Bathroom Lighting

Many people spend lots of money planning the perfect bathroom layout but give little thought to the lighting scheme. This is a shame as a good combination of low-level lighting to set the mood for a relaxing soak, plus strategically placed light fittings for illuminating areas where you need more light can really make a bathroom shine.

IP Ratings and Bathroom Light Zones

There are four main bathroom zones:
Zone 0: Inside the bath or shower cubicle – min IPx7.
Zone 1: The area directly above the bath or shower up to a height of 2.25 metres – Min IPx5.
Zone 2: A 60cm wide area immediately next to ZONE 1, around the wash basin and over 2.25 metres high directly above the bath or shower cubicle – Min IPx4.
Note: 240v IPx4 fittings can be used in zone 1 if the circuit is protected by a 30ma RCD (residual current device). 

Whatever you choose must have an IP rating. IP stands for Ingress Protection, which in this case relates to water, either from a shower head or similar, or from steam. The first number relates to the impact resistance of the fitting and the second relates to its level of protection against water and steam. In both cases the higher the number the greater the protection. Full information can be found by following the link to our Bathroom Light Zones guide.

Bathroom lights are mainly ceiling mounted, wall mounted, illuminated mirrors and something to create a calming atmosphere. To achieve the best effect, you should choose a combination of at least two types in your bathroom. The important thing to remember is that a bathroom can almost never be too bright.

Bathroom ceiling lights are now available in many styles to complement every type of bathroom from ultra-modern to the more traditional or period bathroom. In a smaller modern bathroom, a small flush mounted energy saving fitting is a good choice, whilst in a larger or period bathroom, a crystal fitting or chandelier may be more desirable.

Recessed down lights are becoming increasingly popular in bathrooms. They are inexpensive, versatile and you can have as many or as few as you like. They need to be chosen with care to ensure that you use the right type for its location. You can get further information by following the link to our article entitled Recessed downlights explained.

Bathroom wall lights are primarily used to illuminate an area that would otherwise be in shadow. Good examples include wall lights mounted above or alongside a mirror or mirrored cabinet. These shine light directly onto your face making shaving or applying make-up much easier.

Bathroom mirrors with integral lights are excellent and shine light directly onto your face. They are available in different sizes and some even have demister pads attached to ensure that they remain clear when there is steam in the room.

Ambient mood lighting is really the finishing touch. The best example I can think of is candles around the bath whilst having a relaxing soak. This effect can be created by using low-level background illumination, normally in the form of white or coloured LED’s. A good example would be some small LED’s fitted in the bath panel, shower plinth or sunk into the floor. If you are starting your bathroom from scratch, they can be recessed into the wall around the top of the bath to create a lovely effect. LED ribbon concealed behind a pelmet on one wall can look absolutely stunning.

Plain mirrors are an excellent way of making a small bathroom look brighter and larger that it is. A central ceiling light and wall light with a mirrored wall can make the smallest bathroom look larger. The careful placement of mirrors can transform any bathroom into a brighter larger space.

If you require any further help in selecting your bathroom lighting, please contact us for friendly, honest and down to earth advice.

Ceiling Lights FAQ’s

Q) How do I choose bathroom lights?

A) Bathroom lights are mainly ceiling mounted, wall mounted, illuminated mirrors and something to create a calming atmosphere. To achieve the best effect, you should choose a combination of at least two types in your bathroom. The important thing to remember is that a bathroom can almost never be too bright. A good combination of low-level lighting to set the mood for a relaxing soak, plus strategically placed light fittings for illuminating areas where you need more light can really make a bathroom shine.

Q) What are bathroom lighting zones?

A) There are four main bathroom zones:
Zone 0: Inside the bath or shower cubicle – min IPx7.
Zone 1: The area directly above the bath or shower up to a height of 2.25 metres – Min IPx5.
Zone 2: A 60cm wide area immediately next to ZONE 1, around the wash basin and over 2.25 metres high directly above the bath or shower cubicle – Min IPx4.
Note: 240v IPx4 fittings can be used in zone 1 if the circuit is protected by a 30ma RCD (residual current device).

Q) What bathroom lighting is best for makeup?

A) Good examples include wall lights mounted above or alongside a mirror or mirrored cabinet. Bathroom mirrors with integral lights are excellent and shine light directly onto your face. They are available in different sizes and some even have demister pads attached to ensure that they remain clear when there is steam in the room. These all eliminate shadows to make shaving or applying make-up much easier.

Q) Bathroom lighting for small spaces?

A) Plain mirrors are an excellent way of making a small bathroom look brighter and larger that it is. A central ceiling light and wall light with a mirrored wall can make the smallest bathroom look larger. The careful placement of mirrors can transform any bathroom into a brighter larger space.

Q) What is good bathroom lighting?

A) Good lighting for bathrooms should include a main ceiling light(s) or downlights, wall or mirror lights for shaving or applying make-up and a shower light if you have a separate cubicle.

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