A fresh and natural bathroom beautifully lit with rays of sunshine or a chic and sleek space illuminated with atmospheric spotlights; which bathroom design appeals most to you? We’re taking a look at the pros and cons of natural light vs artificial light to help you choose which bathroom tribe you belong to.
Natural Light
PROS
Natural light is just that: natural. Nothing will give your bathroom a fresher and cleaner vibe than bright sunlight streaming in, perfect for homeowners who want their bathrooms to have a raw and organic feel. Since it can be harnessed completely free of charge, natural light is also great for those of you who don’t like paying huge energy bills!
CONS
The sad thing about natural light is that it has a pesky habit of disappearing when night-time rolls around. If you choose to focus only on natural light in your bathroom, and to scrimp on artificial light fittings, you could be left with a cold or cheap-looking bathroom when daylight fails you. If you live in a smaller home or you’re decorating an internal en suite bathroom, you may also find that bringing natural light into the space is impossible without the costly installation of a skylight.
Artificial Light
PROS
One of the best things about artificial lighting is that it’s completely under your control. Rather than relying on where you can shoehorn in a skylight or a window, spotlights can be placed absolutely anywhere you please. Artificial lighting also benefits from a little thing we like to call a dimmer switch. If you’ve had a long day and you want to relax with a soothing bath, artificial lights can be dimmed to create plenty of atmosphere (unlike natural light!)
CONS
Also unlike natural light, artificial lighting doesn’t come for free and installing spotlights, dimmer switches, et al can be a costly exercise. If you’re lighting a small bathroom with no windows, you’ll also have to bear in mind that this means lights will be used constantly throughout the day, which could lead to a painful increase in utility bills.
Conclusion
While both natural and artificial bathroom lighting has its advantages, ultimately we think the best way to go is with a little bit of each. Natural light looks beautiful during the day, while sophisticated downlights are essential by night or to light windowless spaces. Fit both into your bathroom and it’ll be beautifully lit 24/7.
