Ultimate Guide to Bathroom Light Fixtures and Design

The bathroom is one of the most important rooms for tasks in the home. Whether you are grooming, getting ready for work or relaxing in the bath after a long day, this room serves as a crucial area of the home. The bathroom lighting fixtures you choose can make or break the space in terms of functionality and mood. In the article below, we will provide you with some ideas on incorporating modern bathroom light fixtures into your space.

 

Why Do You Need Good Lighting in a Bathroom?

Quality lighting is an important aspect of any room in the house, and this is doubly true when it comes to bathrooms. Alongside providing ample illumination for tasks, it can also impact the appearance of the bathroom.

 

• SAFETY – Due to the wet nature of a bathroom, it is easier to slip and fall here than other rooms in the house. With bathroom light fixtures installed, you can more clearly see to reduce the chance of tripping, falling or other such accidents.

• VISIBILITY – By having plenty of visibility through task lighting in the bathroom, you can more comfortably groom and get ready for the day. It will also help you see the labels on bottles and medications to ensure their proper use.

• OVERALL APPEARANCE – Bathroom mirror lights, bathroom ceiling lights and bathroom wall lights are all a part of a layered lighting design in the bathroom. With them all included, you can eliminate the risk of shadows while also ensuring all of the features in the bathroom are highlighted and easy to see.

• MOOD LIGHTING – If you enjoy a long, hot soak in the tub, including mood lighting or accent LED bathroom lights into your space is a must. This can create a more atmospheric look and feel, offering you a spa-like experience at home.

 

 

How To Plan a New Bathroom Layout

Before you commit to any bathroom or decor, you should first plan where everything is going to go. There are a few steps you can take toward this end:

 

1. DETERMINE YOUR NEEDS. First, consider who will be using the room. This means thinking about things such as whether it is a family bathroom in need of room for toys or an ensuite for two adults. If you want a spa-style bathroom, you’ll need certain fittings, like a separate shower and bath, double basins, towel rails, storage and more. On the other hand, a guest bathroom will require only the bare minimum.

2. MEASURE THE ROOM. Determine the dimensions of the room, including not just the space but the doors, windows and other areas that could impact the design. Plan the various elements in the bathroom and be sure you space them out enough that more than one person can be in there at a time.

3. PICK YOUR LAYOUT. Planning the right bathroom layout will be time consuming but will guarantee results you are satisfied with when all is said and done. There is a chance you may already like the layout, so you can just keep it if that’s the case.

 

One of the best ways to plan a bathroom is to make cutout pieces of the plumbing fixtures and storage furniture you are planning to use in the bathroom and arrange them on a table to get a visual sense of where everything will be. Below you will find a few specific steps to take to plan a bathroom:

 

• FIGURE OUT WHERE YOU WANT TO POSITION THE TOILET. You will most likely have this chosen for you by the position of the plumbing. Therefore, this fixture should be considered first, so you don’t accidentally cover the only place it can go with other furniture.

• CHOOSE YOUR PRODUCTS. Now is the time to determine what other elements you want to incorporate. This includes any bathroom furniture, showers, bathtubs, types of basins, bidets and, of course, bathroom light fixtures.
  

• PLACE THE IMPORTANT PIECES. Decide where you want your bath and/or shower to go. These are large installations that you can then install any extras around while ensuring they have enough space. You will need to consider bathroom lighting zones and IP ratings when completing this step.

• DECIDE BETWEEN NEEDS AND WANTS. There are some essential items like toilets, sinks and a shower that you cannot go without. Then, there are things that are simply nice to have. This includes things like heated towel rails and bathroom storage. Now is the time during the planning process to consider these things.
  

• CONSIDER AESTHETICS. Now that the important tasks have been planned and taken care of, you can start to think about the appearance. This includes things like bathroom tiles, mirrors and other decorative features.

 

Bathroom Lighting Design Ideas and Tips

 

Create a Practical but Atmospheric Space

 

It’s best to take a good look at the bathroom and analyze it before starting anything with the design. Determine how you intend to use the available space and separate the room into different zones like the bath, shower and vanity areas.

You can use task lighting to ensure the areas where you will be performing daily tasks are well lit. This includes adding bathroom lighting fixtures over mirror zones or installing a shower light fixture overhead.

Once you have the practicality of it figured out, you can then start thinking about the mood. Layering task lighting with ambient and mood lighting will create a well-lit space. Including dimmers can create mood lighting for when you just want to relax in the bath at the end of the day.

Choosing warm white lighting here is also recommended, as it won’t be glaring, bright or unflattering.

 

Add Some Luxurious Charm

 

Incorporating statement lighting for your ceiling bathroom light fixtures will do wonders in making it a space where you’ll love to be. By adding a chandelier or modern metallic bathroom light fixtures, ceiling spaces become a canvas that you can use to bring artistic flair to the space.

 

Consider Contemporary Recessed Lighting

 

Because you want your bathroom to be functional and bright, the ambient and task lighting are two of the most important things to focus on. In bathrooms that have the right ceiling for it, recessed lighting can modernise the space while allowing you to easily spread light all across the room.

 

Mix and Match

 

To add character to your bathroom, you can choose bathroom sconces and other bathroom lighting fixtures in materials that contrast the aesthetic of the bathroom. Choosing metallic fixtures in spaces with a lot of porcelain or china, for instance, can bring character and depth to the design of the bathroom.

 

Bring a Resort Spa Vibe

 

When you place mood lighting strategically, you can create a truly relaxing and comfortable bathroom area that can whisk you off to your favourite luxury spa. If you love taking calming baths, put your focus on mood and effect lighting to achieve the task.

 

Bathroom Design

 

When considering a new bathroom style and design, there are three main things to think about in terms of your lighting: material, finish and style.

 

Bathroom Styling

 

The style of your bathroom will dictate how it feels to be in there, and lighting is one of the aspects of this. When it comes to the style of the bathroom, the material and shape of the bathroom vanity lights, bathroom wall light fixtures and bathroom ceiling lighting fixtures are important.

For modern spaces, having metallic fixtures will add contemporary flair to the space. Lights with a mix of materials such as wood and metal can also have a modern effect on the space. When it comes to sleek, modern bathroom light fixtures, black is a popular choice due to its sleek appearance and versatility. This is especially true of contemporary black vanity light fixtures.

When you pair metallic fixtures and colours with the materials in the bathroom itself, the possibilities are endless. Turning a bathroom into a luxury spa area is as easy as the right lighting along with marble flooring. Choosing light colour paint for the walls with metallic fixtures that reflect light can make a dark, small bathroom feel more light and open.

 

Bathroom Functionality

 

Since the bathroom is an all-important space for completing tasks, functionality is important above all else. There are many ways that you can add greater levels of convenience and functionality to the room, both in terms of lighting and design.

 

Ask yourself questions like where the items will go in the bathroom and how you can make them easily accessible through storage solutions. You should also consider how it will be used: do you plan to only be in there long enough to shower, or do you need a well-lit vanity to apply makeup and complete your skincare routine?

 

• MAKE THE MOST OUT OF MEDICINE CABINETS – Your vanity mirror can double as a medicine cabinet if you choose a cabinet with a mirrored exterior. This will save you precious space at the sink while doubling as a mirror for grooming. Adding vanity lights above or on either side of the mirror will brighten up the area and make it easier for you to see as well.

 

• CONSIDER THE SMALL DETAILS – Making the bathroom more functional can be as simple as using up all of that empty wall space. Save space in closets by adding towel racks to the walls. For your closets, you can install spotlights or recessed ceiling lights inside of them to make searching for items a simpler process.

 

• LIGHT UP THE SHOWER AND BATH – Whether you’re hurrying through a shower when running late for work or wanting to unwind in a bath, you need the right lighting for the job. A shower light fixture overhead can avoid any shadows from being cast and make it easier to see while getting ready for the day all at once.

 

Bathroom Lighting for Various Bathroom Sizes

While there are general lighting tips that you can incorporate into any bathroom, the size of the bathroom will play an important role in how you light and style them.

 

Large Family Bathrooms

 

• DOUBLE SINKS AND VANITIES – When more than one person will be using the space at a time, it’s a good idea to ensure they all have room to comfortably complete tasks. Having two or more sinks in the space will give everyone room to breathe and will prevent the flow of traffic in and out in the mornings from coming to a stop. Light up the mirrors above the sinks like you would any other vanity, and you’re good to go.

• BROAD AMBIENT LIGHTING – Larger rooms will require a greater amount of illumination. Having multiple lights or even a handful of ceiling lights with a high lumen count will ensure that this is so. One popular way to do this is to install several recessed lights in a bathroom to cover the entire area.

• PENDANT LIGHTS – Just because the space is meant to be functional for a larger number of people doesn’t mean it has to lack style. In fact, larger bathrooms tend to also have taller ceilings, leaving a lot of vertical space open. This gives the perfect opportunity for hanging dramatic pendant lights or chandeliers in the bathroom.

 

En Suite Bathrooms

 

Since en-suite bathrooms tend to be on the smaller side, it is generally recommended that you stick to lower profile lighting. Recessed ceiling lights and sleek wall sconces do wonders in spaces like this. You can also turn your vanity into a storage space using a mirrored cabinet door.

Since you won’t need an abundance of light, you can stick to one bright light or add several lights with lower lumen counts to accomplish the right look.

 

Small Bathrooms

 

Small bathrooms aren’t something anyone would choose in most cases. Nearly everyone loves the idea of a huge, spacious bathroom with plenty of room for furniture and accessories. Unfortunately, small houses and flats don’t always afford such a thing.

In small bathrooms, one usually runs into the issue of being too dark to be comfortable. There are ways to make small bathrooms feel more comfortable for you and your family.

 

• INCORPORATE METAL FIXTURES – Light reflects and bounces off of metal. In small bathrooms that struggle with getting enough illumination, this is an easy fix.

• ADD MIRRORS – Mirrors on their own can also bounce light around, but when you install a vanity light with it, they can do so tenfold.

 

 

The Importance of Layered Lighting in a Bathroom

One of the best practices for bathroom lighting design is the layered lighting technique. Layered lighting involves having three layers of light in the room: ambient, accent and task lighting.

 

Ambient Light

Ambient lighting is the overall illumination source in a room. It provides the main light that is supplemented by the other lights you install. Depending on where you place them, ambient lights can directly, or indirectly, light up the entire room.

Ambient lighting for bathrooms typically comes in the form of bathroom ceiling lights. You can install pendant lights, recessed lights or surface mounted lighting depending on your specific tastes.

With just a singular light like this, you run the risk of casting shadows in the bathroom. Shadows in a bathroom pose a risk of danger; since the room is wet, you want to make sure you can see any potential hazards so you don’t trip and fall. This is just one of the reasons layering your lighting is so important.

 

Task Lighting

Task lighting for bathrooms provides focused and dedicated lighting for completing specific activities. It is a crucial layer to have, since bathrooms are task-intensive spaces. Activities such as shaving, applying makeup, doing skincare routines and other such tasks need good lighting in order to perform them safely.

Task lighting in a bathroom usually comes in the form of vanity lights around the mirror. You’ll also see it as shower and bath lights that shine direct light over the bathing area. Multiple fixtures tend to be used for task lighting in order to ensure the areas are well-lit.

 

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting is the final layer in a layered lighting scheme. Such a light layer is used to highlight certain elements in the bathroom. This includes alcoves, artwork or anything else you want to draw attention to.

Accent light can also be used as mood lighting. By turning on dimmer accent lights, you can create a relaxing, spa-like atmosphere in your home bathroom. Generally speaking, you want to use these lights sparingly. The goal is to create a beautifying effect that also creates a cosy atmosphere.

 

Effective Task Lighting for Bathroom Activities 

Vanity lighting is perhaps the most common type of task lighting in a bathroom. Installing a light on either side of a mirror, or above it, can create concentrated lighting for your use. Bathroom wall lights are good to use for mirror lighting, whether you want light on either side of the mirror, or on three of the sides.

Besides bathroom mirror lighting, you can incorporate task lighting into your shower area. Having a bright light overhead in the shower and bath area makes it easier and safer to bathe. You can also choose to place strip lights or puck lights inside cabinets or closets for task lighting.

 

Accent Lighting Ideas to Enhance Your Bathroom’s Style 

Decorative bathroom lighting fixtures are a quick and easy way to enhance the appearance of the bathrooms. Alongside decorative lighting, you can also use the lighting itself as decoration. This is called accent lighting.

When it comes to accent lighting tips, one of the most useful is choosing the right colour temperature and lumen count. Bathroom Accent lighting works best when it lights up a feature without overwhelming the existing light in a space. Choose a warm colour temperature with a higher lumen count, especially if you primarily want mood lighting.

If your bathroom has accessories or artwork that you want to show off, accent light is the way to go. Picture lights and other types of bathroom wall sconces can achieve this easily. You can also incorporate LED strip lighting if you want to cast a glow in shelves or alcoves. Accent fixtures make great bathroom lighting for small spaces.

Track lights are another trendy way to add accent and even task lighting. Direct the light to the area you want to highlight or the task area you want to light up with movable track heads.

 

Lighting Zones: Planning for Wet and Dry Areas in The Bathroom 

In the bathroom, you run into a unique problem that you don’t have to worry about in other rooms of the house: moisture. Due to the humidity and water splashes that your lights have the potential to come into contact with, durable lights are critical.

In order to ensure your lights are safe for use in a bathroom, check out the IP rating. The IP rating, or Ingress Protection rating, indicates how well a light is protected against both dust and water. The first digit indicates resistance to solids. The second digit refers to the resistance against moisture.

 

First Digit – Solids

• 0 – Offers no protection against solid materials
• 1 – Offers protection against penetration by solid objects that are 50 millimeters or larger
• 2 – Offers protection against penetration by solid objects that are 12 millimeters or larger
• 3 – Offers protection against penetration by solid objects that are 2.5 millimeters or larger
• 4 – Offers protection against penetration by solid objects that are one millimeter or larger
• 5 – Offers dust protection
• 6 – Completely dust tight

 

Second Digit – Moisture

• 0 – Offers no protection against moisture
• 1 – Offers protection against vertically falling water drops
• 2 – Offers protection against falling water drops at a maximum angle 15 degrees
• 3 – Offers protection against falling water drops at a maximum angle 60 degrees
• 4 – Offers protection against splashing or projection
• 5 – Offers protection against low pressure jets
• 6 – Offers protection against high pressure jets
• 7 – Offers protection against temporary immersion
• 8 – Offers protection against long periods of immersion

With the IP needs of your light in mind, you can take them into account when considering bathroom lighting zones.

Bathroom Lighting Zones

Below are the places different IP rated bathroom lights can be safely installed:

 

• Zone 0 – This zone is the area inside the shower or bath. Any lights in this zone need to be rated a minimum of IP67.

 

• Zone 1 – This area stretches above the shower or bath up to 2.25 meters from the floor. Here, you will need a minimum IP45 rating to safely have lights. It is generally recommended that you have IP65 lighting here just to be safe.

 

• Zone 2 – This area extends around 0.6 meters outside the bath’s perimeter. Here, it is recommended that you choose IP44 lights or better.

 

• Other Zones – Anywhere outside of these two main zones don’t require any special IP ratings. That said, in your modern bathroom lighting design, try to include IP20 ratings in this area.

 

Why Are LED Bulbs The Best Choice For Bathroom Lights?

While it is important to choose waterproof lights for bathrooms, there is another important element of the fixtures to consider: LED bulbs. For bathroom vanity lights, bathroom downlights and everything in between, LED bulbs are the best choice you can make. 

LED bulbs are preferred because:

• They are energy efficient and use far less energy to create ample illumination.
• They have a long lifespan promising a minimum of 20,000 hours as opposed to the 1,000 hours offered by traditional bulbs.
• They don’t output heat, so they are safe to touch when in use.
• They come in various colour temperatures so that you can customise the appearance of the light.
• They have different lumen counts to allow you to choose the brightness levels.
• They are eco-friendly due to their low energy consumption and environmentally-safe parts.

 

Different Ways to Control Your Bathroom Lighting

When you have greater control over your bathroom lights, you can customise the appearance and atmosphere of the space while also maintaining control over the aesthetics. There are different methods to turning your lights on, off or dimming them.

 

• TRADITIONAL WALL SWITCHES – Wall switches are attached right to the wall and allow you to turn a light on or off just by flipping the switch.

• DIMMER SWITCHES – Usually installed as part of a wall switch, dimmer controls let you make a light brighter or dimmer depending on your preference at any given time. These are especially useful for creating a moody atmosphere. It is important to note that not all lights have the ability to dim, so be mindful when purchasing and installing lights if you want to dim them.

• MOTION SENSORS – Motion sensors in a bathroom can detect movement in the space and will turn on when people are present. When no movement is detected after a certain period of time, the lights will turn back off on their own. This furthers the energy-saving nature of LED lights even more.

• TIMED LIGHTING – You can program lights to turn on and off at a certain time depending on the lighting levels during different times of the day.

• SMART LIGHTS – Smart lighting controls can be controlled via apps and smart phones.

 

How Much Storage Do You Need in a Bathroom?

As mentioned, bathrooms can easily become quite cluttered. To avoid this, you should consider adding storage. But how much exactly do you need?

The first step will be to measure the size of the bathroom. This includes total floor space, wall heights and sizes of the appliances and fixtures in the room. The size will determine the amount and size of furniture that you can include there in the first place. Keep in mind electrical rules for certain appliances when considering placement.

Once you know this, you can think about just how much you will actually want to keep in your bathroom. Some people only want to keep a few towels and toiletries in their bathrooms. Others like to store dozens of cosmetics within easy reach.

How much you want to store is directly proportionate to how much storage you are going to need. Mounted mirror cabinets will help you store small toiletries, extra soap and medicines to keep them out of sight without taking up too much room. Wall-mounted shelves can hold towels to free up floor space.

 

How Important Is a Mirror in a Bathroom?

There are many benefits to adding a mirror to your bathroom:

 

• IMPROVES THE LIGHTING. Mirrors will reflect light that will make the bathroom look better lit and brighter.

• ENHANCES ITS SIZE. Mirrors in a bathroom can make it look larger and therefore feel less dark and cramped.

• DISGUISES IMPERFECTIONS. If you have any areas on the wall that have holes or other imperfections, mirrors are a practical and decorative way to cover them up.

• ADDS STYLE. Mirrors can be just as decorative as any other item you can place in the bathroom. They come with the added functional benefits that take their appeal one step further.

 

 

How To Style and Illuminate Your Bathroom on a Budget 

Styling bathrooms can be an exciting undertaking, but when you’re on a budget, you might feel limited in what you can do. Below, you’ll find some tips on styling bathrooms on a budget.

Choosing bathroom lighting for modern styling doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Just by changing a fixture or two, you can revamp the overall look of your entire bathroom. Choosing neutral colours like white or black also leaves plenty of room for redecorating later down the road without needing to buy new fixtures.

You can also change the placement of your LED bathroom lighting. Stylish bathroom light fixtures placed in new areas of the bathroom can make the space feel brand new without having to actually buy anything new.

Stay in control of the natural light levels in the bathroom while redecorating in an obvious way by adding some curtains. Choose curtains that fit the main aesthetic of the bathroom, and consider adding a matching rug as well.

If you want to bring more nature into the bathroom besides sunlight, you can also add some plants. This inexpensive design element can breathe new life into a bathroom while making it feel fresher and more relaxing.

Use any blank wall in the bathroom as an opportunity to create a gallery wall. Hang up paintings and pictures you want to display, and light them with IP-appropriate spotlights or picture lights to enhance their appearance.

You can also play with the details in a bathroom to enhance it in subtle, inexpensive ways. Choose brass, black and chrome finishes to attract the eye to certain areas in the room and spruce them up.

 

Tips on Designing Your Bathroom When Accessibility Is a Consideration 

Bathroom lighting design can get a little tricky when you have to consider accessibility before anything else. Here, you’ll find a few tips on LED bathroom lighting and incorporating accessibility-focused lighting fixtures.

Styling task lighting for bathrooms with accessibility concerns is a crucial step in bathroom design. Task lights make it easier to see while completing different tasks, which is especially important for those already dealing with mobility issues or visual impairment.

This is particularly important around task-heavy sink areas. Not only should there be enough room for easy movement of wheelchairs in the area, but the lighting should be adequate as well.

Task lighting for bathrooms with accessibility concerns includes illuminated mirrors and clear lighting in the shower. If there is a stool in the shower or bath, give it its own dedicated lighting to ensure there are no shadows cast. Anti-slip shower trays are a must-have as well.

In the tub and shower area, you should also be sure a grab rail is incorporated to further the safety of the room. Using curved grab rails can offer some style to the bathroom while making it more accessible at the same time.

Incorporating various controls into your bathroom lighting design can make it more accessible as well. Motion sensors, smart lighting controls, and light switches positioned lower on the wall make it easier to turn the lights on and off.

 

Vanity Lighting and How To Get It Right?

In general, modern vanity lighting plays a main role in contemporary bathroom lighting. This type of lighting is light that illuminates the mirror area, often mounted above or to the side of the mirror.

This type of lighting is beneficial for tasks such as:

 

• Applying and removing makeup
• Dental hygiene
• First aid
• Going through skincare routines
• Inserting and removing contact lenses
• Reading fine print on products and medicine bottles
• Shaving

The problem with vanity lighting is that oftentimes, it isn’t placed in the right area. This can cause shadows to be cast on your face, making tasks involving it more difficult.

 

Placement of Vanity Lights

 

• OVER THE MIRROR – This is the traditional location for adding vanity lights. It offers total illumination for various tasks and tends to be the only option when it comes to modern small bathroom lighting.

Because the average vanity is about 36 inches tall, it is recommended you centre the lights about 40 inches above the top of the vanity.

• ON THE SIDES OF THE MIRROR – Placing a sconce on each side of the mirror will further eliminate the risk of shadows. Double vanities that have two mirrors can benefit from a wall light on either side and one above it. They should be placed between 65 and 70 inches from the floor.

When it comes to the illumination produced by modern bathroom sconces near the vanity, it is best if you opt for LED light. This will allow you to choose both the brightness and the colour temperature of the light to ensure it looks and performs its best.

What LED Colour Is Best to Use in a Bathroom?

LED colour temperature refers to a cool or warm light. It is indicated by units Kelvin on a scale that runs from 1,000 to 10,000. At the bottom of the spectrum are the warm lights, while the cooler lights sit at the top.

Different environments call for different colour temperatures, and this includes bathrooms. For a bathroom, it is recommended that you use lights between 2,700k and 3,300k. This will provide bright white lighting to easily complete tasks while still being warm enough not to hurt your eyes.

 

Bathroom Lighting Fixture Ideas

 

For bathrooms with low ceilings, the Onyx 6 Watt Black Bathroom LED Downlight Fitting is an excellent choice. The light can be recessed in the ceiling and provide ample ambient lighting with 430 lumens of 3000k warm white light. This is especially true when you line several along the ceiling. The light has an anodised black finish that works well in any setting and is IP65 rated, so it can be used above the shower or bath.

 

Bring dramatic flair to your bathroom with the LWA288A 6 Watt LED Round Up And Down Bathroom Wall Light. The wall sconce features a short cylindrical body finished in your choice of black or white to suit any space. Above and below the fixture, 3000k warm white light shines up and down at an angle, washing the wall behind it with light.

 

If you want to go for something a little more familiar and classic, choose the LBL272 5 Watt LED Globe Bathroom Ceiling Light. This globe light features a spherical shade attached to a black base and outputs 430 lumens of 3000k warm white light. Due to its IP65 rating, it can be mounted to the ceiling in any zone of the bathroom.

 

Light your vanity with the LWA337 6 Watt LED Stainless Steel Bathroom Wall Light. This wall light can sit above small mirrors and shine gentle light down before it. It features two bulbs nestled behind globular shades outputting a total of 480 lumens. Rated IP44, this light is safe for use above the sink and outputs gentle, flattering 3000k warm white light.

 

Ultra-modern, the LWA193 6 Watt Black LED Mirror Light is a beautiful mirror light for contemporary bathrooms. The design features two spotlight heads positioned on either end of the black fixture and shines a total of 240 lumens of light. The heads can be twisted and tilted to shine at the exact angle you prefer.

 

For a larger wash of light over a mirror or sink, the LWA195 6 Watt Black LED Mirror Light is a great choice. This long, bar-shaped light features a sleek black baseplate and bulbs that output 420 lumens of flattering 3000k warm white light. The light shines through an acrylic diffuser that further softens it for your comfort. Fashioned out of aluminium, the fixture is durable and easy to clean.