Are you renovating your bathroom? Or maybe you’re just looking to add the flourishing finishing touches to your current space? Either way, lighting will be a critical part of bringing your whole vision to life.
Often when designing a bathroom, you focus on all the fixtures, fittings and floorings you’ll want in your space. However, lighting can really help improve the atmosphere of a room, and it’s so important to think about what options there are, early on in the process. Why? Because certain bathroom lights will need wiring in different ways – and may even need an electrician to channel them through your walls, meaning that a plasterer will have to patch up and skim the walls again for a sleek finish. Therefore, it needs to be considered before you choose your wall panels or tiles.
In this article, we’re going to discuss four of the most popular and stylish ceiling light options available to you and how they’ll make your room a brightly lit space of tranquillity.
Chandeliers
Thought statement-making light fittings were reserved for your main living space or grand hallway? Think again! Chandeliers effortlessly bring a touch of luxury and elegance to any room – and there are some fabulous options on the market that slot seamlessly into bathroom environments.
Things to consider:
You’ll want your chandelier to make an impact – but make sure it doesn’t overpower the space. You can get small to large styles, so you’re sure to find an option for the size of your room.
With size, comes height. Often, chandeliers will have cascading lengths of crystals or glass, but make sure you have enough clearance underneath. You’ll want to have at least 7 feet of clearance from the floor to ensure that people can walk underneath it freely and without restriction.
Lastly, you’ll want to think about the style of your chandelier. You can get understated flush-mounted designs with raindrop-inspired crystals, all the way to breathtaking multi-layered bespoke bathroom lights with dimensional shapes. You’ll find that many chandelier lights also often incorporate metal hardware, especially at the base – so consider whether you’d like brass, brushed brass, polished chrome, or brushed nickel metals.
LED Lighting
Bring a contemporary edge to your bathroom style with LED light strips or panels. There are so many benefits to using LED lighting, because, as well as adding a modern twist, they’re very energy efficient too.
Benefits of LED ceiling lights:
LED strips are versatile, illuminating and come in a whole host of shapes and sizes. You could add them to the perimeter of the room, or highlight a certain spot with them. The possibilities are endless. Creating a rectangular LED panel in the centre of the ceiling mimics the look of a skylight – this is particularly great if your room lacks natural sunlight, to give you that airy feel.
What colour light do you want? Of course, you could go for natural sunlight-inspired hues, or classic warm and cool-toned whites. However, LED lights also boast the possibility of having a whole spectrum of hues.
These super slim lights are perfect for low ceilings, as you don’t have to worry about leaving enough clearance. Plus, they’ll slot into most aesthetics.
Recessed Spotlights
If you’d like your lighting to take a back seat, and be the subtle, illuminating hero to your bathroom – recess spotlights may be the thing for you. These lights offer an undisruptive, clean style that’s usually flushed to the ceiling. They suit every size of room from large to small, thanks to the refined look, and simplicity they offer.
Recessed spotlights considerations:
Placement and quantity – the great thing about this type of lighting is you can add as many or as little as you’d like. You could have them uniformed across the entirety of the ceiling, or frame a certain area, such as positioning them above a certain unit.
Can they dim? An easy way to switch up the style of your recessed lights is by adding a dimmer. This way, you can change the atmosphere of your bathroom from bright and cheery to calm and relaxing.
Remember – the spotlights you select will have to be bathroom-approved and fine for use in high-moisture rooms. They also make a great small bathroom ceiling lighting idea.
Flush or Semi-Flush Pendants
Flush and semi-pendants are perfect for creating a statement focal point – but without the overly glamorous extravagance of chandeliers. They are fixed close to the ceiling and feature a chic eye-catching design.
Options:
Completely flush-mounted designs: They sit sleekly against the ceiling, giving a streamlined edge. They’re a modern choice and often are finished with a glass cover that cocoons the bulb. As they sit so close to the ceiling – they’re an ideal option for smaller rooms or ones with low ceiling height.
Semi-Flush Pendants: These usually have a small gap between the ceiling and the light, hanging elegantly with a sophisticated look. They, too, make a lovely focal point and often provide enough clearance for rooms with shorter ceilings.
What type of light is best for a bathroom ceiling light?
What works for one bathroom, may not work for another, and so the best type of light for a bathroom ceiling depends completely on your personal space. There are plenty of things to consider, including the room’s size and your specific needs. We’ve been through four popular options in this article and we’re positive that at least one of these will work in your bathroom.
Remember, recessed lighting is perfect for giving you that sleek and minimalist appearance, while LED strips will bring a contemporary edge to your room.
If ceiling height is an issue in your home – these are both very good options, giving plenty of clearance for you to walk underneath.
On the other hand, if ceiling height or room size isn’t a problem, then you can create magnificent focal points and statement-making style by opting for a glamorous chandelier or pendant.
What is the most flattering light for a bathroom?
The most flattering type of bathroom ceiling lighting is one that diffuses soft lighting throughout the room, regardless of style. Warm lighting is perfect for mimicking the natural look of daylight and, therefore, will give you an enhanced glow, minimising dark shadows on your face.
A well-lit room will effortlessly enhance the overall look and feel of the room, but as well as this it provides extra practicality. That’s because you’ll be able to see vividly – great for doing make-up, hair and beauty.
Selecting the right bathroom ceiling light is essential for both function and form. Plus, when you find something that suits your bathroom’s style, it’ll enhance and delight. There are a lot of different choices to pick from when it comes to bathroom ceiling lighting ideas – from your discreet recessed spotlights all the way to show-stopping chandeliers.
Remember to always keep in mind your personal bathroom, considering ceiling height, room space and the kind of aesthetic you want.