What IP rating do I need for bathroom lights?

Zone 0 needs at least IPX7 and must be low voltage. Zones 1 and 2 need at least IPX4, and IP65 is advisable inside a shower. Outside the zones there is no minimum, though many people still choose IP44 fittings for a bathroom.

Can I put LED strip lighting in a shower?

Yes, if it is designed for it. LED in a shower must be fully sealed, at least IP67 or IP68 where it can be sprayed or sit in water, low voltage, and set in an aluminium profile with a diffuser. The driver must sit outside the bathroom zones.

Where should lights go around a bathroom mirror?

Ideally either side of the mirror at face height, around 1.6 to 1.7 m from the floor, or built into the mirror itself. A light above the mirror on its own casts shadows on the face.

What colour light is best for a bathroom?

Warm white around 2700K to 3000K keeps a bathroom relaxing, while a slightly cooler 3000K to 4000K at the mirror helps with shaving and make-up. Look for a CRI of 90 or above for accurate colour.

Can I have a chandelier in a bathroom?

Yes, if it sits outside the zones or is rated for the zone it is in. In a large bathroom, a chandelier is often hung above the centre of the room or a freestanding bath, provided it meets the zone rules and height limits.

Do bathroom lights need a pull cord?

Not necessarily. Switches can be placed outside the bathroom door, or a pull cord switch can be used inside. Your electrician will advise on the right position for your room.

How do I light a bathroom with no window?

Layer the light so it never feels like a box: a good level of ambient light, mirror lighting, and accent light in niches or under the vanity to add depth. Pale finishes and warm white help it feel brighter.

Bathroom Lighting

Bathroom with LED-lit niches and wall lights beside the mirror

BY ROOM

Bathroomlighting

Bathroom lighting ideas and design advice from our lighting designers, from zones and IP ratings to mirror lighting, lit niches and relaxing scenes.

Plan your bathroom lighting Shop bathroom lights

Bright whenyou need it

A bathroom asks two opposite things of its lighting: clear, shadow-free light for shaving and make-up first thing, and a soft, warm glow for a long bath at the end of the day.

It also has rules. Water and electricity need to be kept apart, so every fitting must suit the zone it sits in. Once the zones are understood, there is plenty of room to be creative.

The best bathroom lighting is layered: light at the mirror, gentle overall light, and accent light in niches and under vanities, all planned before the tiling goes on.

Bathroomzones

Bathrooms are divided into zones based on how close a fitting is to water. Each zone sets a minimum IP rating, which tells you how well a light is sealed against moisture.

Choose a zone to see where it is and what it needs. All bathroom circuits also need RCD protection, and your electrician will confirm what applies.

Choose a zone

A guide to the zones in BS 7671. Always have bathroom lighting fitted by a qualified electrician.

Three layersof light

Each one does a different job, and each one is worth its own switch.

Mirror and task lightLight from either side of the mirror at face height, or an illuminated mirror, lights your face evenly. A single downlight overhead casts shadows under the eyes and chin.

Ambient lightA few IP-rated downlights or a ceiling light for general light. Place them over the floor and bath rather than directly above the mirror.

Accent lightLED in shower niches, under a floating vanity or along a bath panel adds depth, and makes a lovely low light for a night-time visit.

Night lightA low glow from under the vanity or in the plinth, on a sensor, means no bright light at 3am.

Wall lights either side of a backlit bathroom mirror

Mirror andvanity lighting

The mirror is where bathroom lighting matters most. Light it from the front and sides, not from above, and you will see yourself clearly.

Either sideWall lights either side of the mirror, centred around 1.6 to 1.7 m from the floor, light the face evenly without shadows.

Illuminated mirrorsA mirror with built-in LED is a neat alternative, especially where wall space is tight. Many include demisting pads too.

Colour that tells the truthChoose a CRI of 90 or above and a neutral warm white around 3000K to 4000K at the mirror, so make-up and skin tones look right.

Shaver socketIf you want one, plan a shaver socket near the mirror at the same time as the lighting.

Colour andcontrol

Getting the mood right as well as the safety.

Colour temperatureWarm white around 2700K to 3000K for general light keeps a bathroom relaxing. A slightly cooler light at the mirror helps with grooming.

IP ratingsIP44 protects against splashes from any direction. IP65 is sealed against water jets, a sensible choice inside a shower enclosure.

Low glareChoose deep-set or diffused downlights, especially over the bath, where you look straight up at the ceiling.

Scenes and dimmingSeparate switching for the mirror, ceiling and accent light, or scenes, lets you go from bright morning light to a soft evening bath.

Showers andwet rooms

The most beautiful shower lighting is often the light you cannot see. LED profile set into a niche, along the floor drain or behind a bench washes the tiles with a soft glow, with no fitting on show and no glare as you look up.

Because a shower sits in Zones 0 and 1, the LED must be fully sealed, low voltage and set into an aluminium profile with a diffuser, with the driver kept well outside the reach of water. We specify every run to suit the space.

Lit nichesA line of LED profile along the top of a shower niche lights bottles and soap, and doubles as a gentle night light.

Floor and drain linesLED along a linear drain or at the base of the wall makes the floor glow and shows the edge of a step-free shower.

Benches and feature wallsProfile under a bench or at the top of a feature wall washes light down the tiles and brings out their texture.

Sealed and low voltageIP67 or IP68 LED in Zone 0, at least IPX4 above it, on a 12 or 24 volt supply with the driver outside the zones.

See made-to-measure LED profiles