CGH Electrical [September 2022]
Bathroom lighting is often woefully overlooked in the world of interior design. Ideally, a bathroom would have multiple types of lighting for each section – and each with multiple settings to account for natural lighting changes throughout the day. A well lit bathroom will appear cleaner, bigger, and more inviting. Lighting choices are a pivotal part of bathroom design and the ideal lighting system for your bathroom will largely depend on the size, style, natural light, location, climate, and purpose of your bathroom.
Using recessed lighting in the bathroom ceiling is a good way to provide general illumination that is at the same time flattering to your facial features—just as long as the light isn't pointing directly down on your head. You should also avoid installing too many recessed lights, as this can make your bathroom ceiling look like a pockmarked face or a sea of black holes. One or two lights in each corner will work just fine, especially if you have a smaller space. You can also install different switches so that only one or two lights turn on at a time, which creates the appropriate atmosphere for taking nighttime soaks in the tub.We spend quite a lot of time in the bathroom grooming and pampering ourselves, so it's only reasonable to make it a place that's comfortable at the very least. The next time you're thinking about updating the look of your home, don't forget to include this important space in your list of must-upgrades. Remember, your home and its decor is a reflection of yourself and your personality, and this extends to every corner of the house—even the bathroom.
There's a certain kind of charm that you can achieve only with natural light. The warm, buttery rays of sunshine pouring into any room—yes, even the bathroom—somehow gives both a cheerful and peaceful effect. But while barely decorated windows can maximise the amount of sunlight streaming in, they also provide very little privacy. Fix this problem by add in sheer or light-colored fabrics that allow light to filter through. This can transform the harsh glare of the sun into a more welcoming glow. Cellular shades are also a good idea since they can help maintain the right temperature in the room, which makes bathing and showering a more pleasant experience overall.
Electrical shaver sockets must always be within a safe distance from the sink, bath or shower to avoid splashes. They must be located more than 3m from the edge of a bath or shower. A popular location for a shaver socket is near a sink, windowsill or shelf, where it can easily be charged between uses
A quality bathroom cabinet is a real essential, and a fantastic design can also greatly enhance the looks and ambience of your bathroom. The right cabinet can help you transform your bathroom into a relaxing haven.
Electric Showers draw on a mains cold water supply and heat the water on demand. Choose a higher kilowatt rating for better flow performance and thermostatic temperature control for an electric shower which regulates water temperature to your needs, regardless of other water usage in the household.
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If there’s one place the worlds of form and function seamlessly meet it’s in the kitchen. And upgrading the lighting is a way to add a fresh dose of style and substance to the space. Even if you don’t have a major kitchen remodel in your future, a simple lighting swap — from adding some architectural track lighting to installing a dramatic chandelier —might be all it takes to upgrade the entire kitchen. Lighting is a lot like painting in that way: it can be an inexpensive, but impressive way to transform the room in a single afternoon.
If you’re building from scratch, or renovating a whole property, look into the feasibility of installing an automation system to control heating, lighting, sound (music streaming) and even window coverings.The ultimate in tech innovation, you can control all your utilities from one place. There are quite a few smart home systems on the market with functions to control different needs, so you could feel overwhelmed by the choice. The key is to write a list of what you specifically need in your own home. Then discuss the list and the layout of your property with a professional installer, who will be able to give you advice on the right system for you.
These long, narrow lights are installed directly onto the underside of your cabinetry, making them ideal for illuminating countertops and prep areas. LED light bars come in a wide variety of lengths and they’re linkable, so even long countertops can be fully and evenly illuminated. They can be either hardwired into the wall for a seamless look, or plugged in for easy installation.
If you kitchen has an island or breakfast bar, consider hanging pendant lights above it. Pendant lighting not only adds style to the space, it can also help anchor a kitchen island so it feels more deliberate in an open-concept home.
As we add more and more appliances to our kitchen arsenal, we have a greater need for plug points in handy places. It used to be that the only solution was to line up four or five double sockets on the wall. These can be tricky to tile around, and it’s expensive to cut a bespoke splash back to fit. With a few of these pop-up power points in your worktop and island, you can reclaim your walls and simply tuck the sockets away when not in use.
Any new kitchen, bathroom (or shower room), utility room or toilet should be provided with a means of extract ventilation to reduce condensation and remove smells. If you are refurbishing a kitchen or bathroom, you will need to ensure that any existing extract ventilation is retained or replaced. If there is no existing ventilation system, you need not provide one (though you can if you wish).
