Lighting: Getting a good look when you wake up

Essential to create the ambience of the room, lighting should not be neglected and its implementation well thought out. The connecting a control drive is a good way to modulate the light depending on time of day and activities. In fact, several sources of lights are possible to create the atmosphere:

Chandelier or ceiling lamp. The light coming from the ceiling and directed downwards in the form of a chandelier or a ceiling light (preferably fog-tight) offers the general light, its height position allowing to distribute the light well in the whole Of the room and to facilitate traffic. This type of lighting is advisable in the case of generous volumes and high ceiling heights. There is also a false ceiling in which mini-spots will be installed .

Wall lights. Indirect lighting by wall sconces on the sides, but this more decorative solution must respect the protected volumes. Equipped with halogens, the appliques will diffuse a light close to that of the day. A solution adapted to medium surfaces.

Very low voltage halogen spotlights. Another light source to create a comfortable environment: lighting directed by a series of low-voltage halogen mini-spots (TBT) orientable placed on rails (or embedded in a false ceiling) and judiciously distributed. They have the advantage of being adjusted in intensity and therefore offer a light that varies according to the desired ambience. Perfect for illuminating a blind bathroom and making it inviting.

Around the mirror: the most important lighting. It is the face and not the mirror that it is necessary to illuminate. The light must be both flattering and frank, without shadow or cheating. But, the lighting up and down creates unsightly shadows on the face and lighting up and down accentuates the dark circles and looks bad.

All devices must be connected to a differential circuit breaker. Each safety volume corresponds to a lighting level (see above, safety standards).

Comply with safety standards in the bathroom

The bathroom is a room at risk where water and electricity come together . All electrical installations must comply with NF C 15-100 . This standard is essentially based on three criteria: Compliance of all electrical appliances with the NF standard. Obligation to make an equipotential bond, that is to say to connect all the conductive elements (pipes, bodies of metal sanitary fixtures, etc.) to the earth. Respect of security volumes. There are 4 levels of protection inside which are allowed, or not, the electrical equipment

The 4 volumes to know for electricity in the bathroom, knowing that each volume of security corresponds a level of lighting:

Volume 0 and 1: the immediate vicinity of the shower and bathtub, in which area any electrical appliance is prohibited. Volume 0: Class III IP 27 (very low voltage only with transformer outside volume) Volume 1: Class III IP 24 (less than 12 volts)

Volume 2: 60 cm around the water point and above 2m 25. Class II devices and switches, which are equipped with double electrical insulation and a safety transformer, Be placed. Volume 2: Class II IP 23 (protected against splashing water)

Volume 3: from 60 cm to 2m40 from the water zone. Electrical appliances with earthing connections are permitted.Volume 3: Class II IP 21 (less than 50 volts)

Faucets: how to save water

The bathroom represents 59% of the water consumed at home (20% for toilets and 39% for bath and shower). The valves offer solutions to reduce water consumption.

Always use the mixer in the mixer . The single control, which regulates flow and temperature in one step, reduces consumption by 10 to 20% and up to 40% with thermostatics supplying water at preset temperature. The electronic faucets infrared detection to arrive in the house and are very effective in terms of water saving. The first prices cost about 130 euros. Alternatively, equip the taps with an economizer. The reduced water is compensated by air. The lightness of the flow is very pleasant. The flow restrictor is installed on the shower head at the base of the hose and reduces the flow in half with the same pressure.

The recycling of water is still undeveloped in the bathroom except in some shower cubicles or spa baths. In the face of the ecological imperative, research is active and should lead to innovative solutions.

Bathroom: The 3 Keys to a Successful Renovation

A place of relaxation and well-being, the bathroom must be as easy to live as to maintain. This room is one of the most delicate to think of the habitat, especially since no error is allowed. For you who want a new bathroom, here's a recap of things to do before you absolutely get into the development work or renovating your bathroom to ensure your success.

You want to renovate or upgrade your bathroom , but do not know how to do it? Choice of the bathtub, the shower , or the coatings, safety standards ...
3 tips and tricks for a successful renovation of the bathroom.

1. A state of the art to better organize space in the bathroom
The bathroom is often the smallest room in the house. The organization of the space must therefore be optimized to the maximum for a smooth flow. Step one: Measurements of the room, location and direction of openings, sources of ingress and water points should be recorded and then plotted. You can then consider the different possible configurations.

2. Shower or bathtub?
The bathtub remains an ideal, especially for the resale of a good and it remains privileged for the children. However, in terms of sales, the shower took the lead. Conceived as a real wellness area, it can now compete with the bathtub in terms of comfort: generous dimensions, hydromassage columns, cabin with chromotherapy and hammam

3. Washbasin or sink, follow the trend
Washbasin or washbasin? Single or double? How many questions! Here are our answers. The washbasin can be placed or fitted on a piece of furniture, unlike the washbasin fixed on a wall or a column. Column washbasins are rare, except for the retro style. The fashion is with the square or round basins placed on a plane. For a comfortable basin, count 100 cm of plan. For two bowls, 120 cm long are the minimum. XS or XL, today there are many models of basins very seductive.

Buying a bathtub: what to know

First criterion of choice therefore , the use: if you have a family and children, you will need an ergonomic bathtub . There are lower cross -threshold bathtubs (53 cm instead of the standard 58 cm on average), so you do not have to bend down and break your back, but also two-in-one bathtubs. Can pass from the shower of the adults to the tub for the bath of the children.

 A cozy and pleasant space, or a 'balnéo'  Which can seduce the thalasso habitues. Especially, for a real relaxation, you will choose it of sufficient size ".

What size for my bathtub?

Indeed, the size of the bathtub is important: the bathtub is only marketed very little, the bathtubs start at 140 cm (not very comfortable to relax with the knees on the chin!), The average size of the bath Tubs are rather around 170 cm long by 70 or 75 cm wide. "If you really want to relax, you will have to be perfectly immersed." If you have room in the bathroom, go for a bathtub of 180, 190 cm ". Given the trend towards smaller bathrooms, especially in Paris, one can also be tempted by a corner bathtub, often described as a space saving solution : this is not the case,  Even a bathtub at an angle of 140 x 140 cm requiring a grip on the floor not negligible. In this case, it is preferable to use an asymmetric bathtub, according to Laurent Bazin: "This type of bathtub has one side wider than the other, with a diagonal tank bottom. Cm long allows you to gain 10 cm, giving you the feeling of being in a bathtub of 170 cm ". If you have the opportunity, do not hesitate to "try it" in the showroom: you will be able to judge its ergonomics, its depth, the slope and ensure your comfort of use . One side wider than the other, with a diagonal tank bottom. If it is well designed, a bathtub of 160 cm in length allows you to gain 10 cm, giving you the feeling of being in a bathtub of 170 cm. "If you have the opportunity, do not hesitate either "Try it" in the showroom: you will be able to judge its ergonomics, its depth, the slope and ensure its comfort of use. One side wider than the other, with a diagonal tank bottom. If it is well designed, a bathtub of 160 cm in length allows you to gain 10 cm, giving you the feeling of being in a bath of 170 cm. "If you have the opportunity, do not hesitate either "Try it" in the showroom: you will be able to judge its ergonomics, its depth, the slope and ensure its comfort of use.

Shower cabin: which one to choose?

Today, a shower cubicle is more than ever an aesthetic, functional and "pleasant to be" space. Whether it is hydromassage , simply equipped with a wall or two swinging doors, there is something for every taste. In pictures, discover the most current and trendy shower cabin models .

Practical in everyday life and accessible to all, the shower cabin is one of the must of the contemporary bathroom . Today, whether it is space saving, or wider, round or angular, the shower knows how to be welcoming. And it's up to you to choose: a trademark trainer and another brand name or all-inclusive shower cabin. You can also add some options: storage, a mirror or even a hydromassage system.


1. A shower cabin with swing door
Imagined for space optimization, this square shower cabin is made to fill an angle. Nevertheless, its swing door allows a wide opening. Finally, the strip of printed matter on the glazing makes it decorative.

Polaris Design shower cabin for corner mounting, Transparent glazing finish or screen printing. Classic collection, from 11 cm to 121 cm wide with opening from 44 to 54 cm - price on estimate. Samo.

2. A workshop glass shower cubicle
For an industrial- style walk- in shower, adopt the Zenne wall as a workshop glass. So the shower wins in style without weighing down the space. The +: the wall is easily laid.

Fixed wall Zenne 90 x 195 x 80 cm - starting from 467,50 euros.

3. A shower cabin with a natural ambiance

Purified, this shower enclosure offers a design look to the bathroom . The set of glossy materials (stainless steel shower column and aluminum profiles that reflect light) and natural (wooden gratings) softens the atmosphere and adds a hint of elegance.

"Ice" integral shower cabin, fixed shower and hand shower, black acrylic tray with wooden grating, with pivoting glass safety door, 215 x 90 x 90 cm - from 999 euros.

4. Compact corner cabin

In immaculate white, this integral shower cabin remains sober and shows little space. Ideal in an angle, this shower cubicle leaves you the choice of the location of the walls: opaque against the wall and transparent on the outside.

Square shower cabin Glass coral, swivel door, with side wall in opaque abs and transparent glass wall, receptacle reinforced with 6 feet of settings

Ideas for decoration: small and modern bathrooms

Decorating a small bathroom can be a real challenge. We propose a collection of photos of modern small bathrooms where you can find various decoration ideas.

Making a small and old bathroom a modern and simple bathroom is one of the maxims when decorating these spaces so special. You usually have to opt for a shower or a half bath and take advantage of the space under the sink to place a piece of bathroom furniture to keep everything you need for hygiene. We have to pull mirrors, which will also help us to give a broader look, combine the colors well and correctly choose the decorative elements and lighting so that our bathroom does not look so small.