6 Unique And Innovative Lighting Designs For Your Bathroom!

 INNOVATIVE, UNIQUE AND FUNCTIONAL BATHROOM LIGHTING?

FIND OUT THE TOP 6 TRENDING LIGHTING DESIGNS FOR YOUR BATHROOM!!

  

Light, light, light and more light!  Light is so key in our daily lives in not only nature’s own ‘light’ from the sun, but also for interior lighting whether, in a commercial office space, public space or in the privacy of one’s own home. 

 

And when it comes to home design for your bathroom space, lighting is essential in creating illumination, functionality and also ambience.

 

We will be exploring what is trending in unique and innovative lighting design for your bathroom space. 

 

 

And to help us start this journey, SIDLER is honoured to have Leigha Lugo from Light Era Studios provide her expertise and insight into 6 unique, innovative lighting designs for your bathroom.

 

 

Website: www.lighterastudios.com

Instagram: @lighterastudios

Facebook and YouTube: /LightEraStudios

 

 

 

Let’s explore 6 innovative lighting designs for your bathroom and, also outline elements such as design composition, function, efficacy, materials, scale and quality.

 

 6 UNIQUE AND INNOVATIVE BATHROOM LIGHTING DESIGNS!

Written by: Leigha Lugo, Light Era Studios

Edited by: Sally Mark, SIDLER International Ltd.

 

 

When designing a bathroom space, it doesn’t mean the resulting composition will ring true with the quality or functionality one envisions especially, when it comes to bathroom lighting and illumination.

 

Whether you have the budget for an interior designer or have the determination of a DIY’er, we can all be grateful for the creativity of interior designers, product designers or the social media influences on creating a bathroom space with an appealing and functional lighting design.

 

Be it Instagram or Pinterest you can guarantee using hashtags such as, #bathroomlightingdesign #covelighting #vintagelighting will provide a plethora of trendy lighting design ideas.  However, one thing I have noticed time and again is when a social media image displays an interior lifestyle; it lacks the ability to tell a carousel story of the design depicted in a home or bathroom space.

 

For example, in a bathroom space you see an image of a stunning light fixture, but what else does this image tell the audience about this light choice?  Does this image tell the story of the full breadth of lighting needed within the bathroom?  For example, depending on the amount of natural light illuminating a space, there may be a need for more general lighting such as recessed lights and upgraded LED bulbs with a CRI of 85 or higher.  In some cases, certain lighting is chosen for a bathroom design because a sustainable lighting solution was required or desired to keep energy costs low and efficiency high while, reducing emissions into the environment.

 

When most people think of lighting for the bathroom, the first image that comes to mind is a crystal chandelier above a claw tub or two sconce bouquets of milky, glass globes hung symmetrically beside a vanity mirror.  However, let’s think broader than decorative and task lighting and look at the dynamic aspects of lighting.  There are many action-oriented lighting designers who are refining smaller recessed downlights or integrating LEDs within vanity mirrors to create both function and increase efficiency, which is great for those of us who spend ample time in the haven of their bathrooms.

 

While design can be a reflection of many things such as culture; innovation is simply the evolved fusion of one or more designs. And everyone’s tastes and preferences are all so unique and varied, and thus is represented in the design styling of a home or bathroom space. 

 

As quoted in the wise words of famed Interior Decorator, Billy Baldwin, “Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style.”

 

COASTAL FARMHOUSE

 

Whether a particular culture of society dubs the majestic bathroom space as, “the loo”, “the privy”, or “the good ole’ bathroom”; these grooming rooms deserve lighting that is both decorative and produces efficient illumination to perform any bathroom task.

 

When designing lighting for a bathroom or any room, successful design composition involves layering lighting.  To achieve a clean, yet welcoming environment, layer ambient, task, accent, and decorative lighting into a happy marriage into one bathroom design.  Depending on how much space you have, certain brands and fixtures can provide multiple lighting solutions.

 

 

An innovative lighting design example would be the Coastal Farmhouse trend which continues in popularity and complements nautical design.  HINKLEY Lighting provides stylish vanity fixtures included in the Sommerset and Fletcher collections.  If you’re designing a coastal project instead of recessed downlights, opt for the HINKLEY Porte Family flush mounts to add a nautical style with a heritage brass finish.

 

 

A wonderful feature of the Coastal Farmhouse trend incorporates exposed Edison style bulbs within the fixtures.  These can create vivid glare so be sure to install a dimmer switch or use smart bulbs like the LED Bulbrite Solana collection.  The LED Bulbrite Solana has a unique technological advancement feature where it connects with its own proprietary app so you can control each individual light bulb to adjust colour selection.

 

MINIMAL FUTURIST

 

Lighting design is continuously evolving as innovative technology advances us into the future.  And even though minimalist design can feel bare bones it can also exude luxury.  The Minimal Futurist styling aims for a sleek style with hidden or diffused light sources and integrated smart lighting.

 

 

To achieve this style which combines functionality, first consider installing toe-kick lighting so the floor reflects light from the floating vanity above.  If the space allows, implement cove lighting to enhance the tall ceilings.  WAC Lighting offers InvisiLED Pro Tape Light to create a clean install with colour selective options.   And be sure to put all lighting on dimmers to create atmosphere.

 

 

One stellar product you can use to achieve a Minimal Futurist style and really one that should be incorporated in most if not all bathrooms, are mirrors with storage and integrated LED lighting. SIDLER International Ltd. offers a variety of sleek mirrors which also plays the dual role of being a storage cabinet space to create a minimalist, clean vanity.

 

 

SIDLER’s dimmable Quadro collection with 45º ambient CRI>90 integrated LED lighting system and nightlight not only fully illuminates atmospheric light in the bathroom, but also has efficient task lighting for your daily bathroom grooming habits.

 

 

Other collections such as, SIDLER’s Sidelight with its innovative upgliding door as well as, the newest SIDLER collection, the Xamo both feature this same proprietary ‘Swiss’ design lighting system as seen in the Quadro.  As well as the innovative lighting system in a SIDLER cabinet, they also feature no deslivering technology with their SilverLasting™ double-sided mirrored doors and an anodized aluminum body. Innovation and technology integrated into lighting options paves the future in bathroom lighting design.

 

 

TROPICL BRUTALISM

 

One design that has caused controversy as more designers warm up to its cool ways, is Tropical Brutalism.  Let’s rewind for a bit of brief context on the history of “brutalism” and how this post-war era design trend emerged.

 

“Brutalism is the techno music of architecture, stark and menacing” – GQ Magazine 2018

 

Forced to rebuild due to cultural catastrophes and due to the desire to build bare, concrete buildings with minimal design over decorative features; emerged a style that came to be loved over time.  The term “brutalism” is simply taken from béton brut, which is French for “raw concrete.”  Like war, environmental catastrophes can also leave buildings bare.  So, in vulnerable islands like Bali or Puerto Rico it’s common now to see hotels and tall buildings stripped of their stylish features leaving only the concrete bones of the remaining structure where only the interior is decorated with accessories.

 

On the lighter side of design, many of these brutalist style buildings have fused a tropical essence with touches of greenery embellishing sharp edges and gray tones.  So, whether the island grew up around the building or the interior artwork provides life and colour to an all more muted space; the organic evolution is a sight to behold.

 

 

While Varaluz’s lighting designs are often inspired by music; the brand also has a selection of Tropical Brutalism inspired lighting including the Cayman Collection.  This collection’s design features a rigid geometry complemented by natural elements of rattan and recycled steel.  Varaluz strives for sustainable manufacturing practices in its wide variety of stylistic lighting.

 

 

Kuzco Lighting is another brand which offers contemporary lighting products suitable for a brilliant Brutalism stylized building.   What is most loved about this brand is the versatility of products and efficacy of their integrated lighting.  The new Talis collection is no exception.  This collection showcases a light design that suspends from the ceiling in these organic u-shaped bars of illumination, which can be layered in 3 or 5 bars to add accentuated lighting against a wall or above a concrete spa.

 

BIOPHILIC OPULENCE

 

What comes to mind when you think of biophilic design?  Perhaps, bridging the architectural gap of nature and order?  Biophilic design seeks to connect our inherent need to create a cohesion with nature within the modern building environment.  Imagine the creating of natural light in a 2^nd floor apartment bathroom where your dream of a skylight is now a reality.

 

So, where does the concept of opulence come in?  In using the term “opulence”, it’s more a reference to abundance, but not in a wasteful manner.  And as it pertains to light design, it’s a reference to an abundance of all the right lighting.

 

 

A Finnish brand called Light Cognitive has developed virtual LED windows that accurately mimic the sky.  This concept is called the Skylight and it seamlessly changes colour throughout the day to reflect outdoor lighting transitioning from soft orange and red sunset hues to clear blue tones and into muted shades of dusk.  Hence, you not only can bring the lush green of nature inside, but you can also marry this with the natural colour temperature of daylight.

 

 

There is another lighting brand that is indeed lavish and for good reason as their heritage of light design lies in its artistry.  Since 1940, Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting has a crew of artisans crafting their lighting designs, and every bit of craftsmanship and assembly takes place in their Miami facility.  This brand’s made-to-order pieces feature only top quality, crafted materials.

 

Such as a few other collections, the Crystal Laurel Collection has a variety of styles adorned with faceted crystal leaves and an elegant floral motif.  While they aren’t the leaves organically grown from nature itself, its crafted leaves showcase as a stunning replica of flora where it can be hung above a grand clawfoot tub.  Leaves are an eternal birth of nature so, a light design that reflects this beautiful touch of nature represents this.

 

 

RETRO DECO

 

As previously mentioned, it is vital to ensure as much of your bathroom lighting utilizes dimmers to create that perfect atmosphere and ambience in the space.  When all your lighting products illuminate at various intensity levels, this creates a depth and volume of atmosphere or space in a bathroom.

 

For example, if you want to create an illusion of increased space in the size of the room or bathroom, consider a lighting technique called ‘wall grazing’ to accentuate texture like a wall relief.   Or you can even use large scale decorative lighting on either side of a vanity mirror to create cross illumination.  Lighting compositionally and decoratively can be achieved with the right lighting products.

 

 

“Fashions fade, style is eternal” – Yves St. Laurent

 

Exactly 100 years ago, the Art Deco style first gained public attention in 1922.  This design style has far from faded, but instead has gained traction in contemporary design.  Brands such as, Hudson Valley Lighting create light designs that modernize on this popular style by crafting collections like the Meander.  Meander is a design culmination of aged brass finishes combine with Spanish alabaster to diffuse the light, which turns your bathroom into a ‘Hollywood glam’ oasis.

 

 

In terms of light designs with varying design scale, a newer brand which is hot on the scene is Los Angeles based, Avenue Lighting.  This brand’s new Waldorf collection can be made in a larger scale with layered crystal cylinders in front of G-9 bulbs to create a diffused maximum lumen output.  While the Waldorf collection boasts the ultimate art deco vibe, there are multiple installation options.  For example, a designer could hang two large, elongated pendants in a vertical arrangement in front of columns and pull together a swanky bathroom setting.

 

INDUSTRIAL LUXE

 

One final innovative design trend is Industrial Luxe, which echoes the notes of high-quality design.  As a side note, it goes without saying that every lighting brand discussed in this article is also of the highest quality in design, function and innovation.

 

In the 2020’s, urban industrial styling has evolved to an “Industrial Luxe” aesthetic, combining painted bricks, metals, wood, and salvaged or recycled materials for a design aesthetic showcasing a marriage of vintage and modern appeal.  Now, with a solid list of brands who can provide you with the best lighting products to transform any bathroom into a sanctuary spa, a good question to ask is, “how does one define true quality”?  To many, quality means durability with high-end materials, quality craftsmanship of their products and sustainable practices of finishing.

 

 

Hubbarton Forge is based in Castleton, Vermont and their standard for quality is of utmost important and their light designs hit all of the key points as discussed above.  They have talented foundry artists and expert glass blowers, and they source their materials from local companies for all of the elements of the brand’s luminaries from slate to lamp shades, and to the lighting components. The brand’s Abacus multi-pendant cable system would make for a unique illuminated partition on either side of a tub whether, you combine multiples together or spread the cable system out in a wide arrangement.

 

 

Hammerton Lighting is also an equally astounding brand from Salt Lake City, Utah.  This brand has the ability to create luxury products, curating them into an industrial design element to incorporate into your home and bathroom design.  They are known for their talent in the ‘art’ of glass blown lighting designs.  The Gem collection is out of this world with a sputnik style chandelier of spokes and gem-like blown glass light-diffusers creating a luxury aesthetic in any industrial style bathroom.

 

CONCLUSION

 

Light plays such a key role in our daily lives where it can impact our moods, our energy levels, our activities, our functionality and just in our overall daily existence. 

 

So, when it comes to home design and particularly in bathroom design; the style, functionality and placement of lighting is one key design element which requires a measured amount of thought and planning in order to find the perfect lighting system for your bathroom space.  

 

Here are some other interesting articles about innovative and creative bathroom lighting design ideas:

 

• HGTV article.
• Homes & Gardens article.