Bathrooms are spaces that often go overlooked, but when they’re spruced up, they add some serious value to your home! Remodeling can take loads of time and effort (not to mention money), but giving your bathroom a facelift doesn’t have to. These simple tips can give you the bathroom of your dreams.

1. Organize

The last thing you want to deal with at the beginning and end of your day is CLUTTER. Give yourself the gift of a good system! Containers may seem unnecessary, but when you’re rushing out the door, it saves you a headache to just have an easy home for all your toiletries.

2. Add Greenery

Plants bring life, peace, and tranquility into a space. This bathroom would be the perfect escape from the stress of everyday life. The warm tones mixed with the green tell you to relax and take a break. Who are you to tell them no?

3. Change the Hardware

Arguably one of the easiest ways to take your bathroom from the early 2000s to today without spending a fortune is changing the hardware on your cabinets. Finish options are endless! The bathroom above uses gold accents to create a cohesive look with a modern feel.

4. Spruce Up the Walls

If you’re looking for a simple way to make a big impact in your bathroom and have a free weekend coming up, a fresh coat of paint and some elbow grease will make your bathroom feel like a brand new space with just a few hours of work! 

Want to take it to the next level? Bold wallpapers are in, and they really let you show off your personality! This bathroom incorporates the best of both worlds with a simple, painted board and batten wall on the bottom and wallpaper on top! It’s not as hard as it looks – check out this quick tutorial!

Renter-friendly option: Removable peel and stick wallpaper will give you the same look without having to commit long-term. Love the board and batten? There’s a renter-friendly tutorial for that too!

5. Update Mirrors

Bathroom mirrors are often neglected, but they totally change the feel of the room – don’t leave them out! These wood-framed mirrors bring warmth to this bathroom’s design and help to balance out all of the cool tones and polished finishes. 

Renter-friendly option: If replacing your mirror is out of the budget or you’re renting, adding a wood frame to an existing mirror is an easy one-weekend DIY project – just make sure you can easily remove it if you’re renting!

6. Paint Your Cabinets

Painting your bathroom cabinets may take a little effort, but it’s a great way to unify your space or to add a fun pop of color your bathroom. With just a small can of paint and some time, you can take your bathroom from basic to beautiful, even with a low budget. This bathroom’s painted cabinets help to ground the space, and provide much-needed contrast that takes the design from bland to balanced.

7. Replace Old Light Fixtures

Replacing a ceiling or wall light in your bathroom with a modern fixture that’s more your style will give the entire room an instant style boost! You don’t have to play it safe here – find a fixture you love and jump in! We love the way this bathroom shows some serious creativity with these pendant lights that highlight this AMAZING wood accent wall. 

Many homeowners are wary of swapping out light fixtures, but it’s usually a pretty simple DIY. We recommend starting with your vanity light first if you’re on a budget – great front-facing light by the mirror will make the biggest impact on your morning routine!

8. Layer Your Light

Every room in your house should have several light sources to make it feel more comfortable and eliminate harsh shadows and dark corners. In a living room, that’s as easy as tossing in a few lamps, but layering light in a bathroom can be a little trickier.

This bathroom uses a combination of pendant lights and recessed lights to make the whole space feel bright and airy. If your bathroom lighting isn’t working for you, installing an extra wall or ceiling light is the best way to go from dark and dingy to light and bright. 

If your bathroom’s already finished and rewiring isn’t in the cards – don’t worry! Fortunately, there are a lot of easy do-it-yourself options out there. 

LED light strips like the ones in this bathroom are inexpensive and as easy to install as a sticker! They’re usually used behind the mirror or under cabinets, but they can go anywhere you want some extra light. 

You can also replace a light switch or outlet cover with one that has a built-in light – no more blind fumbling for a switch in the middle of the night.

Renter-friendly option: Get a motion-sensing plug-in outlet light or a rechargeable countertop light! These are both non-permanent ways to add a layer of light and keep yourself from bumping into the counter in the dark.

9. Update Faucets

Another way to update the look of your bathroom and conserve water is by switching out your faucets. Look for a faucet with a WaterSense label to reduce your sink’s water flow by 30 percent or more. Less water flow means a lower water bill. With a lower water bill, you’ll have some extra change in your pocket to take your family out for dinner (or yourself–you deserve it!).

10. Dim the Lights

The lights in this bathroom make it a retreat from chaos. When you want a calming bath, dim the lights for optimal relaxation. Dimmable lights give you the flexibility to turn your bathroom into a spa.

Bonus points: Since dimmable lights are more energy-efficient, installing a dimmer switch will leave you with extra money to do more with your bathroom!

Renter-friendly option: Use other lower-light options like strip lights, countertop lights, or LED candles like in the bathroom above.

11. Add a Backsplash

The metallic accents and painted vanity in this bathroom are to die for, but what really makes this space magic is that classic backsplash. Not only does it breathe new life into this space, but it also protects the wall from moisture and staining, so you won’t have to worry about mold or mildew. With a little DIY magic, this bathroom feels complete!

Renter-friendly option: Use a peel and stick backsplash instead! It’ll look like tile without actually being permanent.

12. Update Your Tile Floor

While tile may be a bigger time or money investment, this bathroom clearly shows that it pays off. If you’re wanting to update the floor, choosing a unique tile like this is the way to go. Pro tip: while real tile will give you the best result, you can actually use a stencil to paint your floor. It will give it the same look for a fraction of the cost!

Renter-friendly option: Use removable flooring (peel and stick) to look like custom tile, or cut a vinyl piece to fit the size of any existing tile.

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Don’t let your bathroom fall between the cracks any longer! When you’re ready to take it to the next level, give our experts at Illuminations a call. We’d love to help you get started and give you more tips like these.

Feeling cramped in your bathroom? Every home comes with its quirks, and bathroom size and layouts are often among them. However, a cramped bathroom doesn’t have to cramp your style! Less-than traditional bathroom spaces simply call for less-than traditional lighting and décor ideas. Below, you’ll find a list of 7 examples of lighting that can transform your vertically-challenged bathroom space. Enjoy!

1. LED Illuminated Mirror

We’ve got lots to say about these, but that’s a topic for another time. They defog, have varied lighting settings, add a dramatic flair, save tons of space, and attract a lot of attention (while drawing attention away from the size of the bathroom). They’re a great addition to any size bathroom space.

Pendants

2. Globe One-Light LED Pendant

Beautiful globe pendants like this add unique texture and variety to your space. Pendants provide a fresh alternative to sconces. Ideally pendants should hang on either side of a mirror and be spaced 30 to 36 inches apart. As with any other bathroom lighting, it’s important that pendants be damp or wet-location rated. This protects against damage to the fixture or electrical components.

3. Cylinder Pendant

The great thing about pendants in a bathroom is that they can hang lower than a vanity light could, making your ceilings look higher. The standard placement for a bathroom pendant is to have the bottom of the fixture at the center line of the mirror. While many pendants come with adjustable stem lengths, you can also opt for a pendant hung by chain, cord, or wire for optimal hanging flexibility. Pendants should be part of a layered lighting plan that includes general overhead lighting, accent lights, and even natural light.

4. Mango Wood 1 Light Pendant

Keep in mind that pendants function best as accent lighting, and may not provide adequate light for the whole space. In fact, it’s better if pendants are opaque or thickly shaded, since they’re at your eye level and a clear-glass fixture might mean you’re staring straight at a bright bulb. That said, pendants like this one add texture, light, and style while drawing your eye away from short ceilings.

Sconces

5. Winfield 2 Light Wall Sconce

Sconces have been around for many years, but their efficiency and style make them a fresh solution for any space. Sconces often flank the sides of the mirror, but you can mount them to fit your personal preference. They can even augment the existing lines of your bathroom, drawing your eye horizontally in a pleasing, stylish way.

6. Glenn 1 Light Wall Sconce

The recommended height to hang sconces between 64” to 68” from the finished floor. The idea is to illuminate the face, so the exact measurements will vary a little bit depending on whether the sconce is “top” or “bottom” heavy, and where it shines light. Leaving the top half of your bathroom with less light draws attention away from the overall height of the room, focusing instead on the central, lit portion of the space.

7. AXIS SCONCE

Don’t forget that sconces are similar to the pendants—they don’t usually provide enough light to serve as a primary light source. If you do favor your sconces, you may want to supplement with hidden recessed lighting overhead. Using them as accent or task lighting, in addition to a main fixture, will add style and round out your bathroom space without detracting from the brightness of the room.

We hope that you can use these tips, tricks, and products to create an aesthetically pleasing and functional space in your bathroom—no matter what the size! Best of luck from all of us at Illuminations.

Now that we’ve given plenty of attention to the age-old debate about how to place toilet paper, I think it’s time to move on to something else. A well-lit bathroom can make or break your morning routine, and vanity lighting is a huge part of that! How often do we really stop to consider vanity lighting, however?

We’ve compiled the 3 most vital elements of vanity lighting and a summary of each topic. After you read and feel informed, pick your side! If you haven’t had these debates with your spouse, parents, or roommates yet, NOW is the time. These details can really maximize your bathroom space and transform your morning routine.

1. How to Hang: Up or Down?

The first thing you should consider is how to hang your vanity lights—shining up or down? First, consider how you’ll use these lights. Are they direct task lighting? If so, angle down or at the face. An indirect light source for style and mood? Shine them up.

If you have a bathroom with a darker color palette, a downward hanging light may suit you best. Why? Darker colors soak up more light, and hanging it downward will focus the light on the area you really want to be illuminating.

If your bathroom has a lighter color, palette an upward hanging light will work best for the space. Why? The light reflects off of the ceiling and walls, amplifying the overall light for the entire room. Regardless of which direction you hang them, vanity lights should hang high off of the floor, approximately 78 inches.

2. Clear or Frosted Glass?

You may have already had this debate when choosing other fixtures, but it’s especially relevant to vanity lights. They’re closer to eye level and more frequently viewed than most home fixtures, so choose well here!

In my years at a lighting showroom, the more popular choice has always been frosted glass. Why? One favorite feature about frosted glass is that it shines a soft ambient light. It still provides plenty of lumens, but isn’t too harsh on the eye. They also require less cleaning, since you’re unlikely to see fingerprints or smudges. A weekly light dusting should do the trick.  

On the other hand, I’ve encountered many lovers of clear glass. For one thing, they distribute more lumens, since the glass doesn’t diffuse the light. They’re often better for task lighting, aiding in accurate shaving or makeup application. The exposed light bulbs also add an element of style with different shaped filament bulbs.

3. What Fixture Size Is Best?

There’s a lot of variety in vanity fixtures. Some are small and dainty, others dramatic and large. We’ll let you have those infinite debates of taste as you surf Pinterest or our online catalog, but for now we’ll do you a favor and insert a lesser-known detail about proportions.

If your vanity light fixture is going over a single sink bowl, the fixture should be at least ¾ the size of the length of the mirror. Center it above the sink, and never select vanity lights that exceed the length of the mirror. If your vanity has two or more sinks, the same rules apply and you would center each light over its respective sink.

So there it is—the bathroom dilemmas no one talks about. Lighting matters! And fitting your vanity lighting to your unique taste will ensure an even better morning routine and evening wind-down experience.

When fairy godmothers and magic wands are lacking, you can still treat yourself to a dramatic transformation each day, if your bathroom is a magical space. Of course, many details work together to create the perfect space, but one of the best ways to start is to make sure you get two essential elements working together… lights and mirrors.

This is where the beloved illuminated
mirror comes into play.

With clean lines, stylish designs,
and unmatched light quality, mirrors with built-in lights create sophisticated statement
pieces for modern bathrooms. They have an unusual ability to help you transform
yourself and your space at the same time.

At Illuminations, we’ve been drooling
over these mirrors for a while now, but most people still haven’t heard of
them! So with that said, here are four ways that an LED illuminated mirror
create a little bit of magic in your bathroom.

LED
Illuminated Mirrors

1. They Amplify Your Style

LED mirrors come in many different
sizes to suit many needs, including those short or boxy bathrooms. They add a
sense of drama and sophistication to a room, and they showcase the wall behind
the mirror. Adding some kind of feature on the mirror wall now has DOUBLE the
impact, whether it’s a cool backsplash or an accent wall color.

2. They Add Atmospheric Lighting

LED illuminated mirrors provide an
even tone of light and a glow throughout the room. Many of them even have an
adjustable color temperature between warm white, natural white, and cool white.
Whatever you’re feeling, these mirrors have a mood lighting to match.

3. They Maximize Your Bathroom Tasks
for a Better Look

Whatever your morning routine looks
like, an LED mirror is sure to make it easier. Focused mirror lighting gives
you a clearer view of your face, improving make-up application and anything
else. I promise I’m addressing the men here, too—the extra light also helps
with shaving, since you can more easily see any spots you may have missed.

4. They Magically Defog Themselves

As if this couldn’t get any better,
some of our favorite LED mirrors now come equipped with a defogger in them. What
could be better than getting out of a hot steaming shower to a totally clear
mirror? Enjoy that steamy goodness while you move on with your necessary tasks.

Ready to take a look for yourself? In addition to all of the perks listed above, they offer even MORE great features, such as:

• Touch Control Technology
• Waterproof Grade
• Built in night light
• ETL Certification
• 3 year warranty

Visit us here.