The dressing room is an important area of any retail clothing store where customers decide whether or not they want to make a purchase. Choosing the right dressing room light fixtures can make a significant impact on the customer experience, as it can make people feel good about how they look and encourage purchases.
In this blog, we will discuss the different types of dressing room light fixtures, the factors to consider when choosing them, and the common mistakes to avoid.
Types of Dressing Room Light Fixtures
There are various types of dressing room light fixtures to choose from, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Let’s take a closer look at them:
Ceiling Fixtures – Downlights and Pendant Lights
Ceiling fixtures, such as downlights and pendant lights, are a popular choice for dressing rooms as they provide general lighting that illuminates the entire space. They can also create a sleek and modern look. Solais offers a variety of downlights and pendant lights that are suitable for dressing rooms.
However, overhead light tends to be harsher and less flattering than light coming from other directions, creating shadows that make wrinkles and flaws more evident. Therefore, it is important to use additional lighting to counteract this effect.
Accent Lights
Accent lights are used to highlight specific areas or items in a dressing room, such as a mirror,a clothing rack, or the walls within a fitting room where clothes are hung while changing.
Wall Sconces
Wall sconces are mounted on the walls and can provide a soft and flattering light. They are also a great way to add a decorative element to the dressing room. However, it is important to ensure that the sconces are placed at the right height to avoid casting unflattering shadows on the face.
Vanity Lights
Vanity lights are installed around the mirror and provide a bright and even light that is ideal for applyingmakeup and examining clothing. This can also be achieved with diffused linear lighting, with track or without track.
Floor and Table Lamps
Floor and table lamps are a great way to add a warm and cozy ambiance to the dressing room. They can also be moved around and adjusted to create the desired lighting effect.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Dressing Room Light Fixtures
When choosing dressing room light fixtures, there are several factors to consider:
Brightness
The brightness of the light should be bright enough to illuminate the space, but not so bright that it washes out the colors of the clothing or makes the customer feel uncomfortable.
Color Temperature
The color temperature of the light can have a significant impact on how the customer looks and feels. Warmer light can create a cozy and laid back atmosphere, while cooler light can make the customer feel more alert and awake. Skin tone is another consideration. Choosing a color that’s too warm can add a yellow tinge, whereas too cool can make skin look gray and drained.
Size and Scale
The size and scale of the light fixtures should be appropriate for the size of the dressing room. Large fixtures can overwhelm a small space, while small fixtures can get swallowed up by a large space and provide inadequate lighting.
Style and Design
The style and design of the light fixtures should be consistent with the overall aesthetic of the store. For example, a modern store may benefit from sleek and minimalistic fixtures, while a vintage store may benefit from ornate fixtures.
Energy Efficiency
Energy-efficient light fixtures can save money on energy bills and help the environment. One way to improve energy efficiency is by using smart lights, which can be programmed to turn off when the room is not in use, and can even be controlled remotely. This ensures that the lights are only on when they need to be, reducing the overall energy consumption and cost.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Dressing Room Light Fixtures
Choosing fixtures based on appearance only
While the design and appearance of light fixtures are important, they should not be the only factors considered when choosing dressing room light fixtures. Always prioritize the function and purpose of the space from the customers’ perspective.
The fixtures should enhance the appearance of the clothes and the person wearing them, not overshadow or distract from them. You should use lighting with high CRI so colors are represented as accurately as possible – check out this blog on interior retail lighting for more info.
Not considering the function of the room
The function of the room plays a crucial role in determining the type and intensity of light needed. For example, the light fixtures in a dressing room for a boutique store may differ from a dressing or changing room in a fitness center.
Not taking into account the size of the room
The size of the room also matters when choosing the right dressing room light fixtures. Large rooms need more lighting than smaller rooms. If the dressing room is small, it’s better to use fixtures that provide a warm glow rather than bright, white light that can be overwhelming. In contrast, larger dressing rooms can accommodate brighter lights.
Overlooking the importance of color temperature
Color temperature is an essential factor to consider when choosing dressing room light fixtures. The right color temperature enhances the appearance of clothes, skin, and overall look. Color temperature is measured in Kelvin (K), and the ideal range for dressing rooms is 3000K-4000K.
A temperature of 3000K provides a warm, cozy ambiance while a temperature of 4000K provides a slightly brighter, cooler ambiance. Using the right color temperature can make the clothes and the person wearing them appear more vibrant and appealing.
Overlooking how lights will interact with mirrors (glare)
Mirrors are an essential component of dressing rooms, and the lighting should complement their purpose. The wrong type of light can create unwanted glare and reflections, making it hard to see the clothes or the person wearing them.
For example, placing a light fixture directly above a mirror can create shadows and harsh lighting that is unflattering. The best solution is to use diffused light or indirect lighting to reduce glare.
Solais Can Help with Your Dressing Room Lighting
To sum up, choosing the right dressing room light fixtures is an essential step in creating an inviting and functional space. Consideration should be given to the function of the room, the size of the room, the color temperature, and how the lights interact with mirrors.
At Solais, we offer a wide range of dressing room light fixtures that cater to different needs and budgets. Our lighting experts can help you choose the right fixtures that complement the design, function, and purpose of your dressing room. Contact us today to learn more.