Tips and Trends in Bathroom Lighting
It’s often said that kitchens and bathrooms sell houses, but there’s no doubt bathroom upgrades increase the level of luxury for a home’s current inhabitants, as well. Many people dream of heated floors and fancy tile, but what really turns a plain powder room into a spa-like retreat is the room’s light. Let’s take a look at the four main types of bathroom lighting and current trends for a lovelier lav:
Task Lighting
Task lighting illuminates a specific point for a specific purpose; in the bathroom, that means the vanity mirror. To avoid 
unflattering shadows, vanity mirrors should always be lit from the sides, not just centered above the mirror.
Current trends: Brass is back! There has been a resurgence of this long-neglected metal in the past few years, especially in bathrooms. Choosing brass or gold-tone faucet hardware and vanity sconces adds a delightfully modern twist. Take care, however—these metals need a bit more TLC than chrome or nickel. Be prepared to polish and clean regularly to keep your fixtures fresh.
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting places light strategically on a favorite feature and adds depth to the room. These lights can be playful or utilitarian, but always be sure they are waterproof!
Current trends: Backlit mirrors are the hottest way to give texture and depth to even the smallest powder room. This muted lighting provides a lovely, soft glow and pleasingly frames a special vanity mirror.
Decorative Lighting
Decorative lighting adds interest and personality. It’s an easy and fun way to add an unexpectedly unique touch into what is commonly considered a purely functional room.
Current trends: The funkier, the better. Get ready to see lots of eclectic, sculptural fixtures, especially one-of-a-kind chandeliers with unusual materials and contrasting colors.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting floods the space with light and is most often found with overhead fixtures or recessed lights in the ceiling. Incandescent bulbs (or LED bulbs designed to mimic them) are a great choice for a warm glow that won’t harshly bounce off reflective surfaces.
Current trends: Dimmers allow you to change the level of lighting according to time of day and personal preference: perhaps fully lit for morning makeup application or barely there for nighttime visits. They make a room much more comfortable and quickly customizable.
