When prepping our home for an evening of entertaining, we always like to pay special attention to the bathroom. It's the one room in the house where guests are left alone (to judge, peek, etc.) and we like to continue the "party lighting" into the smallest space in the house...
The overhead light in our bathroom is harsh and floods the small space. While this bright light is great for getting ready in the morning, we want soft, soothing light for the bathroom when we entertain. Our unconventional solution is to use a floor or table lamp when having guests over. We also like the idea of using a strand of holiday lights or votive candles to warm the space.
Apartment Therapy readers--do you extend party lighting to the bathroom? What alternative light sources do you use (candles, lamps or other)?
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Comments (8)
I bought a plain table lamp on sale and spruced it up with a dollar store knick-knack right on the baseplate... now, i can change the little knick-knack for the season and don't have to spend too much money.
I light a candle or two in the bathroom when we have guests (and other times too). It's soft and welcoming and also helps with embarrassing odors.
I love when I go to a party and someone has thought to light a candle or two or otherwise "light" the bathroom for a party. I always do the same. Makes it look a bit fancier and welcoming, and also hides the dustbunnies or what have you in case you didn't quite have a chance to clean.
That white lamp is the exact model of my nightlight from my childhood- it's a three way lamp that lights with a key turn! Maybe I shoulda kept that one...
We recently renovated our bathroom and put the light inside the shower on a dimmer for this specific purpose. We have floor-to-ceiling glass walls so leaving it dimly lit during a party works great - and it's safer than a candle when there are kids running around.
I've always lit a scented candle but that was for the aroma and not the mood. I mean, it is a place where a guest can toot (I feel so juvenile writing that) so the scented candle helps mask that. Interesting thought though, to put a small light in there to transform the space for mood rather than scent.
I may have to look into a couple of cordless sconces for just this reason.
AT, you can teach an old dog new tricks!
We fill the tub part way with water and light floating candles.
I only just realized it, but dressing up the bathroom really does make all the difference when you're having a party. I don't really notice the main rooms or the kitchen, especially if it's quite crowded and I'm focusing more on booze and friends, but when you close the door to the washroom you really have a moment to look around and see how your hosts have decorated.
In other words, I am totally trying the floating candles thing next time!