30 Bathroom Lighting Ideas for Every Decorating Style

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Bathroom lighting can illuminate the darkest spaces or create a calming sparkle. Browse this collection of bathroom lighting ideas for inspiration for your room.

Find fixtures for a primary bathroom, powder room, or family bath in styles from modern to traditional.

Use lighting to make daily prep easier, add ambience and elegance, or take the place of natural light where there is none.

Crystal Chandelier

A crystal chandelier takes center stage in this luxurious primary bath, adding glamour and sparkle to the traditional decor.

The mix of glamour and traditional bathroom lighting ideas easily boosts this space from simple and serviceable to memorable and stylish.

Antique Sconces

Antique sconces hang above the oversized mirror and add unexpected flair to the light and bright bathroom.

The dark finish on the light fixtures adds weight to the room and connects to the dark legs of the chair and the cabinet hardware.

Their position above the vanity provides task lighting for makeup application and grooming.

Work of Art

The organic shape of this blown-glass light fixture is a great bathroom lighting idea for this contemporary design.

Modern spaces can be cold and full of hard edges, but the round globes on the light fixture and the hand-shaped towel hooks in this bathroom add a touch of playfulness.

For these glass sphere pendants, try 6-watt LED clear bulbs that are also dimmable in a globe shape.

Candlestick Sconces

Candlestick wall sconces, ornate details, and custom-glazed cabinets nod to French country style.

Remember that decorative fixtures are stylish bathroom lighting ideas. They’re beautiful, but they sometimes lack function.

You’ll want to ensure that you have another light source, such as an overhead fixture or recessed lighting, to provide ample illumination.

Light Tubes

Streamlined tube lights enhance this sleek bath vanity while providing soft illumination.

Install multiple light switches in the bathroom to customize the amount of light you use.

Flip one switch to turn on only the overhead lights, and flip the other switch when you need more precise lighting when getting ready.

Old-World Lanterns

The ornate styling of these iron lanterns hanging over the vanity is a bathroom lighting idea that’s a work of art.

Add the curved architecture of the ceiling and detailed craftsmanship on the vanity, and there’s no doubt that this small bathroom is fit for royalty.

Hang task lights, like bathroom pendants, 36 to 40 inches above the vanity counter to prevent unwanted shadows.

Layered Lighting

Seeing what you’re doing in a bathroom is paramount, so layering sources is an excellent bathroom lighting idea.

In this bath, the combination of overhead light from the chandelier, natural light from the windows, and light from the fixtures above the mirrors cover all lighting needs.

Colored Shades

Add colored lampshades for an easy and inexpensive bathroom lighting idea to update the space.

Dark-color shades will block a lot of light, so stick to light colors to maximize illumination.

Make sure the shades you choose can stand up to humidity and dampness.

Backlit Beauty

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

The dimensional tile behind the stand-alone tub is the same color as the onyx and reflects the light from the mirrors, adding shine to an already glamorous space to enjoy a long soak.

Add Hardworking Lighting

A pair of wall sconces illuminate a freestanding bath vanity.

Their nickel finish and white shades are harmonious with the vanity stand and faucet.

Mounting sconces directly on the wall mirror is a bathroom lighting idea that doubles their impact and offers shadow-free task lighting, making shaving and hair-drying easier.

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.

Lighting inside the shower is an upgrade that will make a big difference in your daily routine.

Install Decorative Lighting

Standout bathroom lighting ideas are usually sparked by a statement piece, like this traditional pagoda fixture.

It shines even more in a traditional space. The blue hue 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 adequate headroom.

Reflect Light with Mirrors

Make limited square footage feel larger with a big mirror.

Install sconces on the mirror to reflect light, sending it throughout the small space to brighten it up.

The sleek design of the sconces contributes to the contemporary style of the space.

Add Style with Unique Pendants

A pair of industrial pendants with mirrored shades give 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 yellow—they won’t reflect how you look outside the bathroom.

Focused Lighting

Recessed lights in a built-in vanity offer task lighting for grooming. The seamless design doesn’t detract from the beautiful custom wood cabinets.

Create optimal ambient lighting by spacing recessed downlights close enough for their light patterns to overlap.

An Outdoor Lantern Vibe

A vintage-style rustic lantern brings the outdoor vibe indoors.

Mix in other light sources, such as wall sconces and recessed lights, for a room full of light.

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.

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.

For better energy efficiency and longer life, use compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) instead of incandescent bulbs.

Note that some CFLs take about a minute to reach full brightness.

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.

Consider Nontraditional Lighting

Don’t limit yourself to sconces and pendants for bathroom lighting ideas.

Here, a pair of candlestick lamps perched on the vanity counter adds a relaxed style to a cottage bath.

If you use low lighting like this, add overhead fixtures to make the bathroom functional.

Choose Unique Fixtures

Dress up a bathroom with a contemporary light fixture.

A galvanized metal barn sconce adds industrial style to a small bath and shines a light on the rustic vanity, which warms up the cool blue walls.

Decorate with Lighting

A pretty glass pendant hangs over a sink like jewelry.

The glass shade disappears against the large mirror, giving a seamless look to the space, which is enhanced by the monochromatic cool color scheme.

Enhance Design with Sconces

Choose lighting that coordinates with the bathroom’s design.

Here, silver candlestick sconces complement the hammered-finish mirror frame and the room’s elegant style.

The detailed faucet and countertop accessories coordinate with the shine of the wall decor.

Go for Functional Design

Vanity lighting is essential in the bathroom because it affects how well you can see yourself.

If you have multiple light fixtures 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.

Consider Task Lighting

Sconces mounted at eye level on either side of the mirror provide the best functional lighting for the bathroom sink.

Other light sources in the room provide general illumination, which is needed for the overall use of the space.

Use layered lighting in the bathroom, including task, ambient, and accent lighting, to meet all functional needs.

Embellish the Shades

This bathroom lighting idea gives wall sconces a fresh look with ribbon trim and a monogram.

The black lettering pops against the white shades and ties into the mirror frame and wallpaper, creating a classic look.

Clean and Simple Bathroom Lighting Idea

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 and individual mirrors add an updated look.

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 for specific bathroom lighting ideas that cater to your daily routine needs.

Highlight Contemporary Style

A sleek horizontal sconce hung over the mirror is the finishing touch in a modern bath, emphasizing the shimmer of the taupe mosaic tiles on the wall.

Choose a bathroom light fixture at least as wide as the mirror to avoid shadows.

Layer Light

In a large bathroom, it’s important to include multiple light sources to create layers of light.

In a space filled with strong vertical and horizontal lines, simple sconces won’t interrupt the visuals at play but instead offer lighting’s main priority—function.