Why do you need an illuminated mirror in the bathroom?
In addition to the fact that lighting significantly affects the image quality, a mirror accessory makes its own adjustments to the design of the room. A small bathroom becomes visually wider and larger, and a room with a low ceiling seems high.
Lighting near the mirror helps create a special calming atmosphere in the bathroom
The backlight can help you apply makeup or a mask, show skin defects that need to be treated, and a neat, high-quality shave. Comfort during cosmetic and hygiene procedures is important. The light coming from the mirror helps in styling your hair. The backlight also becomes an excellent night light that does not irritate the eyesight - thanks to the reduced strain, the eyes become less tired.
What kind of lighting is suitable for a shower or bath?
It is not necessary to illuminate the bathtub: such lighting has more of a decorative role, creating a unique atmosphere in the room. If desired, several light sources can be installed in the shower enclosure; a sconce located near the bathtub also looks excellent. Modern designers offer such an interesting option as bottom lighting of a bathtub or shower enclosure.
You shouldn’t refuse such decisions: after all, taking a bath is not just a routine procedure, but an opportunity to relax and enjoy. This means that you need to try to ensure that the environment in the room brings you pleasure: this will make your vacation even more comfortable and enjoyable.
Options for lighting mirrors in the bathroom
The lighting perfectly highlights the mirror with its frame, but in order for the lighting to be of high quality, you need to select suitable lamps. Their power must be at least 300 lux.
Fluorescent lamps
The peculiarity of fluorescent lamps is their diffused lighting, which does not dazzle the eyes. At the same time, the light will be good, close to natural light.
Fluorescent lamps - durability and efficiency
One such light bulb lasts 3-20,000 hours. However, this is not ideal lighting - the lamps flicker, and if you stay near the backlight for a long time, your eyes get tired. Another disadvantage is the long burn time compared to other types of lamps. Fluorescent energy-saving light bulbs are dangerous to break as they contain mercury vapor.
Halogen lamps
Halogen lighting has a high luminous efficiency of up to 55 lm/W. This is better than incandescent bulbs, but not superior to LED and fluorescent lighting. Halogen bulbs last three times longer than incandescent bulbs.
Important! Halogen light bulbs are fragile and should not be shaken and should not be touched with bare hands during installation.
LED lighting for bathroom mirror
LED lighting can be sold as a separate module as spotlights, but in mirror products it is a beautifully glowing frame.
Diodes are a godsend for builders; they always mean durability, comfort and practicality
A mirror with a frame made of LED lighting looks aesthetically pleasing. The service life of such light bulbs is about 50,000 hours with minimal energy consumption. Light output is high - up to 150 lm/W. What's nice is that the light comes on instantly without any flickering. The cost of designs with LEDs remains higher than other options.
Other types
The type of lamps used for illumination is important, because the brightness of the lighting depends on them, that is, if you choose the wrong option, you will have to purchase additional light sources. LED lamps are not the only economical and high-quality option to choose from. Many people also use:
- halogen;
- luminescent;
- neon lights.
Halogen bulbs provide bright light
Halogen lamps for lighting the bathroom mirror are suitable because they work great in rooms with high humidity. They are said to be 10 times more efficient than conventional lamps. Light sources are powered by 200V DC.
BelLuminescent and neon lamps belong to the category of gas-discharge light sources. With a minimum amount of energy consumed, the result is diffuse lighting. Thanks to this, the light in the bathroom looks close to natural, which is very much appreciated in these rooms. After all, there is often little or no ordinary sunlight there.
Fluorescent and neon lamps consume large amounts of energy
Popular models of illuminated mirrors, photo samples
Illuminated wall mirrors today are easy to choose to suit any taste and furniture in the interior. Round or oval, square or rectangular, also any shape for individual order.
Advice! It is beneficial to purchase a mirror with functionality: with a shelf or in the form of a convenient cabinet.
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Bathroom mirror with lighting and shelf
The shelf does not need to be installed separately, which is what makes such models convenient. I hung a mirror and immediately a beautiful, excellent shelf for cosmetics and other bathroom accessories appeared.
Attractive appearance, and everything is at hand: that’s what a bathroom mirror with a shelf is
The shelf can be glass, which does not visually hide the space
Mirror cabinet with lighting for the bathroom
Perhaps this is the most practical solution: the cabinet is used as a storage place for necessary items. Both cosmetics and numerous personal care products can be easily placed there.
Expert's point of view
Yaroslava Galayko
Lead designer and studio manager at Ecologica Interiors
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“The cabinet must meet high requirements for the quality of the material. If the material is not water-repellent, the product will not last long.”
Beautiful, comfortable, decorative: illuminated mirror and cabinet for the bathroom
Shelves can be a convenient addition and located on one or both sides of the cabinet
Manufacturers have provided various options and mechanisms for any model
Round bathroom mirror with lighting
An elegant version of mirrors has a round or oval shape. They are ideal for a classic bathroom interior.
The rounded shape looks gentle and neat
A round mirror with LED lighting for the bathroom can have an interesting decor thanks to the frame
A variety of luminous frames allows you to choose something original and suitable specifically for your design
Bathroom mirror with lighting around the perimeter
Illumination around the perimeter of the mirror surface is very important. This is the most common version of illuminated mirrors. Light bulbs are located around, under or on the surface.
The mirror becomes a separate light source
If the lighting is located under the surface, the light is scattered along the walls, which looks very beautiful and impressive.
Bathroom mirror with touch-sensitive lighting
Touch control is certainly convenient: in addition to direct activation with a light touch, you can use the control panel and even communicate with various gadgets via Wi-Fi. Streaming music allows you to completely relax while taking a bath.
Bathroom mirror with lighting and heating
Thanks to whoever came up with the idea of adding a heating function to the mirror. There is hardly a person who likes a foggy mirror surface.
On the back surface there is a thin film with an infrared heater
This product will not fog up. The heating turns on easily: just wave your hand and the infrared sensor will work. If you bring your hand to the mirror once, the light comes on, if you bring it twice, the switch turns on.
Composition of a bathroom mirror and sconce
Sconce is an external separate lamp that is mounted on the wall on the sides or above the mirror. This is an interesting solution for bohemian design, cozy country or Provence. Sconces create coziness and do an excellent job as illuminator.
The structure can be mounted high, but the lamp itself is located at face level
Mounting directly to the mirror surface creates a whimsical reflection effect
The position of the sconces on the sides pleasantly diffuses the light
Magnifying mirror with light for bathroom
Another option for the bathroom is a cosmetic mirror with lighting and a magnifying effect. It is mounted on the wall and can rotate, which is very convenient.
The lighting and magnification function makes such models popular
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Types of backlight
There are two main types of illuminated mirrors:
- external;
- internal.
Each of them has distinctive characteristics and advantages, so you need to choose one based on your own needs. Another common type of mirror lighting in the bathroom is decorative; its only purpose is to decorate the room.
Light green lighting serves more to decorate the room
To give your bathroom a rich appearance, it is not at all necessary to buy expensive furniture, tiles and other items that require large expenses. It is enough to simply install a mirror with decorative lighting. At the same time, you can be sure that not a single guest, entering the bathroom, simply can help but pay attention to this interior detail.
This lighting gives an expensive and elegant look.
If we talk about practicality, then it is worth comparing external and internal lighting, because decorative lighting is not a full-fledged source of lighting. Let's look at the features of these two varieties.
onlyExternal
External lighting of the mirror implies the presence of lamps that are located either on the sides of the frame or in its upper part. To be able to get the clearest possible reflection, it is recommended to install backlighting on all sides. The brightness of such illumination will be sufficient for carrying out hygienic and cosmetic procedures, for example, you can easily apply makeup, shave, and do your hair.
Lamps on the sides of the frame and at the top provide the most illumination
Three-sided lighting can be done using different lamps. The most effective option is this: several small or one large oblong-shaped lamp is built into the upper frame, and small lamps (point light sources) are placed on the sides.
The number of lamps used when decorating the external lighting of a mirror depends, first of all, on its size and the main lighting in the bathroom.
Mirror cabinet with two oblong lamps
When it comes to choosing the color of the lamps, the most practical is classic white lighting. Multi-colored lamps used to be in fashion, but in fact they bring a lot of inconvenience. It is unlikely that you will be able to successfully apply makeup or perform any hygiene procedure in such light.
Two spotlights illuminate the creatively shaped mirror
Advice If lighting in the bathroom is used not only for decorative purposes, it is strictly not recommended to use multi-colored lamps. In addition to the fact that they are absolutely impractical, doctors warn about the danger of such lighting for the eyes.
The best option is white lighting
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Internal
The internal illumination of a bathroom mirror is absolutely no worse in quality and image clarity than the external one. When the lamps are inside, they provide an even distribution of light across the surface, so you can relax and not strain your eyes.
Internal lighting is more comfortable for the eyes
The simplest and most practical way to illuminate a mirror internally is to use LED lamps, which can be arranged either individually or as a strip. When decorating, you can give free rein to your imagination and glue ribbons in any geometric or other shape.
A mirror with internal lighting, which has the shape of an intricate ornament, looks impressive, so that everyone who sees it for the first time involuntarily stops to look at the design.
Using lamps you can highlight inscriptions and patterns
Another advantage of lamps installed from the inside is the effect they have on the glass - it warms up . Many people are accustomed to the fact that after taking a bath or shower, it is immediately impossible to see themselves in the mirror, because the glass fogs up from the steam.
Thanks to heating, this does not happen, and even if there is a lot of steam and such a problem still appears, it goes away quickly, and the glass itself remains clean.
Mirror heating eliminates steam
Internal lighting of a bathroom mirror will cost an order of magnitude more than external lighting. However, soft lighting, ease of use, voluminous ornaments that attract the eye - all this justifies the cost.
Tip: Interior lighting looks better on large mirrors. If it is small in size, then it is almost impossible to make any kind of pattern or ornament out of LED lamps. And if he does, he usually looks ridiculous.
Internal lighting is more expensive, but a number of advantages justify its installation
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How to choose an illuminated mirror for the bathroom - recommendations from the editors of HomeMyHome.ru
In order for an illuminated bathroom mirror to last a long time, you need to follow some points. It doesn’t matter whether the product is purchased ready-made or made to order, before deciding on something, you should take into account all the nuances. The future location of the model will be important - this will determine the minimum and maximum dimensions, and will also indicate the need or absence of a heating system. Location of the product - this criterion determines the size of the structure.
If there is a need for shelves or a cabinet, then you should immediately familiarize yourself with such models in catalogs
Another important factor is the required lighting intensity. Do you need separate lamps, or can you get by with an LED strip? The purpose of the purchase plays a big role: it determines which lamps are best to choose and where to place them. Definitely, the purchase should fit perfectly into the design of the bathroom. The frame of the product and its shape play a key role.
We advise you to find out customer reviews about the manufacturer you are interested in. It makes sense to study the entire market, then the likelihood of finding the desired mirror of excellent quality at an affordable price will increase. If you want to have advanced functionality, you should consider models with a touch switch and a built-in clock and socket.
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How to connect an illuminated mirror to the bathroom
If it seems that it’s simple - buy it, hang it up, and it works, then this is not entirely true. To connect the backlight, it is advisable to have minimal electrical installation skills. To connect an illuminated mirror in the bathroom, you need hidden wiring and knowledge of operational safety requirements.
It is not recommended to place lighting fixtures near a water source. It is better to purchase a product with a protection class of IP67. If the water distance is more than 1.5 m, then you can connect lighting with protection class IP44. Protection is expressed in O-rings at joints and solid shades. If you need to attach brackets to tiles, you should contact a professional.
To avoid problems in the future, you should think about safety and study lighting connection diagrams
For installation you need to prepare a grinder, a hammer drill, a screwdriver, a level, a pencil, dowels and a tape measure. The wires definitely need protection in the form of double insulation. Here's how to connect a lighted mirror:
- a pencil and tape measure will help make markings for fastening;
- use a hammer drill at low speed to make holes for fastenings;
- dowels are inserted into the holes and a mirror is installed;
- According to the diagram or instructions, depending on the type of backlight, make the connection. At this stage, they think about how to hide the wires. When laying wiring on a tiled wall and it is impossible to lay the wires end-to-end between the tiles, you need to make a cut;
- if the mirror has shelves or cabinets, they are attached last.
It is recommended that you contact an electrical specialist to avoid fire safety problems.
What type of lamps are suitable for the bathroom?
The stores offer a huge variety of lamps, so choosing the right option is not difficult.
According to the type of arrangement, the lamps are:
- open;
- built-in Such lighting is suitable for cramped spaces with low ceilings.
According to the place of installation, luminaires are divided into:
- ceiling Any bathroom should have at least one such lamp installed;
- wall-mounted Using wall lamps you can create lighting in certain areas;
- floor Such lamps play rather a decorative role: they are a fairly bright accessory that gives the bathroom individuality, while simultaneously visually expanding the space.
In addition, luminaires may differ in the type of lamp used:. On sale you can find lamps that are designed for LED, halogen or fluorescent lamps. Any lamps are suitable for lighting a bathroom; in particular, fluorescent lamps are the most popular: this is due to their fairly affordable cost. However, for the bathroom it is best to choose LED lamps. They are not only economical and safe, but also do not heat up during operation. An LED strip is suitable for illuminating individual zones. Of course, LED lamps are relatively expensive, but the price is fully recouped due to their long service life.
Using lamps, you can create different types of lighting: task, decorative, directional and, finally, general.
At what price can you buy an illuminated bathroom mirror - review of current offers
The price depends on the manufacturer, shape, size, type of lighting, the presence of shelves, cabinets, and product design. On average, you can buy a beautiful mirror for 2,000 rubles. The Belarusian brand Evoform offers a mirror measuring 120x3x75 cm for 5,200 rubles. The Russian model from Sanvit with perimeter lighting will cost 10,000 rubles. If you choose a mirror with lighting and heating, such products are more expensive - 13,000-20,000 rubles. Decorate your bathroom with a suitable mirror and admire yourself in good health!
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Advantages and disadvantages
Illuminated mirrors have the following advantages:
- They are convenient for performing daily toilets, since the main light does not turn on.
- The backlight allows you to see even the smallest details, so using such a mirror is convenient. Also, some models allow you to direct the lighting in the required direction.
- Another advantage is the creation of additional lighting in the room. You can keep the mirror on all the time, creating a light corridor. And the use of several such products at the same time allows you to make a tunnel, which will be a very interesting solution.
- A mirror with LEDs will fit into any interior. The models are presented in a wide variety, they differ in size, shape, and also in design: there are battery-powered, battery-powered, and mains-powered models.
- LED lamps are very economical in terms of electricity, but at the same time they provide high-quality light and a stylish appearance. They are durable and last more than 10 years, and are safe for the eyes. Backlighting in the form of LED strips is popular. It can have different colors and switching modes.
