How to layer your bathroom lighting

When it comes to bathroom design, sanitary ware and tiles may be your first area of consideration. Arguably more important, though, is to get your bathroom lighting right. That’s because this space in your home is so much more than just a functional place for your daily ablutions.

Bathrooms are our home sanctuaries, our havens of relaxation – it’s where you want to wind down at the end of a hard day’s work in an environment of calm. Creating a soothing ambience is key here, and that’s where good lighting design comes in. Did you know that besides general levels of cleanliness, it’s the lighting that will have the greatest effect on your mood when you’re in the bathroom, and yet this tends to be the most overlooked lighting in the house?

As any good interior designer will tell you, the best way to approach any lighting design is by layering a minimum of three types of light: ambient lighting, task lighting and accent lighting. All three are critical to the overall brightness in the room while achieving a sense of balance.

Assessing your bathroom’s lighting needs

First off, and before you spend any money buying gorgeous bathroom lighting fixtures, think about the bathroom itself and how you use the space. How big is the room? Are there any windows and how much natural light do they let in? What times of day do you use the bathroom?

Think about the atmosphere you wish to create with each light fixture. Are you using it to highlight a particular feature in the room, like a freestanding bath or any architectural details? Work closely with your electrician to find practical solutions for each area of the room.

Ambient Lighting

Ambient, or general, lighting is the way to enhance or replace natural daylight. Instead of having a single harsh task light, ambient light softens the shadows (and the mood!) in the room, creating a more relaxed atmosphere. For more bathroom lighting solutions see here.

Usual types of ambient light fixtures are overhead lighting such as ceiling mounted fixtures, pendant lights or bathroom chandeliers, particularly for high ceiling-ed rooms. Down-lights (recessed or ceiling mounted) provide good ambient light with comfortable levels of brightness but don’t fit them directly above the mirror or washbasin since they cast strong light over your forehead and shadows on your eyes, nose and chin.

For best effect and to avoid shadows, position downlighters around the sides of the ceiling rather than in the middle. You can also use them to highlight style features such as bathing a stunning towel radiator or statement feature wall in light.

Task Lighting

For areas where you need good visibility, such as over the mirror or around the washbasin, effective task lighting is key. A well placed task light will help to prevent eye strain and improve precision, whether you’re shaving or putting on make-up. There are so many tasks that are being performed in the bathroom – from taking showers to brushing teeth to styling hair and much more besides, the lighting design needs to cater for all these tasks.

On the vanity unit, ensure that wall lights or sconces are fitted at eye level at either side of the mirror, so there are no shadows. To give you an even balance across the face, these vertical fixtures should be at least 24 inches long, no less than 150 watts and installed 75-80 inches from the floor. Also consider your show and bath area to see whether it could benefit from additional task lighting, such as showerproof recessed lighting.

Accent Lighting

Don’t be tempted to consider accent lighting a ‘nice to have’ – the right lighting can make a huge difference in creating the right atmosphere. If there are any decorative pieces or interesting architectural details that you want to highlight, accent lighting is the way to do it. Spotlights in particular are great for directing light to a specific area, say a picture on the wall. Or try LED strips under wall-mounted bathroom units or bath panels to draw the eye.

Finally, decorative lighting is a bit like jewellery for your bathroom and this type of lighting is a ‘nice to have’. Find a gorgeous light fitting that works with the theme, colour and style of the room to enhance the mood of the space, or play it safe by matching the features of the architectural style and era of your home.

EAN Content

Content shared by this account is either news shared free by third parties or sponsored (paid for) content from third parties. Please be advised that links to third party websites are not endorsed by Estate Agent Networking - Please do your own research before committing to any third party business promoted on our website. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

You May Also Enjoy

small house bird box
Breaking News

UK First Time Buyers better off than many other global nations

Is it really that bad being a first-time buyer? UK better off than many other global nations when it comes to affordability The latest market analysis from Yopa, the full-service estate agents, reveals that first-time buyers (FTBs) in the UK may be paying 63% more to get a foot on the property ladder than they…
Read More
new build homes colchester essex
Breaking News

Building Safety Regulator Reform

The Government has announced reforms to the Building Safety Regulator, including leadership, process and investment. The changes are hoped to deliver 1.5 million homes. The reforms pave the way for creation of a single construction safety regulator, as recommended by the Grenfell Tower enquiry. David Smith, property litigation partner at London law firm Spector Constant…
Read More
Breaking News

New anti-money laundering rules now in effect: what landlords need to know

New anti-money laundering (AML) rules came into effect this month, marking a significant change for landlords and the lettings industry as a whole. The new rules mean financial sanctions checks are now required for all lettings, regardless of how much rent is charged. Here, Steve Bond, managing director of residential lettings for Beresfords, explains what…
Read More
Breaking News

What landlords need to know about the upcoming Renters Rights Bill

The government’s long-awaited Renters Rights Bill is one of the most significant overhauls of the private rental sector in decades. While it has not yet received royal assent, the legislation is expected to come into effect late this year, or early in 2026. With the bill moving closer to becoming law, Steven Bond, managing director…
Read More
Breaking News

Mortgage approvals bounce back in May

The latest figures show that: – Mortgage approvals on house purchases for May sat at 63,032 up 3.9% from 60,656 in April. The monthly increase seen in May marks the end of four months of previous decline, with approval levels having fallen each month since January of this year. Approvals are also 2.5% higher than…
Read More
Breaking News

Money and Credit – May 2025

Key points: Net borrowing of mortgage debt by individuals increased by £2.8 billion to £2.1 billion in May, following a large decrease in net borrowing of £13.8 billion to -£0.8 billion in April. Net mortgage approvals for house purchases increased by 2,400 to 63,000 in May. Approvals for remortgaging also increased by 6,200 to 41,500…
Read More