Bathroom Lighting

You want your bathroom lighting to serve several functions. Everyday tasks such as washing, shaving and general grooming needs bright and directional lighting whereas if you just want a long and relaxing soak to unwind from the stresses of the day, subtle mood lighting is key.

Effective planning is essential and in the majority of cases, suitable IP rated light fittings must be used. Good use of different types of lighting that can be used individually or at the same time will ensure that your bathroom is a well lit, functional and relaxing space.

Good lighting for bathrooms should include a main ceiling light(s) or downlights, wall or mirror lights for shaving or applying make-up. An IP65 shower light is a great addition if you have a separate cubicle.

A good combination of low-level lighting to set the mood for a relaxing soak, plus strategically placed light fittings for illuminating areas where you need more light, can really make a bathroom shine.

IP Ratings and Bathroom Light Zones

There are four main bathroom zones:

• Zone 0: Inside the bath or shower cubicle – min IPx7.
• Zone 1: The area directly above the bath or shower up to a height of 2.25 metres – Min IPx5.
• Zone 2: A 60cm wide area immediately next to ZONE 1, around the wash basin and over 2.25 metres high directly above the bath or shower cubicle – Min IPx4.
• Note: 240v IPx4 fittings can be used in zone 1 if the circuit is protected by a 30ma RCD (residual current device). 

Whatever you choose must have an IP rating. IP stands for Ingress Protection, which in this case relates to water, either from a shower head or similar, or from steam. The first number relates to the impact resistance of the fitting, and the second relates to its level of protection against water and steam. In both cases, the higher the number, the greater the protection.

What Are My Options?

Bathroom lights are mainly ceiling mounted, wall mounted, illuminated mirrors and something to create a calming atmosphere. To achieve the best effect, you should choose a combination of at least two types in your bathroom. The important thing to remember is that a bathroom can almost never be too bright.

Bathroom ceiling lights are now available in many styles to complement every type of bathroom from ultra-modern to the more traditional or period bathroom. In a smaller modern bathroom, a small flush mounted energy saving fitting is a good choice, whilst in a larger or period bathroom, a crystal fitting or chandelier may be more desirable.

Recessed down lights are becoming increasingly popular in bathrooms. They are inexpensive, versatile, and you can have as many or as few as you like. They need to be chosen with care to ensure that you use the right type for its location.

Bathroom wall lights are primarily used to illuminate an area that would otherwise be in shadow. Good examples include wall lights mounted above or alongside a mirror or mirrored cabinet. These shine light directly onto your face, making shaving or applying make-up much easier.

Bathroom mirrors with integral lights are excellent and shine light directly onto your face. They are available in different sizes and some even have demister pads attached to ensure that they remain clear when there is steam in the room.

Ambient mood lighting is really the finishing touch. The best example I can think of is candles around the bath whilst having a relaxing soak. This effect can be created by using low-level background illumination, normally in the form of white or coloured LED’s.

Plain wall mirrors are an excellent way of making a small bathroom look brighter and larger than it is. A central ceiling light and wall light with a mirrored wall can make the smallest bathroom look larger. The careful placement of mirrors can transform any bathroom into a brighter, larger space.

For help in transforming your bathroom, please have a look at our comprehensive guide to IP rating for bathroom lights and our recessed downlights explained articles.

Bathroom Lights FAQ’s

Q) How do I choose bathroom lights?

A) Bathroom lights can be ceiling mounted or wall mounted and include illuminated mirrors, with something to create a calming atmosphere. To achieve the best effect, you should choose a combination of at least two types, and remember that bathrooms can never be too bright.

Q) What are bathroom lighting zones?

A) There are four main bathroom zones:
Zone 0: Inside the bath or shower cubicle – min IPx7.
Zone 1: The area directly above the bath or shower up to a height of 2.25 metres – Min IPx5.
Zone 2: A 60cm wide area immediately next to ZONE 1, around the wash basin and over 2.25 metres high directly above the bath or shower cubicle – Min IPx4.
Note: 240v IPx4 fittings can be used in zone 1 if the circuit is protected by a 30ma RCD (residual current device).

Q) What bathroom lighting is best for make-up?

A) Good examples include wall lights mounted above or alongside a mirror or mirrored cabinet. Bathroom mirrors with integral lights are excellent and shine light directly onto your face. They are available in different sizes and some even have demister pads attached to ensure that they remain clear when there is steam in the room.

Q) Bathroom lighting for small spaces?

A) A central ceiling light and wall light with a mirrored wall can make the smallest bathroom look larger, and careful placement of mirrors can transform any bathroom into a brighter, larger space.

Q) What is good bathroom lighting?

A) Good lighting for bathrooms should include a main ceiling light(s) or downlights, wall or mirror lights for shaving or applying make-up and a shower light if you have a separate cubicle.