Best bathroom lighting system

[R8Steve]

I am currently completely renewing my main bathroom and i'm just getting to the lighting part. I am looking to have several different lighting 'moods' and was wondering the best way to do this.

My thoughts were -
Bath - Bath spotlights on dim, bath pelmet led's on, wall downlighters on dim
Shower - Shower light on, wall downlighters on
General - Bath/shower spots on dim, wall downlighters on dim, main bathroom light on full
Main - all lighting on full

The way that seems to be the easiest is to install a 3/4 gang dimmer switch but is there a better 'smart' option that would do this better?

[Andrew_S]

Where are you planning to install the dimmer switch?

[anonymous-user]

My experience tells me that the more complicated you make it, the more pissed off and frustrated it will make you.

[B17NNS]

You could change the bulbs to Phillips Hue. Have as many 'scenes' as you like then. Vary the colour temperature too.

Control it by voice, app or one of their switches.

You could also add a motion sensor that triggers certain scenes at certain times.

[anonymous-user]

B17NNS said:

You could also add a motion sensor that triggers certain scenes at certain times.

Flashing lights when taking a dump?

[B17NNS]

garyhun said:

Flashing lights when taking a dump?

I suppose you could make them flash red afterwards warning other household members to give it five

[anonymous-user]

B17NNS said:

garyhun said:

Flashing lights when taking a dump?

I suppose you could make them flash red afterwards warning other household members to give it five

You could use the time delay from the extractor fan to turn it all off.

[R8Steve]

Andrew_S said:

Where are you planning to install the dimmer switch?

On the wall where the current light switch is.

[B17NNS]

Faz50 said:

You could use the time delay from the extractor fan to turn it all off.

No need with Phillips Poo. Just set it up in the (cr)app.

[anonymous-user]

B17NNS said:

No need with Phillips Poo. Just set it up in the (cr)app.

[Andrew_S]

R8Steve said:

Andrew_S said:

Where are you planning to install the dimmer switch?

On the wall where the current light switch is.

Is it more than 600mm away from the bath?

[R8Steve]

garyhun said:

My experience tells me that the more complicated you make it, the more pissed off and frustrated it will make you.

You are probably 100% right and my experience is the same as yours but as i am a man that like gadgets and true to PH i'm going to soldier on and do it anyway

[R8Steve]

Andrew_S said:

R8Steve said:

Andrew_S said:

Where are you planning to install the dimmer switch?

On the wall where the current light switch is.

Is it more than 600mm away from the bath?

Yes, it's in the hallway so not even in the same room.

[R8Steve]

B17NNS said:

You could change the bulbs to Phillips Hue. Have as many 'scenes' as you like then. Vary the colour temperature too.

Control it by voice, app or one of their switches.

You could also add a motion sensor that triggers certain scenes at certain times.

Excellent, thanks, it was them and hive i was looking at, i just wasn't sure about the scenes, would i just label the bulbs 'bath 1, bath 2', etc and group them into the bathroom to do this?

My other concern would be...how does a guest turn them on without the app? Can you get a switch to over-ride?

[TheRainMaker]

Get the pir sensor, then you wouldn’t even need to touch the light switch again.

[R8Steve]

TheRainMaker said:

Get the pir sensor, then you wouldn’t even need to touch the light switch again.

How would that work though, it senses someone coming in and turns the lights on, what happens if someone is relaxing in the bath watching tv or reading a book, how does it know to stay on?

[B17NNS]

R8Steve said:

would i just label the bulbs 'bath 1, bath 2', etc and group them into the bathroom to do this?

Yes

R8Steve said:

My other concern would be...how does a guest turn them on without the app? Can you get a switch to over-ride?

You can install a Hue switch or motion detector. You can also control it with voice with Alexa, Siri or Google.

This switch can be programmed with 4 scenes.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Personal-Wireless...

What you're trying to do is exactly what Hue does very well.

This switch is on, off and dimming.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-929001173761-Wire...

I've got a nice cool white for an invigorating shower, warm white for a bath. Nightlight if you need to get up in the middle of the night etc. Infinitely tinkerable

Edited by B17NNS on Friday 20th July 19:53

[R8Steve]

B17NNS said:

R8Steve said:

would i just label the bulbs 'bath 1, bath 2', etc and group them into the bathroom to do this?

Yes

R8Steve said:

My other concern would be...how does a guest turn them on without the app? Can you get a switch to over-ride?

You can install a Hue switch or motion detector. You can also control it with voice with Alexa, Siri or Google.

This switch can be programmed with 4 scenes.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Personal-Wireless...

What you're trying to do is exactly what Hue does very well.

Edited by B17NNS on Friday 20th July 19:46

Excellent, thanks for that, final question, do they have any issues running in a bathroom? Steam, moisture, etc?

[h0b0]

this was 6 years ago and more work was put in it. But, we used a dark wall colour and then highlighted areas with lights

h0b0 said:

This is current bathroom.





I realise you did not ask for photos. But, these examples show the idea of zones you light up when in use

[B17NNS]

R8Steve said:

Excellent, thanks for that, final question, do they have any issues running in a bathroom? Steam, moisture, etc?

Not that I'm aware of (usual zoning issues apply).

Keep an eye out for price reductions. On prime day I picked up 4m of light strip and a motion sensor for £100. Starter kits are also often discounted. Check prices using camelcamelcamel.

IKEA TRÅDFRI bulbs are also compatible with the Hue ecosystem. You can get a white GU10 for £7 and a colour temperature GU10 for £12.

Owners thread here...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...