No Windows, No Problem: Choosing Mirrors That Work in Low-Light Bathrooms
One of the biggest reasons why anyone purchases a bathroom mirror with lighting is, of course, to boost illumination. So, a bathroom that doesn’t have many windows – and where the light levels are low – is an obvious place to have a bathroom lighted mirror installed.
Certainly, many older terraced houses, Victorian properties, and modern en-suite conversions can suffer from insufficient natural lighting.
The addition of bathroom mirrors and lights can potentially help with this. However, such a high level of dependence on artificial illumination can still cause problems with everyday grooming tasks like shaving, brushing teeth, and applying makeup.
In today’s article, then, we will consider how making the right choices with your bathroom mirrors and lights can help transform your dimly lit space into a functional and flattering one.
Why Is Low Light Such a Major Problem for Bathroom Mirrors and Lights?
Let’s imagine you do already have a mirror installed in your (mostly or entirely) windowless bathroom. Unfortunately, even the highest-quality non-illuminated bathroom mirror can only reflect whatever light is available… or not available.
Even if you put up overhead bulbs in your bathroom, these may create harsh shadows, glare, or uneven illumination.
So, this will hardly be the best arrangement for those everyday grooming tasks. After all, how your face is lit in such circumstances won’t accurately reflect how you look when “out and about” in public, natural-light conditions.
A Bathroom Lighted Mirror Could Be Ideal for Your Windowless Space
Investing in a bathroom mirror with lighting already “built into” the unit, could be a game-changer if this part of your home is insufficiently well-lit.
A bathroom lighted mirror can be a source of consistent and reliable illumination for whoever needs to use it. Such a mirror can achieve a more even and clear reflection that more closely resembles how the user will look once they venture outdoors or into the office.
However, you will still have some decisions to make about the specific illuminated mirror that you purchase. For example, you will need to carefully consider:
- Whether To Choose an Edge-Lit or Back-Lit Mirror
Edge-lit mirrors have LEDs around their perimeter, which creates a soft “halo”.
A back-lit mirror, meanwhile, diffuses light through a frosted panel behind the glass, thereby minimising glare.
- The Mirror’s Size and Shape
As with the question of edge-lit versus back-lit, there isn’t a catch-all “right” or “wrong” answer here for low-lit bathrooms.
However, it is worth bearing in mind that the larger the mirror is, the greater the amount of light it will reflect. So, you may be tempted to select a particularly big mirror – perhaps even a full-wall one – to make the room feel brighter and bigger.
Alternatively, you might decide that your bathroom better suits a round mirror with lights, which can soften the look of rectangular tiles and achieve an even diffusion of light.
- The Colour Temperature of The Bathroom Mirror Lighting
It can be easy for bathroom lighting to be too warm or too cold for the user’s needs.
Where you see references to a bathroom lighted mirror producing “warm” light, this means the colour temperature is around 2700K to 3000K. This can be excellent for giving a cosy, spa-like feel and allowing for flattering selfies.
However, it is cooler light – approximately 4000K to 5000K – that will be brighter and more akin to daylight. So, this is the light you are likely to favour for achieving the results you want from grooming.
Fortunately, it is possible to buy a bathroom mirror with lighting that can be switched between cold and warm illumination. This can help you achieve your desired light effect during certain times of the day.
Don’t Forget the Placement of Your Bathroom Lighted Mirror, Too
Even once you have acquired a lit-up bathroom mirror that is perfectly suited to your windowless bathroom, there are further “tricks” you can deploy to get the best out of it.
One such simple trick is to place the mirror directly opposite another light source, such as your main ceiling light. This simple change will bounce illumination back.
In general, you should also be looking to place your mirror so that its central viewing area sits roughly 120cm to 170cm from the floor; this will allow comfortable use for most adults.
Discover The Possibilities for Bathroom Mirrors with Lights, With Our Help!
If you’re still trying to narrow down the possibilities for your next bathroom mirror, don’t forget that our friendly, UK-based support team can be on hand.
Reach out to us via email, and we will be pleased to advise and guide you, to help ensure you only make the best possible choice for your own bathroom.
