Finding the best bathroom lighting products is about choosing lights that work on a number of different levels. As well as being safe to use in an area that's moisture-heavy, they also need to provide practical light, and might even be required to transform your bathroom into a peaceful retreat.
While that may be a lot to ask of your lighting, it's somewhat made easier by the fact that when planning your bathroom lighting, you're not just restricted to one or two lighting locations.
From ceilings to shower lights, wall lights to hidden lighting, when the best bathroom lighting is in place, it can all work together to create a layered scheme that gives you style, functionality – and sits within your budget.
The quick list
Keen to get going? Here's a brief overview of our best bathroom lighting products, and links to their full descriptions, so you start fulfilling your bathroom lighting ideas.
With an on-trend fluted glass shade, this stylish bathroom ceiling light is classically modern and won't break the bank.
Perfect for bathroom ceilings, these stylish downlights come in a pack of 4 and can be angled to help direct light.
Ideal for placing next to bathroom mirrors, these white and satin brass wall lights offer a premium look but at a mid-range price.
This stylish bathroom mirror uses diffused LED lighting around its edges to create a clever floating effect
For adding a wellness boost to your bathroom lighting, try this shower head with multicolour LED lighting.
With its rotatable middle, this light is perfect for using in bathrooms above mirrors so you can use it as task, or accent lighting
Best ceiling light
If you are after a classic, unobtrusive bathroom ceiling light that offers a flush fitting but still adds some character to your ceiling, then this is it.
With its fluted glass shade, it's perfectly matched to this year's bathroom trends and is simple enough in finish to suit a whole range of bathroom design ideas.
It doesn't come supplied with a bulb, but uses a E27 Edison Screw bulb, giving you the option to choose a warm or cool bulb to match the rest of your bathroom lighting.
With an IP23 rating, it is only suitable for use in a dry zone. Not sure what this means? Take a look at our guide to bathroom lighting zones and IP ratings so you know which lights you can use where.
Best downlights
A personal favourite of Homebuilding & Renovating's brand director, Laura Crombie, these stylish satin brass downlights are everything you could want from a bathroom downlight – sleek, tiltable and IP65 rated.
Available in packs of one, four or six, Laura recommends them not just because of how they look in her bathroom renovation, but also because they offer the ability to be angled up to 40°, meaning light can be directed where she needs it most.
Their IP65 rating makes them suitable for Zone 0 – so above shower enclosures and baths, and there is also a white version available if you prefer your lights to blend into your ceiling colour instead.
Best wall light
Another recommendation from Laura Crombie, who has a pair of these lights in her bathroom, this wall light is guaranteed to bring a touch of hotel bathroom glamour to your home.
The simple opal textured glass shades are accentuated by the brushed gold centre details, and they are also dimmable meaning you have more control over the light. They are supplied without a bulb which gives you the freedom to choose a lighting temperature to suit.
We think they'd look perfect placed either side of a mirror, bringing a warm glow to your morning or evening bathroom routine. And, if you're keen to keep a lid on your bathroom renovation costs, these certainly will fit within most budgets.
Best mirror with light
Homebuilding & Renovating's Content Editor, Megan Milstead, loved this bathroom mirror and light so much during a recent Airbnb stay, she contacted the owner when she returned to find out where it was from. It's made it onto her bathroom wishlist, and I have to admit it's now on mine too.
With the diffused LED lighting around the edge, the mirror appears to float off the wall. And, if your bathroom ventilation doesn't quite clear the steam off your mirrors, this one has a built-in demister pad that will banish moisture for good.
Touch or sensor operated, you can also change the mood of your lighting, with the option of a bright white light for a refreshing morning boost, or a warmer glow in the evening when relaxing in the bath.
Suitable for Zone 2 areas, it will also need wiring into your overall bathroom lighting scheme by a qualified electrician.
Best shower head with light
As homeowners increasingly look to bring wellness into the home sphere, this chrome temperature-sensing shower head is the perfect way to add it to your bathroom.
Offering three different colours that change according to the temperature of your shower, the lighting requires no wiring or batteries as it's purely powered by the water flowing through the shower.
Lower temperature water will create blue or green lighting, while red is reserved for warmer levels. It will also flash red when the water is too hot, helping to prevent you over-heating in the shower. It's a fun and functional addition to your bathroom lighting and personally I can't help but think it's a great way to encourage children to get in the shower!
Best above mirror light
If you're keen to avoid over-flooding your small ensuite ideas with light, looking for products that offer flexibility is always a good way of getting the best value out of your space – and budget.
It's why this rotatable LED light that can be mounted vertically or horizontally has made it into our best bathroom lighting guide. Made from water resistant aluminium with a cool white LED light in a white shade, the central section can be rotated a full 360°, giving you directional light when using the mirror, or angled towards the ceiling when you want a more ambient light that doesn't overpower.
Bulb-free, it offers over 13 years of light based on 3 hours use per day, it's also more than budget-friendly and would be perfect for any modern bathroom idea you might be looking to create.
How to choose bathroom lighting
When choosing the best bathroom lighting, while there's always the element of personal taste involved, starting with safety is always key when you're mixing water and electrics.
"Homeowners need to consider specific safety and functional factors due to the moisture and humidity present in the bathroom," advises Richard Ticehurst, group head of brand & trade marketing at Bathroom Brands Group. For reassurance that there will be no issues, he recommends only choosing lights that are rated IP44 or above, although lower ratings are suitable if the lights are placed in areas where no water will reach.
Then, once you've confirmed the lights you want are suitable, think about your overall scheme.
"Introducing lighting sources to target darker areas or highlight key fixtures in the room, such as decorative mirrors or freestanding baths, has an impact overall," says Richard. "Comfortable and inviting, warm lighting is the most popular choice for its calming and relaxing effects and its similarity to natural daylight. Dimmable lights allow control and customisation of the light intensity," he adds, "while shower niches with illuminating LED strips project a subtle, warm light to enhance the visual experience in even the darkest of rooms.
"For a traditional aesthetic, choose wall lights with ornate finishes," suggests Richards. "This timeless, elegant style can be combined with other light fittings. Wall-mounted lights placed next to or above a mirror will provide proper illumination, which is essential for tasks such as makeup application or daily grooming."
"A layered approach is key to striking the best balance," adds Mara Rypacek-Miller, founder of Industville, explaining how this is achieved by combining ambient, task, and accent lighting.
"Combining wall fixtures with LED lighting strips under shelf is a great way to create a contemporary feel but also add depth and adaptability in your bathroom," she suggests. "This blend of light sources will ensure a well-lit space for tasks like makeup application, alongside soft and ambient elements to create a serene, spa-like atmosphere."
Richard is a brand expert passionate about design, quality and performance. His background in European manufacturing, projects and retail has led to him coming a product expert in everything related to designing and creating the perfect bathroom.
How we test
Here at Homebuilding & Renovating, we like to get our hands dirty and trial as many products as possible, but in the instances where we aren’t able to, such as with the some of these best bathroom lighting recommendations, we leave no stone unturned to provide you with the crucial information you need to know before buying.
Our team is passionate about DIY and home improvement (which probably won’t be a surprise) so we already have knowledge about the brands that make these bathroom lights.
Moreover, we’ve taken user reviews into account when compiling this guide. There’s a lot to consider when choosing the best bathroom lighting, so we weigh the pros and cons of each model to help you feel confident in selecting the right products for your home.
While choosing lights for your living room is simply a case of finding ones that suit your taste, with bathrooms there are more guidelines in place. Understanding bathroom lighting regulations will help you understand what your contractors will need to do to make your bathroom safe. And, be sure to familiarise yourself with these bathroom lighting mistakes so you can avoid making them when designing your new bathroom.
