15 Bathroom Lighting Ideas to Create the Coziest Ambiance Ever (It’s Like a Spa Oasis!)
While a bathroom is primarily a functional space, it’s also a great place to show off your decor. To echo the styling of the rest of your home and to create a consistent look throughout, choosing lighting that fits the vibe is key.
When considering what kind of lighting you need in a bathroom, think about your individual needs. Will an overhead light illuminate every nook and cranny, making it easier to find what you need? Perhaps a multi-light vanity light will help you put on your makeup flawlessly. And don’t forget to have some fun with your bathroom lighting ideas, too — we’re looking at you, neon!
Designer Rosanna Bassford, principal and founder of Memmo Interiors, says that to create an ideal lighting formula in the bathroom, you need multiple layered sources of light. For instance, a ceiling light will provide overall ambient lighting in the bathroom, and adding a vanity light will offer more direct task lighting when you’re standing in front of the mirror.
Speaking of vanity lighting, Bassford says, “It’s ideal to place it at face level, evenly on the left and right of the mirror rather than up high over the mirror. That way, the lighting on your face is even and well-balanced. Lighting up high can cast shadows that can make it hard to see.” That doesn’t mean you need to skip vanity lighting over the mirror, though — if you think it works for you, you can opt for it along with sconces on either side.
When shopping for bathroom lights, consider the following: the type of fixture (for instance, while a ceiling light will provide overall light, a sconce or two can offer bonus task lighting); the color temperature (warm white will make things look nice and cozy while neutral light acts as functional lighting); and make sure everything is rated for bathrooms. That means they need to be geared toward damp or wet locations. Also, do you want your lighting to be dimmable? And how comfortable are you with the process for installing the light?
Once you work your way through these considerations, it’s time to find bathroom lighting that matches your style. For starters, get inspired by these 15 bathroom lighting ideas.
1. Match your lighting.
Mixing it up when it comes to metals and lighting fixtures is all the rage these days, but there’s something about matching your bathroom lighting that creates an even more cohesive look. That’s what Megan McCluskie and her husband, Gareth, did in their U.K. bath, where the glass globe pendant matches the globe sconces.
Buy: Glass Globe Pole Pendant, $229 – $279 at Pottery Barn
2. Get a statement-making flush mount.
You may think that flush mount lights, which hold tight to the ceiling, are mostly streamlined and nondescript, but you can find ones that stand out all on their own. Go for a bright metallic finish and a globe-style light bulb, as seen in this modern-meets-classic bathroom belonging to Ericka Hart and partner Ebony Donnley.
Buy: Crawford 14″ Flush Mount, $369 at Rejuvenation
3. Opt for a sconce with a shade.
Who says that sconces can’t have their very own lampshades? It makes them look more stylish and kind of adorable, as seen in this bathroom owned by Claire Champion.
Buy: Vintage Wall Sconce with Black Pleated Ceramic Lampshade, $49.99 at Amazon
4. Go for the globe (vanity light).
A globe-style vanity light is great for adding those mid-century modern vibes, making any bathroom, whether it’s leaning into that aesthetic or begging for contrast, look a lot cooler. If you find a small enough vanity light, the globes can even be partnered with a teeny-tiny mirror and vanity, which is proven through Fernanda Clark‘s lighting choice.
Buy: Childerley 3 Light Dimmable Vanity Light, $115 at AllModern
5. Or double up.
If you don’t have enough space for an entire globe-style vanity light, or you just prefer to keep things simple, choose a sconce that features two (or more) globe bulbs to provide ample light for your vanity and to create visual interest. You can spot one in Cass Danson’s groovy bathroom.
Buy: Alloway 19″ Triple Linear Sconce, $549 at Visual Comfort
6. Hang a backlit mirror.
News flash: You don’t have to pick an actual light fixture to illuminate your bathroom. Instead, you can do as Casey Rogers and Juan Esteves did in their bathroom, and hang a backlit mirror. It puts out a cool, modern glow, it saves space if you can’t squeeze in an extra fixture, and the best part? It’s a lot easier to install than a light, and it’s renter-friendly, too!
Buy: Kave Flat Wall Mirror, $329 at Wayfair
7. Lean toward unexpected materials.
While metal and glass tend to be tried-and-true materials for light fixtures, nowadays you can find lights in all types of materials to liven up your bathroom. For instance, if you’re going for a cottage or coastal look in your bath, look to wicker for visual appeal, something that Natalie Paquin did in her bathroom.
Buy: Flynn Sconce, $278 at Serena & Lily
8. Rattan is always a good choice.
Speaking of materials: For a boho ambiance, you can’t go wrong with rattan, whether it’s in your bathroom or anywhere else. Pick a pendant to add flair to your bathroom, which is what Fija did in her bathroom, or even an entire chandelier in rattan to really drive the boho vibes home. Need a quick and renter-friendly take on this? Place a rattan shade over an existing light in your bathroom.
Buy: KAPPELAND Pendant Lamp Shade, $49.99 at IKEA
9. Gravitate toward a little glamor.
For the ultimate in vanity lights, consider going old-school. Back in the day, exposed bulbs on strips of metal lined vanity mirrors, offering tons of light (to put on your makeup perfectly) and a bit of a glamorous look. You can still buy those vanity lights today, as seen in this bathroom belonging to photographer Jacqueline Clair.
Buy: Naber 6 Light Dimmable Vanity Light, $56.22 at Wayfair
10. Consider an adhesive puck light (or two).
As a renter, you may be limited in what you can accomplish with your bathroom lighting. If you need just a little more light, or if you could install a new fixture but your electrical skills aren’t up to par, think about an adhesive puck light. These days, they look pretty sleek and modern, as seen in Maite Borén and Genís Fernandez’s bathroom, and can be put up with ease. But keep in mind that when you remove a puck light, some stickiness may be left behind, though you can remove that with Goo Gone or rubbing alcohol.
Buy: GE Tap Light Battery Operated, $13.30 at Amazon
11. Look for linear lights.
To keep your bathroom looking streamlined and polished, seek out lighting with linear detailing. For example, in Chloe Griffin’s bathroom, a linear sconce above the vanity is all it needs, reinforcing the minimalist appearance of the space.
Buy: Cooper Double Tube Sconce, $199 at Pottery Barn
12. Make it neon.
Okay, so a neon light isn’t practical for, say, putting on your makeup or doing your hair, but as an accent light, it’s pretty darn amazing. To add supercool atmosphere to a bathroom, make like Shiva Farrokhi and add a neon light to your bathroom in your preferred hue by hanging it, leaning it, or choosing a stand-alone fixture.
Buy: HAY Neon LED Tube Light, $45 at MoMA Design Store
13. Ponder a black pendant.
Whether your bathroom is a modern farmhouse masterpiece or needs an industrial touch, a black metal pendant light is always the way to go. In this bathroom designed by Rowan and Tim Giles, a black pendant light matches impeccably with the black tiles and bathtub.
Buy: Carson 12″ Cord Pendant, $249 – $299 at Rejuvenation
14. Embrace traditional details.
To make your bathroom look as unfussy and classic as possible, think “timeless” when it comes to your lighting. For example, a double sconce in brass with two shades invites the eye to linger just long enough without being overpowering, which Ellen Mallernee did with this bath.
Buy: Roan 2 Light Dimmable Armed Sconce, $169 at Birch Lane
15. Be fancy.
Your bathroom is a place where you should feel your very best, which is great when people bring special or even fancy accents into this space. Crystal, or just glass in general, is always an ideal choice — Nathalie Darilek wasn’t shy about going glam in her bathroom.
Buy: Vintage Bronze Wall Sconce, $65 at Amazon