Best Bathroom Lighting: Our Top Picks For Bathroom Bliss

Our round-up of the best bathroom lighting around right now is here to ensure your bathroom not only fulfils all the practical functions required of it on a day-to-day basis, but also that it can transform into a peaceful, spa-like retreat when needed. 

Within our best bathroom lighting guide we've included a range of fittings that can all work together as part of your lighting design scheme. Lighting is something you will need to think about early on when coming up with a new bathroom design — not only because your electrician will need to work alongside your plumber when it comes to the installation of fixtures and fittings but also because it is something that will strongly affect your bathroom renovation costs. 

From the best bathroom ceiling lights, to wall lighting and clever hidden bathroom lighting — our guide has it all. 

Best Bathroom Ceiling Light

If you are after a classic, unobtrusive bathroom ceiling light that it easy to fit and won't blow the budget then this is the one for you.

Emitting a flattering warm white light, the stylish round design, with its chrome and satin glass finish would suit both contemporary and traditional bathroom schemes.

You might also like to note that this bathroom light can also be used as a wall light.

It comes supplied with a replaceable LED bulb. 

(MORE: Best LED bulbs)

Best Bathroom Downlights

Everything you could want from a bathroom downlight — sleek, IP65 rated, fire rated and easy to fit.

Available in packs of four, six or ten, these sleek chrome bathroom downlights can be set on a dimmer switch, taking them from bright and practical to subtle and cosy. Their IP65 rating makes them suitable for Zone 0 — so above shower enclosures and baths.

They also have a long life – 25,000 hours to be precise – meaning you won't have to be teetering on a stepladder to change them for some time. 

Best Bathroom Wall Lights

A super stylish bathroom wall light that would look just as at home in a contemporary bathroom as it would in a more classic one. 

The glass shade is fluted for an elegant finish while its dimmability makes it easy to adjust its brightness according to how the bathroom is being used. 

This light looks great as part of a pair — with each fitting positioned either side of a bathroom mirror — it also sheds light well. 

Best Waterproof Strip Lights

Perfect for creating your own bathroom mood lighting and for highlighting certain features and architectural details with the room.

These waterproof LED strip lights come supplied in 3m lengths with a cutting mark every three LEDS, making it easy to customise them to suit your lighting scheme. Their self-adhesive backing makes them simple to fix anywhere — around the base of the bath, behind a mirror, within a recess in the ceiling or under shelving, for example.

You should be aware that a power adaptor is require and you will need to purchase this separately. You will also need to take care only to stick them to clean, dry surfaces to ensure good adhesion.  

Best Adjustable Bathroom Spotlight

Perfect if you want to control exactly where light is directed around your bathroom, this simple yet stylish spotlight features three spots making this kind of customisation easy. 

Three warm white energy saving 3,000K bulbs are supplied along with the fitting, each emitting 250 lumens and with a lifespan of approximately 20,000 hours.

This kind of adjustable light is particularly suitable for small bathrooms and shower rooms, highlighting individual 'zones' and increasing a sense of space.

Professional installation will ensure a quick and easy fitting job. 

Best Bathroom Lighting For Makeup

Task lighting is a key feature of good bathroom lighting design, making carrying out everyday activities a breeze — whether that is applying make up, a bit of daily grooming or seeing those hard-to-reach bits when brushing your teeth. 

This smart little wall light is ideal for positioning over your bathroom mirror, measuring 60cm in length, and emits a really pure white light.

Its IP rating makes it ideal above the sink and it can be wired into your bathroom lighting circuit so operates via a wall switch.

Bathroom Light IP Ratings

Before you begin your search for the best bathroom lighting you need to be aware of IP Ratings. 

When it comes to bathroom lighting, you need to think in Bathroom Zones. 

Zone 0 is the space inside the bath or shower itself. Light fittings used in this zone must be low voltage, (max 12v) and be rated at least IP67 (total immersion proof.)

Zone 1 is the space above the shower or bath to a height of 2.25m from the floor. Here, a minimum IP45 rating — although a IP65 is usually used as most shower lights are rated at IP65.

Zone 2 reaches 0.6m outside the bath's perimeter and 2.25m from the floor. At least IP44 is required in this zone. It makes sense to think of the area around the basin, within a 60cm radius of taps as Zone 2. 

Outside Zones Anywhere beyond Zones 0,1 and 2 and where no water jet will be employed. 

Best Bathroom Lighting: Which Should You Choose?

You should base your choice of bathroom lighting on several factors, including: 

• Which bathroom Zone you are installing the lights into
• The size of your bathroom
• Your budget
• Who will be fitting the lights
• The overall bathroom design you are aiming for

As a source of general lighting, it is hard to beat a selection of downlighters such as National Lighting's Chrome Slimline Bathroom/Shower IP65 Ceiling Lights — you can choose exactly where you fit them to ensure a good distribution of illumination and they are subtle in their design  —plus they have a Zone 1 suitable IP Rating. 

However, those after a cosy, intimate light should definitely check out Dunelm's Ripon Bathroom Wall Light Brushed Gold — perfect for injecting some character and warmth into the room.