Bathroom Lighting: A Foolproof Guide to Getting it Right
Nail your bathroom lighting scheme first time around with these practical tips from experts in the field
Georgia Madden
25 September 2020
Good lighting is an essential part of any successful room design, and the bathroom is no exception. Here, three experts share their top tips for lighting your bathroom right – from practical task lighting to those beautiful finishing touches.
Types of lighting you need in a bathroom
“The number one thing you need in a bathroom is shadow-free task lighting at the mirror,” says Adele Locke, director of MINT Lighting Design. “So many of us live in homes with poor bathroom lighting, and we all know how frustrating it is to find something’s been missed in the shaving or make-up process when we’re out.
“The second layer of lighting you need is subtle, ambient lighting for using the bathroom for short visits.
“A night light is an excellent thing to include too. And, depending on the style of your bathroom, you may also need a decorative layer of lighting for luxuriating in the bath,” says Locke.
Accent lighting is another optional extra you may want to consider if budget permits, says Genevieve Wild, design director at Wildly Illuminating. “It allows you to highlight specific features in the bathroom and will add character and personality to the space.”
“The number one thing you need in a bathroom is shadow-free task lighting at the mirror,” says Adele Locke, director of MINT Lighting Design. “So many of us live in homes with poor bathroom lighting, and we all know how frustrating it is to find something’s been missed in the shaving or make-up process when we’re out.
“The second layer of lighting you need is subtle, ambient lighting for using the bathroom for short visits.
“A night light is an excellent thing to include too. And, depending on the style of your bathroom, you may also need a decorative layer of lighting for luxuriating in the bath,” says Locke.
Accent lighting is another optional extra you may want to consider if budget permits, says Genevieve Wild, design director at Wildly Illuminating. “It allows you to highlight specific features in the bathroom and will add character and personality to the space.”
- For general lighting, consider a three-in-one exhaust fan with heating and lighting, says Jess Paladino, lighting designer at Beacon Lighting. “They are a great option for providing general illumination as well as for keeping the bathroom well-ventilated and warm on cold days. For low ceilings that measure 2.7 to three metres, I’d suggest flush mounts or even track lighting,” she says.
Eager to upgrade your lighting? Find a local lighting specialist on Houzz
Image: The Space Cowboy Photography
Where to put it
“Ambient lighting is most effective when it’s located close to the walls. This allows for great reflectance of light within the space, keeping it bright end avoiding a ‘cave-like’ feel, which is the classic effect you get with four ceiling downlights in a grid pattern, where the floor is lit and the walls are dark,” says Wild.
“Install accent lighting on a larger wall, over the bath or in a corner next to the basin in a splash-free zone – it really is the icing on the cake. Be sure that wiring rules are met to ensure safety,” she says.
“Place wall lights on either side of the mirror if it’s not flush, above the mirror, or install a mirror with a built-in LED light,” says Paladino.
“Consider adding LED strip lighting in shower nooks and under the vanity,” she adds.
Where to put it
“Ambient lighting is most effective when it’s located close to the walls. This allows for great reflectance of light within the space, keeping it bright end avoiding a ‘cave-like’ feel, which is the classic effect you get with four ceiling downlights in a grid pattern, where the floor is lit and the walls are dark,” says Wild.
“Install accent lighting on a larger wall, over the bath or in a corner next to the basin in a splash-free zone – it really is the icing on the cake. Be sure that wiring rules are met to ensure safety,” she says.
“Place wall lights on either side of the mirror if it’s not flush, above the mirror, or install a mirror with a built-in LED light,” says Paladino.
“Consider adding LED strip lighting in shower nooks and under the vanity,” she adds.
Cattrall 3 Light Wall Bracket, Beacon Lighting
Things to consider
Locke says:
Things to consider
Locke says:
- Make sure there is light between your face and the mirror when you’re at the vanity. Too many bathrooms end up with lights in the middle of the ceiling, and I’m yet to see a bathroom with anything vital in the centre of the room.
- When you’re choosing decorative lighting, make sure it is IP-rated and safe for a damp/wet environment.
- Keep an eye on glare and brightness. We rarely see dimming in bathrooms and as it’s a room we all use a few times a day, making sure it’s always comfortable is important.
- Showers that are behind nib walls or tucked into corners need to be lit – you may not want a spotlight in there, but you also don’t want dark corners.
Paladino says:
- When selecting bathroom lighting, consider the ceiling height, the other finishes in the room, the style of your home and the purpose of the light fitting.
- Heating and fans are also important in a bathroom, so if they’re not integrated into your ceiling light, how else will you fit them in – underfloor heating or a heated towel rack?
New trends in bathroom lighting
Locke says:
Locke says:
- We’re seeing a lot of white opal spherical lights in bathroom designs at the moment. They give a gentle light to a room and sit well with grey tiles. Beware though, these don’t necessarily give you sufficient illumination for task lighting at the mirror.
- Light integrated into niches and joinery has been with us for a while, but is becoming more cost-effective to install.
- Wall lights on either side of a vanity mirror.
- Mirrors with built-in LEDs (such as our Reflextion styles).
Wild says:
- We’re seeing elongated sconces in frosted or coloured glass.
- Pendants hung in the corner of the room near a free-standing bath, often with glass balls.
- Brass rod lighting or chrome suspension cable lighting with bulbs in pale pink, green and smoke-coloured glass.
Nailing your vanity lighting
“Hollywood got it right with their lighting for applying make-up to the stars, with lighting above, below and on either sides of the face” says Wild. “If this is not possible, then lighting either side of the face is the next best option.
“Lighting from directly above with downlights will result in shadowing over the eyes, lips and chin.
“Illuminated wall-mounted make-up mirrors are a fabulous supplementary option to an existing bathroom,” she says.
When it comes to the right mounting height for lights on either side of the mirror, aim for mid-face level, she says.
“Hollywood got it right with their lighting for applying make-up to the stars, with lighting above, below and on either sides of the face” says Wild. “If this is not possible, then lighting either side of the face is the next best option.
“Lighting from directly above with downlights will result in shadowing over the eyes, lips and chin.
“Illuminated wall-mounted make-up mirrors are a fabulous supplementary option to an existing bathroom,” she says.
When it comes to the right mounting height for lights on either side of the mirror, aim for mid-face level, she says.
Also consider the warmth of the illumination when specifying vanity lighting, says Paladino. “I prefer warm white light – it complements your complexion and creates a relaxing feel.
“If you need it to be brighter, perhaps consider a dimmer so you can change the lighting level and ambience to suit. You could even select a fitting that allows you to colour shift between warm white, cool white and even daylight,” she says.
“If you need it to be brighter, perhaps consider a dimmer so you can change the lighting level and ambience to suit. You could even select a fitting that allows you to colour shift between warm white, cool white and even daylight,” she says.
Lighting a small ensuite
As ensuites are generally small, they don’t usually require as many lighting sources, says Locke. “They can often be lit effectively with just mirror lighting and a nightlight. This set-up allows you to see what matters and you won’t be woken up by the night light late at night.
“Depending on the style of your ensuite, you may also want to introduce decorative pendants to add texture and colour,” she says.
“If you have a high ceiling in your ensuite, such as 2.6 metres or above, consider adding wall-mounted uplighters to visually lift and expand the space,” says Wild.
As ensuites are generally small, they don’t usually require as many lighting sources, says Locke. “They can often be lit effectively with just mirror lighting and a nightlight. This set-up allows you to see what matters and you won’t be woken up by the night light late at night.
“Depending on the style of your ensuite, you may also want to introduce decorative pendants to add texture and colour,” she says.
“If you have a high ceiling in your ensuite, such as 2.6 metres or above, consider adding wall-mounted uplighters to visually lift and expand the space,” says Wild.
LED lighting
“LED strip lighting in vanity joinery has been a trend in homes and hotels for a few years now,” says Wild. “There are three levels in which it can be installed, creating a combination of both ambient and task lighting.
“First, above the shaving cabinet or mirror to provide a fabulous ambient uplight effect. LED strip lighting can also be recessed into the mirror or either side of it. This is a contemporary look and moderately expensive. You can also find mirrors with integrated LED lighting.
“Second, LED strip lighting can be installed below the shaving cabinet, which is used as task lighting for washing hands and reading labels.
“Third, you can use it below the vanity to bring ambience to a bathroom. Adding a dimmer and LED strip lighting in this spot can double as a night light,” she says.
“LED strip lighting in vanity joinery has been a trend in homes and hotels for a few years now,” says Wild. “There are three levels in which it can be installed, creating a combination of both ambient and task lighting.
“First, above the shaving cabinet or mirror to provide a fabulous ambient uplight effect. LED strip lighting can also be recessed into the mirror or either side of it. This is a contemporary look and moderately expensive. You can also find mirrors with integrated LED lighting.
“Second, LED strip lighting can be installed below the shaving cabinet, which is used as task lighting for washing hands and reading labels.
“Third, you can use it below the vanity to bring ambience to a bathroom. Adding a dimmer and LED strip lighting in this spot can double as a night light,” she says.
Mint Lighting Design; image: The Space Cowboy Photography
Common mistakes to avoid
Locke says:
Common mistakes to avoid
Locke says:
- Lights in the centre of the room.
- Cool or daylight-coloured light, which in my view is too harsh for a bathroom.
- Decorative wall lights that don’t produce any functional light. Your bathroom may look beautifully styled, but you’ll struggle to use it for its daily purpose.
LEDLux Reflextion one-metre Colour Change LED Light and Mirror, $679.20, Beacon Lighting
Wild says:
Wild says:
- The absence of good mirror lighting. When this isn’t considered as part of a design, the result is often a light source centrally located in the room, which puts light behind the person at the mirror and essentially creates ‘anti-task’ lighting.
- Using daylight (5,000K to 6,000K, measured in degrees of Kelvin) and fluorescent lights in a bathroom for make-up and other grooming activities – it will wash out your complexion.
- Downlights directly over the basin, which cast shadows onto your face. If you have to use a downlight, opt for a gimble, a light fitting that rotates, so you can adjust it to focus on the mirror rather than above your head.
Your turn
Did you find this story useful? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Want more on bathrooms? Check out this story: 19 Ideas For Opulent Bathrooms
Did you find this story useful? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Want more on bathrooms? Check out this story: 19 Ideas For Opulent Bathrooms
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Very helpful, thank you. Just about to put in a new (small) bathroom in our 110-year old cottage and was going to put in a tiny chandelier in the middle of the room - instead thanks to this advice we will put in sconces on either side of the mirror and a night light. Thankfully there already is a dimmer in the room.
This is a great article, however (along with Numberwoman) I also don't agree about never using cool lighting in the bathroom. I am a makeup artist and can't stand warm task lighting as it makes it near impossible to get accurate colours or to match skin tone. I feel that task lighting should only ever be cool white (agreed not daylight), so it can serve it's purpose. Leave the warm ambience to the general or accent lighting. Great advice otherwise though!
Love the mirrors what brand are they