England: light switch for a home's restroom is often just outside the room. US: light switch is often inside the room.
I learned that the hard way during a crowded house party at night in the US. I saw a light switch just outside the restroom. I ended up turning the hallway lights on and shutting myself in a dark restroom.
- Simon
What's the ideal placement? I'm thinking presence detectors that somehow aren't sucky the way motion detectors usually are. Ideally you shouldn't have to think much about lights at all, right?
- ⓞnor
@e3r ideal is two switches, inside and outside. Same as stair lights in US, which are legally required to have two switches for safety.
- andrei_c
Under what circumstances is it good for the light switch for a room not actually be in the room?
- Gabe
Not sure. Perhaps if a room has no windows and 1) has a self-closing door or 2) is in an area with fairly low ambient light and doesn't let much spill light in, then it can be hard to find the light switch after entering the room. Another reason could be for safety if the room is small and there is wet environment (a sink nearby or lots of condensation).
- Simon
If it's hard to find a light switch in a dark room, the usual solution is to put a little neon lamp inside the switch so it glows when it's off. I believe it's called a "pilot light".
- Gabe