2700K) placed at a height of 1200mm provides a beautiful feature and a softer light for unwinding. Its a great place to keep your shampoo and Molten Brown. Convenient and useful. 

Ready to Transform Your Home?

These two examples are just a glimpse into the art and science of professional lighting design. The right scheme can add value to your property and, more importantly, a new level of comfort and enjoyment to your home.

I am Fraser Besant, and my passion is helping people discover the perfect light for their lives. If you are building, renovating, or just looking to improve your home, don't leave your lighting to chance.

Take the next step and book a personal consultation with me at my showroom.

Together, we can create a bespoke lighting design that is tailored to your unique style and needs.

Fraser’s House of Lighting

33 Zetland Road

Bristol, BS6 7AH

Contact me today to book your appointment:

Phone: 01179425355

Email: sales@ablectrics.com

I look forward to helping you light up your home.

Buying lighting online a handy guide

Guide to Buying Designer Lighting Online in the UK. 

Are you looking to elevate your home with stunning, high-quality lighting? The world of designer lighting has never been more accessible, and shopping online offers a convenient way to find the perfect pieces for your space. However, it’s crucial to know what to look for to ensure a secure, smooth experience with a large choice of options.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about buying designer lighting online, from finding the right style to ensuring a secure checkout and reliable UK delivery.

1. Why Choose Designer Lighting?

Designer lighting is more than just a source of light; it's a statement piece that can transform a room's atmosphere. These pieces are crafted with superior materials and attention to detail, offering a blend of art and functionality that mass-produced alternatives simply can't match. Investing in designer lighting can add significant value and character to your home.

2. The Benefits of Shopping for Lighting Online

The internet has revolutionized the way we shop, especially for home furnishings. Here's why buying your lighting online is a great choice:

 * Large Choice & Variety: A reputable online store can offer a vast and diverse catalogue that no single physical showroom could ever hold. This gives you the freedom to browse thousands of styles, from contemporary and minimalist to classic and industrial, ensuring you find a piece that perfectly matches your vision.

 * Convenience: Shop from the comfort of your own home, any time of day or night. You can take your time to compare products, read reviews, and make a decision without feeling pressured.

 * Competitive Pricing: Online retailers often have lower overheads than traditional brick-and-mortar stores, which can lead to more competitive prices for high-quality products.

3. What to Look for in an Online Lighting Store

To ensure a positive experience, look for these key indicators when choosing where to buy your lighting:

 * A Secure Checkout Process: Your personal and financial information must be protected. Look for a website with a padlock icon in the URL bar, indicating a secure HTTPS connection. A trustworthy retailer will use a secure payment gateway to handle your transactions, giving you peace of mind.

 * Clear UK Delivery Information: Before you click 'buy', make sure the website provides clear details about its UK delivery policies. This should include shipping costs, estimated delivery times, and information on how fragile items are packaged to ensure they arrive safely.

 * Detailed Product Information: A good online store will provide comprehensive product descriptions. Look for information on dimensions, materials, bulb type, wattage, and any special features. High-resolution photos from multiple angles are also essential for visualizing the product in your space.

 * Customer Reviews and Ratings: Authentic reviews from other buyers can be a goldmine of information. They offer insights into the product's quality, the accuracy of the description, and the retailer's customer service.

4. Top Tips for Shopping

 * Measure Your Space: Before you start browsing, measure your room's dimensions and the space where the fixture will hang or sit. This is critical for ensuring the light is the right size and proportion for the room.

 * Consider Layered Lighting: Don't rely on a single ceiling light. Think about a layered lighting scheme that includes ambient (general), task (for specific jobs), and accent (to highlight features) lighting.

 * Read the Returns Policy: A flexible and clear returns policy is a sign of a confident retailer. In case the product isn't what you expected, a good policy will make the process of returning or exchanging it straightforward.

Shopping for designer lighting online can be a rewarding experience when you know what to look for. By prioritizing stores that offer a large choice, a secure checkout, and reliable UK delivery, you can confidently find the perfect piece to brighten your home.

Summer Discount on Kare Lighting UK Stocklists

Brighten Your Summer with 10% Off Kare Animal Lamps!

Looking to add a touch of personality and playful charm to your home this summer? Now’s the perfect time! At Electrics and Lighting, we’re celebrating the season with an exciting 10% off all Kare Animal Lamps – for a limited time only.

Whether you’re into bold statement pieces or quirky home accessories that spark conversation, Kare’s Animal Lamp collection brings the wild side indoors in the best way possible. Think elegant tucans holding bulbs, cheeky monkeys with vintage-style lamps, and frenchie dogs lit with style and humor. These aren’t just lamps – they’re works of art that light up your space and your mood.

Why Kare Animal Lamps?

Kare Design is known for breaking boundaries when it comes to home décor, and their animal lamps are no exception. Each piece combines top-quality materials with imaginative design, making them perfect for:

• Unique bedside lighting

• Eye-catching hallway or living room features

• Gifts for animal lovers or quirky interior enthusiasts

And now, with 10% off, there’s never been a better time to treat yourself – or someone else.

Sale Details:

Offer: 10% off all Kare Animal Lamps
Duration: For a limited time only – while stocks last

Don’t miss out on the chance to light up your home with personality this summer. Visit us online or in-store to explore the full Kare Animal Lamp range and find your perfect piece – at an even better price.

Electrics and Lighting – Light up your space with something a little wild.