Finding the right bathroom lighting can make all the difference in transforming your bathroom from a purely functional space into a beautiful room to refresh and relax in. Whether you're revamping your lighting scheme or doing a complete bathroom renovation, this guide will help you explore the main types of bathroom lighting available to ensure your lighting plan considers how to infuse style and purpose into your bathroom to bring your vision to life.

Types of Bathroom Lighting

When you're choosing the perfect lighting for your bathroom, it's important that your lighting solutions are meticulously selected to complement the space and to suit how you use your bathroom. In any bathroom lighting plan, there are three main types of lighting to consider:

1. Task Lighting (LIKE MIRRORS WITH LIGHTS)

Task lighting brings bright, focused illumination to areas like the vanity and mirror, making daily tasks like shaving, makeup application, and grooming easy. Fixtures like bathroom mirrors with lights are excellent for task lighting, ensuring you have the clarity needed for these precision tasks. Bathroom vanity lights are also popular as they are designed to reduce shadows and provide even light.

2. Ambient Lighting (LIKE bathroom Wall lights)

Ambient lighting offers a soft, overall glow that fills the room, creating a welcoming environment free from shadows. Bathroom wall lights or pendant lights work well as ambient lighting sources, and dimmer switches are an excellent addition, allowing you to adjust the brightness to suit the time of day or mood. This versatility makes ambient bathroom lighting a must-have for those who want flexibility in their bathroom lighting scheme.

The main bathroom at Three Birds House 16 with timber vanity, round mirror and fluted wall light off-centre

3. Accent Lighting (like pendant lights)

Accent lighting highlights specific design features, like decorative tile work, shelving, or a statement bath, bringing depth and an elevated aesthetic to the space. Installing a chandelier or pendant lights in the centre of the room draws attention and acts as a striking focal point. With the right accent lighting, you can transform your bathroom into a personalised, luxurious sanctuary.

Designing and Installing Bathroom Lights

It's important that lighting solutions are meticulously planned well before installation in order to create a well-lit, functional, and stylish space. No matter your design style or vision board, you'll want to choose the right lighting to suit your unique needs and overall design vision. Here are some key design considerations:

1. Layered Lighting PLAN

A layered lighting plan is fundamental for a balanced bathroom lighting setup. Combining ambient lighting for the entire room, task lighting for functional areas like the vanity, and accent lighting to highlight special features creates a fully illuminated and versatile space.

For the shower for instance, pendant lights can provide ambient lighting, bathroom mirrors with wall lights on either side offer focused task lighting, and accent lighting can showcase unique features like a bathtub or shelving, infusing both style and function into every corner.

Ceiling lights and wall lights in the main bathroom at Three Birds House 15

Incorporating energy-efficient lighting solutions is an eco-friendly and cost-effective choice. Many modern bathroom lights, including those from Beacon Lighting’s collection, are energy-efficient without sacrificing style or brightness. LED options, for instance, use less electricity and last longer than traditional bulbs, reducing both energy consumption and maintenance.

2. IP-Rated Bathroom Lights

Safety is paramount in bathroom lighting. IP-rated bathroom lights are specifically designed for wet areas, such as showers or near sinks, providing ingress protection (IP) against moisture. This ensures your lighting fixtures are safe and functional even in damp conditions. Look to tailor your bathroom lighting solutions with the appropriate IP ratings to meet safety standards across different bathroom zones. Options with IP ratings are available in Beacon Lighting’s bathroom collection and other dedicated bathroom lighting ranges.

When in doubt, consult a professional to ensure the appropriate product and IP rating for your bathroom zones.

3. Coordinating with Colour Palette and Theme

When selecting fixtures, consider your bathroom’s colour palette and theme. From sleek, modern designs to warm, rustic lighting options, matching your bathroom lights to your colour scheme enhances the overall aesthetic appeal. Beacon Lighting’s bathroom range offers styles for every design preference, enabling you to integrate lighting seamlessly into your vision.

Lights We Love

One of our favourites is the MFL By Masson Artisan collection which features stunning alabaster shades. These lighting solutions are meticulously crafted to infuse style and purpose into your bathroom. The MFL by Masson Artisan Mix n Match lights allow you to create a bespoke lighting scheme tailored to your specific aesthetic.

Beacon Lighting’s bathroom lighting collection offers a range of quality, stylish, energy-efficient lighting solutions for every bathroom need.

Beyond standard lighting, in Beacon Lighting's bathroom lighting collection, you'll also find show-stopping pendant lights, exhaust fans, heating and heated towel rails. Explore Beacon Lighting’s bathroom range for ideas to transform your bathroom into a sophisticated, well-lit space, suitable for your family.

If want to learn more about selecting the perfect lighting for your bathroom, you’ll want to check out Bathroom Bootcamp. You can learn the skills you need to design, plan and budget for your dream bathroom renovation in as little as 48 hours. Everything from lighting to layout is included in this small but mighty online course that will have you ready to renovate in no time!