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  5. Bathroom Lighting Ideas

Bathroom Lighting Ideas

Caitlin Sole headshot
By Caitlin Sole February 19, 2016
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Bathroom Lighting
Bathroom lighting can illuminate the darkest spaces or add a subtle, calming sparkle. Browse this collection of ideas for inspiration for your own room.
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Crystal Chandelier

bathroom

Crystal Sconces

In this luxurious bathroom, a crystal chandelier takes center stage, adding glamour and sparkle to the traditional decor.

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Antique Sconces

Bathroom

Antique sconces hang above the oversize mirror and add unexpected flair to the light and bright bathroom. The dark finish on the light fixtures adds weight to the room and helps unify the dark legs of the chair and the cabinet hardware. Their position above the vanity also provides task lighting for makeup application and grooming.

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Work of Art

Bathroom Lighting

The organic shape of this blown-glass light fixture works well in the contemporary-style bathroom. Modern spaces can feel cold and be full of hard edges, but the round globes on the light fixture and the hand-shape towel hooks in this bathroom add a touch of playfulness.

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Candlestick Sconces

bathroom

Candlestick wall sconces, ornate details, and custom-glazed cabinets are a nod to country French style. Keep in mind that decorative fixtures add flair, but you'll want to ensure that you have another source of light, such as an overhead fixture or recessed lighting, to provide ample illumination for applying makeup and grooming.

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Light Tubes

bathroom

Streamlined tube lights enhance this sleek bath vanity while providing soft light. Try multiple light switches in the bathroom so you can customize the amount of light. Flip one switch to turn on only the overhead lights, and flip the other switch when you need more precise lighting at the vanity.

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Old-World Lanterns

Ornate vanity with 2 pendant lights

The ornate styling of these iron lanterns hanging over the vanity is a work of art. Add the curved architecture of the ceiling and detailed craftsmanship on the vanity and there's no doubt: This small bathroom is fit for royalty.

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Layered Lighting

bathroom

Lighting in a bathroom is paramount, so layering the types of light produces the best results. In this bath, the combination of overhead light from the chandelier, natural light from the windows, and light from the fixtures above the mirrors covers all of the lighting needs.

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Colored Shades

Bathroom

Add color with the lampshades in your bathroom for an easy and inexpensive way to update the space. Dark-color shades will block a lot of light, so stick to light colors to maximize illumination.

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Backlit Beauty

White tub w/ floor faucet

A large mirror framed in onyx is lit from behind, casting a warm glow on the opulent primary bathroom.

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Add Hardworking Lighting

Bathroom Lighting

A pair of wall sconces illuminates a freestanding bath vanity. Their nickel finish and white shades complement the vanity stand and faucet. Mounting bathroom sconces directly on the wall mirror doubles their impact and offers shadow-free task lighting for grooming.

  • Get tips for a bathroom remodel with our FREE planning guide!

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Use Ceiling-Mount Fixtures

Bathroom Lighting

Light a walk-in shower with ceiling-mount fixtures -- made for a wet location -- for soft directional lighting. The flush design keeps them from competing with the streamlined style of the shower stall.

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Install Decorative Lighting

Bathroom Lighting

Make a statement in a traditional space with unique bathroom lighting. The blue hue of the traditional pagoda fixture complements the wall color.

Overhead bathroom lighting like this provides general or ambient light. Make sure the bottom of the fixture is at least 7 feet above the floor to leave enough headroom.

  • Get tips for creating a bathroom with the best light.

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Reflect Light with Mirrors

Bathroom Lighting

Make a small bath feel larger with a large mirror. Install sconces on the mirror to reflect light. The sleek design of the sconces contributes to the contemporary style of the space.

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Trend Spotting: Lighting

See some of the biggest trends in lighting for the home and get inspiration for your bathroom lighting!

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Add Style with Unique Pendants

Bathroom Lighting

A pair of industrial pendants with mirrored shades gives a bath a custom look.

Be sure to select bulbs designed for vanity illumination. They generate light in the daylight spectrum. Avoid bulbs that are too white or too yellow -- they won't reflect how you look outside the bathroom.

  • SHOP for beautiful bathroom light fixtures.

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Focused Lighting

cabinets

Recessed lights in a built-in vanity offer task lighting for grooming. The seamless design doesn't detract from the beautiful built-in wood cabinets. For the best ambient lighting, recessed downlights should be spaced close enough together for their light patterns to overlap.

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Add a Rustic Accent

101957197

Add a metal vintage-style lantern as a rustic lighting accent in the bathroom. Mix in other sources of light, such as wall sconces and recessed lights, for a room full of light.

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Include Task Lighting

Bathroom Lighting

An elegant hanging fixture elevates the style of a well-appointed bathroom. The black shades complement the black cabinets. A pair of sconces over the vanity offers task lighting.

  • Browse dozens of other bathrooms we love.

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Boost Style with Traditional Sconces

Bathroom Lighting

A trio of sconces over a double vanity enhances the design of a classic cottage bathroom. Matching shades soften the glare.

If the fixture normally takes an incandescent bulb, replace the bulb with a compact fluorescent lightbulb (CFL) for greater energy efficiency and longer life. Remember that when you flip the light switch, some CFLs require about a minute to reach full brightness.

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Make the Most of Natural Light

Bathroom Lighting

Large windows fill the bathroom with natural light. A Moravian star pendant light over the freestanding tub is primarily decorative in this bathroom. Connect the light to a dimmer switch to create a relaxing mood.

  • See the rest of this beautiful bathroom makeover.

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Consider Nontraditional Lighting

Bathroom Lighting

Don't limit yourself to sconces and pendants when choosing bathroom lighting. Here, a pair of candlestick lamps perched on the vanity counter adds relaxed style to a cottage bath.

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Choose Unique Fixtures

Bathroom Lighting

Dress up a bathroom with a contemporary light fixture. A galvanized-metal barn sconce adds industrial style in a small bath and shines light on the rustic vanity.

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Decorate with Lighting

Bathroom Lighting

A pretty glass pendant hangs over a sink like jewelry. The glass shade disappears against the large mirror.

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Enhance Design with Sconces

Bathroom Lighting

Choose lighting that coordinates with the bathroom's design. Silver candlestick sconces complement the hammered-finish mirror frame and the room's elegant style.

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Go for Functional Design

Bathroom Lighting

Vanity lighting is the most important lighting in the bathroom because it affects how well you can see yourself. If you have a multilight fixture over the mirror, the light should spread evenly over a 24-inch-wide area to illuminate your face without casting shadows under your eyes or chin.

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Consider Task Lighting

Bathroom Lighting

Sconces hung at eye level on each side of the mirror are ideal for grooming. Other light sources in the room only provide general illumination.

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Embellish the Shades

Bathroom Lighting

Give wall sconces a fresh look with ribbon trim and a monogram. The black monograms pop against the white shades and tie into the mirror frame and wallpaper, creating a modern lighting look.

  • Before you begin a bathroom remodel, download our free planning guide!

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Clean and Simple Lighting Design

Bathroom Lighting

Unobtrusive can lights let the rest of the bath fixtures stand out. Your bathroom mirror serves as a primary grooming center. Recessed lights over the vanity ensure lighting is even and shadow-free.

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Classic Lighting Style

Bathroom Lighting

Simple sconces enhance a beautiful white bathroom. A ceiling-mount fixture and a window provide general illumination in the space. If you're remodeling your bathroom, consult an interior designer with expertise in bathroom lighting to help you develop a lighting plan that's both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

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Highlight Contemporary Style

Bathroom Lighting

A sleek horizontal sconce hung over the mirror is the finishing touch in a modern bath. Choose a bathroom light fixture that's at least as wide as the mirror to avoid shadows.

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Layer Light

Bathroom Lighting

In a large bathroom, it's important to include multiple light sources to create layers of light. Sconces beside the mirrors offer task lighting for grooming. Overhead lights fill the space with ambient light, and windows add natural light.

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By Caitlin Sole

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    View All

    1 of 31 Crystal Chandelier
    2 of 31 Antique Sconces
    3 of 31 Work of Art
    4 of 31 Candlestick Sconces
    5 of 31 Light Tubes
    6 of 31 Old-World Lanterns
    7 of 31 Layered Lighting
    8 of 31 Colored Shades
    9 of 31 Backlit Beauty
    10 of 31 Add Hardworking Lighting
    11 of 31 Use Ceiling-Mount Fixtures
    12 of 31 Install Decorative Lighting
    13 of 31 Reflect Light with Mirrors
    14 of 31 Trend Spotting: Lighting
    15 of 31 Add Style with Unique Pendants
    16 of 31 Focused Lighting
    17 of 31 Add a Rustic Accent
    18 of 31 Include Task Lighting
    19 of 31 Boost Style with Traditional Sconces
    20 of 31 Make the Most of Natural Light
    21 of 31 Consider Nontraditional Lighting
    22 of 31 Choose Unique Fixtures
    23 of 31 Decorate with Lighting
    24 of 31 Enhance Design with Sconces
    25 of 31 Go for Functional Design
    26 of 31 Consider Task Lighting
    27 of 31 Embellish the Shades
    28 of 31 Clean and Simple Lighting Design
    29 of 31 Classic Lighting Style
    30 of 31 Highlight Contemporary Style
    31 of 31 Layer Light

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