How to Light A Bathroom

Too often lighting a bathroom is low on the list of priorities relative to other rooms in the house. But with bathrooms becoming larger and more elaborate, proper lighting is essential to making the most of the space.

Your bath should be bright and clean.
Ample overhead and task lighting are key. But bathrooms are now a room in the house where people are spending a lot more time, so you’ll also want the ability to create an atmosphere that’s relaxing and spa–like. Having flexibility to adjust the lighting is really important, which is why you should add dimmers here just like you do throughout the house.

Start With the Ceiling and Vanity Light, Then Work Your Way Down
First, ceiling–mounted or recessed lighting overhead for general illumination. You’ll also want to light the vanity area with some excellent task lighting, which can be a fixture above the mirror or sconces on either side. And you need to light the shower and tub area. You might also consider strip lighting under wall–mounted cabinets, which makes them appear to float in space, as well as illumination for wall art.

Don’t Overdo It, But Don’t Under-Do It Either
People often have a tendency to pop a dozen can lights into the ceiling to make sure the bathroom is bright enough, but then you end up with a ceiling that looks like Swiss cheese. Everything in moderation. Though, don’t make the mistake of under-lighting your bathroom, because ample lighting is important. Another reason dimmers are key.

Source: ylighting.com

Great Tip: Grate Butter

Grate Cold Butter

Your stick of butter has to be close to frozen for it to work, and you must work fast to keep it from melting, but the grated butter is perfect for adding to flour before baking biscuits, scones, muffins, etc.. It also makes the butter melt much faster, so if your butter is too cold to spread, consider grating it first and then topping toast, veggies, or a baked potato!

Bathrooms of the Future

In a recent survey, consumers were ask what innovations they’d most like to see in the future.

According to David Levine, CEO of DigitalBridge, “As outlandish as some of these innovations may sound, they’re actually not far off being a reality. Breakthroughs in AR and AI are steadily making their way into our homes through devices such as Amazon’s Alexa and software such as Google’s ARCore and Apple’s ARKit. Clearly, consumer appetite for groundbreaking new bathroom products is high, so the race is on for suppliers to innovate quickly, in order to take advantage of this captive audience.”

The top 10 bathroom innovations consumers would love to see in the next 10 years

1. A face recognition system that automatically adjusts water temperature and pressure to your personalized settings

2. A hovering drone mirror that allows you to style the back of your hair with ease

3. An in-shower voice recognition that allows you to add shampoo, toothpaste and other essentials to your shopping list when they are running low4. An augmented reality simulator that shows how a hairstyle could look on your head and provides step-by-step instructions on how to achieve it

5. A pep-talking mirror that gives you advice on your outfits based on a link to your personal calendar. Three taps – one for hot, cold and “just right”

7. A dressing machine that chooses your outfit and dresses you

8. A full body air-dryer

9. A height-adjustable sink, toilet and mirror that moves up and down depending on who is using them

10. An ambient display that allows you to make a cup of coffee and answer the doorbell from the shower

10 Tips to Stay Safe in the Bathroom

Don’t let your own home be a safety hazard. A few simple steps can help prevent slips and falls.

  1. Ditch your throw rugs. These slippery floor coverings are the No. 1 cause of household falls. If you just can’t part with them in the bathroom, secure loose rugs with double-faced tape, tacks or slip-resistant backings.
  2. Put nonslip strips, mats or tiles in your tub and shower to help prevent falls. To combat tripping, secure any loose corners on mats.
  3. Be sure to keep the tub clean to counteract slippery soap scum or mold.
  4. Keep the bathroom floor dry, making sure it has no water on it. A weighted shower curtain will help ensure that no water leaks onto the floor.
  5. Place grab bars or rails in or around the bathtub, shower and toilet. When installed properly and securely, they’ll help you balance as you stand or sit and give you something to hold on to if you do slip. They come in a variety of lengths, textures and styles. (Note that a towel bar or a soap dish isn’t a substitute for a grab bar, as it’s not designed to hold your weight).
  6. Your bathroom should be adequately lit during the day. At night, put a nightlight on the path to the bathroom. Within the bathroom, use a nightlight, or install an illuminated switch.
  7. If your toilet seat is low, consider buying a toilet seat extender or a toilet with a higher seat. That way you can get up safely and with less effort.
  8. Put a bath or shower seat or bench in the shower or tub. You’ll then have a place to sit.
  9. Equip your shower with a handheld or adjustable shower head. You can maneuver it where you want it, minimizing your movement in the shower. Also, you can use it while sitting safely on your bath seat or bench.
  10. Take your time. The more you rush, the more likely you are to fall.

Stay smart, stay safe!