Great Ideas For Lighting an Ensuite Bathroom

An ensuite bathroom is a place where luxury meets convenience and comfort. As in any bathroom, lighting plays a massive role in the overall look and feel. Below, we’ll discuss how to get your ensuite bathroom lights right.

 

Why Do You Need Good Lighting in an Ensuite Bathroom?

Bathrooms are task-heavy spaces that need plenty of illumination to use them safely. Proper lighting is responsible for a number of factors in an ensuite bathroom.

Perhaps the most important of them all is the functionality. Good lighting will allow you to perform grooming activities, put on makeup, take showers and more comfortably.

Other notable reasons to have quality ensuite bathroom lights are safety and visibility. In a room that has tripping hazards like wet floors, being able to see where you’re stepping is important to reduce the risk of falls and injuries.

Generally speaking, lights can also enhance the room and contribute to its aesthetic appeal. Lighting can highlight various architectural elements in the space, creating visual appeal and indirect atmospheric lighting. Accent lighting such as this can set a mood for a relaxing, spa-like experience.

Guidance on Lighting Placement in an Ensuite 

When deciding on where to position an en suite light, you should first consider the three different layers you’ll be incorporating.

Ambient lighting is responsible for creating the overall lighting in a space and often comes in the form of an ensuite bathroom ceiling light. Task lighting tends to be reserved for mirror lighting and shower lighting. Accent lights, such as ensuite wall lights, serve to enhance the appearance of the room and set a mood or atmosphere.

When it comes to task lights such as vanity lighting, it is recommended that you place the lights on either side of the mirror instead of above it. This will prevent unflattering shadows from being cast on your face and will give you a more accurate look at the makeup you’re applying.

On the other hand, shower lights should be placed directly overhead. This will provide a more even wash of light for you to easily bathe.

Ceiling lights and wall lights can be placed anywhere in the bathroom you want to provide illumination. Be sure that the fixtures have the proper IP rating for the job.

 

How To Get Vanity Lighting Right in an Ensuite Bathroom

Vanity lights are task lights responsible for showing a clear look in a mirror. There are many different styles of modern bathroom lighting you can choose for your ensuite vanity lights, depending on your taste:

 

• OLD HOLLYWOOD STYLE. Globe lights that line three of the four sides of a mirror are an easy way to make your bathroom more glamorous. They resemble the styles of Hollywood dressing rooms and provide ample lighting for makeup application.

 

• BAR LIGHTS. Bar lights placed along the sides of a mirror provide a wide wash of illumination as well. Vanity bar lights should be about 75 percent of the width of the mirror in order to provide the most visual appeal.

 

• SCONCES. A decorative sconce on either side of the mirror will provide even lighting while also enhancing the look of the vanity. These bathroom mirror lights are especially popular in spaces that have double mirrors.

 

• PENDANT LIGHTS. Pendant lights hanging by the mirror can enhance the overall aesthetic of the bathroom while giving you lots of task lighting.

 

The right finish can also make all of the difference. From brushed nickel to aluminium to bronze, you can find a finish that works well with the existing aesthetic of the bathroom. The same can be said for the materials the lights are made from.

Just be sure you are using LED bulbs for the crispest light and the most comfortable experience since they do not output uncomfortable levels of heat.

 

The Importance of Task Lighting in an Ensuite Bathroom

Bathroom lights primarily serve the purpose of providing illumination for tasks. Ensuite vanity lighting and shower lighting are the two most important styles to get right.

As mentioned with vanity lights, it’s best to install them on either side of the mirror for the most flattering lighting possible. This can be done with wall sconces or pendant lights if you want to improve upon the style of the bathroom itself. Place them at eye level for the best results.

In the shower and bath area, waterproof lighting is needed. Showers work best with direct overhead lighting while bathing areas are perfect for indirect lighting from sconces. Dimmable lights in these locations will bring atmosphere and mood to the space.

LED lights should be prioritised in these spaces. Choose colour temperatures between 2700k and 3000k to get a flattering, warm glow in the room. Cool lights should be avoided in order not to wash out your skin tone in the mirror.

 

Tips and Tricks for Designing Your Ensuite Bathroom

Planning and designing the lighting scheme is an integral part of lighting the ensuite. Read on to get inspired by some ensuite bathroom lighting ideas.

 

• MAKE THE SPACE LOOK LARGER. With glass walls between the bedroom and bathroom, you can make the ensuite feel like an extension of the bedroom itself. This will give the illusion of space while also allowing more light to bounce around, helping it seem larger than it is.

 

• PERFECT THE LAYOUT. It is important to work with the appliances and layout of the bathroom when installing lighting. Walk-in showers in a corner and a sink with plenty of room are key elements of an ensuite. They make performing tasks simpler and easier while also avoiding a cramped feeling in the bathroom.

 

• INSTALL A DOUBLE BASIN. Double sinks provide a luxury hotel feel while also giving couples plenty of room to get ready together.

 

• CONSIDER STORAGE. Whether you plan to use a mirror cabinet or have dedicated shelving in a room, storage is important for a clutter-free ensuite bathroom. You can choose a lighted mirror or use strip lights around storage to ensure plenty of illumination.

 

• USE MATCHING FINISHES. Choosing an ensuite lighting fitting with the same material as your mirrors, towel racks and door handles will create a seamless flow throughout the bathroom. This cohesive style will make your ensuite feel luxurious and intentional, like a resort or hotel bathroom would be.

How To Get Ensuite Ceiling Lighting Right

Bathroom ceiling lights provide the ambient lighting in the space. To ensure ample visibility, it is important to take a moment to plan the lights before diving in.

First, you should assess the bathroom and determine what areas you want to light. Ask yourself where you want your ambient, task and accent layers of light before anything else. When doing so, keep in mind the bathroom lighting zones and which lights are safe for placement in which zones.

 

• ZONE 0. The area inside your bath or shower requires a waterproof light with a minimum rating of IP67 to operate safely.

 

• ZONE 1. The area right above Zone 0 requires a minimum IP rating of IP65.

 

• OUTSIDE ZONES. Zones outside of these two areas do not technically need any special lighting. That said it is recommended to have lights rated at least IP44 in a humid room like the bathroom.

From there, you can begin to choose the ceiling light style that best suits your space. Bathroom downlights come in different forms, including:

 

• RECESSED LIGHTING. Recessed lights are a popular choice for ceiling lights in a modern space. They give the room a lower profile and reduce visual clutter.

 

• SURFACE MOUNTED LIGHTS. For those with ceilings incompatible with recessed lights, surface mounted lights are a good idea. They give a similar overhead lighting style and come in a number of trendy styles.

 

• PENDANT LIGHTS. Pendant lights are ideal for larger bathrooms that have high ceilings. Not only do they fill in some of that vertical space, but they are also decorative in their own right.

No matter what fixtures you choose, be sure to use LED bulbs. LED lights have a variety of colour temperatures and brightnesses to choose from, so you can easily customise the look and feel of the bathroom.

 

Advice on Ensuite Shower Lighting

Showering should be a relaxing but safe experience. Proper shower lighting can ensure this. Check out these tips on getting adequate illumination in your shower:

 

• LIGHT UP NICHES. If you have shelves built into the shower, you can recess some lights there to keep shampoos and soaps visible and accessible.

 

• USE RECESSED LIGHTS. If the rest of your bathroom uses recessed lighting, you can continue the modern trend in the shower. Place recessed lights in the ceiling directly above the shower for plentiful lighting that stays out of the way.

 

• UTILISE NATURAL LIGHT. Adding a frosted window will allow flattering, natural light to shine through while still giving you the privacy you need.

 

• CHOOSE THE RIGHT IP RATING. IP ratings are designed to inform you about a light’s resistance to water and debris. Waterproof IP ratings are necessary in the shower area. An IP65 rating is the minimum requirement for lights directly above the shower.

 

• CREATE A SPA-LIKE FEEL. Selecting lights with a warm colour temperature and a dimmable switch will allow you to tailor the brightness to the desired mood and atmosphere on a whim.

 

Ensuite Lighting Ideas

 

1. LDC469 3 Watt Mini Recessed LED Bathroom Downlight

Add light to the ensuite in a subtle way with the LDC469 3 Watt Mini Recessed LED Bathroom Downlight. The mini light is low profile with its recessed design and compact diameter of 50 millimeters. It generates 120 lumens of 3000k warm white light at a 30 degree beam angle. The light is IP65 rated and comes in your choice of black or grey finishes.

 

2. LWA431 6 Watt Round IP65 Bathroom Wall Light

Enhance the style of your bathroom with the LWA431 6 Watt Round IP65 Bathroom Wall Light. This ultra modern wall light shines 3000k warm white light back onto the wall behind it in a halo shape. The durable fitting features a IP65 rating and aluminium construction, complete with an acrylic diffuser. With a diameter of 180 millimeters and two neutral colour options, it works well in any bathroom.

 

3. LWA454 6 Watt LED Bathroom Wall Light

Improve the atmosphere of your bathroom with the indirect light of the LWA454 6 Watt LED Bathroom Wall Light. The light generates 600 lumens of 3000k warm white light that washes the wall below it. It features a rectangular body fashioned out of durable aluminium. The sleek light comes in either black or white to suit the existing style of the ensuite. Overall, the light measures 120 millimeters by 80 millimeters with a projection from the wall of 40 millimeters.

 

4. LWA338 9 Watt LED Stainless Steel Bathroom Wall Light

Go for Old Hollywood glam with the LWA338 9 Watt LED Stainless Steel Bathroom Wall Light. This wall light features three round bulbs that generate a total of 720 lumens of 3000k warm white light. The opal acrylic shades rest atop a stainless steel base in a linear fashion. The IP44 rating makes the light safe for use in most areas of the bathroom. The fixture measures 390 millimeters by 107 millimeters in size, perfect for most mirrors.