Bathroom Light Fixtures - Choosing The Best Lighting

Some people don’t put much thought into their bathroom lighting, but this can prove to be a huge mistake. If you spend any time looking in the mirror, particularly to put on makeup, style your hair, or just generally manage your appearance, then you know that lighting is key. Unflattering or poor lighting can make getting ready in the morning pretty frustrating.

However, even if you have put thought and effort into improving the lighting in your bathroom, you may just focus on the bulb (or bulbs). After all, the lumens, color, and light output are typically the most important factors. But what about the light fixtures? While many people believe that light fixtures just provide a way to hold and power light bulbs, they are actually so much more than that. Indoor light fixtures can greatly impact the aesthetic appeal of your home, as well as the way that light fills rooms throughout the house — including your bathrooms. 

But which kind of light fixtures work best in a bathroom? Should you use modern bathroom lighting or something more traditional? Do you need to use more than one kind of light fixture in a bathroom? What are some unique bathroom light fixture ideas? Finally, where can you get high quality bathroom fixtures for your own home?

In today’s guide, we will answer all of these questions and more, but first, let’s examine the best ways to light a bathroom:

What Is The Best Lighting For A Bathroom?

The best lighting for your bathroom can vary based on your specific needs. For example, if you just want to light your bathroom with the cheapest available option, you may opt for a low-watt fluorescent bulb in an easy-to-install fixture. However, this will likely not create a very nice look for your bathroom. In fact, it could look downright dreary.

For this reason, many people prefer to light their bathrooms with “vanity” lighting. This ensures that most of the bathroom is well-lit, with particular emphasis on the mirror and sink to help with tasks like putting on makeup or just getting ready in the morning. If you ask people who use mirrors for a living, like hairstylists and makeup artists, many will direct you too LED lighting that can be mounted very closely to the bathroom mirror.

Placement is very important, as the light needs to be able to light you evenly from virtually every angle. Though not a good option for everyone, many consumers like to take advantage of natural light from a bathroom window. If your interior lighting does not do enough to light the entirety of your bathroom, allowing exterior daylight to help out can ensure that your bathroom remains cheery and bright. Fortunately, even if you don’t have access to natural light, you can still light your bathroom with the right kind of bulbs and fixtures. To imitate the look of natural light, it is best to opt for LED light fixtures with soft or colorless bulbs.

However, this is where both professionals and consumers differ in their personal preferences. For example, one of the best ways to produce bright, clear light in your bathroom is to use LED white light, ideally with a high CRI (Color Rendering Index). A soft white is best if you want to see your face as clearly as possible in the mirror. That said, other consumers may prefer an even softer, warmer color that helps reduce the risk of using overly clear light that can mimic the look of a grocery store or hospital. Fortunately, as long as you choose bulbs below 4000K on the light color scale, you can be reasonably sure that your bathroom will have a soft, pleasant glow.

The challenges of bathroom lighting can also vary based on the layout of your bathroom. For instance, if you have a relatively small, compact bathroom, you can probably get by with just an overhead light fixture. You may not need vanity lights. Alternatively, if your bathroom is a bit larger or you simply want better lighting for your face, you may want strong vanity lights combined with modern bathroom light fixtures on the ceiling.

Bathroom Vanity Lights

Vanity lights are some of the most popular choices for bathrooms, as they are more appealing to look at and provide greater visibility when you’re standing directly in front of the mirror. Plus, there are dozens of different layouts and styles when it comes to modern vanity lighting. You can install lights over your mirror, vanity bars, and globe vanity light designs (just to name a few).

However, keep in mind that vanity lights may not be enough to light an entire bathroom on their own. While you might get great clarity and visibility at the sink, you may not get the same experience in the shower or in a different section of a larger bathroom. For this reason, many people combine vanity lights with overhead lights or even bathroom sconces. Combining more than one light fixture in different parts of the bathroom (wall, vanity, and ceiling) can ensure that you have a well-lit bathroom that fulfills all of your needs.

Bathroom Sconces

Bathroom sconces are extremely versatile, as they can be used to light virtually any part of your bathroom. You can install these bathroom wall lights around the mirror, around the door, or even closer to your shower or toilet. The truth is that you are only limited by the electrical wiring of your home.

That said, traditional wall sconces are generally placed near the vanity. For example, if you have a his and hers vanity, you might use bathroom sconces on either side of the mirrors. This will generally provide ample light for the entire bathroom, though you can always supplement these light sources with an overhead light.

Another benefit of wall sconces are the huge number of designs. From hanging light fixtures to traditional torch sconces, there are plenty of ways to customize your bathroom with these fixtures. Just make sure that your sconces fit the aesthetic of your bathroom and your home before you make a purchase!

Bathroom Ceiling Lights

If you haven’t already guessed it, bathroom ceiling light fixtures offer a very easy way to illuminate your entire bathroom. Having a light overhead (ideally in the center of your bathroom) ensures that you can see just about every nook and cranny around you. Additionally, light fixtures mounted on your ceiling are often relatively easy to install. However, you may not find as much variation in the available designs and styles.

Moreover, ceiling lights do not always provide the best illumination when you’re using the bathroom mirror. When applying makeup or doing other daily routines, you will almost certainly find that an overhead bathroom light creates shadows on your face. This can make it harder to notice smaller details. Consequently, if you want to get the most out of your bathroom lighting, you should consider both an overhead light and some kind of vanity light or wall sconce near your mirror.

We hope you found this guide on bathroom light fixtures both fun and informative! Are you interested in learning more about the best bathroom light fixtures for your home? Are you ready to purchase high-quality fixtures and bulbs at affordable prices? If so, be sure to check out the products available at Bulb Center today!