Bathroom Lighting: The Best Bathroom Lights to Balance Practicality and Aesthetics

This blog post was updated in December 2022.

The bathroom is both a place of function and a place of relaxation, and when designing this space, it is important to consider how to balance the two. Lighting is one design element that requires careful consideration, and can often be the difference between a dark uninviting space or a bright, practical and relaxing area of your home. 

To help you get your bathroom lighting right here are some of the lights we usually recommend our clients and customers install in their bathrooms...

Different Types of Lights to Use in the Bathroom

LED Strip Lighting

Want to light up your face or highlight an aesthetic element within your bathroom? Strip lighting is the answer. Simple, affordable and extra bright, strip lighting provides that amazing glow only a fluorescent bulb can. Combine it with a softer ceiling light so you can choose between warm and cosy bath times and bright lights for makeup and skincare.

Combination Heat Lamps and Exhaust Fans

With hot summers and cool winters, we Australian's have to cope with all kinds of weather! There is no point in having a shower only to come out sweating or shivering so we recommend installing an exhaust fan, or a 3 in 1 heat lamp which includes a light, heater and fan all in one convenient product, perfect for all seasons.

Vanity Lights

The vanity is often the realm of those who love makeup (or just teens who want to inspect all the changes their faces go through!). Ensuring it is brightly lit is crucial. Vanity lights provide this, usually with a similar styling to strip lights but with more variety and often more focus on design. Combine with softer ceiling or wall lights to create a great overall look in your bathroom. 

Retro exposed bulb lighting

Want the old Hollywood look? Get the retro look with exposed filament LED bulb lighting for your vanity. 

Overhead lighting

Overhead lighting, such as oyster lights, pendant lights or chandeliers, is a must-have in any bathroom. It provides general illumination for the entire space and ensures that you have enough light for tasks such as applying makeup or shaving. When choosing overhead lighting for your bathroom, consider the size and layout of the space and select a fixture that is in proportion to the room. You may also want to choose a fixture that is moisture-resistant to ensure that it will hold up in a damp environment.

Natural Lighting

Natural lighting is a great way to bring the outdoors into your bathroom, and can help make the space feel more open and airy. Consider incorporating windows, skylights, or other natural light sources into your bathroom design to maximize the amount of natural light that enters the space. You may also want to incorporate sheer or translucent window treatments to filter the light and create a softer, more diffuse effect.

Overall, the best types of lights to use in your bathroom are a combination of overhead lighting, task lighting, accent lighting, and natural lighting. By incorporating these different types of lighting into your bathroom design, you can create a well-balanced and inviting space that is both functional and stylish.

Designing or renovating your bathroom? Discount Lighting can help! We've got the biggest range of bathroom lights in Australia!