Bathroom lighting: what to bear in mind when choosing?

Choosing the right bathroom lighting is not just about aesthetics, but also functionality and safety. How do you create a space that’s as practical as it is pretty? It’s not as hard as it might seem – you just need to keep a few key points in mind so you won’t regret your decision. Which ones exactly? You’ll find out below!

Bathroom lighting – why is it so important?

The bathroom is a space where we spend a fair bit of time during our morning and evening routines. It’s often a room without a window, and therefore quite dark. Putting on make-up, shaving or skincare are just some of the activities we do there, and poor light can make them much harder. Patchy foundation, missed, untrimmed parts of the beard, traces of toothpaste on your face – who wants to leave the house like that?

The right bathroom lighting lets you carry out many tasks more comfortably and precisely, helping to prevent the slip-ups that come with poor visibility. Well-chosen light also makes it easier to match colours, which matters, for example, when doing make-up or choosing clothes. And most importantly – the bathroom is a place to relax and unwind after a long day, and the right lighting can significantly influence the atmosphere and comfort of using it.

What bathroom lighting will be best?

Base your choice of bathroom lighting on a few key factors to balance functionality, safety and aesthetics. What exactly should you look for?

Types of bathroom lighting: which lighting points do you need?

A bathroom needs several types of lighting to be functional. You’ll want general lighting, plus additional lighting, wall lights around the mirror, and often spot lighting too.

General lighting, usually mounted on the ceiling, provides evenly distributed light across the entire room. It’s the primary light source and should be bright enough to allow you to use the bathroom without any hassle. What fixture will be best here? Flush ceiling lights are the most popular, as they provide sufficient illumination and are a safe choice for a humid room like a bathroom.

Another type is a light by the mirror. The bathroom needs additional lighting, such as bathroom wall lights placed on either side of the mirror or above it, to provide good facial illumination, which is essential when shaving or applying make-up. Such a wall-mounted bathroom light can take various forms, e.g. several lighting points or a single long LED bar.

You can also consider accent lighting, which highlights selected elements of the bathroom, creating a cosy, relaxing atmosphere. Spot lighting for the bathroom will work well, for example, over the bath.

Well-chosen bathroom lighting can not only make everyday tasks easier, but also create a pleasant atmosphere. Consider which bathroom lights will work best for you, and remember to choose options with a high protection rating (IP).

Light colour and the practicality of lighting

Which light should you choose for the bathroom? Colour temperature is measured in kelvins (K) and can range from warm (yellowish) to cool (bluish). What light colour will be most functional in a bathroom? Much depends on the type of lighting. For example, warm light, with a tone close to natural sunlight (around 2700–3000 K), is ideal for creating a relaxing atmosphere that helps you unwind, e.g. during a bath, so it’s great as general lighting or as spot lighting over the bath.

By contrast, cool light (around 4000–6500 K) will be a more practical choice in places where you perform tasks requiring precision, such as shaving. This light colour renders natural colours better, so it also makes applying make-up or matching it to your outfit much easier. It’s therefore worth choosing cool light for wall lights placed around the mirror.

Keep the above tips in mind and it will be easier to make the right purchase. Also remember to match the bathroom lighting to the style it’s been decorated in, and the whole space will come together beautifully.