Bathroom lighting has a huge impact on the overall design and appearance of your bathroom. It can either enhance your experience or leave you scrambling in the dark looking for the taps.
Whether your preference is for bathroom mood lighting or more relaxing bathroom lighting ideas, this guide will help you make the right choices for your bathroom space.
What is the Best Lighting for a Bathroom?
The best bathroom lighting mostly comes down to personal preference and the amount of available space. Most smaller bathrooms have quirky angles and restricted areas that make effective lighting a challenge. Yet large bathrooms require a different lighting approach to eliminate dark spots and create a bright, functional environment.
Whether you’re upgrading your current bathroom or going for a full bathroom renovation, choosing the correct bathroom lighting will make it feel brighter, roomier and more inviting.
From traditional bathroom designs to a spa-like oasis, these seven relaxing bathroom lighting ideas will help you achieve the perfect balance between function and style.
1. Install Decorative Lighting
If you’re looking to make a real statement with your bathroom, decorative lighting could be the answer. Attractive features like wall sconces can be a practical, space-saving option that also provides ample lighting.
One of the key benefits of decorative bathroom lights is that they can be squeezed into the tightest spaces, providing extra illumination in dark areas. Not only that, but decorative lighting can be installed on either side of a bathroom mirror, so the light reflects into the room to make it even brighter.
2. Consider Recessed Lighting
Sleek, elegant and out-of-sight, recessed lights are a practical and versatile option when it comes to choosing the best bathroom mood lighting. Recessed lights sit flush with your bathroom ceiling and, when installed correctly, can illuminate the entire room.
Also known as downlights, recessed lights are minimal in design and are great for confined bathrooms with limited space, providing a clean, contemporary look.
They also provide full flexibility in unconventional bathroom layouts where fitting standard lighting wouldn’t be possible. For example, recessed lighting could be fitted under a vanity cabinet or above a bathtub or shower where a direct task beam is needed.
3. Experiment with Vanity Lighting
Like decorative lighting, vanity lighting is often installed above or on either side of a mirror. But the key difference between the two is that vanity lighting is always positioned above the washbasin or vanity unit, illuminating the room and making it easier to wash and self-care.
With vanity lighting, you get an even spread of light so you can see exactly what you’re doing, whether that’s shaving or brushing your hair. Light bars and sconces also help illuminate any dark areas to improve visibility and reduce the risk of slips and accidents. Meanwhile, using LED lighting means you’ll also benefit from enhanced energy efficiency for your vanity lighting project on top of a crisp, clean light.
4. Opt for Traditional Overhead Lighting
Overhead lighting is the most conventional and versatile form of bathroom illumination. That’s why you’ll see it used in the majority of bathroom and wetroom designs. From modern bathroom layouts to bespoke bathrooms, these lights are created for your specific needs.
One of the main advantages of overhead lighting systems is that they brighten any room, illuminating those nooks and crannies that other lighting may fail to reach.
Overhead lighting doesn’t need to be bulky either, and it’s easy to find sleeker options that won’t clutter your ceiling space and overpower the room. Whether you choose a single central ceiling light, a feature dome light, or a system of recessed lights, you can achieve full, unbroken light coverage throughout your bathroom or wetroom.
5. Leverage Layered Lighting
Layered lighting has been considered the best lighting for a bathroom as it provides complete coverage of your space. This approach makes maximum use of multiple light sources positioned at various levels that illuminate even the darkest spots.
Layered lighting involves an integrated approach to your bathroom lighting project, incorporating overhead, vanity and task lighting for maximum effect. You could even experiment with plinth lights, which are decorative fixtures available in strips, kits, or single units, offering a perfect blend of style and subtle illumination.
6. Embrace Natural Light
One of the most relaxing bathroom lighting ideas exists right outside your window and is completely free. So, before you splash out on expensive bathroom lighting, you could experiment with different ways to harness natural light and make the most of this invaluable light source.
If your bathroom has a window, skylight, or both, measure how much natural light enters your bathroom on a typical day. If light levels are low, introduce some strategically placed mirrors to enhance the light that’s available while illuminating any darker areas that would benefit from additional lighting.
7. Decorate with Lighter Colours
Perhaps one of the most effective bathroom lighting ideas doesn’t involve lighting at all. That’s because the colour of your bathroom walls, ceiling, floor fixtures and fittings plays a significant role in determining the brightness of your bathroom or wetroom.
Bathrooms decorated in darker colours like navy blue and rich burgundy can make a bathroom feel smaller and more confined than it actually is. Instead, opt for lighter shades like traditional white or cream or subtle hues of gentle blue and soft grey that give the illusion of the room being bigger and more spacious.
Whether you’re installing a modern white and gold bathroom or a classic all-white bathroom layout, decorating your space in lighter colours while adding relaxing bathroom lighting will help you achieve the bathroom of your dreams for a relatively small cost.
What are the Most Relaxing Bathroom Lighting Ideas for Small Bathrooms?
Choosing the most relaxing bathroom lighting for your project isn’t easy, especially in restricted bathrooms with limited space. However, effective lighting is an affordable and easy way to make a bathroom feel bigger, boost visibility, reduce accidents, elevate the ambience, and add a sense of luxury.
Without the right lighting, your bathroom could feel dark, cramped and gloomy, and could even put off potential buyers if you’re selling your home. The most important rule for any small bathroom is that lighting should deliver ample illumination without dominating or cluttering the room.
With smaller bathrooms, it’s essential to position your lights in optimum locations and choose the most suitable bulbs for your needs. That way, your bathroom or wetroom will become fully illuminated and a safe, functional space.
Best Lighting for a Bathroom: Select the Correct Light Bulbs
Once you’ve settled on your favourite bathroom lighting, it’s time to choose the best bulbs to maximise their effect.
The following key factors will help you make the right decision for your specific bathroom design:
- Brightness: High-lumen bulbs work well in compact spaces, providing plenty of light without harsh glare.
- Energy efficiency: LED bulbs are ideal throughout the home, offering long-lasting performance, lower energy use, and reduced bills.
- Colour temperature: Choose a warmth that suits your space. A range of 2,700K to 3,000K is typical for bathrooms, with warmer tones creating a cosy, relaxed feel.
- Fitting size: Choose fixtures that match your bathroom’s scale. In smaller rooms, go for sleek, minimal designs that don’t crowd the space.
Need Help Choosing the Best Lighting for Your Bathroom Project?
Renovating your bathroom? Need advice on your lighting options? Contact KNB Bathrooms today or request a brochure now.