Your Complete Guide to Bathroom Lighting

This is your overall room illumination, the light that lets you navigate safely at 3am without tripping over the bathmat. Flush ceiling fittings or pendants work brilliantly here. The key: make them dimmable. Bright for morning showers, soft for evening baths.

Lighting with a specific job — illuminating your face clearly for shaving, makeup, or skincare. The golden rule: position lights on either side of your mirror at face height, not above it. Side-mounted wall sconces eliminate the unflattering shadows that make you look tired even when you’re not. If side mounting isn’t possible, a well-positioned LED mirror above the basin works well, but flanking sconces remain the better solution.

This is your mood-setter. A pendant over a freestanding bath, under-cabinet lighting, or illuminated shelving adds warmth and character. It’s the difference between a bathroom that feels clinical and one that feels considered. Not essential, but worth planning for if you’re creating a space you’ll actually enjoy spending time in.

A pendant above a freestanding bath is one of the most impactful statements you can make in a bathroom. It adds drama, frames the bath as a focal point, and provides softer, more directional light than a ceiling fitting. All pendants used above baths must carry IP65 rating as a minimum — this is a Zone 1 location.

Choose from handmade solid brass pendants that develop natural patina over time, handblown glass pendants in opal, holophane or clear finishes, or hand-glazed ceramic pendants for artisan warmth. Sizes from compact 20cm schoolhouse designs to statement 40cm+ pieces suit different ceiling heights and bath sizes.

Browse: Brass Bathroom Pendants | Glass Bathroom Pendants | Ceramic Bathroom Pendants

For ambient coverage, a ceiling fitting positioned centrally provides even illumination throughout the room. In smaller bathrooms a single well-chosen flush fitting is often all that’s needed. In larger bathrooms, consider two ceiling lights or a ceiling fitting combined with wall lighting for proper layered coverage.

Ceiling fittings for Zone 1 (directly above a bath or shower) require IP65. For the general bathroom ceiling away from the shower, IP44 is the minimum requirement. Both ratings are readily available across brass, glass and contemporary finishes.

Wall sconces flanking a bathroom mirror provide the most flattering and functional task lighting available. Position at face height — roughly 150-160cm from floor — on either side of the mirror, spacing them at shoulder width apart. This eliminates the shadows created by ceiling-only lighting and gives even illumination across your face.

Solid brass wall lights develop natural patina while handling bathroom humidity without corrosion. Glass wall sconces in opal or holophane finishes soften and diffuse the light beautifully. All bathroom wall lights should carry IP44 as a minimum; IP65 if positioned near the shower.

Browse: Brass Bathroom Wall Sconces | Glass Bathroom Wall Sconces

LED backlit mirrors combine the mirror and task lighting in a single fitting — a practical solution when wall space is limited or a cleaner look is preferred. Features to look for include integrated demister pads (essential for steamy bathrooms), touch-controlled brightness, and adjustable colour temperature. A good LED mirror paired with flanking wall sconces gives the most complete vanity lighting available.

Browse: Vanity Lights & LED Mirrors

Brass or bronze fixtures with period detailing — sconces with glass shades, dome pendants, gooseneck wall lights — suit Victorian, Edwardian and traditional bathroom schemes. Antique brass develops a warm, lived-in patina that improves with age. Look for IP-rated versions of classic designs; you don’t need to compromise on safety for authenticity.

Clean architectural lines, matte black fittings, and minimal ornamentation suit modern bathroom schemes. Opal glass pendants, geometric wall sconces, and frameless LED mirrors work well. Concrete and ceramic pendant shades add tactile warmth to otherwise minimal spaces.

Industrial-style pendants, weathered brass, and fittings with maritime details bring coastal character indoors. IP65 brass cage pendants work particularly well here — functional in appearance, robust in construction, and genuinely at home in a wet environment.

Most real homes live here. Blend classic shapes with updated finishes — traditional sconce forms in contemporary brushed brass, or Edwardian-inspired pendants with modern opal glass. The combination gives character without feeling pastiche.

Modern LED bulbs are the only sensible choice for bathroom lighting. They use 80–90% less energy than old incandescent bulbs, last 15–25 years under typical bathroom use, are available in any colour temperature, and include dimmable options across the range. Instant full brightness with no warm-up time is an underrated advantage in a morning rush.

This is where most people go wrong. Bathroom lighting needs careful consideration:

2700K (Warm White): Cosy and relaxing, but can make skin tones look slightly yellow. Good for accent lighting and evening ambiance.

3000K (Soft White): The sweet spot for most bathrooms — warm enough to be flattering, clear enough for daily tasks. Our recommendation for general bathroom lighting.

4000K (Natural White): Crisp and accurate, excellent for makeup application and detailed grooming. Can feel clinical if used throughout, but works well for dedicated task lighting.

5000K+ (Cool White): Too harsh for bathrooms — makes everyone look washed out. Avoid.

Cannot be stressed enough. Dimmable circuits give a bathroom genuine flexibility — full brightness for morning routines, softer light for evening baths. Install dimmers on at least the main ceiling circuit. Check that LED bulbs are marked as dimmable-compatible; not all are.