apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

That's not just any table lamp: Moragas Table Lamp.

I think the questions is: why not? Bringing the light source closer to your face is a fantastic idea. Less dark circles under your eyes (which harsh, overhead lighting can usually be blamed for) and awesome if you're putting your face on in the morning.

Maybe even slip in a pink bulb for that extra cosmetic boost?
Who doesn't need a little extra help now and then? haha

this would make me paranoid.

I think it looks good on paper, but if you were to live in that bathroom everyone would HATE it. I personally am a neat person and I like a clutter free bathroom - which this bathroom is, why add another element that if you somehow push the lamp - while having soap in your eyes trying to reach for the towel - type thing :-)

i have a table lamp in my bathroom, and its a one-piece glass lamp (shade and base), which avoids any moisture ruining the shade. its also set away from the sink, and provides a lovely glow of light for when i have guests over and wish to have some sort of guiding light on so they can find their way - better than lighting candles in the bathroom.

The cord seems conspicuously absent from that scene. It looks nice in the picture, but in reality the cord would be on the counter, just waiting to get dripped on! I think there must be a safety reason behind why bathroom lighting is generally hard-wired.

It's nice but for me, but personally, I feel that bathroom lighting should be accessible with a wall switch. You wouldn't want to fish around for a switch with wet hands or have to turn it off every time after you wash up.

Maybe a lamp with one of those clapper on & off switches? Wait...then I'd get bored and clap myself to death if I'm stuck with no magazines or gameboys while sitting on the special chair.

Lava lamp anyone?

I think the lamp helps to create an almost bedroom-like atmosphere in the bathroom.

The warm wood vanity which looks like a dresser, the deck mounted lavatory which is like a modern version of a washing bowl from pre-plumbing days, and the nightstand lamp makes the transition from bathroom to bedroom quite fluid.

I worked at restaurant where we had a table lamp in the kitchen. It was a rooster lamp which I think was there strictly for good luck but I was impressed by the warm orange glow it gave to an otherwise starkly lit commercial environment. So I think that the Omm is on to something.

This is weird, but cool. I'm with the folks who think it would be a pain in a real bathroom, unless the lamp were somehow far away from towel-wrapping, clumsy me.

I love table lamps in kitchens...great for reading cookbooks, or for when you want a cozy kitchen rather than a well-lit workspace.

I have this lamp in my guest bathroom:
http://www.2modern.com/designer/Pablo-Lighting/Pablo-Elise-Lamp
and love it. It has an in-line dimmer, so I can much more easily set the mood of the lighting to my liking. But still have the switched over the mirror lamp for when I need more light.
And as for the cord, I've managed to discreetly tuck it away, making it minimally visible.

It's very pretty but for everyday use I can just see it being knocked over or drenched with water on a regular basis -- cut feet, electrocution, whatever.

I have a wonderful table lamp in my kitchen.

I like the look a lot, but I'd bet this one is hardwired in. It isn't really safe to just put a regular lamp in the bathroom at home - in the UK you aren't even allowed wall switches for most bathroom lighting, you have to have a pull cord. That said, with no kids in our house it's the kind of unsafe I might be willing to live with and just be very careful around.

I love lamps in bathrooms.

Do you wet-handed people not use other electrical appliances in the bathroom?

It's a good idea. I've always done when I've lived where the bathroom counter is large enough and the cord isn't too obvious. I also like to do it in the kitchen. Makes both rooms cozy.

I lived in a tiny tenement apartment with a tiny bathroom that had a great second hand cylindrical lamp sitting on the toilet tank. it gave light and character. but once some shower splashage hit the bulb, and it exploded. that was sort of scary. I've never had any other electrical appliance in the bathroom explode. so, it's hip. but make sure it's safe.

I have a small round ceramic one w/ a blue shade that takes a night light bulb in my bathroom. It sits on the counter between the toilet and the sink but away from the shower.

Never have lamps near the shower for precisely as stated by 212gretchen, it'll get splashed on and the bulb may well explode.

Another thing, I don't find it particularly unsafe but do ensure that the space you use has an GFI circuit interuptor of some sort if at all possible and I know in a rental, that may or may not be possible unless it already has one to start with and in most current building codes or remodels, they are now required btw.

If it were me, I'd build a bathroom with a lamp, but have it hard wired and secured in some way discreetly so it's as safe as possible.

Even if I don't use a lamp in my bathroom, a hanging pendant light serves a similar purpose - especially if wired on a seperate switch that's dimmable.

Those lamps are expensive and highly sought after. They cost at least as much as an lcd television. There is no way the hotel is leaving them unsecured. I am betting they are hardwired and bolted to to counter. That would explain the lack of any cord.

I love it.

I'd knock it over in my rush to get ready in the morning. No table lamps in the bathroom for me.

Patrick (Too), perhaps someday you will share with us what electrical devices you are using in the bathroom...

No -- no electrical devices for me -- I towel dry my hair and use a manual razor.

I think it depends on how much space you have (to ensure you don't habitually knock the lamp into the sink or tub, zzzzzap) and how clumsy you are. If I can spill it or dribble it or knock it over, consider it done.

We just had about 60 seconds of snow flurries (Washington). Very pretty.

I have some nice table lamps from this store http://www.justhomedecor.com/estoreusa/home.php?cat=319 in the kitchen, living room bedroom but never thought about putting one in the bathroom. Too much risk especially we have kids using the same bathroom.

FYI - most appliances (such as razors/hair dryers) which are made for bathrooms are designed with bathroom environments in mind. I think some of the differences are that they are grounded and have ground fault circuit interruptors, and may have moisture resistant electrical cords. Most table lamps are not even grounded, and I've never seen one with current interruption mechanism (think of the button on a hairdryer or bathroom power outlet which interrupts power under certain circumstances).

The concern is the appliance is being used in a damp environment (condensation, steamy bathroom), which could lead to unexpected paths for electrical current to flow, rather than specifically wet hands on the switch.

It is considered unsafe, and lamps (table or floor) should be avoided in the bathroom. (I see table/floor lamps for bathrooms suggested from a design perspective all the time! It still isn't a good idea.)

FYI - CNN article about bathroom lighting.

"Even with a GFCI, freestanding plug-in lamps should never be placed near a sink or tub"

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/homestyle/01/21/bathroom.lighting/index.html