More clients are requesting decorative lighting in the bathroom. This lighting adds a little touch of sparkle to the room and enhances the ambience and feel of the room. Decorative lighting in a small space like a bathroom will most likely serve more than one purpose. For example, a chandelier is a very decorative fixture but it also provides ambient lighting to the space. A small table lamp may add a little sparkle as well as accent light for a corner.
Lamps
Light sources that we commonly call bulbs are referred to as "lamps" by the lighting industry. Choosing the correct lamp will depend on the fixture you select, the space it will light, and the effect you want to create or achieve. Even though you may consult a lighting designer to help you create a lighting plan for your client, having some knowledge of lighting terms and applications will give you a base for thinking through the possibilities.
Lamp Sizing
Lamps are sized in 1/8 inch intervals. For example, if you see a lamp labeled as PAR30, it means a lamp is 30 by 1/8 inches in diameter. An MR16 lamp is 16—1/8ths in diameter. Fluorescent tubes are also measured in 1/8ths of an inch. The original standard T12 (12—1/8ths) tube is being replace
by T8 and T5 tubes, which are smaller in diameter. This sizing system will help you decide if a lamp will fit into a fixture. Lamps sold in Canada typically use the same measuring method.
