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Bathroom LED downlights are one of the many ways you can light up your bathroom. They are just one part of a layered lighting scheme, but they play an important role in providing ambient lighting. Bathroom ceiling downlights are as varied as any other kind of light. In the article below, we will explore this unique type of light fixture.
Why Use Recessed Bathroom LED Downlight Fittings?
Recessed bathroom downlights are a popular style of downlights in a contemporary bathroom. Because they are recessed into ceilings, they have a low profile and don’t jut out. This aligns with modern minimalist themes quite well.
Because of their low profile, they can be installed essentially anywhere in the bathroom. Whether you want to use them as a shower downlight or as cool bathroom lighting above a sink or vanity, as long as your ceiling is deep enough, they can be installed.
How Many Bathroom Downlights Do You Use in the Ceiling?
How many downlights in a bathroom will depend on a few different factors. The answer can be different from bathroom to bathroom. Still, there are a few general tips that you can follow to decide just how many bathroom downlights you will need:
- Measure the square footage of the bathroom by multiplying the depth by the width.
- Multiply this number by 1.5. The number that you are given will indicate the total brightness you will need in wattage.
- Translate wattage to lumens.
- Choose as many or as few lights as you will need to reach the lumens setting.
You can also get a good idea of how many you will need by understanding that lights should be placed three to four feet apart from each other and around two feet away from the walls.
Best LED Colour for Bathroom Ceiling Downlights
Bathroom ceiling spotlights and other such fittings are beholden to the same colour temperature guidelines as any other light in any other room. Colour temperature refers to the warmth or coolness of a light. The temperatures are measured in Kelvin.
The higher the Kelvin rating of a light, the cooler the light will end up being. On the other hand, warmer lights will be at the lower end of the Kelvin spectrum.
Since bathrooms are task rooms, the light should be crisp, clear and bright. The best light for this room tends to be somewhere between 2,700k and 3,300k.
Do Bathroom Ceiling Spotlights Need to Be IP Rated?
Bathrooms are naturally wet, humid areas. For this reason, bathroom lights do need to be IP rated. A downlight above shower units will be exposed to different levels of moisture than a light by the sink, however. Because of this, the lights will need different IP ratings depending on where they are in the room.
A shower LED downlight or other light close to a source of water will fall into the IP65 downlights for bathroom category. For bathroom spotlights, IP65 is also recommended. An IP65 shower light will prevent the fitting to take on damage from being so close to water, but there are also other IP ratings to be familiar with.
What Are Bathroom IP Ratings?
IP ratings, or Ingress Protection ratings, indicate a light’s ability to withstand exposure to solid particles as well as moisture. The first digit refers to the solid matter, while the second deals with the moisture.
First Digit – Solids
0 – No Protection
1 – Protected against solid objects that measure over 50mm
2 – Protected against solid objects that measure over 12mm
3 – Protected against solid objects that measure over 2.5mm
4 – Protected against solid objects that measure over 1mm
5 – Dust Protected
6 – Dust tight
Second Digit – Moisture
0 – No Protection
1 – Protected from water droplets falling vertically
2 – Protected from water droplets falling at an angle of 15 degrees
3 – Protected from water droplets like rain falling at an angle of 60 degrees
4 – Protected from water that is being splashed or projected
5 – Protected from water from low pressure jets
6 – Protected from water from high pressure jets
7 – Protected from temporary immersion
8 – Protected against long term immersion
What Are Bathroom Zones?
Alongside the IP rating of a light, it is also wise to get familiar with the lighting zones in a bathroom. These zones refer to different areas in the room, which will require various IP ratings depending on the location.
- ZONE 0 – This is the area inside of the shower or bath itself. Here, IP67 rated lights are recommended to protect them against complete immersion.
- ZONE 1 – This area sits above the shower or bath around 2.25 metres from the floor. It is recommended that you use IP65 lights here, though IP45 is also acceptable.
- ZONE 2 – This area constitutes the immediate perimeter of a bath. Here, a minimum IP rating of IP44 is required.
- OTHER ZONES – These refer to areas of the bathroom anywhere outside of the above-mentioned zones. While there are no lighting requirements for these areas, it is still recommended that you choose lights with a minimum IP20 rating just to be safe.
Can You Use Recessed Downlights Over a Shower?
You can use recessed downlights over a shower to give the space a more modern look. That said, it is important that you use an IP65 rated light in order to ensure it is not damaged by exposure to the moisture rising up from the shower. These lights fall into Zone 1 in a bathroom.
What Other Lighting Can You Use in the Bathroom?
Alongside fixtures such as black bathroom downlights that add a sleek look to your room or metallic downlights to give it a modern feel, there are also other types of lights you can look into to light your bathroom:
- VANITY LIGHTING. Whether you use a mirror over a sink to get ready for your day or have a dedicated station, lighting is important here. You can install lights on either side of the mirror to give you enough light to see without casting unnatural shadows on your face.
- WALL LIGHTS. Installing wall lights can help brighten up darker areas of the room that ambient light struggles to reach. These lights can also provide nice accent lighting or indirect lighting for late night use. Wall washing lights can also give the room a more artistic look and feel.
- SHELF LIGHTING. If you have any open shelves for towels or toiletries, you can install lights behind or below them. This will make the items on the shelves easier to see while providing helpful task lighting at the same time.
- ACCENT LIGHTING. Mimic the candlelight effect by adding low level or wall lighting around the tub area. This will cast a comfortable glow to relax by without the fire hazard that candles can pose.
Why LED Bathroom Downlight Fittings Are the Best Choice
LED lights have skyrocketed in popularity over the last few decades and for good reason. When compared to traditional bulbs, this type of light excels in various ways:
- LONG LASTING. While traditional bulbs tend to burn out after around 1,000 hours of use, LED lights persist. Generally, LED lights will have a minimum lifespan of around 20,000 hours, so you won’t have to constantly be replacing them.
- BETTER FOR THE BILLS. Because you won’t have to buy new bulbs or fittings all the time, you will save money on upfront lighting costs.
- ENERGY EFFICIENT. LED lights turn most of their energy into light. Conversely, traditional bulbs turn most of their energy into heat. LED lights are more energy efficient, which is not only better for your light bills but also for the environment.
- LED bulbs have a wide range of colour temperatures that you can choose from. With cool and warm lighting options, you get to decide the mood and atmosphere that your lights create.
- BRIGHTNESS LEVELS. LED lights come in a range of brightness levels, indicated by lumens. You can easily stay in control of the brightness levels in the room by choosing the best lumens level for you.
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.