Learning CenterBathroom Lighting Design Ideas

Bathroom Lighting Design Ideas

The Ideal Bathroom Lighting Ideas for Every Style of Home

Bright bathroom with gold lighting, fixtures, and cabinet hardware

Creating the ultimate morning routine is all about designing a bathroom that combines appealing style with incredible functionality. Getting ready to take on the day is easier when you have the right bathroom light fixtures in the space’s key areas, including over the vanity, above the shower and tub, and in the water closet. Use these bathroom lighting ideas as the inspiration for your next home update. 

Bathroom Lighting Options

Give any bathroom in your home a bright update with these bathroom lighting design ideas. The key to creating a bright bathroom that’s both functional and visually appealing is adding layers of light by combining different lighting fixtures, including pendant lighting, recessed lighting, bathroom chandeliers, and more. Mixing and matching different lighting fixtures that are all within the same general design theme is the best way to create a space that looks professionally designed. Some of the most common types of bathroom lighting options include: 

Pendant Lighting

When you want the downward-facing lighting of a vanity light but with a ceiling mount, consider hanging pendant lighting above your bathroom vanities. They often showcase decorative shades, and they are ideal for bathrooms with tall ceilings. 

Bathroom Pendants

Vanity Lighting

When you think of bathroom lighting, bathroom vanity lights instantly come to mind. These linear fixtures attach to the wall above your bathroom mirror. Typically, they can feature anywhere from two to eight lights or more. Many vanity lights can be installed with the lights facing up or down, according to your design preferences. These are also the lights that help provide the illumination you need to apply makeup, wash your face, and get ready for your day.

Over the mirror vanity lights

Light-Up Bathroom Mirrors & Medicine Cabinets

Enjoy bright, even light with a modern aesthetic when you shop the selection of light-up bathroom mirrors. These mirrors feature LED lights integrated around the perimeter of the mirror, resulting in a minimalist and incredibly functional final look.  

When you want a little extra light to read a medicine label or put in your contacts, featuring a lighted medicine cabinet is a fantastic solution. These small cabinets can be mounted directly over a sink off on a side wall, depending upon the style and layout of your bathroom. 

Wall Sconce

When you need a little additional ambiance in a space, a bathroom sconce makes an ideal choice. When you put a sconce on a dimmer, it can even double as a dim night light for a bathroom.

Bathroom Wall Sconces

Bathroom Chandelier

Lounging in a tub is a great way to relax after a long day. Make the moment even more opulent by displaying a lovely bathroom chandelier over your tub. Try featuring the chandelier on a dimmer switch so you can adjust the amount of light you receive as you soak. Before you go glam with a bathroom chandelier, make sure to follow all the necessary electrical safety codes, which require chandeliers to be at least eight feet above the tub or three feet out to the side of the tub.

Over the tub bathroom chandeliers

LED Recessed Lighting

Recessed lighting is one of the most useful lighting solutions throughout the home. Not only is it unobtrusive, but LED recessed lighting is also a great way to cast an even cascade of bathroom overhead lighting. It can be especially helpful above a shower, tub, or water closet. While you’re adding recessed lighting, don’t forget about choosing bathroom exhaust fans

Get Inspired with Bathroom Lighting Ideas

Now that you understand the different types of lighting available for your bathroom design, it’s all about determining the look you’re going for. Whether you’re simply trading out a few dated light fixtures or taking on a completely fresh bathroom design, the first step in the process is choosing the design style, such as:

Modern Bathroom

Modern bathroom designs are all about clean, minimal style lines. Give it a slightly industrial vibe by showcasing black and oil-rubbed bronze finishes. When you want to introduce a touch of glam, brass, brushed nickel, and chrome lighting fixtures provide and eye-catching accents. Modern bathrooms are a great place to feature mixed-metal lighting fixtures, as well.

Black and white modern deco bathroom

Modern Farmhouse Bathroom

When modern styles don’t seem quite cozy and welcoming enough, go the modern farmhouse route. This design combines the modern style lines you love with the vintage-inspired accents of a traditional farmhouse. Metal, wood, and natural stone materials combine to create a chic space that isn’t too fussy. For this style, try featuring vanity lights with modern style lines and vintage design details. Keep a look-out for fixtures with slightly rustic finishes, such as aged brass and oil-rubbed bronze.

Coastal Bathroom

When you want every day to feel like a relaxing coastal getaway, this is the style for you. Coastal bathrooms rely on the hues you’ll find naturally along the shoreline. Try incorporating lighting fixtures with clear or frosted glass shades. You may even find some nautically influenced wall sconces and vanity lights.

Bright and airy seaside bathroom

Industrial Bathroom

Clean, minimal, and functional is the name of the game for an industrial bathroom. This look is all about bold metal details and exposed Edison bulbs. Finish the look with subway tile, metal details, and sharp style lines. Weathered finishes provide that worn-over-time look that will make any bathroom look like it could have had a previous life in an industrial warehouse.

Rustic Country Bathroom

Casually inviting, rustic country bathrooms provide a soft look. Feature floral wallpapers, warm colors, and timeless metal details. Scrolling accents and frosted, bell-shaped glass shades are just a few of the design details common with this bathroom lighting style. Some may even feature winding vine or floral accents.

Rustic country bathrooms

Mid-Century Modern Bathroom

Vintage looks are making a comeback, and when mid-century modern bathrooms are done right, they can pay a stylish tribute to the history of a home. When this minimalist, clean look is what you’re after, it’s all about the color palette. Showcase rich, warm, natural wood tones with the cabinetry. The metal accents, including the bathroom lighting, should showcase finishes from the era, such as brass. You can even make a moment of a bold, geometric wallpaper. Featuring lighting fixtures with round shades and shining metallic details is a great way to keep that mid-century look consistent. 

Art Deco Bathroom

Give your home a bright nod to 1920’s style by showcasing art deco bathroom lighting fixtures. Bold angles, tubular shapes, and metal and glass combinations make these fixtures an artistic addition to this captivating design style. 

Green and gold Art Deco bathroom

With all these bathroom lighting ideas, the key to planning your project is understanding the design style of the space and keeping within that theme. Start by choosing the bathroom light fixtures that will become the focal point of your lighting story, whether that be vanity lights, pendant lighting, or even a small chandelier. From there, look within the same lighting collection for other lights that will round out the bathroom design. Finally, make sure to feature LED recessed lighting where it is most needed.