bathroom lighting

Leanne Robey, senior designer at Ripples, talks through achieving both style and function

The key things to consider when it comes to bathroom lights are: the style and size of fittings, how your lighting will be controlled and the layers of lighting you might like to include. If you take time to think about who will use the bathroom and how, you’ll be able to consider the various lighting options that will suit your requirements. The ideal combination is a mix of task lighting, atmospheric lighting and decorative or feature lighting to suit a range of purposes and moods. Task lighting is great for applying make-up or shaving on dark mornings, as well as ensuring your bathroom is lit enough to be thoroughly cleaned. Contrastingly, atmospheric lighting helps create a sense of calm in the evening and helps prepare the body for sleep. Decorative or feature lighting offers a chance to choose something you love, adding personality to your space. A good place to start is to assess the amount of natural

light available in your bathroom. Then your designer can suggest additional lighting options which will further enhance the room and create the atmosphere you want to achieve. At Ripples, we usually start with the task lighting as this often sits above sanitaryware and helps to bounce light around the room.

Check the IP (ingress protection) rating so that you’re sure the lighting is safe to use in a bathroom. The IP rating refers to how ‘waterproof’ the lights are, ranging from lights which can be fitted within a bath to those which only get lightly splashed now and then. Fully submersible lighting, for example marker lights along the base of a shower, will be classed as zone 0 and should be a minimum rating of IPX7. An area up to 2.25m above your bath or shower will be classed as zone 1, so is at least IP65 rated.

Instead of standard ceiling downlights, consider recessed wall or ceiling channels as these can make for an interesting and atmospheric alternative. It is often missed, but most vanity units and wall cabinets can be made with lights inside the drawers and doors which light up the items inside whenever they are opened.

You can transform a shower space by adding LED strips or marker lights to in-built storage niches, and it’s also a nice way to illuminate favourite items. Alternatively, you could opt for a shower light – an integrated unit which houses a light within the shower.

Recessed light fittings work well in the ceiling but do think about wall options, too, which can often be forgotten about. Don’t be afraid to experiment with lighting inside drawers and cupboards for a more luxurious, hotel-inspired aesthetic.