Every Bathroom Needs These 4 Types of Lights
Get ready for your close-up in a bath that's a sanctuary with task, accent, decorative and ambient lighting
Tiffany Carboni
25 March 2019
Houzz Contributor. I am a home design writer based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Houzz Contributor. I am a home design writer based in the San Francisco Bay Area.... More
The bathroom is one of the only rooms in a multi-bodied household where we’re expected and encouraged to lock ourselves inside. With that kind of permission, it makes sense to use this private space as a luxurious sanctuary. Make the most of your haven by giving it the proper lighting.
I spoke with two lighting experts about how best to transform a bathroom into a relaxing, functional refuge with light. Here’s their advice.
I spoke with two lighting experts about how best to transform a bathroom into a relaxing, functional refuge with light. Here’s their advice.
The four types of light needed for the best bathroom atmosphere are task, accent, decorative and sparkle.
Task lighting
This is the light by which you can best see yourself. “Proper task lighting at the mirror is important,” says lighting designer Randall Whitehead.
He recommends using a pair of sconces mounted at eye level on either side of the mirror to provide shadowless illumination. This creates the best scenario for makeup application, shaving, tooth care and so on.
Task lighting
This is the light by which you can best see yourself. “Proper task lighting at the mirror is important,” says lighting designer Randall Whitehead.
He recommends using a pair of sconces mounted at eye level on either side of the mirror to provide shadowless illumination. This creates the best scenario for makeup application, shaving, tooth care and so on.
Tip: Avoid adding a light above the mirror
That includes recessed lighting in the ceiling. “That would throw a strong light onto your forehead and cast deep shadows below your eyes, nose and chin,” Whitehead says. “Not only is this light ineffective for shaving or applying makeup, it can visually age you by 10 years. People should look their best when they look at their reflection.”
Proper lighting in the bathroom will make you feel better about yourself and promote confidence throughout your day.
See these outstanding bathroom lighting ideas
That includes recessed lighting in the ceiling. “That would throw a strong light onto your forehead and cast deep shadows below your eyes, nose and chin,” Whitehead says. “Not only is this light ineffective for shaving or applying makeup, it can visually age you by 10 years. People should look their best when they look at their reflection.”
Proper lighting in the bathroom will make you feel better about yourself and promote confidence throughout your day.
See these outstanding bathroom lighting ideas
Wattage for task lighting
“In the master or guest bathrooms, use fixtures that provide 75 to 100 watts’ worth of illumination,” Whitehead recommends. “You can get these wattage equivalents in a 24- to 26-watt compact fluorescent or 20- to 25-watt LED.”
“In the master or guest bathrooms, use fixtures that provide 75 to 100 watts’ worth of illumination,” Whitehead recommends. “You can get these wattage equivalents in a 24- to 26-watt compact fluorescent or 20- to 25-watt LED.”
Tip: Putting task lighting on a dimmer will allow your eyes to adjust first thing in the morning; it will also help you wind down at night.
Task lighting wattage in the powder room
Task lights in powder rooms can have much less wattage (think 45-watt range), as this is not a space where anyone will be performing the morning ritual. Lower wattage provides a softer, relaxing ambience for guests.
Find a colour temperature that makes the room feel inviting and illuminates guests in the most attractive way.
Task lights in powder rooms can have much less wattage (think 45-watt range), as this is not a space where anyone will be performing the morning ritual. Lower wattage provides a softer, relaxing ambience for guests.
Find a colour temperature that makes the room feel inviting and illuminates guests in the most attractive way.
Accent lighting
If you enjoy art in your bathroom, accent lighting will show it off best. Recessed directional lights provide focused illumination for each piece of art or architectural feature.
Looking for kitchen and bath designers?
If you enjoy art in your bathroom, accent lighting will show it off best. Recessed directional lights provide focused illumination for each piece of art or architectural feature.
Looking for kitchen and bath designers?
Ambient light
This acts as fill light. “In bathrooms with taller ceilings, a cove or cantilever details, ambient lighting fixtures can be installed along the perimeter of the space,” Whitehead says. “Architectural details such as these can hide the fixture and create indirect lighting.”
A pendant fixture with a translucent shade can be a source of both decorative and ambient light.
Here’s a guide to ambient lighting
This acts as fill light. “In bathrooms with taller ceilings, a cove or cantilever details, ambient lighting fixtures can be installed along the perimeter of the space,” Whitehead says. “Architectural details such as these can hide the fixture and create indirect lighting.”
A pendant fixture with a translucent shade can be a source of both decorative and ambient light.
Here’s a guide to ambient lighting
Decorative lighting
This adds visual sparkle. Whitehead advises using a single pendant in a square-shaped bathroom for just the right touch.
This adds visual sparkle. Whitehead advises using a single pendant in a square-shaped bathroom for just the right touch.
Candles also offer wonderful sparkle and set a distinctly relaxing, romantic tone. Just make sure you keep them well away from any flammable objects, such as towels and hair, and never leave them unattended.
Before Photo
Putting it all together
Before:
Interior designer Katie Anderson transformed the dark bathroom shown here in many ways, but one of the most significant – and most universally useful – was bringing in light.
“Before, there weren’t enough light sources or appropriate fixtures to layer light,” Anderson says. “Moreover, there wasn’t any natural light.”
Her mission: Devise a lighting plan that would illuminate the shower, tub and sink areas evenly. Here’s what she did.
Before:
Interior designer Katie Anderson transformed the dark bathroom shown here in many ways, but one of the most significant – and most universally useful – was bringing in light.
“Before, there weren’t enough light sources or appropriate fixtures to layer light,” Anderson says. “Moreover, there wasn’t any natural light.”
Her mission: Devise a lighting plan that would illuminate the shower, tub and sink areas evenly. Here’s what she did.
After:
Sconces on large mirrors at the sink vanities now offer functional task lighting. Recessed cans on dimmers provide ambient light for whatever mood is desired. Dimmers are especially useful in the tub area, where relaxation and romance are priorities. Wall sconces offer additional ambient and decorative light.
Sconces on large mirrors at the sink vanities now offer functional task lighting. Recessed cans on dimmers provide ambient light for whatever mood is desired. Dimmers are especially useful in the tub area, where relaxation and romance are priorities. Wall sconces offer additional ambient and decorative light.
Large mirrors, both at the vanity and over the tub, effectively reflect all of these layered light sources for the best effect.
Whitehead suggests putting the fan and lighting on separate switches. “I don’t want the fan to go on automatically every time I go in to wash my hands,” he says. Putting each light source – or a logical combination of light sources – on different switches allows you to choose what you want lit when.
Tip: If you use recessed cans over the sink, make sure they are on a different switch than your task lighting, as Anderson did.
Read more:
Expert Tips for Lighting Your Bathroom Right
Tell us:
How could your bathroom use a lighting makeover? Tell us in the Comments below.
Tip: If you use recessed cans over the sink, make sure they are on a different switch than your task lighting, as Anderson did.
Read more:
Expert Tips for Lighting Your Bathroom Right
Tell us:
How could your bathroom use a lighting makeover? Tell us in the Comments below.
What are you working on?
Related Stories
Decorating Ideas
10 Ways to Maximise Light in Dark Homes
An architect reveals 10 clever tricks for bringing in the sun that face the wrong way
Full Story
Decorating Guides
A Guide to Curtain Styles
Blinds and shutters both have their place at the window, but nothing beats the allure of a light billowy curtain or even heavy drapes
Full Story
Decorating Guides
The Secret to Designing a Living Room Beautifully Yet Sensibly
A stylist reveals how to pull together a living room scheme like a pro
Full Story
Floors
Indian Marble vs Italian Marble: Which Is Better?
Find out the unique features of each. Is Italian marble really better?
Full Story
Decorating Ideas
What to Do Once You Have Decided to Try Wallpaper
Before you lay down a lot of cash, sit down with this advice for getting a wallpaper you’ll love for years
Full Story
Decorating Ideas
What's the Best Material for Balcony Railings?
Explore the pros & cons of 7 popular materials used for balcony railing designs
Full Story
Bedroom Guides
40 Stylish Bedroom Sets
See how these smart sets of beds, dressers, side-tables and sofas pull together a comfy, curated look in the boudoir
Full Story
Decorating Ideas
Millennial Woes: How to Organise Your Life & Get Rid of Clutter
Wondering how to keep the house clean and beautiful, without spending too much time on it?
Full Story
Floors
What is the Best Flooring Material for the Balcony?
We list the pros and cons of popular flooring materials for the balcony that can survive the Indian heat, cold and rain
Full Story
Hard to say since you didn't say how big the bathroom is, but generally speaking, no, a lighted mirror is not enough and if it malfunctions, you have no light. If there is a shower, there should be at least a lensed recess fixture there. Not knowing if it's just a powder room or full on bath, to be safe, I would do a recessed fixture above the front of the toilet if possible.
At a minimum, I would also have a light over the shower. But as Donna Moss said, it depends on the size of the bathroom. And it also depends on the light output of the lighted mirror.