Bathroom Lights

When designing or remodelling your bathroom, lighting plays a crucial role. The right bathroom lighting can transform your space, ensuring it is both safe and stylish. Whether you want to create a relaxing ambiance, highlight key features or achieve task lighting, understanding the different lighting options available is essential. In this section, we'll outline the best types of lighting for your bathroom, the advantages of using LED lights, the ideal wattage for your space and the importance of bathroom zone lighting.

What lighting is best for my bathroom?

White lighting is a popular choice for bathrooms as it closely resembles natural light. If you're aiming for a specific colour temperature, consider a classic 2700K, which is the closest to natural light. Some bulbs are even labelled as 'daylight' to make your selection easier. It’s also recommended that downlights, wall lights or ceiling lights have at least an IP44 rating, as this helps protect the lights from accidental splashes or steam that can escape from the shower.

Can LED lights be used in my bathroom?

Yes, LED lights are commonly used in bathrooms, especially in illuminated bathroom mirrors. They can also be used in ceiling lights, lamps and other lighting fixtures. LED lights are a safer option compared to other types of lighting as they produce minimal heat and operate on lower voltage. For added safety, choose LED lights with a water-resistant rating of IP65 or higher for areas exposed to moisture.

What wattage is best for my bathroom?

For larger bathrooms, it’s recommended to use bulbs with a wattage between 75 and 100 watts. A bigger room will need multiple light sources to create layered lighting. For medium-sized or average bathrooms, bulbs with a wattage of around 45 to 60 watts are ideal. Keep in mind that higher wattage bulbs consume more energy. For energy-saving options, take a look at our full range of light bulbs.

What is bathroom zone lighting?

When remodelling your bathroom, selecting the right light placement is essential due to strict regulations on the types of lights that can be installed and their locations. Bathroom zone lighting divides the room into areas based on how much water might reach the light fixtures, with different safety rules for each zone:

• Zone 0: Inside the bath or shower. Only low-voltage (max 12V) lights with an IP67 rating or higher are permitted.
• Zone 1: Above the bath or shower, up to a height of 2.25m. Lighting must have at least an IP44 rating.
• Zone 2: The area within 0.6m of the bath, up to 2.25m high. Lighting must have at least an IP44 rating.
• Zone 3: Any area outside Zones 0, 1, and 2, up to 2.25m high. No specific IP rating is required, but it's advisable to choose bathroom lights with some moisture protection.

To learn more about zone lighting, read our guide to what IP rating to choose for bathroom lights.