Bathroom lighting is often overlooked when it comes to interior decoration. But the right bathroom lighting can change the whole decorating game! That’s why well-planned bathroom lighting is just as important as the rest of your home.

To illuminate your bathroom, first, divide it into different zones. Then layer them with ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting. For an extra effect, opt for decorative lighting. Don’t hesitate to choose your taste when it comes to lighting your bathroom. But remember to consider the following factors: bathroom size, IP rating, and fixture brightness.

Here, I bring you 26 brilliant ways to get creative with your bathroom lighting. You’ll also find a complete guide to choosing the ideal fixtures for your bathroom. So, let’s get started

Best Bathroom Lighting Ideas

Not all bathroom sections require the same type of lighting. So, when lighting the bathroom, divide it into different sections and light them as per the requirement. Below I have come up with 26 ideas that you can implement in your bathroom:

Vanity and Sink Area Lighting

The vanity and sink area is the most attractive part of the bathroom. This is where you carry out tasks like facials, shaving, makeup, skincare, etc. That is why this area requires adequate lighting. Also, this is where you place all your essentials, candles, flowers, and other design pieces. So, it is imperative to highlight this place with a proper lighting arrangement. Here are some great ideas for your vanity and sink area lighting; check this out.

1. Add Task Lighting

When it comes to lighting up your bathroom vanity, adding task lights is essential. For this, you can opt for recessed ceiling lights and wall lights on the sides of the mirror. It will illuminate the mirror area, allowing you to dress up in ample light. If you are a makeup lover, you will love this light setup. But remember to avoid installing the light right above the mirror; it will create shadows.

2. Choose ceiling-mounted pendant lights

Ceiling-mounted pendant lights are best for bringing a modern look to your bathroom vanity. Especially if your bathroom has a large mirror, hanging pendant lights on either side will look great. Apart from making your vanity look next level, these fixtures can also be used as task lighting. But don’t go overboard with the pendant light design; opt for something basic. It will keep your vanity design trendy.

3. Install an LED mirror

LED mirrors are very popular nowadays. You can install square, rectangular, round or oval LED mirrors to suit your taste. The light in the LED mirror makes the mirror brighter, just like a lighter. You can use this mirror to dress up comfortably. In addition to these benefits, LED mirrors will also bring uniqueness to your dressing table design.

4. Farmhouse style lighting

If you value practicality and prefer simplicity, farmhouse vanity lighting may be a good choice. In this case, the lighting must match the overall interior of the bathroom. Choose lamps with rustic and industrial details. If your bathroom interior is wooden, this type of lighting will suit you best.

5. Double vanity lighting

Double vanity lighting is perfect for large bathrooms. And it’s fun because you can experiment in many ways. For example, add lighting above both sinks or on either side of the mirrors. You can also try hanging pendant lights above the sinks. Wrapping the edges of both mirrors with LED strips is also a good idea. For an added touch, add some scented candles to the middle section of the vanity. Besides providing a warm glow, it will also bring a fresh feel to your bathroom.

6. Under Cabinet Light Strips

You have cabinets under the sink or next to the mirror in your bathroom vanity. Install LED light strips under the cabinets and see what effect it will have! It will change the whole atmosphere of the bathroom. In addition, this will bring more light to the countertop area and make your bathroom look larger.

7. Multi-Light Fixtures for Dressing Tables

If you are tired of the look of a flat dressing table, use multi-light fixtures for versatility. Combine different lighting solutions to highlight your dressing table. For example, use recessed lighting on the ceiling above the dressing table. Then add side lights next to the mirror. You can also try using LED strip lights. Choose a mirror that can be raised and lowered and surround the edges with flexible light strips. Here you can choose between pure white or tunable white LED strip lights. You should choose tunable white because they have the option of adjustable color temperature. If you are applying makeup or shaving, choose cool lights. For relaxing tasks like massage or skin care, choose warm tones. If you like a quirky style, you can also try using RGB lighting!

8. Use vanity light strips for a sophisticated look

Simple vanity light strips are perfect for keeping your bathroom minimalist. Using light strips allows for seamless lighting without any visual distractions. It gives your bathroom a modern, sleek look. Therefore, light strips are a great choice for giving your bathroom a modern look.

Shower Area Lighting Ideas

Remember that the shower area is in contact with water more. So always use lamps with a higher IP rating to light the shower area. Check out these ideas I have listed to light up your shower area

9. Keep a low profile with spotlights

If you have a small shower area, spotlights are your go-to solution. These small lights fit perfectly on the ceiling and create focal lighting. You can use multiple spotlights depending on the space you have in your shower area. Also, if you have a beautiful suspended shower, these spotlights can add a touch of class to your bathroom. When it comes to choosing the color of the light, you can choose warm white or cool white to suit your taste.

10. Light up dark areas

Usually, shower areas are narrower than the rest of the restroom. These areas don’t get great natural lighting. Dark fixtures in the bathroom can make the shower look even darker. So, to avoid this, add enough lighting to these areas. Dark/black tiles go well with bright white lights. You can use recessed lights or LED strips to illuminate the ceiling of the shower.

11. Highlight the Niche

Light up your shower area with special lighting inside the niche. The niche is a shelf inside the shower area where you can store all your shower essentials like shampoo, conditioner, soap, scrub, etc. This part of the shower area needs focused lighting. You can use small spotlights or LED strips to illuminate the niche. It will add an elegant look to your bathroom. Also, if you have marble tiles, these lights will bring out the texture of the wall very well.

12. Create a modern look with diffused lighting

Diffuse lights are perfect for shower areas. They don’t create direct glare, but rather give your shower a seamless lighting effect. You can also opt for passive infrared sensor (PIR) lighting. These lights come with sensors, so the light automatically turns on when you enter the shower. Installing this type of lighting will bring a smart approach to your decor.

13. Choose an innovative shower light

What can be more impressive when you have a shower with lights! Shower lights are available in different shapes and colors in the market. You can buy one for your bathroom. These lights give you a heavenly display experience. Some of these lights also have the option of light color adjustment. Moreover, they can also be used as task lighting.

14. Install small lights around the shower

If your shower area is large, using only overhead lights is not enough. In this case, try using multiple small lights. You can install floor lamps, tea lights, candles, etc. to illuminate your shower space. However, choose lights with lower power output; one watt is enough. This will create a comfortable spa environment in your bathroom.

Bathtub Lighting Ideas

The bathtub is an integral part of the bathroom, where you can relax for hours and relieve all your stress. That is why you must be careful when choosing lights for this area of ​​the bathroom. Prioritize your comfort zone and focus on creating a cozy lighting environment. Here I have introduced some great ideas for lighting up the bathtub area-

15. Place a chandelier above the bathtub

Adding a chandelier above the bathtub will elevate the overall look of the bathroom. Consider the look of the bathroom when choosing a chandelier design. If your bathroom is modern, you can go for a flat and simple chandelier. But you can also try something fancy that suits your taste. But remember to place something that will suit the interior of your bathroom. Also, consider the bathroom area and the size of the bathtub. Don’t hang something bulky that is much larger than the bathtub.

16. Bathtub lights bring magical bathing experience

Bathtub lights usually use RGB chips to bring multiple colors to your bathtub. This may be a new concept for you. But trust me, these lights will add magical colors to your bath. These are small waterproof lighting fixtures that you can immerse in water. Thus, they illuminate the bathtub and bring fun to your daily bathing.

17. Prioritize natural light

If your bathroom has enough natural light, use it appropriately. Placing light tubes in front of the window will bring a natural atmosphere to your bathroom. Having a house facing the forest or the sea view will be the icing on the cake. You can enjoy this beautiful view while bathing and feel that you are in nature. However, if you are concerned about privacy, choose one-way or opaque glass windows. You can also choose smart curtains to keep the window glass flat for enough lighting.

18. Bathtub candles for a romantic ambiance

Who doesn’t love bathtub candles? Adding these candles will bring a romantic atmosphere to your bathtub. You can relax for hours in warm water by candlelight. This kind of bathroom lighting is more common in hotels with honeymoon packages. But you can quickly bring this atmosphere home. Place candles in the corners of the bathtub for a soft charm. You can try candles of different sizes, shapes, and colors. In addition, these candles come in different flavors. You can choose vanilla, florals, or any other scent you like. Finally, don’t forget to add some rose petals to spice things up!

19. Bring some fun with neon lights

Add neon lights to your walls to bring more fun to your bathroom design. The wall next to the bathtub is the best place to install a neon sign. You can add any characters, words or fun messages you like. For an easy and cost-effective solution, choose SUNME neon strips. With our neon strips, you can quickly customize and install your neon signs like a pro.

20. Make your bathtub float

Installing LED light strips around the bottom of your bathtub can create a magical floating effect. Choose a bathtub with thin feet or slightly raised above the ground. Wrap the border of the bathtub with LED light strips. Install them on the bottom of the bathtub from the inside corners. This step will ensure that the light strips are not visible from the outside. Now turn on the lights and watch the magic – your bathtub will look like it is floating in zero gravity!

Bathroom Ceiling Lighting

Ceiling lighting affects the overall ambience of your bathroom. To make your bathroom lighting unique, don’t just use flat tube lights or LED bulbs. I have listed here some creative ideas for lighting your bathroom ceiling –

21. Recess Lighting

Recess lighting is a great way to illuminate your bathroom ceiling. This type of lighting requires a false ceiling that hides the fixture. As a result, the fixture does not create direct glare. Instead, it directs the light upwards and reflects the light off the adjacent walls. Thus, recess lighting illuminates the entire bathroom. Moreover, this also adds to the aesthetic appeal of your bathroom. When choosing recess lighting fixtures, LED strips work best. You can choose dimmable white LED strips to change the tone of your bathroom depending on your mood.

22. Recessed Lighting

Recessed lighting is another option for mood lighting in the bathroom. Here the light fixture is mounted directly to the ceiling. You can find recessed lighting in different sizes and colors. I recommend choosing multiple small lights instead of large ones. However, you can install one large recessed light in the center of the bathroom. It can be an affordable alternative to a designer pendant or chandelier.

23. Recessed and Semi-recessed Lighting

If your bathroom has a low ceiling, installing large/hanging light fixtures is a big no-no. In this case, recessed or semi-recessed lights work best. These lights are small but not too plain, just like spotlights/recessed lights. You can install semi-recessed lights in the center of the bathroom as an alternative to chandeliers or pendants. Thus, it will add balanced lighting in a cost-effective way.

24. Choose RGB to play with light colors

Are you tired of the same boring white bathroom lighting? Bring some fun with RGB fixtures. You can use these colorful lights as ceiling lighting. They are also great for lighting up mirrors, alcoves, and shower stalls. Take this color game to the next level with adjustable RGB fixtures. For the best quality RGB lighting options, check out SUNME’s RGB LED light strips. Our light strips with smart controllers also give you the option of light color customization. So, hold your breath and get a new experience in every bath with SUNME RGB light strips!

Bathroom Floor Lighting Ideas

If you want to make your bathroom lighting stand out, you can go for floor lighting. This can enhance the overall look of your bathroom. Check out the following ideas for lighting up your bathroom floor –

25. Floor Recessed Lights

Get creative with your bathroom lighting by adding floor recessed lights to the floor. Placing these lights on the corner walls of your bathroom can serve as accent lighting. Additionally, you can also add small floor lighting around your bathtub. Mounting these lights on the floor in your shower area is also a great way to illuminate your bathroom. The reflection of the floor lights on the shower glass will create an attractive effect. Additionally, you can use soft, colorful floor lights like blue or green to add a touch of variety to your lighting.

26. Use aluminum profiles

LED light strips are the best solution for achieving the most aesthetically pleasing bathroom floor lighting. Insert these light strips into the aluminum profiles and fix them to the floor. However, you will need the help of professionals to install this type of lighting. These aluminum profiles are fixed within the bathroom floor, so the lighting installation should be done during the construction. You can be super creative when it comes to designing floor lighting. However, creating a border of lights around the bathroom floor, keeping the space with the wall, looks stylish and original. This design will be best if you have a large bathroom.

So, here are 26 ideas for lighting your bathroom. These ideas will help you create an aesthetically pleasing look for your bathroom.

What kind of lighting is best for bathrooms?

When looking for the best type of lighting for your bathroom, you can’t just choose one. Ideal bathroom lighting is created using multiple types of lighting. Each section of the bathroom has its specific lighting requirements. For example, the vanity section requires lighting that stands out more than other bathroom sections. That’s why you need to come up with a solution that matches and mixes various lamps. Here are the lighting effects that every bathroom should have-

Ambient lighting

Ambient lighting refers to general lighting. It mainly refers to lighting that illuminates the entire bathroom. Most houses usually use LED strip lights and bulbs for ambient lighting. But if you want to get creative with your bathroom lighting, go beyond this usual lighting. Instead, try using LED strips, recessed lights, or recessed lights for ambient lighting.

Task lighting

Task lighting is essential for the vanity in the bathroom. This is where you shave or put on makeup. This area needs adequate lighting. Here, you can use multiple lighting fixtures. Adding lights on both sides of the mirror or surrounding it with LED strips is also feasible. You can also add a pendant light above the sink. But this may not be very attractive because it will create shadows.

Accent lighting

Accent lighting is ideal for creating special effects in bathroom lighting. This type of lighting enhances the look of a bathroom and highlights its special elements. You can use recessed lights, pendant lights, candlelight or as accent lighting.

Dimmable lighting

Dimmable lamps are in fashion today. With dimmable lamps, you can adjust the brightness of your bathroom lighting. For example, set the lights to the brightest mode when you are using the vanity and dim them when you are in the shower. This way you have full control over your lighting. Install them on the ceiling as ambient lighting or under a vanity cabinet. These lamps are also perfect for highlighting niches.

Decorative Lighting

Decorative lighting is the jewel of bathroom lighting. They are not a necessity for a bathroom, but they can make a statement. These lighting fixtures show off your sense of design and taste. Adding decorative lights to your vanity can add an elegant touch to your bathroom. Also, installing a pendant light on top of your bathtub is also a great option for designing your bathroom. There are many decorative lighting fixtures available in the market; you can choose any you like. But make sure they are suitable for bathroom installation.

So, keep these lighting requirements in mind when installing lighting for your bathroom.

Small Bathroom Lighting Ideas

If your bathroom is small, be wise when choosing your lighting fixtures. First, analyze the space in your bathroom and then decide what kind of look you want. Here are some small bathroom lighting tips and tricks I share with you

• Lighting plays a vital role in creating a sense of space. So, you can make your small bathroom appear large with planned lighting. Keep the floor free as much as possible. Use LED strips to add borders to the floor and ceiling; use the same strips for under-cabinet lighting. This will create a sense of space and make your bathroom appear large.
• Say no to large light fixtures; opt for small and simple ones. Adding bulky lights, like chandeliers, will take up the open space of your bathroom and make it look smaller. Also, if your bathroom has enough natural lighting, make the most of it.
• Go for multiple downlights or downlights. Install them around the ceiling. They look good in small bathrooms. You can also opt for flash mounts or semi-recessed lights.
• Instead of hanging pendant lights over your vanity, use vertical lighting on either side of the mirror.

Planning your bathroom lighting by following these guidelines can make your bathroom look more prominent.

Considerations for choosing bathroom lights

The bathroom environment is different from other areas in your home. It is the part that comes in contact with water the most. That is why bathroom lighting has some specific requirements that you must know. Here are the factors to consider when choosing bathroom lights-

Light Color

The ambience of a bathroom is directly affected by the color of its light. Warm-toned lights bring a cozy atmosphere to your bathroom. Again using colored lights will also bring a unique look to your bathroom interior. But for vanity lighting, white light works best because makeup under colored lights can go wrong. So consider the practicality of the bathroom when choosing the color of the light. However, adjustable color-changing lights are a good option to try.

Brightness

All parts of a bathroom do not need the same brightness. For example, task lighting in a vanity requires the brightest light. Lights with a color temperature of 3000 – 3200 Kelvin are ideal for this part. However, the brightness of the light also depends on the size of the bathroom. For lighting in a master bathroom to create an atmosphere, 75-100 watts is ideal. But if you are lighting up a half bathroom or a powder room, 45-60 watts will do. Likewise, for accent lighting, choose the lowest brightness; 1 watt is sufficient.

IP rating

The IP rating is an important factor in choosing bathroom lighting. The IP rating stands for ingress protection, which is the degree of protection against the intrusion of solid objects or liquids. Therefore, the higher the IP rating, the better its water and dust resistance. Bathroom lights must be waterproof. But not all bathroom areas have exact IP rating requirements. The following table shows the ideal IP rating for different areas of the bathroom

Bathroom Area	Recommended IP Rating	Description
Inside Shower OrBath	IP67	This zone is frequently immersed in water, requiring a water-resistant fixture.
The area directly above the shower or bath(up to 2.25 meters tall)	IP44 or IP65	The space above the shower remains far from water, so an IP44 or 65 rating is sufficient.
Outside the shower or bath (up to 0.6 meters away)	IP44	This area remains away from direct moisture contact, so IP44 is ok.
Other zones	IP22 (at least) OrIP65 (analyzing contact with moisture)	Areas far away from water should have at least an IP22 rating. Yet, experts suggest going for IP65 when installing fixtures for the bathroom.

So, analyze the IP ratings before choosing the right fixture.

Light Size and Shape

You should choose the size and shape of the lamp considering the interior space and area of ​​your bathroom. If your bathroom is small, then choosing bulky lamps will ruin your impression. So analyze the area of ​​your bathroom and buy lamps that will suit the look of your bathroom.

Energy Efficiency

Choosing LED lamps is the ultimate solution for energy-efficient lighting. They save about 90% of energy compared to traditional incandescent lamps. As for durability, LED lamps last 25 times longer than incandescent lamps. So, with LEDs, you get high quality and save money on electricity!