Best Bathroom Lighting | A Designer’s Secrets

“What is the secret to achieving the best bathroom lighting?” As an architectural designer, I’m frequently asked this question.

So, how do I achieve the best bathroom lighting? First, create layers of light. Each layer serves a different purpose, including illuminating tasks, setting the mood, and making a statement. Then, select fixtures, keeping in mind that mixing metals and finishes is on trend. Finally, use smart lighting where it makes sense. And select bulbs that match your goals.

Layering for the Best Bathroom Lighting

Layer 1: Task Lighting

Sometimes, the bathroom is simply utilitarian: get in there, wash your face, do your make-up, style your hair, etc. 

For this layer of lighting design, plenty of light is a must. Recessed lighting in the ceiling is awesome to lend uniform lighting to your whole space. 

Also, consider placing lights next to, over, or on the vanity mirror—lighting on both sides of the mirror is most flattering. When I remodeled my own bathroom I flanked my mirror with sconces, and, personally, I think I look ten years younger in my bathroom thanks to my vanity lighting. 

Read the post How to Choose the Best Bathroom Vanity Lights to learn more about vanity lighting.

Layer 2: Mood Lighting

You’ve taken care of business, now let’s get serious about creating mood. Bathtubbers use their bathrooms as a quiet oasis in their home. Installing dimmers for your vanity lights and recessed lighting can be a quick way to change the mood. 

If you want to go further, add in some hidden accent lights on dimmers. Think about indirect light, the light whose source you cannot see. Tuck away some LED strips under the cabinet, behind the vanity, and even in the grout line!  Using LED strips this way provides atmospheric lighting that transforms your bathroom into a relaxing sanctuary.

It can be fun to consider mood when choosing your vanity lighting—you don’t have to consider only so-called vanity lights! Not at all. Consider sconces designed for other applications, or even pendant lights can be beautiful and create an airy, romantic environment. When you choose lights for your bathroom that were designed for other applications, pay attention to their ratings for wet locations to install them in a safe spot.

Layer 3: Statement Lighting

Go for some personality in your bathroom! Pick a statement fixture, something that’s more about the stylish, the pretty, the “wow factor.” 

Again, you can choose a fixture designed for any room. There are so many options designed for dining rooms that are stunning in bathrooms. You can go traditional crystal chandelier, mid-century sculptural, or contemporary sleek—the options are endless. 

I love these from Sonneman. They are non-traditional but definitely appropriate for a bathroom that is bubble bath focused!

One more important point: When using fixtures in the bathroom designed for other applications, check wet location ratings and recommendations from local codes. We at The Bathtubber want you to be safe in your sanctuary.

Read about my specific recommendations for some of the best recessed lights, vanity lights, and statement chandeliers.

For the Best Bathroom Lighting, Use Separate Switches and Dimmers

A final word about layering light. Put your layers on separate switches and pay the extra bit for dimmers. This gives you so many possible lighting options. You’ll be able to match your lighting to your mood as you sink down into the warm bubbles.

It’s not good enough to pick lighting fixtures that simply tickle your fancy. According to Janeen Sager of Lights Fantastic:

Often, the biggest mistake people make when choosing bathroom lighting is to choose based on style rather than function.  The bathroom is the one place you need good task lighting and sometimes the prettiest fixtures don’t provide enough light.

It’s a good idea to clarify your goals for your bathroom before you start shopping. Also, you want to go into the selection process knowing that what you like is as important as what’s trending.

Speaking of what’s trending, this leads to the question I’m asked a lot: “Is it okay to mix finishes?”

Mixing Finishes: Is This Acceptable?

Not only is mixing finishes acceptable, it’s a trend. 

Conventional wisdom says the same color and finish for your plumbing and light fixtures can help “pull together” a bathroom. But this only remains true in certain cases, such as in small bathrooms where there isn’t enough space to lead the eye in so many directions.

If you’ve got a small bathroom, you may want to keep things from getting too visually busy. But with a larger bathroom, you might want to add pizazz by mixing and matching styles and finishes. 

An interesting choice is combining the same color/different finish e.g., brushed nickel/ polished nickel. Or consider mixing the same finish with a different color, e.g., polished bronze/aged bronze. But there is nothing wrong with getting a little crazy and mixing as many colors and finishes as you want. Some light fixture designers already have mixed up finishes for you! 

For the Best Bathroom Lighting, Select the Right Bulbs

Incandescent, Halogen, Compact Fluorescent (CFL), and LED light bulbs are all suitable choices for bathroom use.

Incandescent Bulbs

For a long time, incandescents were not only everywhere but also often provided the warmest, most flattering light. But incandescents are on their way out because they use more energy, cost more to operate, and don’t last very long. There’s no question that the light from an incandescent “feels” better, but great strides have been made in all types of bulbs to offer color temperatures closer to those in nature.

CFL Bulbs

If you have fixtures that currently use incandescent bulbs, you can replace them with CFL bulbs, otherwise known as compact fluorescent bulbs. If you choose to use CFL bulbs, and you want to be able to dim them (and you should), make sure you get a dimmable CFL bulb. 

Halogen Bulbs

It’s hard to beat the clean clarity and focus of halogen for task lighting. Try halogen over the shower or maybe a vanity application. I don’t find halogen particularly flattering, though. Truth hurts. 

LED Bulbs

LED bulbs are the most efficient. They cost more upfront but are better for your bank account and better for the planet. 

LEDs are particularly versatile. They come in bulbs and strips and are integrated into fixtures. I find the statement fixtures that catch my eye are most often LED fixtures. And, consider the flexible strips which put on a dimmer is a simple but dramatic way to add an atmospheric layer. Also, LEDs are currently the only wifi-enabled bulbs. LEDs have truly upped the bathroom light layering game for creating atmosphere and adding personality.

By the way, color temperature refers to how warm or cool the lighting appears. Check out this comprehensive guide to choosing the right color temperature for your bathroom.

Smart Bathroom Lighting and Smart Light Bulbs

The smart home revolution is changing all facets of a home remodel, including the bathroom. Now, you can control every fixture and function in your bathroom—including the lights—with voice commands or a click on an app. 

Not only is this convenient, but smart bathroom lighting fixtures (as well as most smart home fixtures) are energy efficient. You may invest a tad more upfront but will recoup that investment over time since smart lighting bulbs last much, much longer than regular bulbs. And you can customize the mood to precisely what you like; you can choose from thousands of shades of white light and literally millions of colors.

For much more about smart lighting, read How Smart Lights Brighten Your Life and How to Safely Use Smart Lights in the Bathroom.

Changing Your Bathroom Lighting Enhances Your Life

I had the pleasure of remodeling my own bathroom a few years ago. My house was built in 1922—people weren’t thinking about layering lighting in 1922! There had been one rather dim light in the middle of the ceiling and a one-bulb incandescent fixture directly above the sink. 

It was dreary. 

I looked and felt like I, too, was built in 1922. I knew wanted lots of light in my new bathroom for task times, so I installed several LED recessed lights in the ceiling. 

Also, I insisted on flanking the mirror with soft, flattering light. And, I installed an LED strip hidden under the bottom shelf on the vanity wall for chill lighting while in relaxation mode. 

I adore my bathroom. I truly look forward to being there at the beginning and end of my day. It makes me so happy.

For help understanding different types of bathroom lighting fixtures, check out the post 7 Types of Bathroom Lighting Fixtures to Make You Say Wow! 

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Tags: best bathroom lighting, CFL, compact fluorescent bulbs, halogen bumbs, incandescent bulbs, Janeen Sager, Kathleen Finley, layering, LED, LED strips, Lights Fantastic, mixing finishes on bathroom fixtures, recessed lighting, smart bathroom lighting, smart bathroom lights, statement fixture