Bathroom Lighting Ideas

February 19, 2016
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Add Hardworking 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.

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Use Ceiling-Mount Fixtures

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

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.

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Reflect Light with Mirrors

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

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.

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Focused Lighting

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

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

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.

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Boost Style with Traditional Sconces

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

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.

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Consider Nontraditional 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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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Clean and Simple Lighting Design

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

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.