How to Light a Bathroom So It Works
The best bathroom lighting uses layers: an overall light for the room and a task light at each spot you use. The NKBA Bath Planning Guidelines recommend task lighting for each functional area, such as grooming and showering, in addition to general lighting.
A single ceiling light is the most common mistake. It lights the top of your head and leaves shadows on your face at the mirror.
Below are ideas for layering light, placing vanity fixtures, and brightening tricky layouts. For a full project, see our bathroom remodeling page.
Layer Bathroom Lighting by Task
Think of bathroom light in three layers. Each one does a different job, and most good bathrooms use all three.
General light
This is the base layer that lets you see the whole room. Recessed ceiling lights or a flush mount fixture are the usual picks. Put it on a wall switch at the door.
Task light
Task light goes where you do things. The vanity is the big one. A shower light helps too, especially in an enclosed shower with glass or a curtain.
Accent and night light
A small light under a floating vanity, in a niche, or behind a mirror adds depth. A dim setting also works as a soft night light, so you are not blinded at 2 a.m.
The NKBA guidelines also note a code rule: at least one wall switch-controlled light must be placed at the bathroom entrance.
Put different layers on different switches. That way you can turn on just the vanity light for a quick hand wash, or everything for cleaning. A single switch for all the lights takes away that control.
Vanity and Mirror Light Placement
Light from the sides of the mirror is the most flattering. It lights your face evenly and cuts shadows under the eyes and chin.
The NKBA Bath Planning Guidelines recommend vanity task lighting beside the mirror and at eye level, with the bulb not visible to the eye. Frosted or shaded sconces on both sides do this well.
When a light bar makes sense
If the mirror is too wide for side lights, a bar light above the mirror works. Pick one that is close to the mirror width and has a diffused shade.
Backlit and lighted mirrors
A mirror with a built-in light ring gives even light at face level. It is a clean fix for a small vanity wall with no room for sconces.
Double vanities
Give each sink its own light. One fixture centered between two sinks leaves both people in shadow.
Watch the bulb color. Warm white light feels cozy but can make makeup and skin tones look off. Neutral or daylight bulbs show true color better at the mirror. Many homeowners pick a warm light for the ceiling and a neutral light at the vanity.
Mirror size and light go together. A large mirror spreads light around the room, while a small mirror with a small fixture can leave the vanity dim.
Small and Windowless Bathroom Lighting
Small bathrooms and rooms with no window need more thought, not more fixtures. Bright, even light makes a small room feel bigger.
Use a flush ceiling fixture or a few recessed lights for the base layer. Add a lighted mirror or side sconces for the vanity. Light colored walls and glossy tile bounce light around the room.
LED lights are the easy choice here. ENERGY STAR says LED products produce light up to 90 percent more efficiently than incandescent bulbs. They also run cooler, which helps in a small space.
Global Remodeling Pros is a family owned remodeler founded in 2017, with more than 5,000 completed projects. Our bathroom remodels often include new vanity lights, lighted mirrors and recessed lights as part of the plan. We are MHIC licensed and insured, and we back our work with a lifetime labor guarantee.
A window helps during the day but not at night. Plan the artificial lighting as if the window were not there. Then the room works at 6 a.m. in winter, not just at noon in summer.
Shower lighting is easy to forget. A glass shower borrows light from the room, but a shower with a curtain or a solid wall can be dark inside. A wet-rated recessed light fixes that.
Fixture Safety and Common Lighting Mistakes
Wet areas need the right fixtures. The NKBA Bath Planning Guidelines cite code rules that fixtures in tub and shower spaces be marked for damp or wet locations. Hanging fixtures cannot be within 3 feet sideways and 8 feet up from the top of the tub rim or shower threshold.
Other mistakes to skip: one ceiling light only, bulbs that are too cool or too warm for your taste, and no dimmer. A dimmer on the vanity or general light gives you bright morning light and soft evening light from the same fixtures.
Lighting is easiest to change during a remodel, when walls are open for new wiring. See what a full bathroom remodel costs to budget for it. Also check what a good price for a bathroom vanity is if the vanity is changing too. Our bathroom remodel timeline shows when electrical work happens.
Always have new bathroom wiring done by a licensed electrician and permitted where required.
Think about who uses the room. Older eyes need more light to see clearly, so a bathroom for aging in place should be brighter than average. Kids’ bathrooms benefit from a switch they can reach.
Plan outlets and switches with the lights. A switch you can reach from the door and an outlet near the mirror make the room easier to use every day.
Bathroom Lighting Questions
What is the best light for a bathroom vanity?
Side sconces at about eye level give the most even light on your face. If side lights will not fit, use a diffused bar light above the mirror or a lighted mirror.
Can you put a light fixture in a shower?
Yes, if it is rated for wet locations. Recessed shower lights with a sealed lens are common. Hanging fixtures must stay out of the zone above the tub or shower.
How many lights does a bathroom need?
Most bathrooms need at least a general ceiling light and a vanity light. Larger rooms add shower and accent lights. Global Remodeling Pros plans bathroom lighting for homeowners in Arnold, Maryland as part of each remodel.
Plan Better Bathroom Lighting
Global Remodeling Pros remodels bathrooms in Arnold, Maryland and nearby towns. Call for a detailed proposal within 24 hours.
Call 443-331-9613
Related reading: Frameless vs. Semi-Frameless Shower Doors and How Much Value Does a Bathroom Remodel Add to Your Home?.