We spend a large portion of our lives getting ready in the bathroom – having the right lighting makes all the difference. Unsure which bathroom light fixtures are best for your home? Keep reading for all our tips and tricks on choosing yours.

1. Consider Light Direction

Choose the direction of your light shades based on the type of lighting you want: ambient or accent. Ambient lighting provides a soft glow throughout your entire bathroom, while task lighting illuminates specific areas.

Upward Vanity Lighting: Upward vanity lighting is ideal for ambiance, illuminating any room with subtle radiance. This selection is great for mimicking natural light in your bathroom.

Downward Vanity Lighting: Downward-facing lights have a spotlight effect that creates focused task lighting on your vanity. This selection is ideal if your primary focus is grooming or applying makeup.

2. Select Your Light Fixtures

When selecting the best light fixture for your bathroom, consider both functionality and how each option will enhance your space’s style. Think about factors like the size of the room, your lighting needs, and your existing bathroom decor.

Vanity Light: Traditional vanity lighting provides ample illumination for daily grooming. Classic and versatile, it fits into any style bathroom. Vanity lights are installed directly above the mirror and typically include two to eight bulbs. Three-bulb selections are most common because they fit most vanity and mirror sizes.

Bath Bar: Bath bars are horizontal light fixtures with long and narrow structures. Like vanity lights, they’re usually mounted above the mirror. Bath bars are ideal for wider mirrors or bathrooms with a sleek, modern design.

Bath Sconce: Bathroom wall sconces are typically placed on both sides of the vanity mirror. They provide a soft glow that makes ideal task lighting for skincare or makeup application. Bath sconces are more decorative than other types of lighting, adding a touch of elegance to your bathroom.

Recessed Shower Lighting: Recessed shower lights are waterproof in design and typically placed directly above the shower. They are compact and unobtrusive, making them easy to add to bathrooms of any size. They provide task lighting that brightens your shower and are minimalist in design for a sleek bathroom aesthetic.

Bathroom Fan With Lights: A bathroom fan with lights is a two-in-one pick for both ventilation and illumination. These selections are compact in design and can be easily added to the ceiling of any size room. Not only do they brighten your bathroom, but the fan prevents moisture buildup that leads to mold and mildew.

Night-Light: To add additional visibility to your bathroom during the night, a night-light is just what you need. Night-lights offer a low level of lighting for gentle illumination that does not overpower the space. Night-lights are perfect for homes with children to ensure their safe navigation to the bathroom in the dark. They come in minimalist designs for adults or playful, themed options for your little one, like sports, princesses, and TV characters.

Tip!

To learn How to Install a Bathroom Light Fixture after selecting the perfect lights for your bathroom, browse our comprehensive guide.

3. Think About Size

There’s no standard rule of thumb for choosing the right size lighting for your bathroom. When it comes to lighting over the mirror, consider the size of your vanity. Installing a light that matches the scale of your vanity and mirror makes the bathroom feel balanced. For example, if you have a 60" vanity with two sinks in the middle, opt for one long bath bar 48" across, or two 24" bath bars.

For a more decorative approach, choose wall sconces instead, adding a pair to either side of the mirror. Place them at least 60" off the ground, slightly below eye level, to provide even illumination across the face without casting light directly into the eyes.

4. Choose Lightbulbs

Now that you’ve selected your bathroom lighting, consider the best bulbs for your space. There are two important lightbulb measurements to remember: kelvins and lumens. The kelvin (K) spectrum describes the color of a light. The higher the kelvins, the bluer and more cool-toned your lighting appears. Lower kelvins result in a yellower, warm-hued color.

Lumens (lm) measure a bulb’s brightness. The higher the lumens, the brighter the lights will be. To adequately light your bathroom, you need at least 70lm – 80lm per square foot.

Tip!

Check out these 12 Can't-Miss Bathroom Lighting Ideas for more inspiration.

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