Hello everyone,
I enjoy reading the forum and would now like to get your opinions. We are currently deciding on the ceiling outlets for the upcoming shell construction. I am a bit unsure about how and where to position the spotlights in the bathroom(s). I look forward to your tips and advice. If it’s not clear, the doors are on the left, and the windows on the right. The left floor plan is for the upper floor, the right one for the attic floor (suspended ceiling due to the pitched roof).
So far, I have planned for 4 spotlights (2x2) for about 6 sqm (approx. 3.2x1.8 m), dimmable, on a single control group (?), with 60 cm (24 inches) distance from the left wall and also 60 cm (24 inches) horizontally to the next row, 80 cm (31 inches) distance from the wall at top and bottom. Of course, the mirrors will have separate lighting, controllable independently.
What I am uncertain about:
I enjoy reading the forum and would now like to get your opinions. We are currently deciding on the ceiling outlets for the upcoming shell construction. I am a bit unsure about how and where to position the spotlights in the bathroom(s). I look forward to your tips and advice. If it’s not clear, the doors are on the left, and the windows on the right. The left floor plan is for the upper floor, the right one for the attic floor (suspended ceiling due to the pitched roof).
So far, I have planned for 4 spotlights (2x2) for about 6 sqm (approx. 3.2x1.8 m), dimmable, on a single control group (?), with 60 cm (24 inches) distance from the left wall and also 60 cm (24 inches) horizontally to the next row, 80 cm (31 inches) distance from the wall at top and bottom. Of course, the mirrors will have separate lighting, controllable independently.
What I am uncertain about:
- Is there enough light in the shower (1 spotlight), and is it well positioned? (We won’t have a rain shower, just a handheld showerhead.)
- Does the spotlight above the toilet cause glare? (I like to read there.)
- Is it too bright or glaring near the bathtub, even when dimmable?
- Does it make sense to have two control groups (top/bottom)?
- It should be bright enough, right? 6 sqm with 4 spotlights, even if they are not fixed yet.
- Fewer spotlights mean lower cost. In your opinion, would 3 spotlights (in a line) also be sufficient?
W
wiltshire3 Apr 2025 01:3498mahein schrieb:
What I'm unsure about:
- Is there enough light in the shower (1 recessed light) and is it well positioned (we won’t have a rain shower, just a handheld showerhead).
- Does the light above the toilet cause glare? (I like to read there)
- Is it too bright or glaring at the bathtub (even though it’s dimmable)?
- Does it make sense to have two lighting circuits (upstairs/downstairs)?
- It should be bright enough, right? 6 sqm (65 sq ft) with 4 recessed lights, even if these aren’t finalized yet.
- Fewer lights mean less cost. In your opinion, would 3 recessed lights (in a line) be sufficient as well?
Regarding 1: This depends on the beam angle and the evenness of light distribution of the fixture you choose. What is often called a "spot" can also have a floodlight character. Then it can work well.
Regarding 2: This depends on the type of bulb - a wider beam angle results in lower light intensity (lux) with the same luminous flux (lumens), and a frosted diffuser can also help. Then there is no glare.
Regarding 3: That depends on personal preference.
Regarding 4: It’s possible and doesn’t harm.
Regarding 5: Brightness depends on the luminous flux, not on the number of light sources.
Regarding 6: Don’t skimp on the fixtures. They are more important than the installation location. You can achieve good results with 3 or 4 suitable recessed lights, but you can also ruin it with 3 or 4 unsuitable recessed lights.
The discussion about the installation location is pointless if you don’t know the specific fixture you want. If there is no particular fixture chosen, suitable fixtures can be found for many different installation locations.
M
motorradsilke3 Apr 2025 06:09I wouldn’t choose recessed lights either. Not because they are outdated, but because you can’t change them. If you don’t like them after a few years, you still have to live with them.
We have a panel with different color temperatures in the middle of the room (the shower has a glass wall) and three small lights on the mirror cabinet. For the panel, we picked what we liked best. And if we don’t like it anymore in a few years, we’ll just replace it with something else.
We have a panel with different color temperatures in the middle of the room (the shower has a glass wall) and three small lights on the mirror cabinet. For the panel, we picked what we liked best. And if we don’t like it anymore in a few years, we’ll just replace it with something else.
H
hanghaus20233 Apr 2025 11:49During the bathroom renovation, I also removed the spotlights and installed only one 80 cm (31.5 inches) round LED lamp, which has adjustable light color (warm to cool white) and is dimmable. Spotlights are impractical and expensive.
W
wiltshire4 Apr 2025 00:04motorradsilke schrieb:
If you don’t like it in a few years, you still have to live with it.I see this statement often, but it’s outside my experience when it comes to interior design. I might follow fashion trends with clothing, so that can happen there.M
motorradsilke4 Apr 2025 06:20wiltshire schrieb:
I keep reading that, but it’s outside my experience when it comes to furnishings. With clothing, I do sometimes follow fashion trends, so that can happen.This has nothing to do with fashion; my furnishings definitely do not reflect current trends. However, when it comes to lamps, which are easy and inexpensive to replace, we do change them occasionally if I see something great or feel like a change.