How to Put light over bathtub

Bathroom lighting can be a tricky thing to get right. You want it to be functional, but you also want it to be stylish. And according to the National Electric Code, there are certain restrictions on where you can place your light fixtures.

The NEC requires that any part of a light fixture, even the non-lightbulb embellishments, be at least 8 feet above the highest portion of the bathtub’s walls. This no-light zone also extends horizontally 3 feet around the tub rim.

If you want to hang a chandelier above a bathtub, you’ll need a taller than the average ceiling. You’ll also need a light fixture rated for wet locations.

And yes, local codes can be different. Always check with the local code office to determine which restrictions for a chandelier over a bathtub have been adopted in your town. They could be more stringent or less so

Here are some tips for safely hanging light above a bathtub:

• Make sure you have a tall enough ceiling. You’ll also need a light fixture rated for wet locations.
• Check with your local building code office to find any restrictions for a chandelier over a bathtub.
• As a general rule, the chandelier’s diameter should be, in inches, close to the length and width of the room combined, in feet. For example, if the room measures 15 feet by 15 feet, the chandelier should be about 30 inches.
• Put your lighting above 8 feet.
• A flush mount chandelier might be your only choice in a bathroom with a lower ceiling.
• Unless your style is eclectic, the design of the chandelier should complement the task lighting above or at the sides of the vanity.
• Task lighting should mimic natural sunlight, so look for fixtures and bulbs with a Color Rendering Index (CRI) of 80 or greater.

Light over bathtub Ideas