Bathroom Lighting: Tips on Selection, Placement, and Design Ideas

How much light do you need in a bathroom?

The ideal option for a bathroom is a sufficient amount of light, close to daylight. This way you can create the most natural lighting for a natural look and applying makeup. Since a combined bathroom can be used for different purposes, it is better to install a combined type of lighting in it.

For a small bathroom in a Khrushchev-era building, one central light in combination with two or three additional wall lamps is appropriate.

In a large room, it is advisable to install several overhead lighting fixtures. The greater the number of lamps, the smaller their size and power should be. For a spacious bathroom, zonal lighting is suitable, thanks to which it will be possible to achieve the allocation of individual functional areas, as well as to emphasize the configuration of the space.

The photo shows the lighting of a small bathroom in the form of a laconic central chandelier placed on the ceiling.

The choice of lighting is influenced by the following important factors:

• The style of the interior and the color palette. The darker the shade of the walls, the greater the intensity of the light sources should be.
• The size and shape of the bathroom.
• Features of zoning.
• Types of lamps, their maximum power and mounting method.
• The presence of reflective surfaces in the form of mirrors, tiles, etc.

First of all, before starting repairs in the room, think over the lighting system and specific places where its sources will be located. Provide for cable routing, construction of plasterboard false beams, etc.

What kind of light should I choose?

Regardless of whether the bathroom is windowless or not, you should choose bright lighting that will not irritate your eyes. Warm light with a yellowish tint is considered the most comfortable and pleasant. Such a soft glow will help you relax completely in the bathing area. Devices with a cold bluish light, located near the sink, will help you quickly wake up and cheer up.

Arrangement tips

If there is insufficient light flow in the room, a multi-tiered lighting system in three levels is considered the ideal option.

Basic

Depending on Depending on the location, there are ceiling, wall and floor lighting fixtures with manual or automatic switching.

On a regular painted ceiling, pendant lights with increased protection from moisture are often installed. For a ceiling plane decorated with a plasterboard structure, plastic panels or slats, built-in lights are preferred. They are very convenient, aesthetic and safe, as they have hidden wiring. In the case of a stretch ceiling, spot lighting is suitable, and for a multi-level ceiling, LED lamps will be appropriate.

A classic solution for small rooms is the location of a central chandelier.

If ceiling lighting fixtures are not enough, wall light sources are used. The location is selected depending on the height of the walls. The lamps should not blind the eyes, so they are usually installed at a level of two meters from the floor plane.

When purchasing sconces for the bathroom, pay attention to the lampshades, they should resemble a sphere or flask in shape and be closed.

The photo shows the interior of a bathroom in the attic with spot lighting built into the suspended ceiling.

Floor lighting is most often backlighting, such as LED strip or sealed lamps. To create a peaceful atmosphere in the room, it is possible to use closed lanterns, translucent lamps or portholes. Floor-mounted built-in lamps will add an unusual ambience to the bathroom and add a sense of mystery to the atmosphere.

Lighting of functional zones

Each section of the room requires the organization of auxiliary lighting. In this way, you can not only visually change the perception of space, but also add a touch of originality to the monotonous atmosphere.

Work area

This area with a mirror and a washbasin requires high-quality lighting, which should fall evenly from both sides. For this purpose, it is best to install two side lamps symmetrically located, slightly higher than eye level. This option is especially suitable when applying makeup, as it provides the necessary brightness and does not create shadows on the face. For shaving, one lighting fixture above the mirror will be quite sufficient.

Lamps with flexible brackets with the ability to adjust the direction of light are considered especially convenient.

The photo shows the work area in bathroom, decorated with a mirror with built-in side lights.

Bath and shower

For lovers of relaxing baths, installing one or two devices with a subdued diffused glow is suitable. Using LED lighting, you can also decorate the bath itself around the perimeter or, if there is insufficient lighting, place several lamps in the shower area. The best option for the humidity zone will be devices with the ability to change the brightness and direction of the light flux.

The photo shows spot lighting located above the bathtub in the bathroom interior.

Storage systems and equipment

To create an unusual romantic mood and give the surrounding environment a certain elegance, use the highlighting of individual interior elements with light. This decorative solution allows you to highlight shelves, cabinets, drawers for things and other objects. Such lighting can be done using LED strip or spotlights. As additional lighting in the room, a separate source is equipped in the area with towel hooks or the place where the washing machine is located.

The photo shows shelves in the bathroom equipped with spot lighting.

Decorative

Thanks to the autonomous strip lighting, spotlights framing the bathroom, a faucet nozzle that changes color depending on the water temperature, it is possible to give the room even more light and space.

In the photo decorative lighting in interior of a bathroom, made in high-tech style.

One of the popular solutions for the bathroom is a false window. It is made of frosted glass, which is decorated with moisture-resistant patterns and equipped with fluorescent built-in lighting.

Lighting in a small bathroom

For lighting in a small bathroom, it is not advisable to use too massive lamps and, if possible, do without a chandelier. Spotlights are best suited here, as they can also be used to organize zoning and make the room as functional as possible.

The photo shows a small bathroom decorated with lighting and pendant ceiling lamps.

For a bathroom with a low ceiling, it would be more correct to choose lighting in the form of sconces, floor lamps or a ceiling chandelier with a light flow directed upward. This will create a play of shadows on the ceiling plane, which will visually add height to the room.

The photo shows a mirror with built-in lighting in the interior of a small bathroom.

Design examples

A shower head with lighting, creating a colored stream of water, looks chic. An equally unusual solution is a ceiling in the form of a starry sky or glowing drops with LED spotlights. To create original lighting, the sides of the bathtub and podiums are decorated with lighting, and niches, screens or baseboards are decorated with spotlights.

The photo shows a spacious bathroom with original lighting built into the floor.

To create a relaxing and surprisingly romantic atmosphere in the bathroom, it is appropriate to install LED bubble air panels.

Ideas in different interior styles

In the classic style, the furnishings are decorated with steel or forged bronze candelabra and crystal products with numerous pendants, chains, beads and other decorative elements are used.

For minimalism, it is appropriate to use pendant lamps, distinguished by a simple shape and lack of decor. In the interior, models with round lampshades in the form of balls, cones or abstract lamps are often found.

Provence is characterized by floor lamps, voluminous chandeliers and metal or wooden candelabra. As a complement to a beautiful interior composition, massive forged chandeliers with glass lampshades are selected and lamps or sconces in the shape of inflorescences are placed near the mirror.

The photo shows a version of lighting for a bathroom decorated in a modern style.

LED lighting in combination with metal halogen lamps fits perfectly into the loft style. To enhance the industrial atmosphere, use pendant lights on thick chains or cords resembling wires.

Scandinavian interior suggests any type of wall or ceiling lamps that can be combined with modern LED lamps. This style does not accept too bulky and pretentious light sources.

Safety rules

When developing a lighting scheme, first of all, pay attention to safety. Lighting fixtures must be hermetically sealed and located in such a way that drops of water do not fall on them.

• It is not recommended to install lamps above the bathtub, since hot glass can cause the bulb to explode when in contact with moisture.
• Light sources must not have open wiring and cables.
• It is not advisable to use extension cords and tees.
• If there are sockets, they must be placed at a safe distance from the sink, shower and bathtub.
• The electrical network in the bathroom must be grounded.