Are you ready to upgrade your bathroom lighting? Curating the right combination of lighting can elevate the style and function of your space while drawing attention to key design features and task areas. Whether you’re preparing to renovate your bathroom or simply upgrading your fixtures, this blog will guide you through the types of bathroom lighting, popular styles, and how to choose the best lights for your space.
How do I select the best type of lighting for my bathroom?
There are several important factors for selecting bathroom lighting that ensures your space is both functional and visually appealing. These considerations affect how the bathroom looks as well as how it serves the needs of those using it.
- Functionality is important to prioritize when selecting bathroom lighting. Proper lighting enhances visibility for practical tasks, like grooming and hygiene, as well as detailed activities.
- Placement of lights and fixtures affects both functionality and ambiance in the bathroom. Proper placement helps prevent shadows, complements a bathroom focal point, and enhances the overall atmosphere of the space.
- Size of lights and fixtures should complement the dimensions of the bathroom. Too small will result in insufficient illumination. Lighting that is too large will overwhelm the space.
- Brightness is essential in a bathroom, particularly for performing detailed tasks. When installing bathroom lights, test the brightness throughout the day to ensure you have enough illumination.
- Layering lighting types enhances the versatility of the bathroom. From daily routines to relaxing baths, layering helps to get just the right light for each experience.
- Color temperature directly impacts the mood, aesthetic, and performance of bathroom lighting. Warmer tone light bulbs can be relaxing. Cooler tones are more energizing.
- Dampness rating is important since bathrooms are naturally damp, and you’ll want a light fixture that can withstand humidity. When selecting lights to be placed near showers, baths, and vanities, opt for moisture-rated fixtures.
- Natural light sources such as a window or skylight, can be one of the best aesthetic features in a bathroom. It helps the space feel more open and refreshing. When adding new lighting features, consider how much light is coming through from outside.
- Fixture material should be corrosion-resistant, such as stainless steel, brass, or chrome. High-quality materials not only withstand moisture and wear over time but also enhance the overall design of the bathroom.
- Budgeting helps you prioritize necessities. Whether you choose a fancy lighting fixture or a basic one that meets your needs, budgeting in advance will guide your final decisions.
Types of bathroom lighting
When designing a bathroom, it is essential to understand the different types of lighting available, as each contributes to creating a well-lit and functional space for your daily needs. Lights serving various functions should be layered to create a cohesive, beautiful aesthetic.
Here are the most important categories of bathroom lighting:
Ambient Bathroom Lighting
Ambient lighting provides the overall illumination in the bathroom, creating a well-lit space for easy navigation throughout. Primarily, it ensures that the bathroom is uniformly lit and provides a comfortable level of brightness for everyday activities.
Examples of ambient lights include ceiling-mounted fixtures like recessed lights, which are installed directly into the ceiling for a sleek and minimalistic look.
Pendant lights are another option, offering a decorative touch while providing soft ambient illumination in the bathroom.
Task Bathroom Lighting
Task lighting is essential for areas dedicated to specific activities like applying makeup, shaving, or grooming, where precise lighting is required.
Task lighting provides direct and targeted illumination, enhancing clarity and reducing shadows. Having task lighting helps one feel comfortable in the space and provides an appropriately bright light with clear visibility.
Examples of task lighting include LED mirror lights, vanity lights, and pendant lights placed near the vanity or showering area.
Accent Bathroom Lighting
Accent lighting is used to highlight specific architectural features of the bathroom. It is primarily decorative, drawing attention to particular areas and enhancing the overall design.
Ambient lighting helps set the mood and atmosphere of the space, creating a relaxing and luxurious environment.
Popular types of accent lights include spotlights, cove lights, under-cabinet lighting, wall sconces, and track lighting.
Popular bathroom lighting ideas
Let’s look at how functionality and styles can be combined to create the ideal lighting for your bathroom space. By layering different styles and strategically placing fixtures, you can balance practicality with aesthetics, ensuring that your bathroom is functional and inviting.
Vanity Lights
Vanity lights are typically placed above or beside the mirror to provide lighting for focused tasks like applying makeup or grooming. These lights help reduce shadows around the face, ensuring clear visibility.
Styles
- Bar lights are sleek, horizontal lights placed above the mirror for uniform, broad illumination. These fixtures complement contemporary, modern bathrooms.
- Globe lights are bulbs arranged in a row or as a cluster, often providing soft, diffused lighting for a retro or classic look.
- LED strip lights outline the mirror, offering modern, energy-efficient lighting with a minimalistic design.
- Lantern-style sconces are vintage or industrial-inspired fixtures with enclosed bulbs, giving a decorative edge alongside functional lighting.
- Double sconce vanity lights are two lights attached to a single base, positioned above or beside the mirror for added brightness and symmetry. They come in many styles including traditional, contemporary, and transitional.
Wall Sconces
Wall sconces are lights mounted on the wall to provide task or accent lighting. These lights give a decorative edge to the bathroom space, offering soft but focused illumination.
Styles
- Swing-arm sconces are adjustable and can be moved or angled, making them ideal for task lighting near mirrors. They come in many styles and finishes for a range of bathroom designs.
- Art Deco sconces are sleek, geometric fixtures which add a bold, vintage-inspired aesthetic while providing soft ambient lighting.
- Candle-style sconces are designed to mimic candle holders, creating a warm, classic look with subtle light. These fixtures complement vintage, classic bathrooms.
- Glass globe sconces feature round shades, offering a soft, diffused glow, which adds elegance to the bathroom.
- Modern minimalist sconces feature simple, clean lines that blend into contemporary spaces, often with metal or matte finishes.
Ceiling Mount Lights
Ceiling mount lights provide ambient lighting and are installed directly on the ceiling to illuminate the entire bathroom. These lights are versatile and work efficiently in both small and large spaces, offering broad, even illumination.
Styles
- Flush-mounted lights sit close to the ceiling, offering a neat, low-profile look for smaller bathrooms with lower ceilings.
- Semi-flush mount lights hang slightly below the ceiling, providing more decorative options while still offering ambient light.
- Drum lights are cylindrical fixtures that provide soft, diffused light with a modern or transitional style. These lights are typically hung on a cord.
- Crystal flush mounts are luxurious lighting fixtures with crystal details, adding a touch of elegance while maintaining a compact design.
- Geometric designs are lights in shapes like hexagons or squares that add visual interest and a contemporary feel to the space.
Recessed Lighting
Like ceiling mount lights, recessed lighting is directly installed within the ceiling to provide ambient or task lighting in the bathroom. These kinds of light fixtures are perfect for minimalistic designs in the bathroom, providing lighting in a specific area without drawing attention to any fixtures.
Styles
- LED recessed lights are energy-efficient and long-lasting, providing a bright, clean light without the bulk of traditional fixtures.
- Shower-rated recessed lights are designed for wet areas, making them ideal for illuminating showers, bathtubs, and vanity areas.
- Dimmable recessed lights are those that allow control over brightness levels, making it easy to switch between task and ambient lighting.
- Trimless recessed lights create a seamless look by eliminating visible trim, ideal for ultra-modern, minimalist bathrooms.
- Directional recessed lights are adjustable lights that can be angled to highlight specific areas or features, adding flexibility to the lighting design.
Pendant Lights
Bathroom pendant light fixtures are hanging fixtures often used as decorative task or accent lighting. They can be placed above vanities or in larger spaces to create a statement.
Styles
- Single-bulb pendant lights feature a light bulb hung from a cord or chain. There is a range of single-bulb fixtures including modern, classic, industrial, and vintage styles.
- Multi-bulb pendant light fixtures feature several bulbs suspended from a chain, often staggered at varying heights. These fixtures are larger and more eye-catching than single-bulb pendant lights, making them excellent for bigger bathrooms.
- Globe pendant lights feature a single bulb encased in a circular shade. This classic style creates softer, diffused illumination.
Our Recommendations
Ready to update your bathroom lighting? Our team of experienced bathroom remodeling experts are ready to guide you through the process, from lighting upgrades to flooring and countertop materials. Schedule a free consultation today or find more inspiration on our award-winning bathroom renovation portfolio.
