The bathrooms in your home are there to serve many purposes, and that’s why they should have the right lighting for every task. At LightStyles, we love helping people find the perfect bathroom lighting, no matter which space they’re hoping to update — the master bathroom, the guest bath, or the powder room. Bathroom lights play such an important role in how functional and comfortable the space is, and with homeowners wanting more luxury and more elegance in their bathrooms, lighting is one of the best places to begin.

The Vanity

The vanity is often where you begin and end your day. You stand in front of the mirror, brushing your teeth, shaving, or putting on makeup. These tasks call for bright, effective lighting. The standard choice for many years has been to install a three- or four-bulb fixture above the mirror that casts light down on the vanity surface. While this can suffice, you may have found that there are often dark lines or shadows on your face, especially as you lean in close to see your reflection.

An easy solution to this problem is to replace that old vanity fixture above the mirror with wall sconces. By installing two sconces, one on either side of the mirror, you can have lighting that shines across your face, instead of from above it. This can eliminate those unwanted lines and shadows, making shaving, putting on makeup, and other daily tasks easier than ever.

For bathrooms with a double vanity, consider three sconces, with one between the two mirrors and one each on either end. This will not only create good task lighting, but can also provide ambient lighting for the entire bathroom.

The Shower

When you step into the shower each morning, you need to be able to see what you’re doing. A dimly lit shower can make it difficult to get yourself clean, while on the other hand, you don’t want lighting that’s so bright that you have to close one eye while you’re trying to wake up. Recessed fixtures that are on a dimmer can be the perfect solution, since you can set the lights where you want them before you turn on the shower. Recessed lights also eliminate the problem of having a hanging or semi-flush fixture in the shower area.

You can also add wall sconces and other accent lights to help you create an ambience that makes the space more comfortable. With the right lighting controls for each fixture, you can raise and lower the lights as necessary, depending on the season or time of day.

The Bathtub

Before you moved into your home, you may have dreamed of having a large, luxurious bathtub. Your house may not have had a tub like this, but you made it a priority to add one to the master bath as soon as you could. It had the space for you to stretch out during those long, hot soaks, and it even had jets to help soothe your tired and aching muscles. But what about the lighting above the tub?

Obviously, with tub and shower combinations, it’s tough to have lights other than the exhaust fan or recessed fixtures we mentioned above. However, if the bathtub is separate from the shower, you can possibly add a beautiful hanging fixture, such as a chandelier or pendant. A hanging light can add the perfect touch to your tub area, giving it that spa-like feel you’ve always wanted. Be sure that this light is also on a dimmer so that you can set the level where you want before you step into the tub.

The Toilet

The toilet is usually installed in close proximity to the sink or the shower, and in those cases, you may not need a separate light for this area. Although, you could add another wall sconce next to the toilet to make reading easier. This light can be on the same controls as your vanity fixtures, or you can put it on its own switch.

For toilets that are in separate water closets (as is common in many master bathroom designs), it’s imperative to have the right lighting. A single recessed light can suffice, but it might make the space feel too utilitarian. A sconce above the toilet tank can be a good choice, as long as it doesn’t create unwanted shadows when someone is using the toilet. Flush and semi-flush mounts are also good choices, as long as they are the right size for what is usually a smaller space. Above all, the water closet should be well-lit!

The Master Bathroom

We’ve covered the different areas of a bathroom and what fixtures can work for each one, but it’s also important to consider what type of bathroom you’re lighting. For the master bathroom, you’re likely going to have everything mentioned above — the double vanity, the separate shower and tub areas, and the water closet. When it comes to creating a cohesive lighting design, it’s best to start with how you can combine all three types of lighting — ambient, accent, and task lighting.

Your ambient lighting is going to come mainly from your vanity fixtures and your ceiling light. If you have a large master bathroom, it’s good to have a main ceiling fixture that can be switched on when you don’t need the vanity lights. The chandelier or pendant above the bathtub can act as your main source of ambient light, but if it’s situated in the corner of the room, another light might be necessary. The sconces next to the toilet and around the vanity will be your task and accent lighting, making the room complete in terms of illumination. You can also think about adding lighting near your base cabinets to make it easier to see during those middle-of-the-night visits to the bathroom.

The Guest Bathroom

Your home’s guest bathroom may be a full bath or a three-quarters bath. A full bath often consists of a sink, toilet, and bathtub (sometimes with a shower added to the tub), while a three-quarters bath has a sink, toilet, and shower stall. Unlike the master bath, the guest bathroom does not have a separate shower and bathtub, but the same lighting ideas still apply.

It’s likely that there’s only a single vanity in the guest bath, but you can still incorporate sconces on either side of the mirror for task and ambient lighting. For overhead lighting consider a small flush or semi-flush mount fixture. Since the square footage of the room is smaller, you may not need additional lighting over the shower or tub, but it’s still good to install an exhaust fan to promote proper ventilation and to keep the moisture in check. As with the master bath, it’s key to combine ambient, accent, and task lighting in your guest bathroom.

The Powder Room

The powder room is often found off the front hallway or entrance of your home. It’s a space that guests can duck into when they arrive to use the bathroom or check their hair, and you may use it before you head out the door in the morning or on your way to run some errands. A powder room usually consists of just a sink and a toilet, but that doesn’t mean the lighting has to be any less elegant than your master or guest bath.

A single vanity light above the sink can be a good option, since people aren’t often taking care of personal hygiene in front of the mirror. However, if guests are checking their makeup or looking at their face in the mirror, sconces can be a better choice so that there aren’t any unflattering lines or shadows. For your overhead lighting, think about adding a large drum pendant or other hanging fixture that casts light both upwards and downwards, making the space feel bigger than it actually is. You likely won’t need a light next to the toilet, but you can always add one if you feel the powder room needs more illumination.

Find Your New Bathroom Lighting Today

Whether you’re building a new home or renovating a house you’ve lived in for years, the bathrooms are likely one of the top priorities on your list. They require specific lighting solutions, which is why the team at LightStyles is here to help. You need bright lighting for daily tasks such as showering and shaving, as well as dimmable lighting for when you want the mood to be more subdued, such as when you’re taking a bath.

Our online catalog is filled with amazing bathroom light fixtures, and you can click on the buttons below to view some of the products we offer. If you live near Lake Norman, we encourage you to take the time to visit our Cornelius showroom, where you can speak with our team and work with lighting experts who can provide guidance and assistance on your new lighting project. We know that there’s a lot that goes into updating your bathroom lighting, including time, money, and energy, and that’s why we’re here to help you every step of the way.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

(704) 489-3699

Bathroom

The Vanity

The Shower

The Bathtub

The Toilet

The Master Bathroom

The Guest Bathroom

The Powder Room

Find Your New Bathroom Lighting Today

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(704) 489-3699

The Vanity

The Shower

The Bathtub

The Toilet

The Master Bathroom

The Guest Bathroom

The Powder Room

Find Your New Bathroom Lighting Today

About Us

Our Blog

Contact Us

LightStyles

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