I spent three months basically doing my makeup in the dark, and I’m not being dramatic. Well, maybe a little dramatic, but seriously – the lighting situation above our bathroom mirror was genuinely awful. The previous owners had this single bulb thing going on that made me look like I was perpetually auditioning for a vampire film. Not the glamorous kind either.
You know what finally pushed me over the edge? Nearly stabbing myself in the eye with mascara while trying to get Amara ready for nursery and myself ready for work. I was already running late because she’d decided that morning was the perfect time to have opinions about which socks matched her outfit, and I couldn’t see what I was doing in the mirror. Ended up with mascara somewhere near my temple and had to basically start over. That was it – something had to change.
The thing is, I’d been avoiding this project for months because anything involving electricity makes me nervous. Growing up, my dad was always very clear about not messing with electrical stuff unless you know what you’re doing, and I definitely don’t. Plus we’d already spent so much money on other house improvements that adding another expense felt overwhelming. But after the mascara incident, Liam agreed we needed to sort it out before I actually injured myself.
Started researching lighting options during one of those late-night feeding sessions when you’re too tired to sleep but too awake to just lie there. Instagram was full of these gorgeous bathroom transformations with perfect lighting, but most of them looked like they cost more than our monthly mortgage payment. I needed something that would actually work for our budget and our very ordinary bathroom.
What I learned pretty quickly is that it’s not just about having bright lights – it’s about where the light comes from. Our old fixture was casting shadows everywhere except where I actually needed to see. Like, the top of my head was brilliantly illuminated, but my face looked like I was standing in a cave. No wonder I kept looking in the car mirror on my way to work and discovering I’d missed entire sections when blending my foundation.
After way too many hours scrolling through reviews and before-and-after photos, I settled on this three-light vanity bar that could go horizontally above the mirror. Nothing fancy, just clean lines with frosted glass shades that would spread the light evenly instead of creating harsh spots. Cost about £85, which felt reasonable when I thought about it as an investment in not looking like I’d been attacked by makeup brushes every morning.
Getting it installed was another challenge though. I asked around and found out that Sarah from two streets over had an electrician brother who could do it properly without charging ridiculous call-out fees. He came round one evening after Amara was in bed, sorted the whole thing in about an hour, and I fed him dinner and opened a bottle of wine we’d been saving. Honestly one of the better trades I’ve made recently.
But here’s where it gets interesting – the main light bar helped loads, but what really changed everything was adding LED strips behind the mirror. I know it sounds a bit hotel-ish, and Liam was definitely skeptical when I suggested it, but the effect is incredible. These thin strips create this soft glow around the mirror edges that eliminates all those side shadows. You can barely notice the strips themselves, but suddenly you can see your whole face clearly instead of just the bits the overhead light hits.
The LED strips were surprisingly cheap too – got a set for about £25 that came with adhesive backing and a dimmer switch. Installing them was… well, let’s just say I learned some new vocabulary that weekend. Had to fish the wire through the wall, which involved a lot more swearing than I’d planned on. Pretty sure Mrs. Patterson next door thinks I’ve taken up some very loud hobby based on all the muttering coming from our bathroom.
One thing I completely underestimated was how much the color temperature would matter. Initially bought what I thought were normal daylight bulbs, but they made everything look like a hospital operating theatre. Way too harsh – the kind of lighting that makes you notice every single pore and question why you even bother with skincare. Took a few tries to get it right, but eventually settled on warm white LEDs for the main bar and slightly cooler ones for the strips. The combination gives enough light for detail work without making me feel like I’m under interrogation.
The difference in my morning routine has been honestly life-changing. I can actually see what I’m doing when I’m putting makeup on, which means I’m not getting to work and catching my reflection in the office bathroom wondering what went wrong. My whole skincare routine improved too – turns out I’d been missing patches when rinsing off cleanser, and now I can see properly if everything’s been washed off. Though I can also see blackheads I was previously blissfully unaware of, so it’s a bit of a mixed blessing really.
What surprised me most was how it changed the feel of the whole room. Before, the bathroom was just this functional space I rushed through. Now it actually feels nice to spend time there in the mornings. The layered lighting makes it seem bigger somehow, and there’s something genuinely relaxing about that soft backlighting in the evenings when you’re winding down.
Only thing I wish I’d done differently was putting the LED strips on a separate switch. Right now they’re connected to the main vanity light, so it’s all or nothing. Would love to be able to have just the soft backlighting for evening routines – you know those nights when bright overhead lighting feels too aggressive but you still need to see what you’re doing.
Cost-wise, it ended up being totally manageable. The main fixture was £85, LED strips £25, and bits and pieces like wire and junction boxes added maybe £20. The installation was technically free thanks to the mate rate, but realistically you’re looking at £50-100 if you need to pay an electrician properly. Still feels like good value when I think about how much better my mornings are now.
Looking back, I can’t believe I put up with that awful lighting for so long. It’s such a small change but it affects your daily routine in ways you don’t expect. Every morning starts a bit better when you can actually see your reflection properly. And honestly, the confidence boost has been worth every penny – there’s something to be said for not spending your commute wondering if you remembered to blend your concealer or if you’ve got mascara smudges you couldn’t see.
The whole experience made me realize how much lighting affects how a space feels and works. It’s not just about brightness – it’s about having the right light in the right places. Our bathroom went from being this rushed, frustrating start to the day to actually being a space I don’t mind spending time in. Sometimes it really is the smallest changes that make the biggest difference to how your home feels.
