Bathroom Wall Lamps

When installing or revamping your bathroom’s lighting, there are some important issues to consider which you can read about here. Once you have decided upon the general layout of the lighting you will be installing, there is more specific lighting to focus on. Nowadays, grooming has become a more time-consuming activity for men and women alike, and appropriate lighting should be afforded for the exact needs. In this article we will discuss task lighting, wall lights, magnifying mirrors and mood lighting - all the specific lighting trends that are increasing in popularity. Your Basin Mirror as a work desktop - the origins of Task Lighting Think of your bathroom's basin mirror as the equivalent of a desk in an office; it is where most of your ‘work’ will be taking place in the bathroom. People now want full lighting coverage - but not to be startled with an uncomplimentary view of their unkempt face first thing in the morning. With inconsiderately placed bathroom lighting there is always the problem of unflattering lighting. Overhead lights beaming down onto your mirror tend to cast deep shadows below your eyes, nose and chin, ageing you about 10 years. The optimum solution for this is a light that illuminates both sides of the face, ensuring an even and flattering glow without any shadows. This can be achieved via the use of an illuminated mirror or wall lighting on either side of the mirror. Effectively placed task lighting will prevent aggravating eye strain in the morning and improve precision when you are applying makeup or having a close shave. Illuminated Mirrors Every basin needs a mirror, so to a large extent illuminated mirrors kill two birds with one stone. The mirrors may have integrated horizontal or vertical lighting depending on your preference, and many incorporate a shaver socket. With some innovative illuminated mirrors, ambient light is provided by a gentle spread of light shining from behind the mirror, making it appear to float.Wall Lights - introducing a '5-star' touch of class to your bathroom The trend that started in hotels has now well and truly spread into people’s homes: wall lights fitted onto either side of a mirror or mounted directly above the mirror. This gives your basin mirror a luxurious ‘5 star’ feel to it as it is so reminiscent of lights previously found only in premier locations. Practically speaking, they provide the even spread of light that is requisite for a proper bathroom session. We here at Sparks offer a wonderful range of bathroom wall lights, including the Belgravia 600 LED. This exquisite wall light uses an extremely powerful 19W LED and includes an integral LED driver that will save you bundles on running costs, over the long run. More budget options with bathroom lights at Sparks, which still offer a great deal of class. For instance, the beautiful Bari Polished Chrome bathroom light. Mood lighting - for when you want to create a peaceful Zen-like feeling in your bathroom Many people now envisage the bathroom as the ideal place to unwind, reflect and re-energise. Bright white light may be great for ensuring a neat shave but is not the most relaxing colour light available. Mood lighting gives you leeway to have a relaxing time in your bathroom, as you may use dimmable lights to provide softer ambient lighting. This is perfectly suited for when you have plenty of time to spare and fancy a relaxing soak in the tub. Recessed LEDs are also ideal for providing a splendid wash of light across your bathroom floor. A bright idea is to fit a strip of LEDs along your bathroom panel to cast mellow lighting; your bath will appear to float. We offer an ideal LED mood lighting solution with the Self-Adhesive LED Strip Light. This 5-metre long strip of IP65 rated LEDs provides 5000K of white light. It has a spread of 60 LEDs per metre and is effortless to install. Magnifying mirrors - an overlooked lighting appliance for your bathroom? Task Lighting is all about ensuring that you are doing a particular job in the bathroom - with that job being to look at your best and transform your bathroom to be a place of comfort. Magnifying mirrors come with a whole host of advantages including their adaptability in positioning. They can be placed right next to your illuminated mirror, for instance, to provide a two in one lighting solution. They are highly useful, with their swing-arm adjustment making them highly unobtrusive. For instance, the resplendent Catena Round Magnifying Mirror is fully adjustable and offers x3 magnification. They are an invaluable asset when it comes to aiding your shaving or makeup routine. Once you buy one, believe us - you will quickly find it to be an indispensable part of your bathroom.

Winter is coming around the corner and many of us can expect to experience the 'winter blues', also known as 'Seasonal Affective Disorder' (SAD). What is SAD? It is a common mood disorder that is a growing phenomenon in modern society. It is widely perceived to cause decreased mood levels and depression and has now been directly linked with seasonal changes and the light levels people are exposed to,  especially in countries with irregular weather patterns such as the UK. Why is SAD affecting more people? The adoption of electronic light in recent times has led to a change in the ‘circadian’ rhythms of the human body, which controls key features such as sleep-wake behaviour and hormone secretion. Other modern-day factors such as technology, globalisation and shift work has been seen to disrupt the lines between night and day, disturbing the 24 hour sleep cycle we ought to be operating on for maximum health and happiness. The hidden powers of LEDs and why they may be a surprise solution However, there could be a solution to the problem, which itself is partially caused by artificial lighting; this solution is from another artificial lighting source - LEDs. LEDs are more helpful in tackling SAD than traditional incandescent light sources primarily due to the quality of light provided by LED bulbs, which give the options of different shades of light, from warm white light, to cool light and daylight. Having these options available is essential for combating the ‘winter blues’ associated with shorter days and less natural light. Commercial lights often max out at only 10,000 lumens, which has far too little effect on the mood to help with the effects of SAD. When SAD light therapy research was initially being conducted, scientists could only operate within the confines of the 10,000 lux offered by the best traditional lighting at the time. However, it was soon acknowledged that a far higher number of lumens was needed, and then LED lamps came to the rescue, with a far more powerful light than that offered by fluorescent bulbs. The importance of Kelvins provided by LEDs The best LED lights can offer up to triple this amount, with 30,000 lumens, which research has demonstrated is the equivalent of 1800 wattage from regular incandescent bulbs or 1500 watts of halogen bulbs. A proponent of LEDs swears by an LED with a Kelvin level of 6000K which replicates that of natural daylight and is described as ‘crisp and invigorating’ on the Kelvin Colour Temperature scale. According to the ‘Psychology Today’ website, LED lights perpetuate the bright blue light of daytime. This is essential in a time when the interval between day and night has become increasingly erratic and the natural 24 hour sleep cycle that should be natural to people has been broken due to the high demands and stresses of modern life. How LED lights that can brighten up your 'Winter Blues' At Sparks we thankfully have no shortage of LED lighting, adapted for every type of interior or exterior setting. You can start your day off by grooming in the light of a Palermo LED Bathroom wall light, which offers a generous helping of bright and vibrant 3000K light to immediately brighten your mood. Our range of Louvre Fascia LED wall lights will brighten up your outdoors with 3500K of white light if you are spending a some evenings outside, or if you just came home from work and need some welcoming light along the way. Finally, if you arrive home after a day cooped up in the office, feeling you haven’t got your share of sunlight, then we at Sparks also provide a range of Flos table lamps, to be placed by your bedside or on your table as you read or surf the internet to unwind. So, if the winter blues has you feeling under the weather, a few well-placed LED lamps may have you feeling better in no time.Articles on LED lamps affect on SAD which inspired us: An explanation of SAD (via Wikipedia) The effect of light exposure on mood and brain chemistry (via US National Library of Medicine) information on light-levels effect on our psychology and stress levels (via Psychology Today). Factors that could be increasing the cases of SAD in our population (via Meaningness) Via Meaningness, why more lumens could be the solution, and how LEDs can improve mood levels. Kelvin Colour Scale explained (via Lumens)

Astro Lighting - the company began in the basement of a house in Sevenoaks in London in 1997 - is one of the most wonderful lighting manufacturers in the UK, being present now at most major lighting shows with their amazing light fittings. Nominated for many awards and winning quite a few prestigious awards, Astro brings to the UK market a wide range of both domestic and commercial light fittings for indoor and outdoor. We at Sparks distribute a wide range of Astro Lights, and they seem to be quite popular and sought after by both installers, home owners, and commercial companies alike. The bathroom lights made by Astro range from shaver lights to ceiling lights, wall lights, shaver lights, magnifying mirrors, marker lights, spotlights, and floor lights. In this article we would like to showcase some of the Astro Bathroom Mirror Light Fittings and Illuminated Mirrors which we think would look great in your bathroom. You choose which you prefer, and you can purchase them in our lighting showroom in North London (in the Archway area) or online on our website. Niimi Round LED Light (AX0760) - Magnifying Mirror with LED light Coming in a polished chrome finish and with an adjustable arm, this magnifying mirror is great for a modern bathroom, catering to both ladies and gentlemen alike for their personal grooming needs. If you don't need the light, it can simply be switched off. You can purchase this vanity mirror light online here. Livorno Bathroom Mirror Light (AX0637) - Bathroom Shaver Light It uses energy saving fluorescent lamps and has a pull cord switch at the bottom. Excellent bathroom mirror with light - illuminated mirror, for those who need a small toiletries and hygiene stuff closet. Excellent for domestic use in the bathroom. Galaxy Square Illuminated Mirror (AX0440) - with Pull Cord Switch A square 60cm x 60cm illuminated mirror for the bathroom, allowing you to turn the light on only when needed. No need for ballast or driver. The IP44 rating for this square mirror light allows you to safely install it above the sink, in the place most needed when you wash your face in the morning. Imola 900 Bathroom Mirror Light (AX0782) - Rectangular Mirror Light Great for those taller among us or where there are a few generations living in the same house, this 90cm tall mirror with two strip lights on the side is a great addition to a modern style bathroom. Part of the Imola range of bathroom illuminated mirrors, this uses fluorescent lamps as the lighting source. 

One of the common questions our customers ask us is related to bathroom lighting, and quite a few of them ask us about IP20-rated lights, and whether they are suitable for use in the bathroom. Are IP20 rated light fittings suitable for use in the bathroom? Can I install an such a light in the bathroom? Questions like these are posed every day, especially since there are some amazing such ceiling lights or wall lamps that the customers really love, and they would like to install them in the bathroom. Let's explore this question together and see what is the correct answer to, Are IP20-rated Lights Suitable for Bathroom Lighting?Note: at Sparks we sell a wide range of IP20 rated lights, IP44 rated light fittings, and IP65 rated lights.IP Rating and Bathroom Zones - Rules and RegulationsWhen installing anything in the bathroom in the UK we need to know the current regulations, which are contained in the 18th Edition Wiring Regs. You may not know them, but it is good to know what wiring regulations apply to installing lights and light fittings in the bathroom, otherwise we put ourselves in great danger, because water and electricity should never mix. Electrical hazards and electrical short circuits due to the mixing of water and electricity should be avoided at any cost since they pose great danger to human life. So what do the wiring regulations say about lighting in the bathroom? The 18th Edition Wiring Regulations define certain bathroom zones - see the image.Note: we have introduced the IP ratings, IP zoning, and Bathroom Zones - see the articles linked. The bathroom zones are three: Zone 0 is the area inside the bathtub or in the shower. There is a lot of splashing water and even more, it can be submerged in water, so special light fittings need to be installed here.Zone 1 is the area above and around the bathtub and the shower, up to 2.25m above the floor. This area is also under the reach of splashing water. Zone 2 is the area of up to 60cm beyond the bathtub edge, basically 60cm outside zone 1. There is some reach of water here, but not as much. The outside zone, the zone outside all these areas, where in general there is no splashing water - some call it "zone 3" while others just call it "the zone outside zones 1 and 2".The current wiring regulations state that specific IP-rated light fittings can be installed in the three zones for the protection of human life. The following IP ratings are recommended:In Zone 0 it is recommended to use IP67, total immersion-proof light fittings, and 12v (low voltage) light fittings are recommended. For our safety, it is not recommended to install any light fitting that is under IPx7 in zone 0.In zone 1 it is recommended to use light fittings having an IP rating of minimum IP45, and IP65 light fittings are warmly recommended in this zone, since water can still reach the light fittings. In zone 2, the area stretching 0.6m outside the perimeter of the bath and up to a height of 2.25 from the floor, it is recommended to use light fittings that have an IP rating of IP44, which are protected from water drops. In the zones outside these three, no IP rating is required, so an IP20-rated fitting can be safely installed. However, for safety reasons, it's best to have IP44-rated light fittings outside of the bathroom zones. IP20 Lights - are they good for the Bathroom?Coming back to our original question, are IP20 rated lights suitable for installation in the bathroom? See the picture above: can this Kymi 220 Plaster Wall Light (Paintable) Ridged Semi-Cylindrical Fitting be installed in the bathroom?Buy the Kymi 220 Plaster Wall Light We may like its finish and shape, but is it safe to be in the bathroom? Based on the current wiring regulations, IP20 rated lights can be installed outside the bathroom zones, that is, away from the reach of splashing or dripping water. Depending on the size of the bathroom, there are many spaces and areas where IP20-rated wall lights or ceiling lights can be installed. These areas are not reached by water jets nor are they at the risk of being splashed or sprinkled with water, so IP20 rated light fittings can safely be installed. However, for the sake of safety, it is best to use IP44-rated lights in the bathroom, even outside the bathroom zones. If you want to be on the safe side, we warmly recommend IP44-rated ceiling lights and wall lamps in the bathroom, outside the bathroom zones. Note: we at Sparks are not qualified to offer professional advice, but we can apply the current regulations and offer advice based on our experience. Before installing any light fitting in the bathroom, please consult with a registered electrician - send them the link to where the light fitting can be viewed, and they will advise. If you are planning to clean the bathroom light fitting with a spray of water or maybe wash it, it is best to have the light fittings rated to a minimum IP65. If there is no reach of splashing water where the light fitting is, and it is outside the bathroom zones defined in the wiring regulations, such lights are suitable. In Conclusion: Always Be Safe in the BathroomIn conclusion, it is entirely up to you when installing IP20 rated lights in the bathroom - outside the bathroom zones. For example, the Ortona Twin Matt Black Bathroom Wall Lamp with Opal-Glass Globe Shades IP44 can safely be used in the bathroom, since it is IP44-rated.Buy the Ortona Twin Matt Black Wall Lamp We would advise staying on the safe side, that is, using IP44-rated light fittings even outside the bathroom zones. You never know, with the steam rising from the bathtub, the vapours of air coming out of the shower, water can reach the light fittings located outside the bathroom zones, and electrical hazards can happen. And whatever you do in the bathroom, always consult a registered electrician to both install and advise on the light fittings you are allowed to install there.