Wall Vs Ceiling Mount Light Fixture For Bathroom Lighting

A ceiling mount light fixture is designed to be mounted to the ceiling while a wall mounted light fixture is meant to be mounted on the wall. There are pros and cons to both forms of lighting in a bathroom. In most situations, both forms of lighting should be used for specific applications.

When to Use Ceiling Mount Light Fixtures

A ceiling mounted light fixture is primarily designed to provide general illumination. They work extremely well for this purpose because they throw light down over a wide area. The two most common and effective areas to mount ceiling light fixtures are over a toilet and over the shower.

Ceiling light fixtures are a poor choice for lighting around a bathroom mirror. Their position places illumination directly on the head of someone looking into a mirror. This creates shadows around the face and body which limits the effectiveness of the mirror considerably.

Using Wall Mounted Ceiling Light Fixture

Wall mounted light fixtures are designed to provide direct illumination on a specific area. This type of fixture works extremely well for providing lighting around the mirror. By placing the lighting relatively close to eye level the fixtures are able to cast light directly on a person allowing them to see themselves clearly in the mirror. They also leave no shadows on the face or body.

Wall mounted light fixtures do not work effectively for room illumination because they are more directional and provide the light at a lower level. This can lead to large portions of the room remaining in the shadows. The ceiling of the room also tends to remain in the shadows with wall mounted light fixtures.

Using Both Wall Mounted Lights and Ceiling Fixtures

When deciding on the lighting for a bathroom the use of both forms of lighting fixtures should be considered. One or more ceiling mounted light fixtures should be installed to provide a balanced illumination throughout the bathroom. One should also be placed over the shower to provide clear illumination in the shower. Around the mirrors you should utilize wall mounted light fixtures to provide a clear illumination of your face and body when using the mirror. You can also make use of spotlight style wall fixtures to provide strong illumination on a specific area of the bathroom to accent decorations or design elements, such as a whirlpool or tub.