Why do I need ambient lighting in my bathroom? Isn’t some task lighting above the mirror good enough?

The use of ambient lighting will fill the bathroom with a warm glow and prevent shadows on your face that task lighting can create. Placing lights in different areas of the bathroom will provide the most even light for all tasks.

Can I use a dimmer in my bathroom?

Yes – dimmers are a great addition to most bathrooms. They allow you to use full light when getting ready first thing in the morning and can use less light during the day.

What are the best types of lights to use in the shower area?

Recessed down lights are best for above the shower or bath. These provide ample lighting for cleaning, shaving and reading toiletry bottles. Recessed and shielded lights will help protect the bather’s eyes from glare.

Do I need special outlets in my bathroom?

The Consumer Products Safety Commission recommends the use of “GFCI” outlets in bathrooms. These ground fault circuit interrupters can be easily installed in a household branch circuit and can prevent approximately 2/3 of the home electrocutions each year.

Electrocutions occur when a human becomes a part of the circuit for electricity. GFCI outlets constantly monitor electricity flowing in a circuit and sense any loss of current. If the current flowing does not match with the current returning, the GFCI recognizes a problem in the circuit and quickly switches off power to the circuit. A person may still feel a shock as the GFCI switches off, but it will be much less severe than the shock that would occur without a GFCI.

GFCIs can be installed by an electrician in place of a standard outlet, directly into a circuit breaker or used in portable form. GFCIs should be tested once a month and replaced if they do not work properly.