How to choose the right bathroom lighting?
What could be better than taking a bath or a shower in a space bathed in soft, relaxing light? Choosing the right bathroom lighting deserves careful consideration. From illuminated mirrors to ceiling lights, follow Vente-unique's advice to find the light fixtures that will perfectly meet your needs!
Why is bathroom lighting so important?
Because you spend a lot of time in the bathroom, proper lighting is essential for several reasons. First of all, it provides good visibility when grooming—such as applying makeup, shaving, or doing facial skincare routines. Secondly, it creates an atmosphere conducive to rest and relaxation, as soft, dimmed light delivers an immediate sensation of well-being. Finally, and most importantly, it ensures your safety; suitable fixtures eliminate the risk of electric shocks.
- Our tip: Choose your bathroom lamps based on different zones to maximise both your comfort and safety.
A closer look at the different types of light fixtures to choose for your bathroom
At Vente-unique, we advise installing three light sources to properly equip your wet room. To brighten the entire room, prioritise general lighting. If you prefer to see clearly when looking at your reflection, functional lighting will suit you best. Finally, if you want to distill a soothing and laid-back atmosphere, mood lighting is made for you!
General bathroom lighting
The role of a main washroom light fixture is to ensure comprehensive, even illumination into every single corner.
- Good to know: We recommend choosing a bathroom lamp that provides 100 lumens/m² for a dimmed atmosphere. For a brighter setting, opt for 300 lumens/m² lighting.
Ceiling lights and pendants
Lights installed directly onto the bathroom ceiling are called ceiling lights. They allow light to diffuse harmoniously and act as the main lighting for the room. Depending on your preferences, you can also opt for a hanging pendant light.
Recessed spotlights
A recessed spotlight is a light fixture mounted into the surface of the ceiling. It can be fixed, adjustable, round, or square. Embedded bathroom fixtures are powered by either 230V or 12V.
Surface-mounted wall lights
Fixing this type of bathroom light is done directly on the surface (unlike recessed installation). Depending on how they are positioned, surface-mounted wall lights can illuminate directly or indirectly. Their main characteristic is emitting a beautiful, diffuse light.
Strip lights
These small-sized bathroom fixtures are installed right above the basin, sink, or mirror. Strip lights serve to illuminate your bathroom with complete discretion—in fact, they remain virtually invisible! To turn them on, a simple switch or socket is all it takes.
- Our advice: Avoid installing a single light point right in the centre of the room, as this risks creating harsh shadow zones.
Practical and functional lighting
Functional lighting in a bathroom is designed to illuminate the available space all around the washbasin. It helps eliminate unwanted shadows on your face.
Adjustable spotlights
Install these highly practical bathroom lights above your mirror. Make sure to fix them at the right height—neither too high nor too low, which can cause shadows to appear.
- Our advice: Angle your spotlights towards the wall rather than straight down to avoid aggressive, blinding glare.
Wall lamps
If you are looking for an alternative to adjustable spotlights, wall lamps will win you over. These bathroom lights mount directly above or even on the mirror, according to your preference.
- Good to know: Privilege a neutral white light (between 3,500K and 4,500K) to get a natural look in the room that perfectly matches daylight.
Bathroom mood lighting
There is nothing quite like dimmed lighting to enjoy a hot bath after a long day! Follow our tips to create a soothing atmosphere:
- Fix IP65 LED strips to integrate them directly into your bathroom's wall tiling;
- Install RGB LED spotlights designed to vary the lighting colours;
- Opt for wall-mounted bathroom lamps that offer indirect light;
- Try out flexible bathroom neon lighting for a distinctively contemporary touch;
- Prioritise smart bulbs, controllable remotely via a remote control or smartphone, to completely metamorphose your bathroom's mood;
- Fall for a light-up shower head that diffuses playful color cycles for a disco-version shower.
The illuminated bathroom mirror
Choose it round, square, oval, rectangular, or with a trendy organic shape, complete with an integrated dimmer switch. For the finishes of your illuminated mirror, opt for bevelled edges, with or without patterns.
Choice criteria for appropriate bathroom lighting
To correctly choose your bathroom lighting, keep several detailed criteria in mind:
Luminous power and colour temperature
The luminous power of a bathroom light is expressed in lumens. For a ceiling light, opt for a power output between 2,000 and 3,000 lumens, depending on the size of your washroom. The more spacious your bathroom, the higher the power should be. When looking at functional bathroom lamps, it is better to provide a light output between 500 and 1,000 lumens. This eliminates shadow zones around the mirror and guarantees precision for your daily routines.
Colour temperature directly impacts the room's atmosphere as well as the rendering of colours on your skin:
- Warm white (2,700K to 3,000K): Ideal for a relaxing ambiance. This colour is highly favoured around baths and relaxation zones.
- Neutral white (4,000K): Perfect for mirror lighting. It strikes the ideal balance between comfort and great visibility.
- Cool white (5,000K - 6,500K): Not recommended in bathrooms, as it brings an overly clinical hue.
Ingress Protection (IP) rating
The IP rating is a mandatory safety criterion in humid environments. Here is what you need to know for each zone:
- IP44: Suitable for zones further away from the shower and sink, such as ceiling lights and wall lamps located out of reach of direct water splashes.
- IP65: Recommended for zones close to water splashes, such as the inside of a shower or right around a bathtub.
- IP67 and above: Advised for spaces exposed to temporary immersion, like the base of walls near a built-in bathtub.
- Good to know: The IP rating is a certified guarantee of protection against electrical hazards.
Design and fixture materials
In addition to being practical, your bathroom light fixture should seamlessly blend into your decoration. Prioritise premium materials like chrome for an elegant, modern finish; treated glass for wall lamps with soft light; moisture-compatible stainless steel; and high-quality plastic for LED lamps.
Standards and regulations for bathroom lighting
The choice and installation of a bathroom light must comply with current regulations.
The NF C 15‑100 standard
In France, the NF C 15‑100 standard regulates electrical installations in wet rooms, particularly bathrooms. It divides the bathroom into several volumes (0, 1, 2, and 3) based on proximity to water sources. Each volume imposes specific requirements you must respect for your lighting:
- Volume 0: Corresponds to the inside of the bathtub or shower tray. Only low-voltage fixtures (12V) with a minimum IPX7 rating are allowed here.
- Volume 1: Located directly above the bathtub or shower, a fixture with a minimum IP65 rating is required.
- Volume 2: Represents the zone immediately next to the bathtub or washbasin, where an IP44 rating is sufficient.
- Volume 3: Defines a zone further away, less subject to moisture, allowing for greater flexibility in terms of protection.
Installation height of fixtures
Installation height plays an important role in guaranteeing optimal light distribution and safety in your bathroom. For ceiling lights, ideally place them at a minimum height of 2.25 m to ensure good general lighting. As for wall lamps, position them at eye level (around 1.60 m) to prevent shadows on your face. Finally, for pendant lights fixed above the sink, ensure you maintain a minimum distance of 60 cm from the water source.
Protection classes for bathroom lighting
Bathroom fixtures are classified according to their electrical safety. Class I includes bathroom lights with a mandatory earth connection. We speak of Class II for bathroom lighting featuring double isolation, which can be used without an earth connection. Finally, low-voltage (12V) bathroom lamps, which are highly recommended in sensitive zones, are categorized under Class III.
Your bathroom lighting is just as important as the accessories that compose it—it considerably enhances the experience you have in this room. By following these practical and aesthetic tips, you will start your days on the right foot and end them completely relaxed!
