When it comes to bathroom lighting, task lighting is arguably one of the most important layers. It ensures that you can see the tasks you're accomplishing in the oftentimes very wet room. In this article, we will explore the importance of task lighting in the bathroom--specifically, shower lighting.
Why Is Shower Lighting Important?
A quality shower light helps to mitigate some of the risk associated with the wet environment of the bathroom. Due to the water in the room, the risk of falls is higher. With a shower light overhead, you can clearly see what you're doing in the shower and help ensure better footing because of it.
Depending on the shower lamp you choose, it can also serve as mood lighting in the bathroom. This is especially true if you have a warm colour temperature for the light itself. Choosing warmer white light between 2700K and 3300K will give off an inviting atmosphere as well as clear visibility.
Advice on Choosing the Right Shower Lighting
When choosing a shower downlight, perhaps the most important bit of advice to follow is to ensure you are choosing waterproof LED shower lights. Waterproof lights are crucial due to the wet nature of the bathroom.
With waterproof lights for the shower, you can prevent unnecessary damages. Therefore, it is recommended that you choose an IP65 shower light to ensure the water stays out.
Be sure to choose lights that fit your needs both from a functionality and an aesthetic standpoint. Recessed LED downlights are a popular type of fixture for shower lights since they stay out of the way. Similarly, surface mounted lights that sit close to the ceiling are also popular. Avoid hanging lights if possible.
The colour temperature you choose for your lights matters, too. Warmer colour temperatures are generally recommended in a bathroom due to the atmospheric qualities it brings. It is gentle on the eyes while still being bright enough to easily see by--important in a bathroom.
For walk in showers, you may benefit from having wide beam angles as well as multiple fittings to provide even light coverage. Enclosed cubicle style showers work best with focused task lighting that has anti-glare properties. Finally, showers over baths can work well with either.
What Are the Rules and Regulations for Lighting to Use in the Shower Area?
With bathroom light fixtures, you have to be sure you are following the regulations and rules put in place. There are strict regulations in the UK about what kind of lighting can be used in wet areas like the bathroom. Failing to stick to them can yield negative consequences, including dangerous conditions or a need to rework everything.
There are a few main regulations you should make yourself familiar with:
- IP Ratings, or Ingress Protection ratings: Indicates how resistant a fixture is to water and dust
- BS 7671 IET Wiring Regulations: Defines the various bathroom zones and the subsequent IP rating requirements
- Part P of the Building Regulations: Refers to the safe electrical installation of fixtures in domestic properties
- Bathroom Zone Classifications: Indicates where specific fittings can be installed
Understanding the zones in a bathroom is critical when installing your LED bathroom lights--especially in the shower.
- Zone 0 - Located directly inside the bath or shower, this area requires IP rated lights of IP67 or higher.
- Zone 1 - Located right above the shower or bath up to 2.25 meters, you will need IP65 rated lights or higher.
- Zone 2 - Located 0.6 meters outside of the shower or bath, IP44 rated lights are the minimum requirement.
In order to choose compliant LED bathroom lights, make sure they have the right IP rating, are fire rated for recessed fixtures, and have a high CRI to ensure the best possible visibility.
What Is the Best CCT to Use for Shower Lighting?
CCT, or colour correlated temperature, is how people discuss how warm or cool a light is perceived to be. Colour temperature is rated on a scale of Kelvin units ranging from 1,000 to 10,000. Warmer colours have lower numbers, while cooler colours are higher.
In most domestic settings, it is recommended that you have warm white light between 2700K and 3300K. This provides gentle illumination that is warm and atmospheric while still being crisp and clear enough to easily see.
Some people may prefer brighter, cooler lighting in their bathrooms, especially when it comes to shower LED lights. Neutral white light around 4000K mimics the colour of sunlight and can make the space more energetic without it being too harsh.
Use the following key as basic rule of thumb to choose the best CCT for you:
- 2700K to 3300K: relaxing, spa-like atmosphere
- 4000K: everyday usage and bright, clear lighting for grooming
- 5000K and above: task lighting and supreme visibility.
Common Mistakes When Planning and Installing Shower Lighting
Choosing your light for the shower ceiling can feel tricky to do, and many people make vital mistakes when choosing and installing them. Below, we will outline a few of the most common mistakes when it comes to bath and shower room lighting so you can avoid them yourself.
- NOT USING WATERPROOF SHOWER LIGHT FIXTURES. By skipping out on the correct IP ratings, you are doing yourself a disservice. It is important to get the appropriately rated lighting depending on the zone you are installing it in. This is especially true in the case of a bathroom shower light.
- OVERLOOKING FIRE RATINGS. Shower recessed light fixtures will need to have fire rated protections on them to ensure they are in line with code and as safe as can be. Not using fire-rated fixtures can compromise the safety of the ceiling were a fire to erupt.
- MIXING COLOUR TEMPERATURES. It is important that you choose warm or cool lights in a room, but not both. Having super warm and super cool lighting can be abrasive and cause visual clashing, which can be a detriment to the overall atmosphere of your bathroom.
- NEGLECTING MAINTENANCE. If you make your bathroom shower ceiling light too hard to access, it may be difficult to clean and maintain. This means you may have to replace it more often, costing you more time and effort.
Can You Install Shower Lighting Yourself?
Installing your own shower spotlight or recessed light might seem easy at a glance, but it isn't as straightforward as it seems. Bathrooms are classified as special areas where UK lighting regulations are concerned and therefore need special care when installing lights in them.
Electrical work in the bathroom falls under Part P of the Building Regulations, meaning you have to be mindful when getting them installed. Any work that involves electrical circuits in a bathroom have to be done by a qualified electrician. They have to be registered with a Part P scheme, meaning DIY installations are not permitted unless the homeowner themselves are certified properly.
Bathroom lights are especially sensitive to this due to the risky conditions in a bathroom. You must adhere to the zoning and the required IP ratings, and professionals are going to have better knowledge of this.
Why LED Shower Lighting Is the Best Option?
LED shower light fixtures are the preferred option over halogen bulbs. There are many reasons why they are better suited for the job than their traditional counterparts which make them the clear solution.
To start, LED bulbs are energy efficient, far more so than halogen or incandescent bulbs. They can outlast tens of thousands of hours as opposed to the 1,000 hours that halogen bulbs provide.
This energy efficiency also makes them more eco-friendly, helping to lessen your impact on the environment. Similarly, since they have no toxic materials, such as mercury, they are safe to recycle.
Such efficient lighting may also reduce the costs of electricity in your home. They use 80 percent less energy, making them far less draining on your power supply. Alongside saving money on your bills, they can also save with upfront costs as well. A longer life means that you won't have to replace them as often, which can save cash there, too.
LEDs are also versatile in a way that halogen bulbs are not. They come in a wide variety of colour temperatures and brightnesses, so you can get creative with the look of your light. You aren't limited to the warm lighting, for example, that halogen lights are capable of producing.
Advice on Lighting Different Shower Design Types
There are several different types of showers, and each one requires different lighting designs to look and function at their best. Below, you can learn how to best light your shower according to its style and layout.
Over-Bath Showers
Showers that are joined with the bath tub are common in smaller bathrooms since they save more space. The main lighting goal here is to provide shadow-free lighting for safety and visibility.
Use IP67 rated lights if you are installing them in the tub area. Otherwise, IP65 rated fixtures for an overhead shower light is just fine.
Opt for 4000K neutral white light if you want balanced brightness and visual clarity, but consider having a dimmer switch for ambiance. Position the lights in such a way that it avoids casting shadows on the screen or curtain.
Walk-In Showers
Walk-in showers are modern additions to contemporary homes and open-plan wetrooms. Lighting here should provide even coverage across the entire area and give off a spa-like, luxury atmosphere as well.
Install several different IP65 recessed lights above the shower, preferably with wide beam angles to give uniform lighting. Here, it is recommended that you use 2700K to 3300K warm white lighting to give a relaxing, luxurious vibe. Dimmable controls or smart lighting will give you even more versatility.
Enclosed Cubicle Showers
You will find cubicle showers in compact bathrooms or any home that prioritises space-saving designs. Here, the goal should be to provide focused task lighting without creating obstructions.
Surface mounted or recessed lighting is ideal in these situations. Choose lights with narrow beam angles to keep light concentrated and focused within the immediate area. Opt for IP65 rated lights or higher to keep lights protected from water. Cool white lighting around 5000K is often recommended here for better visibility in the small space.
Conclusion
Shower lights are an important and necessary addition to your bathroom. They provide task lighting directly, which makes showering and navigating the wet area a safer thing to do.
In the article above, we have examined the benefits of shower lighting. We have also discussed how to choose the best shower light for your specific bathroom. Keep this article close when you begin designing your bathroom lighting scheme for best results.
