Table of Contents
Why Choose Ceiling Downlights for a Bathroom
Due to the nature of a bathroom, having plenty of clear, visible light is a must. Bathrooms tend to be wet areas that have a higher risk of accidents due to the safety hazards posed by the moisture.
With bathroom LED downlights as the ambient layer, you set a nice foundation that you can then supplement with other light sources. Having that solid basis is crucial.
When it comes to modern bathroom lighting ideas, downlights in bathroom design schemes are among the most important. They offer a sleek and minimalist look that is particularly well-suited for contemporary spaces. Beyond that, they are also made to resist the effects of exposure to moisture and wetness in the bathroom.
Furthermore, in a small bathroom, downlights can save on precious space. They do not take up vertical space like pendants or even some surface mounted lighting does. This helps to visually declutter the space and helps it not look as small.
What Type of Bathroom Downlight Do I Need?
The bathroom downlights that will work best for your space will depend on what you want to accomplish and your visual goals. One of the biggest considerations is whether you want lights that tilt or not.
Fixed downlights sit flush in the ceiling and don’t have the ability to tilt and turn. They shine light straight down, ideal for larger bathrooms. For smaller ones, you may prefer lights whose heads you can tilt in the preferred direction to provide more concentrated beams.
You should also consider the finish of any potential bathroom lighting. For example, black bathroom downlights are good for providing a subtle look in modern bathrooms. For something more eye-catching, you might choose chrome. Try to match the finish with any of the existing finishes in the bathroom for best results.
What Are the Regulations When Installing Bathroom Downlights?
Bathroom lighting zones and regulations must be taken into account when you are adding in new fixtures. In these spaces, there are zones that indicate what sort of IP rated downlights bathroom fixtures should go where. IP ratings for bathrooms are considered here.
- ZONE 0 – This area is inside the shower tray or bath and needs IP ratings of IP67 or above.
- ZONE 1 – This area is right above the shower or bath, up to 2.25 meters. It requires IP65 bathroom downlights.
- ZONE 2 – This zone sits .6 meters outside of Zone 1’s perimeter and needs IP44 or higher.
- OTHER – Areas outside of the main zones do not have any required IP ratings. However, it is recommended that you have IP44 rated lights at a minimum.
Waterproof bathroom downlights in the appropriate zones are a must. If you don’t have IP65 LED downlights for a bathroom, you run the risk of water getting into the fixture and ruining it.
There are also several regulations that you should adhere to when installing bathroom lighting.
Part B of the Building Regulations
This states that all electrical work in a bathroom needs to comply with Part P, which takes about safety. Work has to be carried out by a qualified electrician.
BS 7671 (18th Edition Wiring Regulations)
This provides core standards for electrical installations and defines the different IP requirements and bathroom zones.
RCD Protection
Each bathroom circuit needs to be protected by a Residual Current Device that is rated at 30mA or less. It is a legal requirement.
What Beam Angle Should You Use for Bathroom Downlights?
Beam angles play a big part in how light gets distributed around the bathroom. A narrow beam angle between 15 and 40 degrees provides focused, spotlight-style lighting. A medium beam between 40 and 60 degrees offers a balanced spread. Finally, wide beams above 60 degrees provide broader coverage and a softer wash of light.
For general ambient lighting, wide beam angles are recommended. Use them in central ceiling areas to evenly spread the light around.
For task lighting, such as around vanity mirrors, it is recommended you use a narrow to medium beam angle between 30 and 60 degrees. Tilting downlights help reduce shadows in mirrors for grooming.
Accent and bathroom mood lighting tends to work best with narrow beam angles. Opt for beams between 15 and 40 to provide better highlights on architectural features.
How Many Downlights Should You Use in a Bathroom?
The number of downlights you will need in your bathroom will depend on a few different factors, such as size and use cases. The best downlights for small bathrooms, for example, will be different from the bathroom lights you’d choose for larger spaces.
To figure it out, estimate the amount of light that you will need. Bathroom lighting should provide around 100 lumens per square foot. Then, choose the lumen count you will need to provide that level of illumination.
In small bathrooms, two to three downlights are usually enough. Medium-sized bathrooms should have between four and six downlights, while larger ones work better with between six and eight downlights.
You will also need to consider the layout of the bathroom, as well as the beam angle. Lights with wider beam angles will need fewer supplements. Narrow beam angles, on the other hand, may need more lights to provide balanced illumination.
Alongside your bathroom ceiling downlights, you may also consider adding in wall lights. Wall lights help move the illumination from top to bottom, limiting the number of downlights you might end up needing. Layering ceiling lights with mirror lights is also a good idea in this regard.
Which LED Colour Temperature Should You Use for Bathroom Downlights?
Colour temperature, or CCT, is how a light is perceived in terms of warmth and coolness. It is measured in Kelvin units and ranges on a scale from 1,000 to 10,000K. Warmer colour temperatures have a lower rating, while cooler colour temperatures are higher.
Warm white light between 2700K and 3300K provides a soft, golden glow ideal for relaxation. Neutral white light around 4000K offers crisp task lighting. Cool lighting between 5000K and 6500K provide a bright, bluish light that is best for high contrast settings.
The colour temperature you choose will be dependent upon the kind of vibe you want in your bathroom. Warmer lights can create a sense of luxury and give a spa-like appearance. Cooler lights are better for bathrooms you want to feel more energetic and alert. In most cases, warm light is what’s popular.
Whichever of these lights you choose, it is important that you only go for one or the other. Having warm and cool lights in one room can create visual clashing and be unpleasant to look at.
Can You Install Bathroom Ceiling Downlights Yourself?
Installing your own surface mounted or recessed bathroom downlights might seem like a straightforward job on the surface, but it isn’t something that just anyone can do. By law, this is work that needs to be completed by a qualified electrician.
Part P of the Building regulations states that any new electrical installations, including everything from overhead lighting to shower lighting, must be done by a qualified electrician. The only DIY installation that is allowed is for minor work, like replacing an existing lighting.
You may also be able to switch out existing downlights with similar IP ratings, or swap out bulbs. Anything else will need to be managed by a qualified professional in order to ensure safety and code compliance.
If you do end up doing work yourself, be sure that the new installations comply with BS 7671 Wiring Regulations. You will also need to submit a Building Regulations application and get an inspection.
When Should You Use Fire-Rated Downlights in a Bathroom?
The best downlights for a bathroom are ones that are as functional and stylish as they are safe. In UK homes, safety comes first, and it is often a regulatory requirement that you have fire rated lighting.
Fire rated downlighting makes up for the holes cut into ceilings that compromise the existing fire barrier. They are designed to seal up the hole and delay the spread of fire for as long as 90 minutes. These lights have intumescent materials that will expand when they are exposed to heat, which blocks smoke and flames from getting through.
Under Approved Document B of the UK Building Regulations, you must use fire rated downlights in the following circumstances:
- the ceiling is a part of a fire-rated ceiling or floor assembly, usually between floors
- downlights that are installed in habitable rooms below other floors, like bedrooms and bathrooms on ground floors
- the property is an apartment or flat where ceilings have to provide fire separation between floors
Choosing the best bathroom downlights with a fire rating comes down to what level of protection you need. Most domestic ceilings with standard plasterboard material should have a 30-minute fire rating. Ceilings with extra fire protection, such as in flats, should have 60-minute fire rating. Finally, 90-minute fire rated lights should be installed into commercial buildings.
LED Bathroom Downlight Ideas
For those who love minimalism, the Onyx 6 Watt Black Bathroom LED Downlight Fitting is a great choice. This light recesses into the ceiling and sits flush with it. The black finish of the light makes it neutral enough to easily be incorporated into bathrooms of any colour scheme. It shines 430 lumens of warm 3000k white light and is IP65 rated, so it can be used anywhere in the bathroom.
For a sleek, modern looking bathroom, try the Onyx 9 Watt Black Bathroom LED Downlight Fitting. This light fitting provides ample lighting with 800 lumens of 3000k warm white LED light that shines from its high quality bulb. The light recesses into the ceiling and has a neutral black finish that works well in any bathroom. Thanks to its IP65 rating, it can be safely used in any zone in the bathroom.
