How to light the bathroom properly and aesthetically

Bathroom lighting is a fundamental element of interior design, as it makes a bathroom functional, influences our mood and enhances the perception of volumes. The choice we make will change the way we perceive the bathroom, the colours and the mood we will create in space. 

When choosing the lighting elements that are going to form part of our bathroom, we have to bear in mind that each of the areas and corners of the bathrooms need to match the specific lighting for that same area. 

The bathroom is one of the places in our homes where we carry out many of our daily tasks, and to make life easy, we need good lighting so we can see clearly. 

In this regard, we can talk about functionality and aesthetics, as well as safety, since good lighting in our bathrooms is essential to avoid incidents. 

Choosing the right light can also help you save energy and reduce your day-to-day electricity consumption. 

With this in mind, below we will tell you some of the best ways to light your bathroom in an efficient and aesthetically pleasing way for your home. 

Types of lighting you can use in your bathroom

General lighting

Good general lighting is important to illuminate the whole bathroom and prevent dark corners. In this case, it is advisable to use a ceiling light or various recessed lights to achieve uniformity. 

Shower lighting 

If your bathroom has a shower separate from the main area of the bathroom, it is essential to have a bathroom light focused on the shower area itself. One option is to install recessed spotlights as ceiling or wall lighting in the bathroom, to illuminate the shower and at the same time create an atmosphere capable of generating unique sensations.

Mirror lighting 

It is also important to have good lighting at the mirror, so we can perform our daily routines, from brushing our teeth to applying make-up. A good option is to place lamps on either side of the mirror, at face height, or a recessed light in the ceiling just above the mirror. We also give you the option of mirrors with built-in LED lights for better visibility and enhanced aesthetics, in case neither of the previous options suit your style. 

Decorative lighting

If you want to add a touch of décor to your bathroom, you can opt for accent lights or indirect lighting in certain areas, like behind the bathtub or underneath a furniture piece.

Dimmers

Another interesting option is to install dimmers, which allow you to adjust the intensity of the light depending on your needs and preferences.

It is important to choose energy-efficient lights both to save energy and to contribute to environmental protection.

It is also a good idea to use warm or neutral lights to achieve a cosy and relaxing ambience in the bathroom.

Shower light

The shower heads with chromotherapy options give off indirect, enveloping light to enhance wellness in the shower.

With a futuristic look, lending elegance and minimalism to the space, as is the case of the Seasons shower heads, they can be combined with Finish Studio finishes: mirrored stainless steel, black, gold, copper, titanium, brushed gold, brushed copper and brushed titanium. And because they come with chromotherapy and aromatherapy settings, you'll be opening up an endless world of sensations.

Seasons shower head (chromotherapy)

What lighting to use in the bathroom?

Bathroom lighting is another decorative element, so we must choose the right light and the elements based on an aesthetic that in is harmony with the general bathroom environment. We must analyse and define what lighting to use in the bathroom project.

Firstly, it is essential to carry out a lighting plan in which we choose the most suitable temperature and type of lights. And of course, think about whether it's a domestic bathroom or somewhere with high levels of footfall such as a restaurant or hotel.

Public bathroom lighting

1. What is the most suitable light temperature in the bathroom?  

The light temperature is the colour that the human eye perceives in the light, and it ranges from warm to cold, depending on whether yellow or blue predominates, respectively.

Warm light generates between 3,000 K and 4,000 K and it is cosy and intimate, ideal for relaxation areas, such as the bathtub or shower area.

Neutral or natural light will be perfect for ambient lighting for the bathroom, generating about 4,000 K. Cold light, however, is not recommended for a residential project or for the bathroom, since it will detract from the comfort of the atmosphere created.

2. What type of light would be best?

Combining different types of light is recommended to create distinct areas in the room and to enjoy an atmosphere full of nuances. For the bathroom, we can choose to combine these types of light: 

1. Ambient or general lighting will form the basis of the bathroom lighting. You can choose ceiling light fittings or recessed solutions. Wherever possible, natural light should be used as ambient lighting, as it is the most suitable for the bathroom, both in terms of functionality and for the aesthetics, as well as the sensations it conveys. Therefore, we must make the most of it and avoid elements that block it, such as blinds or opaque curtains.
2. Accent lighting This will help us to highlight an element such as the mirror, as well as to eliminate shadows and enhance comfort, making it an appropriate option in the washbasin area.
3. Spotlighting for the washbasin/toilet area, which increases luminosity in this specific area. We can choose wall or ceiling light fittings.
4. Indirect lighting to make your bathroom more relaxing and welcoming. Recessed light points can be used on the walls or ceiling above the bathtub or shower, such as the LED strips or even ceiling lamps. Indirect lighting will result in a soft and enveloping light.
5. Linear lamps oriented towards the mirrors to avoid shadowy areas by creating a curtain of light. It is essential to ensure that the lamps do not face the mirror in order to avoid glare.

Liem bathtub

Small bathroom lighting can simply employ the use of a general ambience light and another light for the dresser. For larger bathrooms, we can use a light for each area.

How to illuminate a windowless bathroom

In windowless bathrooms, you need to make sure you have uniform lighting that mimics natural light as much as possible, and doesn't create shadows. How? Achieve the perfect ambient lighting by installing several ceiling lights, distributed throughout the room. We recommend using neutral bulbs, around 4000K. 

If space allows, you could also add some indirect lighting, which will give a lovely sense of warmth to your windowless bathroom lighting. Built-in lighting will give you a warm, relaxing atmosphere.

Indirect light 

Indirect accent lighting offers a great way of brightening up specific zones, such as the washbasin area. Use these light points to highlight different areas and make your bathroom stand out. The results will be utterly unique. 

Indirect light (crocodile green)

How to illuminate a small windowless bathroom

If your dimensions are limited, getting your bathroom layout and design right is key to making the most of the space you have. So why not take some inspiration from these great ideas from Mónica Diago's nkStudio.

As well as layout and design, using whites or other light hues in your colour scheme will brighten up a small bathroom with no windows or little natural light.

Play around with ceiling lighting to get the level of light you need for mirrors, without taking up valuable space. You could even go for a mirror with integrated lighting for a polished result.

→ If ceiling lights don't suit your style, you can visit our catalogue to find many more options.

Bathroom mirror lighting  

We have mirrors with built-in lights that increase the luminosity and amplify the comfort in the washbasin area.

Among the options, we have mirrors that incorporate built-in spotlights and mirrors with perimeter lighting, which serve as accent lighting, dramatically highlighting this area of the bathroom. 

Tono series mirror, designed by Foster+Partners

Our mirrors are equipped with LEDs, which last longer than standard light bulbs and reduce energy consumption by up to 80%, while still emitting the same amount of light. 

How to light a dark bathroom

If you have a dark bathroom, either because the dimensions do not allow you to give it light, you do not have windows or the chosen decoration is dark, there are several ways to illuminate it to make it look brighter and more pleasant. 

1. Elegantly concealing the lighting

   Concealing the light bulbs is a great choice for a minimalist, simple and elegant decoration in our bathroom, at the same time as being functional and offering the brightness we need. We can hide light bulbs either behind the sink with LED strip lights or on the side of the furniture.

   These indirect lights will create a warm and minimalist mood. 

2. Adding large mirrors

   Large mirrors in a bathroom can reflect a lot of light and create the effect of a larger and brighter bathroom. 

3. Adding spotlights

   Spotlights are a great choice to bring light into the bathroom in an indirect way and without obstructing the view with pendant lamps. They create the effect of broad ceilings, and you can play with the colour of the spotlights to create different atmospheres. 

So, what do you think? We hope you have found these ideas helpful. If you want to keep up to date with the bathroom universe, keep an eye on our blog.