What kind of lighting to choose for the bathroom?

Sometimes when planning our bathroom we don’t pay too much attention to the lighting. Instead we focus on colours, finishing materials and fittings. Meanwhile, poor lighting may make the bathroom less comfortable to use, and make the decor look less attractive.

Bathroom lighting is just as important as interior fittings. We use the bathroom mirror to shave or put on make-up, which requires good lighting. In addition, having insufficient light can be irritating, and the decor doesn’t look as effective. So let's reflect on this issue a little more. What type of bathroom lighting will work best?

1. Bathroom lighting – what to consider
2. Safe lighting fixtures are important
3. How many sources of light do you need in the bathroom?

It is also important that the intensity of each light source is different. Bright light is needed for activities using the mirror, so the lamps above the mirror must be stronger than those that provide general light, for example for cleaning purposes. Decorative lighting should be even weaker. If you don’t want  it to consume too much electricity, just use diodes.

Safe lighting fixtures are important

Bathrooms have a specific microclimate and they’re humid, so to ensure safety, use lamps that are designed specifically for the bathroom. Focus on low voltage lamps. They are resistant to water vapour and moisture. To be sure that you are buying a good lamp, look at the IP protection class, which should be at least 44.

How many sources of light do you need in the bathroom?

A lot depends on the size of the bathroom. We don’t want to have too many lamps in a small bathroom, while a large one should absolutely have more. In all cases there must be a general light source. It will be responsible for ensuring that the entire bathroom is lit evenly. A bathroom ceiling lamp will work well here. In addition, certain areas should also be illuminated. First of all, you should have a light by the mirror, where we perform hygiene and beauty treatments. A light source above the mirror or wall sconces for bathrooms on both sides of the mirror will work well. Do not install halogen lighting in this area, which could create shadows on the face and make it difficult to see details.

Another source of light can be placed near the shower or bathtub. While taking a relaxing bath, you won't need to use the main light, which might be too bright. Instead, the shower enclosure can be illuminated with a light that is gentle and doesn’t hurt the eyes. You can also look at the lighting in this area from a different perspective. If the bathroom has a very elegant and modern shower, it can be even more exposed by lighting, like a walk-in shower, for example. This type of shower enclosure is minimalistic, has no door, and the only thing separating the bathing space from the rest of the bathroom is glass. These are stylish and elegant, which will be even more emphasised by subtle lighting.

Lighting allows you to manipulate the space

Bathroom lighting will not only increase the comfort of using the bathroom, but also affect the entire space. Just like with colours, the size of the bathroom can be visually manipulated through lighting. This is especially true if the bathroom is small, windowless or in a basement.

A large mirror and shiny tiles or furniture fronts will make the bathroom appear bigger. Arrange the lighting so that it reflects off the mirror. This will make even a small bathroom seem more spacious and friendlier. You can find tips on the SanSwiss blog on how to ergonomically and effectively arrange a basement or a small bathroom.

It is also worth mentioning that larger glass panes and showers with few ornaments offered by SanSwiss can optically enlarge the space. Depending on the design and preferences, you can choose from framed, frameless, partially framed and walk-in shower cabins.See all blog posts