Decorating
11 Interesting Ways to Illuminate Your Bathroom
Planning a bathroom renovation? Don’t let lighting be an afterthought – the right choice can really enhance your space
In a professionally designed bathroom, you can forget about a single source of lighting from a collection of ceiling spots. These professionals show just how creative you can be when it comes to illuminating your ablutions, with ideas ranging from using garden lighting to fitting concealed LED strips that cast an atmospheric glow.
Swerve spotlights
Ceiling spots are not the only option for flush illumination from above in a bathroom, as shown in this clean-lined space by RISE Design Studio.
The architecture firm has made use of an unavoidable structural beam by boxing it in (with fire-rated plasterboard and then tadelakt – a type of waterproof plaster) and running a strip of LED lighting along its length. This is mirrored on the other side of the room, with a strip that runs along the ceiling above the bath.
Ceiling spots are not the only option for flush illumination from above in a bathroom, as shown in this clean-lined space by RISE Design Studio.
The architecture firm has made use of an unavoidable structural beam by boxing it in (with fire-rated plasterboard and then tadelakt – a type of waterproof plaster) and running a strip of LED lighting along its length. This is mirrored on the other side of the room, with a strip that runs along the ceiling above the bath.
Think outside the bathroom
Using the sort of lighting more commonly spotted in gardens or on driveways is a nice trick employed here by Kitchens By Holloways.
The black downlights look stylish within this monochrome scheme, but will also be designed to withstand downpours, so will work well in a bathroom and shower situation. (Of course, any lighting in a bathroom must be the correct IP rating – and always ask a qualified electrician to fit it.)
Browse reviews of local electricians in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Using the sort of lighting more commonly spotted in gardens or on driveways is a nice trick employed here by Kitchens By Holloways.
The black downlights look stylish within this monochrome scheme, but will also be designed to withstand downpours, so will work well in a bathroom and shower situation. (Of course, any lighting in a bathroom must be the correct IP rating – and always ask a qualified electrician to fit it.)
Browse reviews of local electricians in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Embrace bulkheads
The same idea has been employed in this welcoming bathroom designed by Beth Dadswell of Imperfect Interiors. Beth, though, has opted for a classic outdoor bulkhead style in brass, typically associated with all things nautical.
The same idea has been employed in this welcoming bathroom designed by Beth Dadswell of Imperfect Interiors. Beth, though, has opted for a classic outdoor bulkhead style in brass, typically associated with all things nautical.
Keep it simple
This bathroom, designed by Azman Architects, manages to feel soft – thanks to the colour of the walls – yet functional and utilitarian, thanks to the material: plywood.
The tiles and two-colour palette build the full picture and the lighting fits well with the theme – as well as working brilliantly within a room full of tricksy angles.
Two LED strips run either side of the narrow room. If a mirror were fitted below, the one on the left could function as task lighting, too.
This bathroom, designed by Azman Architects, manages to feel soft – thanks to the colour of the walls – yet functional and utilitarian, thanks to the material: plywood.
The tiles and two-colour palette build the full picture and the lighting fits well with the theme – as well as working brilliantly within a room full of tricksy angles.
Two LED strips run either side of the narrow room. If a mirror were fitted below, the one on the left could function as task lighting, too.
Hang low
It might be more common for bathroom lighting to be flush to the ceiling or mounted on a wall, but this doesn’t have to be the case. In this characterful bathroom designed by Trevor Brown Architect, two small globe pendants hang either side of a circular mirror.
It might be more common for bathroom lighting to be flush to the ceiling or mounted on a wall, but this doesn’t have to be the case. In this characterful bathroom designed by Trevor Brown Architect, two small globe pendants hang either side of a circular mirror.
Be flexible
Designers Turner Pocock gave this bathroom a strong monochrome theme, with not only a black vanity unit and countertop, but black taps and shower fittings standing out against the crisp white walls, too.
The black lamps either side of the mirror tie in neatly and have the benefit of being adjustable, meaning they can be pointed forwards when the owners are shaving or putting on make-up, or down for a softer glow.
Designers Turner Pocock gave this bathroom a strong monochrome theme, with not only a black vanity unit and countertop, but black taps and shower fittings standing out against the crisp white walls, too.
The black lamps either side of the mirror tie in neatly and have the benefit of being adjustable, meaning they can be pointed forwards when the owners are shaving or putting on make-up, or down for a softer glow.
Do something different
This en suite shower room is striking because of its unusual tiling and curves, created by the use of a specialist tiling product sourced by designers Studio 30 Architects.
As such, the lighting had to be equally unexpected, and this pair of horizontal wall lights, stacked one above the other, ticks the box perfectly.
When preparing for an initial consultation with a designer, collect photos in your Houzz ideabooks of interiors that appeal to your sense of style – even if they’re not specific to the project in hand. This will all help an expert to patch together a picture of what you do and don’t like, and give them the tools they need to come up with unusual ideas you’re more likely to love.
This en suite shower room is striking because of its unusual tiling and curves, created by the use of a specialist tiling product sourced by designers Studio 30 Architects.
As such, the lighting had to be equally unexpected, and this pair of horizontal wall lights, stacked one above the other, ticks the box perfectly.
When preparing for an initial consultation with a designer, collect photos in your Houzz ideabooks of interiors that appeal to your sense of style – even if they’re not specific to the project in hand. This will all help an expert to patch together a picture of what you do and don’t like, and give them the tools they need to come up with unusual ideas you’re more likely to love.
Float your boat (or bath)
Adding LED strips beneath a bath panel is a technique that gives your tub the impression its floating. Here, the light continues beneath a wall-mounted loo and is repeated inside the niche in the shower area.
The designer has added functional and discreet spots in the ceiling for when task lighting is required, but the LEDs alone will make for relaxing mood lighting when on alone.
Adding LED strips beneath a bath panel is a technique that gives your tub the impression its floating. Here, the light continues beneath a wall-mounted loo and is repeated inside the niche in the shower area.
The designer has added functional and discreet spots in the ceiling for when task lighting is required, but the LEDs alone will make for relaxing mood lighting when on alone.
Say yes to sculptural
These elegant vertical box-shaped lamps provide great task lighting for the two mirrors and cater for bathroom users of different heights. The lights also blend beautifully with the design of the vanity unit.
The panels that house each light stand proud of the rest of the unit, too, allowing for more lighting to spill from the tops of each one, giving an attractive glow at ceiling height.
LED strips beneath each cupboard add mood lighting and emphasise the design of the vanity unit.
These elegant vertical box-shaped lamps provide great task lighting for the two mirrors and cater for bathroom users of different heights. The lights also blend beautifully with the design of the vanity unit.
The panels that house each light stand proud of the rest of the unit, too, allowing for more lighting to spill from the tops of each one, giving an attractive glow at ceiling height.
LED strips beneath each cupboard add mood lighting and emphasise the design of the vanity unit.
Give yourself options
Multiple light sources, wired to different circuits, will give you the most flexibility in any room. Here, Francesco Pierazzi Architects has buried LEDs into the ceiling and beneath the wall units for unobtrusive illumination. For more functional lighting, there are strips at the edges of the basin within the mirrored cabinets.
Tell us…
How is your bathroom lit and how would you improve it – or do you have it just right? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments.
Multiple light sources, wired to different circuits, will give you the most flexibility in any room. Here, Francesco Pierazzi Architects has buried LEDs into the ceiling and beneath the wall units for unobtrusive illumination. For more functional lighting, there are strips at the edges of the basin within the mirrored cabinets.
Tell us…
How is your bathroom lit and how would you improve it – or do you have it just right? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments.
Using bathroom lighting to add a strong accent colour is perhaps not an obvious choice. Here, however, Create Property Group has opted to provide a flash of fire engine red in the form of the flexible wall lamp (seen in the mirror) in this black and white bathroom. And it looks great.