Bathroom lighting experts like to talk about using the \u201cthree layers of light\u201d to create a mix of lighting fixtures. Having several light sources enhances a bathroom to prevent it from looking too generic. Different zones of the space have different functions, so a variety of lighting choices is needed for the vanity, tub and shower areas.<\/p>\n
For example, to create a soothing ambience in the tub area, you’ll want to avoid overhead fixtures in favour of wall sconces. And your lighting at the vanity is super important to get right. It has to give you the flattering, shadowless illumination you need to attend to your makeup or shaving and tooth care needs.<\/p>\n There are basically three types of lighting. These are:<\/p>\n So how you do you layer the different kinds of light to create the perfect mix of bathroom lighting fixtures?<\/p>\n Start by creating a good lighting plan. First, you\u2019ll need to assess your needs. For example, think about:<\/p>\n Then, mark up a floorplan with the location of fixtures and fittings, windows and doors, light switches and pulls and so on. Work with your electrician<\/a> to find workable solutions and discuss all the details, like the type of bulb or its colour or temperature. Remember they do this professionally and can be a great source of information.<\/p>\n Now, let\u2019s take a look at 22\u00a0 tips and tricks for bathroom lighting ideas.<\/p>\n When it comes to bathroom lighting, start with the natural light that you have flowing through. Make sure you really maximise it as a source of ambient light as much as you can. Then supplement it with your other layers of lighting. And for floods of lovely natural light, go ahead and leave windows as naked as your blissfully bathing self.<\/p>\n An all-white look is good for maximising light because white is fantastic at reflecting light. It can make small spaces seem much larger, so it\u2019s a perfect colour choice for those with tiny bathrooms.<\/p>\n When it comes to lighting styles that suit white bathrooms, it\u2019s a great idea to add accent lights to counteract the sometimes blinding starkness of the all-white aesthetic. Brass, both for tapware and for pendant lights, is a lovely way to bring warmth into a serene, minimalist, all-white bathroom.<\/p>\n Another chic look for a white bathroom is to feature white statement lights. It\u2019s a crisp, fresh look that especially suits coastal or Scandi-style bathrooms.<\/p>\n A contemporary bathroom can be given more character and maturity with touches of brass in the lighting. Glamorous gilt light fixtures inject a bit of elegance into a plain room. And they\u2019re especially good at warming up spaces that feature a lot of stone.<\/p>\n Warm up and personalise an austere all-white tiled bathroom with natural materials like rattan. You could even look into DIY basket pendants, especially if you love a coastal vibe.<\/p>\n Have a minimalist, coastal-flavoured bathroom with timber cabinetry? Consider timber light fittings to add to the natural textures and warmth.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re renovating, you should consider installing a skylight if you can. Skylights let a lot of light in, without causing too much glare or shadow. They can definitely be affordable, so take a look around. This bathroom\u2019s skylight creates lovely waterfalls of sunlight in the tub area.<\/p>\n White bathrooms definitely look clean and inviting and I can understand their everlasting appeal. But there\u2019s been a big move towards exploring dark-to-black bathroom palettes in recent years. Why? Because a dark palette can feel very soothing and its \u201cmasculinity\u201d often appeals as well. And if you light it the right way, this look can work. Similarly, if you love a richly coloured bathroom, clever lighting is important to ensure appropriate illumination.<\/p>\n If you like a very dark bathroom, keep it from looking like a dungeon by introducing a range of textures and tones, including some lighter ones. And, obviously, bring in lots of light, both natural and artificial. For example, matte black tapware can beautifully punctuate marble and tile for a minimalist aesthetic, and then soften it all up with a glass statement pendant.<\/p>\n If you are going for a minimalist look and love the idea of dark walls, consider having a lighter-coloured roof, to avoid an overly cavernous feeling. Recessed downlights in the ceiling will keep things perfectly illuminated.<\/p>\n When it comes to dark bathrooms, having plenty of light sources is a must. This might mean cove lighting, concealed bar downlights, or backlit vanity mirrors. The diffuse warm ambient light from above provides sufficient illumination. And it lifts the heaviness of a dark colour scheme and the use of stone.<\/p>\n Hanging glass pendants contribute to the clean lines of this sea-green bathroom. Tiles are wonderful for helping bounce light around the space. Here, a skylight also allows in plenty of light to counter the solid expanse of saturated colour.<\/p>\n (Love this tile look? Installing tiles is best left to the professional tilers<\/a> for a flawless look.)<\/p>\n Multiply the impact of a glass pendant light by hanging a cluster of lamps above the vanity.<\/p>\n Apart from sconces and pendants with shades, you could also go for the exposed bulb look. Revealed bulb fittings make good duty lights while creating a gentle, unobtrusive ambience.<\/p>\n Think about installing a long, slim light bar on the ceiling and down the sides of a large mirror. It delivers a clean, linear look for a minimalist bathroom.<\/p>\n Do you have a feature ceiling to show off? Don\u2019t compete with the lighting\u2014choose understated, recessed central light fittings. (Love a painted feature ceiling? Painting a ceiling can be a real pain in the neck, and there’s no shame in getting some help with your bathroom painting<\/a>.)<\/p>\n A pair of vintage sconces on either side of the mirror offers the best lighting for intricate beauty tasks, as well as having a decorative effect. You can add a lot of personality with a pair of vintage sconces. You can evoke the classic Parisian glamour of yesteryear with an ornate antique mirror and antique sconces on either side. Add fresh flowers, play a little Edith Piaf, et voila<\/em>!<\/p>\n You could also try cove lighting, where lights are embedded in recessed cabinets or ledges. This kind of lighting generates a good amount of ambient light but it can also act as accent lighting to highlight curated objects.<\/p>\n Give a nostalgic nod to a brightly tiled bathroom by adding a quirky, vintage plastic light fixture. Or, how about a chandelier for old-world vibes?<\/p>\n Industrial interior design. It’s a mid-century style that was repopularised by 1980s romcoms. (You know, all those singles with stunning apartments “in the meatpacking district of New York”). And the style is still going strong well into the new millennium. There are plenty of replica styles or just go with simple metal pendants.<\/p>\n One of the most important bathroom lighting ideas is to include a statement or feature light. A tiled or wallpapered bathroom has plenty of texture, and that provides the ideal backdrop for stunning architectural ceiling lights.<\/p>\n Don’t forget that energy-efficient option: candlelight. Collect gorgeous vessels to fill with candles for the classic candle-lit bath. The subtle illumination of candlelight creates a soothing ambience. And it sets a relaxed, romantic tone.<\/p>\n Finally, go beyond these bathroom lighting ideas and get exactly what you want by working with a lighting professional. Create a custom lighting system within your practical constraints and your imagination. Try online searching for someone in your area to take your bathroom lighting ideas to. Or try asking your electrician<\/a> for a recommendation.<\/p>\n And that’s a wrap on our best 22 bathroom lighting ideas. Proof that there\u2019s clearly a wide variety of choices available for you to consider when it comes to upgrading your bathroom lighting. And the beauty is that lighting is something you can play with whether you\u2019re renting, renovating or building.<\/p>\n Over to you\u2014which bathroom lighting ideas align most with your taste? Let me know in the comments below.<\/p>\n Have these bathroom lighting ideas inspired you? If you’re thinking of updating your bathroom<\/a>, you might like to have a go at estimating how much your dream bathroom rejuvenation will cost. Our price guides can help. For example, see:<\/p>\n Planning to remodel your whole bathroom? You\u2019re probably also looking at bathroom flooring<\/a>, waterproofing<\/a> and ceiling fan installation<\/a>.<\/p>\n Need more inspo first? Try our recent blogs covering modern house designs<\/a> and general bathroom design ideas<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Transform your bathroom from tired to tranquil with our bathroom lighting ideas.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":31235,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1582,28],"tags":[183,263],"language":["en-AU"],"class_list":["post-15771","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home-inspiration","category-tips","tag-bathroom","tag-lighting"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"bathroom-lighting-ideas-bulbs\"](\"https:\/\/airtasker-seo-wordpress-blog-assets-prod.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/24052955\/bathroom-lighting-ideas-bulbs.jpg\")
Bathroom lighting design<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
![\"bathroom-lighting-slim-pendant\"](\"https:\/\/airtasker-seo-wordpress-blog-assets-prod.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/24052920\/bathroom-lighting-slim-pendant.jpg\")
Creating a lighting plan<\/h3>\n
\n
1. Maximise natural light<\/h3>\n
![\"bathroom-lighting-ideas-natural-light\"](\"https:\/\/airtasker-seo-wordpress-blog-assets-prod.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/24052954\/bathroom-lighting-ideas-natural-light.jpg\")
Lighting for white bathrooms<\/h3>\n
2. Warm metals<\/h3>\n
3. Go white on white<\/h3>\n
4. Glam up with gilt<\/h3>\n
![\"bathroom-lighting-ideas-cove-lighting\"](\"https:\/\/airtasker-seo-wordpress-blog-assets-prod.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/24052952\/bathroom-lighting-ideas-cove-lighting.jpg\")
5. Look for organic lightshades<\/h3>\n
6. Try timber lights<\/h3>\n
7. Install a skylight<\/h3>\n
![\"bathroom-lighting-ideas-skylight\"](\"https:\/\/airtasker-seo-wordpress-blog-assets-prod.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/24052954\/bathroom-lighting-ideas-skylight.jpg\")
Lighting a dark or coloured bathroom<\/h3>\n
8. Mix tones<\/h3>\n
![\"bathroom-lighting-ideas-moody-dark-bathroom\"](\"https:\/\/airtasker-seo-wordpress-blog-assets-prod.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/24052952\/bathroom-lighting-ideas-moody-dark-bathroom.jpg\")
9. Lighten up with downlights<\/h3>\n
10. Have concealed lighting<\/h3>\n
![\"bathroom-lighting-ideas-modern\"](\"https:\/\/airtasker-seo-wordpress-blog-assets-prod.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/24052951\/bathroom-lighting-ideas-modern.jpg\")
11. Coloured tile and dangling pendants<\/h3>\n
![\"bathroom-lighting-ideas-green-tiles\"](\"https:\/\/airtasker-seo-wordpress-blog-assets-prod.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/24052951\/bathroom-lighting-ideas-green-tiles.jpg\")
Pendants, bulbs or sconces?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
12. Group pendants<\/h3>\n
13. Hang Scandi-style light bulbs<\/h3>\n
14. Install a horizontal light bar<\/h3>\n
15. Light it up<\/h3>\n
16. Add sconces for task lighting<\/h3>\n
![\"bathroom-lighting-ideas-sconces\"](\"https:\/\/airtasker-seo-wordpress-blog-assets-prod.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/24052951\/bathroom-lighting-ideas-sconces.jpg\")
17. Add cove lights<\/h3>\n
18. Go retro<\/h3>\n
![\"bathroom-lighting-chandelier\"](\"https:\/\/airtasker-seo-wordpress-blog-assets-prod.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/24052918\/bathroom-lighting-chandelier-scaled.jpg\")
19. Use lights to go industrial<\/h3>\n
20. Make a statement<\/h3>\n
21. Be Boho with candles<\/h3>\n
![\"bathroom-lighting-candles\"](\"https:\/\/airtasker-seo-wordpress-blog-assets-prod.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/24052919\/bathroom-lighting-candles.jpg\")
22. Go for bespoke<\/h3>\n
My bathroom needs work, how much will it cost?<\/h3>\n