Creating the perfect bathroom lighting is essential for combining practicality with style. As the bathroom is where we start and end our day, the lighting must meet functional and aesthetic needs.
Whether you’re embarking on a renovation or simply refreshing your space, understanding the various types of lighting and how to layer them effectively can transform your bathroom into a welcoming and well-lit retreat.
Let’s get straight to the point.
Choosing the best bathroom lighting involves layering ambient, task, accent, and decorative lights to balance functionality and style. Depending on the desired atmosphere, use warm, cool, or daylight bulbs.
Prioritise safety with moisture-rated fixtures, especially near water sources. Proper planning, including dimmer switches and strategic placement, ensures a well-lit, inviting bathroom.
The Best Lighting For A Bathroom
Creating the perfect lighting scheme for your bathroom involves blending different types of lighting—general, task, and accent lighting—to suit the space and meet your needs.
Here are some of our top recommendations for bathroom lighting:
Downlights
Downlights are an excellent starting point for bathroom lighting. They can be installed across the ceiling to provide a general glow or placed strategically to highlight specific features.
Flush Mount Lights
Flush-mount lights are ideal for smaller bathrooms or powder rooms with limited space.
They sit close to the ceiling, offering ambient light without overwhelming the room. Ceiling lights above the shower can also enhance ambient lighting.
Wall Lights
Wall lights are perfect for vanity areas, providing task lighting with a decorative flair. We suggest installing wall lights on either side of the bathroom mirror at eye level to ensure even lighting for grooming tasks.
Shower Lighting
Shower lighting, often incorporated with the showerhead, adds an innovative and stylish touch to your bathroom. While primarily decorative, LED shower lights enhance the room’s overall aesthetic.
Pendant Lights
Pendant lights are a versatile bathroom option for task and accent lighting. Depending on their IP rating, pendant lights can be placed near the bathroom mirror or over a feature bath, adding a stylish element to the space.
Chandeliers
Chandeliers can add a touch of luxury to a bathroom, especially in master ensuites.
To ensure compliance with zoning rules, opt for a chandelier with arms that spread out rather than drop down. This creates a seamless transition between the bathroom and adjoining rooms.
Strip Lights
LED strip lights offer creative possibilities in bathroom design. Their small size, customisation options, and suitable IP ratings make them ideal for bathroom use.
Strip lights can be installed in shower niches, cabinet kickboards, beneath vanities, or bathtubs to add mood lighting and an attractive profile.
By thoughtfully combining these different types of lighting, you can create a bathroom that is not only functional but also visually appealing. Each type of light serves a purpose, contributing to a well-lit, comfortable, and stylish bathroom environment.
Types of Bathroom Lighting
When designing bathroom lighting, it’s important to consider the three main types: ambient, task, and accent lighting. Combining these layers can create a balanced atmosphere that enhances form and function.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting is the general light that fills the room, providing an overall brightness. In bathrooms, ceiling-mounted lights, recessed downlights, or pendant lights can serve this purpose.
Ambient lighting ensures the room is evenly lit and no areas are left in shadow. A well-lit bathroom creates a clean and fresh atmosphere, making it more pleasant.
To create ambient lighting, choose fixtures that are bright enough to illuminate the entire room, especially if the bathroom has limited natural light. In Australian homes, energy-efficient LED lights are a porpoise due to their longevity and low power consumption.
Task Lighting
Task lighting is essential for everyday functions like shaving, applying makeup, or brushing teeth. This type of lighting is usually installed around the vanity and mirror area, providing focused illumination for precision tasks.
For optimal task lighting, consider placing fixtures on either side of the mirror at eye level rather than overhead. This placement helps to eliminate shadows and provides a more flattering and functional light source.
Wall sconces or adjustable mirrors with built-in lighting are common choices. Ensure the lights are not harsh; soft, warm LEDs often balance clarity and comfort.
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting highlights the bathroom’s architectural features or decor elements, adding a layer of visual interest. It can illuminate a textured tile wall, alcove, or even artwork. LED strip lights, for example, can be installed under cabinets or along the bathtub to create a subtle glow that enhances the overall mood.
Accent lighting is typically softer than ambient or task lighting, making it ideal for creating a relaxing atmosphere. In bathrooms, this lighting layer can transition from the bright, functional lighting needed in the morning to a more calming environment for evening baths.
General Lighting In The Bathroom
General lighting serves as the primary illumination source in your bathroom, providing consistent light throughout the entire space. This type of lighting is essential for ensuring good visibility, especially in bathrooms with little or no natural light.
General lighting can be achieved through various fixtures, such as a single flush-mount light in the centre of the room or multiple downlights evenly spaced across the ceiling. These fixtures work together to create a well-lit environment that mimics natural sunlight, allowing for safe and easy movement within the bathroom.
Conclusion
Creating the perfect lighting scheme for your bathroom balances functionality with style. By layering different types of lighting—such as general, task, and accent lighting—you can ensure that every part of the bathroom is well-lit and suited to your needs.
Properly chosen and positioned lights enhance the space’s practicality and add to its aesthetic appeal, making your bathroom a comfortable and inviting retreat. Whether you opt for LED downlights, wall sconces, or decorative chandeliers, the right lighting can transform your bathroom into a functional and beautiful space.
Prioritising safety with moisture-rated fixtures and thoughtful placement ensures a well-lit, practical, and stylish bathroom environment.
FAQs About Bathroom
What Type Of Light Is Best For Bathroom?
LED lighting is the best type for a bathroom because it is energy-efficient, long-lasting, and provides bright, clear illumination. For task areas like mirrors, choose lights with a colour temperature between 3000K and 4000K, which offers a natural white light that’s flattering and effective for grooming. Moisture-resistant fixtures are also ideal for safety in damp conditions.
What Color Light Is Best For Bathrooms?
Warm white light Bathroom lighting experts often recommend sticking to the warm white light, as shown in the colour/temperature breakdown below. (Hint: Try warm white 2700-3000 kelvins (K) for the most flattering bathroom lighting).
Is LED Light Better In Bathroom?
Yes, LED lights are better in bathrooms because they are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and provide bright, clear lighting, which is ideal for grooming tasks. LEDs come in various colour temperatures, allowing you to choose warmer or cooler tones to suit your style. They also produce less heat, making them safer for bathroom use, and many LED options are moisture-resistant, perfect for humid environments.
Should I Use Bright White Or Daylight In The Bathroom?
Warm white is great for bigger living spaces where you want to give the room warmth and an inviting feel. However, lengthy research has concluded that ‘daylight’ LED lighting is preferable for bathrooms where you want the space to look and feel clean.
Should Bathroom Lights Be Soft Or Bright?
Bathroom lights should be bright to provide clear visibility, especially for tasks like shaving or applying makeup. However, adding softer, dimmable lighting can create a relaxing atmosphere for baths or nighttime use. Combining bright task lighting and softer ambient lighting offers the best of both worlds.
