ORC week 3 – bathroom lighting options

Yikes, it’s already week 3 of the One Room Challenge.  That means I have just 3 weeks left to finish this bathroom makeover!  As I mentioned in my week 2 update, I’ve got the overall design plan nailed down, but I’ve been waffling back and forth with a few of the details.  The lighting in this bathroom feels kind of blah and boring.  It’s builder basic, and I’m looking to upgrade.  Lighting plays such a crucial role in the overall look and feel of a space.

Lighting Decisions

As a reminder here’s a look at the jumping off point for the overall design plan.  Since this is my almost 11 year old girl’s bathroom, I’m going for a fun and colorful look.

But this is also the bathroom our guests use when they stay with us, so I want to balance the whimsy of the color palette and the artwork with a modern, yet classic update to the lighting, faucets and cabinet hardware.

I’ve narrowed down the lighting options to three different plans.

Option One

Option 1 is the simplest and least expensive of the three.  It calls for switching out the cream-colored glass shades for these white bell-shaped ones.

If I go with this option I’ve considered giving these bell shades a schoolhouse-style look similar to the ones I did for my powder bathroom.  Then I’d switch out the flush-mount in the shower area for either this classic parisian milk glass style

or this cool turn-of-the-century replica naval style fixture.  I think this nautical style fixture is really fun, and the price for something so unique is great!

This option is definitely the most economical.   Overall, this plan would cost under $150 to update both the vanity light and the flush-mount fixture!  While I love the classic, timeless feel of this plan, I’m also in love with the vanity light I sourced for option 2.

Option Two

I love the lines of this globe sconce, but the price point is kind of high.  While it’s beautiful and timeless, I’m not sure it provides enough of a visual change from what is currently in place to justify the splurge.

With this above the vanity I would still go with either of the flush-mount options pictured above.  So all together this lighting plan is the most expensive option of the three.  Is is worth it?  That’s the question……

Option 3

The last option is the most bold change as it calls for bringing in a little gold.  I know mixed metals aren’t for everyone, especially in a bathroom design.  But I’ve always loved the look.  I think a pop of gold will warm things up in here and bring in a little chic-ness.  Something about the gold feels a bit more mature, which I think would be nice since our guests use this bathroom.  If I go with this light fixture above the vanity, I would still do polished chrome faucets, but I’d switch the cabinet hardware to gold.

My concern with this option is that I’m not sure how this style fixture will tie in with the beadboard style of the cabinetry.  I’m good with mixing styles, but I’m not 100% on this mash-up.  As much as I like the idea of bringing in some gold to warm things up in here and bring in a little glamour, I didn’t find a ton of other 4-light vanity options in gold that I liked besides this one.

Although, I do really love this simple gold flush-mount.  And how great would gold hardware look on an aqua painted bathroom cabinet?!

1, 2, or 3?

So while I’m busy painting, painting, painting, I’d love to hear your thoughts!  Obviously I don’t have much time left to make a decision.  So I could really use your help in making a decision!  What should I do?  Go with the classic but affordable option 1?  Splurge and go with option 2?  Or warm things up with the gold option 3?

Be sure to check out all the other One Room Challenge participants week 3 progress posts as well as the designers!  Hopefully by next Thursday I’ll have some painting progress pics to share………as well as a decision on lighting!