A lot of detailed work takes place in the bathroom. From plucking eyebrows to shaving a chin, you must see what you’re doing. Good, bright lighting is vital. But choosing the right lamp can be a challenge. You not only want something aesthetically pleasing but something that is safe in a moist environment.

But, can you put a lamp in the bathroom? Yes, you can put a lamp in the bathroom. However, water and electricity are arch enemies. They should never meet. Electric codes require that lamps that are in a bathroom should be rated. Your lamp must be rated for damp locations. You can’t just buy any lamp from the big box store and expect it to be safe. Because of the moisture level and concern of direct spray, your lamp could short out or worse cause a fire if it doesn’t have the correct rating. Go to a lighting store and ask a professional what your options are. If your lamp will be subjected to shower spray it must be rated for wet conditions.

There are several factors that come into play when deciding on a lamp for your bathroom. You want it to be lovely, but style and safety are a concern. We’ll guide you through the maze of making not only the right aesthetic choice in a lamp for your bathroom but a safe choice.

How to Choose the Proper Bathroom Lamp

The size of your bathroom determines what lamp and how many lamps you should have. If you have a very large bathroom, you may want both an overhead light and lamps. With a smaller bathroom, one or two lamps should do the trick.  Measure your bathroom and wall space before you head out to the lighting store. You’ll want a professional to advise you on the size and number of lamps you’ll need.

The usage of the bathroom is important. If you have a large family your bathroom is obviously going to be used a lot. That’s when the construction of the lamp comes into play. There’s a lot of moisture in a bathroom, you don’t want your lamp to rust or look dingy. We recommend materials like:

• Aluminum
• Brass
• Plastic

Besides the practical aspect, when choosing a material for your lamp, be aware of the style of your bathroom. You want to match the lamp with other hardware in the bathroom. For instance, if you have brass faucets, you don’t want aluminum lamps. Your bathroom needs to be just as coordinated as any other room in the house. You spend a lot of time in it and it should be a place of comfort.

The shade you choose is also an important aspect. You will want to use:

• Frosted shades
• White shades

These shades will soften the light and reduce the glare. This also adds to the aesthetic appeal. Don’t forget to tone down the lightbulbs as well. You don’t want clear glass in either your shades or bulbs.

A fabric shade will also soften the light and create a cozy atmosphere. Plus, adding a colored fabric shade will accentuate the aesthetics of your bathroom. But there are some drawbacks. The constant moisture could take its toll. Moisture will eventually disintegrate the glue on a lampshade. No matter how cute the shade is, don’t choose a glued one. Don’t choose a paper lampshade either.

Choose a shade that is sewn to the frame. In the moist conditions of your bathroom, a sewn lampshade will hold up longer than a glued lampshade.

Besides water, some of your toiletries could also harm your fabric lampshade. Aerosol products that are sprayed in the bathroom will cause dust to adhere to the fabric. This could eventually make it look dingy.

Where to Place Your Lamp Is Important

The placement of your lamp is important and very relevant to its use. You want your lights placed at eye level. It makes sense. You need to be able to see yourself shaving correctly. If space allows, we recommend using two lamps. You’ll want one on each side of your face. That way odd shadows won’t be cast on your face while you’re applying make-up. The more light sources you have the more even the lighting.

You also want to place your lamp clear of the direct spray of water.

Keep Your Bathroom Safe

Water and electricity are arch enemies. They should never meet. Electric codes require that lamps that are in a bathroom should be rated. Your lamp must be rated for damp locations. You can’t just buy any lamp from the big box store and expect it to be safe. Because of the moisture level and concern of direct spray, your lamp could short out or worse cause a fire if it doesn’t have the correct rating. Go to a lighting store and ask a professional what your options are. If your lamp will be subjected to shower spray it must be rated for wet conditions. Again, take a trip to the lighting store.

If you keep your lamp from being sprayed by water and your bathroom is heated, you shouldn’t have any problems.

Can You Put Lamps in the Powder Room?

Yes, you can. We highly recommend placing a lamp in the powder room. Your guests frequent that room and it should be comfortable and lovely. You aren’t applying make-up or shaving so you don’t need to worry about seeing details. Use lamps to create a softer ambiance. Because you won’t be using this bathroom for getting ready in the morning, use a low wattage bulb. We recommend a 45 watt.

Use a Lamp to Create Ambience

You don’t need to use a lamp for only practical reasons. That would be boring. Use it to create a comfortable ambiance in your bathroom. Use the lamp as a fill light. Indirect lighting can help in eliminating shadows and create a warm glow. If you have artwork in your bathroom, use a lamp to accentuate the piece.

How to Accentuate Your Bathroom Light

There are ways to make the most of your bathroom light. Having several types of light sources helps you do just that. For instance, a bright light is beneficial if you’re putting on make-up for a day at the office. Let’s face it there’s not a lot of low lighting in an office. You’ll want to apply your make-up in lighting that emulates it. But, if you’re going out for a night on the town, you’ll want to get ready in low light. A lamp is perfect for that. Turn off the overhead light and let your lamp do its job.

Make Your Bathroom a Comfortable Place by Using a Lamp

Your bathroom is a place to not only prepare yourself for the day, but act as a comfortable refuge. Use a lamp to help you create an ambiance while at the same time adding that practical element. Choose a lamp that accentuates your fixtures and style. Stay safe and talk to a professional about your choices. You spend a lot of time in the bathroom, make it a comfortable safe haven.