Bathroom Lighting

Just like your kitchen or living room, your bathroom is a multifunctional space. It’s where you probably start and end your day—so you need lighting that’s suitable for everything from getting ready for work or errands to soaking in the tub. While a single ceiling fixture will certainly provide illumination, having layers of lighting improves the functionality of a bathroom. Using bulbs with color temperatures that work for you, as well as installing dimmers, also helps create ideal bathroom lighting. (And don’t forget about window treatments, which are a must if you have windows in your bathroom.) Read on for a quick overview of tips that are sure to put you in the right light—day or night.

Layering Lighting

You’ll want to have a mix of task, ambient and accent lighting in your bathroom—and then layer them for illumination that meets your specific needs. What you don’t want is a space that’s too bright or too dim all the time.

• As its name suggests, task lighting is useful for daily tasks, such as applying makeup, shaving and brushing your teeth. Task lighting, which should be bright and focused, comes from fixtures mounted either above or on either side of your vanity mirror.  
• Ambient lighting is the primary source of overall lighting for a bathroom. Usually soft, warm and inviting, you can create ambient lighting with recessed lights or flush-mount fixtures. 
• Accent lighting highlights architectural details, such as unique fixtures or beautiful tile. Accent lighting also brightens darker areas—for example, rope lighting in the toe-kick area at the base of cabinets.

Selecting Bulb Color

Bulb color temperature, which is measured in Kelvins, is just as important in bathroom lighting as is layering lighting. The warmer the color, the lower the temperature. 

If you desire a warm tone that’s good for ambient lighting, look for a bulb in the 2,000-3,000 Kelvin range. By contrast, 3,100- 4,500 Kelvins produces a less warm, white light, which is good for task lighting.

Adding Dimmers

Installing dimmers for your bathroom lights makes your bathroom more flexible: you can turn lights on to low levels for midnight bathroom breaks, for easing into your morning routine, or for winding down at the end of the day. When shopping for dimmers, keep in mind that the dimmer needs to be compatible with your bulbs and fixtures. For example, if you have LED lighting, you’ll need a dimmer that’s manufactured to be compatible with LEDs (check the dimmer box or visit the manufacturer’s website). Or, if you have a low-voltage fixture, you’ll need a low-voltage dimmer.  Installing a dimmer that’s not compatible with your lighting may leave you with bulbs that flicker or buzz.

Covering Windows

Thinking about lighting in your bathroom also extends to natural light. While natural light is energizing, you may also want to control harsh sunlight streaming in or enhance privacy. Because the bathroom is often the most humid room in your home, you’ll need window treatments that can stand up to moisture, such as vinyl shutters. Look for water resistant options that are guaranteed not to warp, fade and chip. Roman and roller shades are also another classic choice for bathrooms, as their fabric softens the hard lines found in many bathroom designs. Look for styles that combine a sheer or light-filtering front shade and room-darkening liner or opaque shade, for flexible light control.