How Lockdown Transformed The Role Of The Bathroom

Managing director Marketa Rypacek founded lighting specialist Industville almost a decade ago following a successful career in international marketing and business development

The evolution of the bathroom

The bathroom has always needed to be a functional space where a whole family could get ready for work and school, but lockdown provided a breather from this, and in a sense the pressure was taken off the bathroom. For many, over that period it became a retreat and space to relax away from the rest of the household. Now, with some normality and morning routines returning, functionality will always be important but the desire for a soothing sanctuary is likely to be an enduring trend.

Creating a peaceful retreat

We are finding more and more customers are asking for advice about how to create a spa-like feel at home and lighting plays an important role in achieving this. Dimmable bulbs are a good option and will give the perfect ambience for relaxing bathing. Our waterproof lighting range includes a wide range of designs, ensuring bathroom lighting can now be as stylish as in the rest of the home. 

One of the most common mistakes when it comes to bathroom lighting is not providing enough of it. That said, people will often counter this issue with a plethora of fixtures on the ceiling, which can look busy and overcrowded. Consider combining decorative lighting with LED lighting strips that provide functional light, especially in areas around mirrors and furniture. This will create a design that’s spot on in terms of both the look and the functionality.

In terms of bulbs, LED vintage bulbs are an excellent choice. With their clean, minimalist style, LED energy-saving bulbs look great in the bathroom, and they are as practical as they are decorative, as you won’t need to replace the bulb for years. The increased wattage of modern LEDs provides a warm and relaxing glow that can be used in combination with incandescent bulbs for a polished finish.

Opening up the space

A well thought through lighting solution is integral to the space so it’s vital that the lighting, as well as the electrical wiring, is considered from the very beginning of the project. In this way, it’s possible to make a space feel larger than it actually is. Lighting should be approached in a layered manner, so embrace the whole range of available sources, from pendants to recessed lights, to track lighting, lamps and spot lighting. At Industville, we advise customers to vary the lighting in a room to create little pockets and pools of light, and to mix and match products to create a co-ordinated scheme. With task lighting around a mirror and IP65-rated decorative lighting to achieve overall ambience, accent lighting can then be used to highlight a statement basin, a freestanding bath or even a beautiful set of taps.