{"id":639,"date":"2022-07-29T09:32:40","date_gmt":"2022-07-29T09:32:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flipswitch.wpengine.com\/fliptheswitch\/?p=639"},"modified":"2025-04-18T22:53:01","modified_gmt":"2025-04-18T22:53:01","slug":"what-is-the-best-lighting-for-a-bathroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/what-is-the-best-lighting-for-a-bathroom\/","title":{"rendered":"A Comprehensive Bathroom Lighting Design Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When designing a bathroom, sometimes lighting is the last thing considered. In reality, it can make or break even a tiny powder room. You want the space to be functional-yet-relaxing, with enough light for your daily routine and illuminating focal points. Here are some considerations when selecting bathroom lighting fixtures.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-6609 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2016\/09\/AdobeStock_415484627-min-683x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"392\" height=\"588\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Think in Layers<\/h3>\n<p>In the bathroom, there are four layers of light that all work together to create depth and dimension, and make the space functional:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/style-and-function-a-pocket-guide-to-task-lighting\/\">Task lighting<\/a> is just what it sounds like. You need to light the area where you work \u2014 wash your face, shave, put on makeup. The vanity is the workspace in the bathroom. See below for some vanity lighting ideas.<\/li>\n<li>Accent lighting adds depth and dimension, highlighting plants or pictures on the wall and providing an illuminating glow. This could be flood lights, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/whats-a-sconce\/\">wall sconces<\/a> or even lamps that highlight a corner of the room.<\/li>\n<li>Decorative lighting is the bling. It&#8217;s that cute miniature chandelier that hangs above the tub or those gorgeous wall sconces that add a bit of interest to the room.<\/li>\n<li>Ambient lighting is gentle light that fills the room and bounces off the ceiling. This is best achieved with recessed lights or flood lights that direct the light throughout the space.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Prevent Vanity Shadows<\/h3>\n<p>Light your vanity in such a way that you prevent dark shadows under your eyes, nose and chin. Most people light the vanity area \u2014 where one would put on makeup and shave \u2014 with a single light mounted above the mirror that shines down over the sink. This lights up the forehead of the person, while leaving the lower half of the face in shadow.<\/p>\n<p>Avoid this mistake by placing two wall-mounted fixtures on either side of the mirror at eye level, creating cross-illumination. Aim for 100-watt bulbs per fixture in a larger bathroom and 40 watts per fixture in a powder room or other small bathroom.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-6626 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2016\/09\/WAC_Mini-Vogue-Bathroom-Light_P2213163_print-2-2-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"900\" height=\"601\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/item\/modern-forms-mini-vogue-black-led-vertical-bathroom-light-3000k-1491lm\/P2213163\"><em>Mini Vogue LED Vertical Bathroom Lights by Modern Forms<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Light the Tub Area<\/h3>\n<p>A nice accent miniature chandelier over the tub adds a warm glow and a lot of elegance if you have the space for it. You can make a big impact with a mini-chandelier if you have a smaller space to fill, like over the bathtub.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-6619 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2016\/09\/AdobeStock_437485147-min-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/item\/crystal-mini-chandelier-polished-chrome-finish\/P933371\">Crystal Mini-Chandelier in Polished Chrome by Crystorama Lighting<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left\">Create Evening Lighting<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left\">Think about getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom or grab a drink of water \u2014 you don&#8217;t want to turn on those vanity or overhead lights. Instead, install toe-kick lighting underneath the base cabinets that illuminates your footpath without overpowering you with light when you&#8217;re half-asleep.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-7378 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/07\/kuzco_nepal.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"620\" height=\"860\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left\">Use Natural Light<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left\">Wherever possible, use the natural light that comes into the room. If there&#8217;s a window, consider a simple shade or other window treatment that allows you to easily let the morning sunshine in and create a relaxing environment.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left\">Maintain a Consistent Style<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left\">Let your light fixtures work together to create a unifying look. They can be different, but choose similar materials. For example, if you have overhead pendant lights, they should belong to the same color family as your wall sconces. If you have bronze vanity fixtures, you probably want to stick with that material for your sconces.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-6620 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2016\/09\/Corinne-Pend-Bath-min-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"801\" height=\"1001\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/item\/corinne-polished-nickel-pendant-light\/P1469845\"><em>Corinne Pendant Light by Visual Comfort<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left\">Consider Fixture Size<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left\">When choosing the size of your fixtures \u2014 small sconces versus large <a href=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/track-lighting-entire-home\/\">track lights<\/a> or recessed lighting \u2014 remember that the larger your fixtures, the smaller your bathroom will look. Typically, bathrooms have limited space, so you may want to scale down your fixture size a bit. There are many fixtures that come in 1-light, 2-light, 3-light, 4-light or more variants so find ones that fit perfectly with your vanity.<\/p>\n<div class=\"one_third \" style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/item\/cafe-3-satin-black-bath-light-white-glass\/P2271406\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-6612\" src=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2016\/09\/P2271406_zoom-3-light.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"238\" height=\"238\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"one_third \" style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/item\/cafe-4-satin-black-bath-light-white-glass\/P2271408\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-6613\" src=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2016\/09\/P2271408_zoom-4-light.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"238\" height=\"238\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"one_third last \" style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/item\/cafe-5-satin-black-bath-light-white-glass\/P2271410\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-6611\" src=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2016\/09\/P2271410.alt1_zoom-5-light.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"238\" height=\"238\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p><br class=\"clear\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"one_third \" style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/item\/easton-inch-wall-sconce-black-hinkley-lighting\/P2438536\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7380\" src=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/07\/P2438536zoom-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"238\" height=\"238\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"one_third \" style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/item\/easton-inch-vanity-light-black-hinkley-lighting\/P2438538\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/07\/P2438538zoom-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"238\" height=\"238\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"one_third last \" style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/item\/easton-24-inch-vanity-light-black-hinkley-lighting\/P2438540\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7382\" src=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/07\/P2438540zoom-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"238\" height=\"238\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p><br class=\"clear\"\/><\/p>\n<h3>Make a Statement<\/h3>\n<p>If you have the space, go ahead and buy that cute chandelier to hang over the bathtub or those glamorous pendant lights. Don&#8217;t be afraid to add a statement piece, as long as it&#8217;s well-placed. Also, consider how it fits with the rest of the house. You don&#8217;t want a contemporary bathroom that sits adjacent to your traditional living room.<\/p>\n<h3>Make it Energy Efficient<\/h3>\n<p>If you&#8217;re creating a new room, it&#8217;s best to evaluate your energy use and look for energy-efficient fixtures and bulbs. Here are some considerations:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Color temperature. <\/strong>Consider LED bulbs that are 2700 to 3000 Kelvin to create a warm glow rather than a harsh glare. Our favorites below are great LED options that give an even amount of light.<\/li>\n<li><strong>CRI rating. <\/strong>This is the color-rendering index, and it&#8217;s a measure of how color is interpreted by the human eye. The higher the CRI, the better color is rendered. Look for a CRI of 80 or higher, as bulbs with lower CRIs tend to throw off light that looks grayer.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Energy star. <\/strong>This certification indicates that a bulb went through testing for light output, efficiency and longevity. Both CFL and LED lights can have this certification, as they&#8217;re both considered energy-efficient compared to incandescent lighting.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"one_third \" style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/item\/kuzco-lighting-brazen-brushed-brass-led-bathroom-light\/P2255455\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-6616\" src=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2016\/09\/P2255455_zoom.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"238\" height=\"238\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"one_third \" style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/item\/maxim-lighting-rail-black-led-vertical-bathroom-light\/P2193553\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-6617\" src=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2016\/09\/P2193553_zoom.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"238\" height=\"238\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"one_third last \" style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/item\/clutch-13-inch-led-vanity-light-gold-et2-lighting\/P2437937\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-6632\" src=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2016\/09\/P2437937_zoom.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"238\" height=\"238\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p><br class=\"clear\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"one_third \" style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/item\/parallel-led-polished-chrome-led-vertical-bathroom-light-3000k-2166lm\/P2135704\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-6635\" src=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2016\/09\/P2135704.alt2_zoom.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"238\" height=\"238\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"one_third \" style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/item\/satco-lighting-caper-brushed-brass-led-bathroom-light\/P2194718\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-6634\" src=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2016\/09\/P2194718_zoom.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"238\" height=\"238\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"one_third last \" style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/item\/aiden-inch-led-bath-light-hinkley-lighting\/P2192753\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7383\" src=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/07\/P2192753zoom-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"238\" height=\"238\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p><br class=\"clear\"\/><\/p>\n<h3>Destination Lighting<\/h3>\n<p>At Destination Lighting, we offer a wide range of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/products\/bathroom-lights\">bathroom lights<\/a>, as well as other lighting for your entire home. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/contact-us.jhtml\">Contact us<\/a> anytime if you have questions about your next project or about our products.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When designing a bathroom, sometimes lighting is the last thing considered. In reality, it can make or break even a tiny powder room. You want the space to be functional-yet-relaxing, with enough light for your daily routine and illuminating focal [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6964,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[67,59,156],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v16.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>A Comprehensive Bathroom Lighting Design Guide - Flip The Switch<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Use this comprehensive guide to determine the best lighting for your bathroom. 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Shop Destination Lighting for a wide range of lights for your home.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/what-is-the-best-lighting-for-a-bathroom\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Flip The Switch\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-07-29T09:32:40+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-04-18T22:53:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2016\/07\/damp-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1483\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"988\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\">\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"8 minutes\">\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/\",\"name\":\"Flip The Switch\",\"description\":\"Destination Lighting&#039;s Guide to Lighting &amp; Home Advice\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/?s={search_term_string}\",\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/what-is-the-best-lighting-for-a-bathroom\/#primaryimage\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2016\/07\/damp-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2016\/07\/damp-1.jpg\",\"width\":1483,\"height\":988},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/what-is-the-best-lighting-for-a-bathroom\/#webpage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/what-is-the-best-lighting-for-a-bathroom\/\",\"name\":\"A Comprehensive Bathroom Lighting Design Guide - Flip The Switch\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/what-is-the-best-lighting-for-a-bathroom\/#primaryimage\"},\"datePublished\":\"2022-07-29T09:32:40+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-04-18T22:53:01+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.destinationlighting.com\/fliptheswitch\/#\/schema\/person\/97a8fc8c3adb3773219facc609197cb9\"},\"description\":\"Use this comprehensive guide to determine the best lighting for your bathroom. 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