Bathroom lighting: lighting mood combined with function
The bathroom is a retreat where the day begins and often ends. Gentle light in the morning helps you to wake up slowly, while targeted lighting provides clarity when shaving or applying make-up. In the evening, warm white light creates a relaxed feel-good atmosphere in the bathroom. The right bathroom lighting helps this room fulfil its versatile role in everyday life, whether it's for practical requirements or to create a pleasant atmosphere.
Modern lighting solutions combine function with aesthetics. It's not just about brightness, but also about light colour, design and the targeted placement of the lights. If you illuminate your bathroom in a targeted way, you can create a cosy ambience while you take a comfortable bath.
Versatile bathroom lamps for all areas of the bathroom
Each zone in the bathroom has different lighting requirements. While uniform and glare-free illumination is crucial above the washbasin, the ceiling lighting may appear somewhat brighter. In other areas, however, such as above the bathtub or along the walls, an atmospheric lighting solution is ideal. The choice of the right bathroom lamp depends not only on the room layout, but also on the available daylight or its absence.
A targeted combination of different light sources is particularly important in windowless bathrooms. Here, artificial light completely replaces daylight. Lights with a cool white light colour can make the room appear fresh and clear, while additional indirect light sources create a homely ambience. In bathrooms with windows, a brighter ceiling light is often sufficient as basic lighting, supplemented by targeted Akzentlicht.
The design options are also diverse: whether simple recessed lights, modern LED panels or eye-catching wall lights in black or chrome, there are suitable solutions for every style and room size. Especially in small bathrooms with little space, space-saving, flat lights can be skilfully integrated without losing any of their lighting quality. If you rely on well thought-out lighting design, you can create a bathroom that is both functional and creates a pleasant feeling of space.
The perfect lamp for bathrooms: ceiling lighting as the basis
The ceiling lighting forms the basis for a harmonious lighting concept in the bathroom. It ensures uniform illumination of the entire room and provides orientation, whether entering in the morning or going to bed in the evening. In windowless bathrooms, it is indispensable for illuminating the room completely and without shadow areas. A bright or cool white light colour can simulate natural daylight and create a fresh feeling in the room. A basic brightness of 100-150 lm/m² is often recommended. This provides sufficient orientation and at the same time covers safety aspects.
Flat LED ceiling lights have proved particularly popular. They impress with their high light output, low energy consumption and durable technology. In larger or angled bathrooms, several light sources can be combined, for example through the interplay of a central ceiling light and additional recessed spotlights. This creates a uniform light distribution that also reaches darker corners of the room.
For more comfort in everyday life, dimmable models are available that can be continuously adjusted to the desired lighting mood - bright light to wake you up, dimmed light for relaxing moments in the evening. Smart controllable lights, for example via app or voice assistant, are also becoming increasingly important. This allows the light to be flexibly adapted to the time of day, activity and personal preferences, an asset for any modern bathroom.
Wall lights and mirror lights: Light for the mirror area
The mirror area is one of the most frequently used zones in the bathroom. Shaving, applying make-up, brushing teeth or skincare all require precise and well-coordinated lighting. Wall lights or specially designed mirror lights provide exactly the light needed for these activities: uniform, glare-free and with as few shadows as possible. Above all, it is important that the light does not only come from above, but ideally from both sides.
A frequently chosen solution is the combination of mirror and integrated LED lighting. This ensures a clear, uniform light image and has a particularly tidy appearance. Alternatively, separate wall lights can be attached to the side or above the mirror, which opens up additional design freedom. Models with a cool white light colour are particularly suitable for this area, as they reproduce natural daylight as realistically as possible. An advantage for applications such as make-up or skin care.
Design can also play an important role in the mirror sector. Mirror lights in chrome or with satinised glass covers blend harmoniously into modern bathroom designs. In combination with a suitable light switch or sensor, convenience and functionality can be further enhanced. This makes the daily look in the mirror not only practical, but also stylish.
Bathroom lighting around the shower and bath
Special lighting requirements apply in the shower and bath area. It is not only a pleasant lighting effect that is important here, but above all safety. Lights in the immediate vicinity of water must have a suitable IP code in order to be protected against splash water and moisture. Models with at least IPX4 are required for lights in the area directly above the shower or bath (zone 1); at least IPX7 is required in the bath or shower itself (zone 0). Even higher IP codes depending on the installation location.
According to DIN VDE 0100-701:2008-10, the following IP requirements apply: Protection zone 0 (within a tray or platform) requires at least IP67; protection zone 1 (up to 2.25 m high) IP65 with safety extra-low voltage ≤ 12 V; IP44 is required from 60 cm around the bath/shower and above (protection zone 2).
LED recessed spotlights or flat ceiling lights are ideal for these zones. They can be integrated unobtrusively into ceilings or wall surfaces and still provide bright, clear light. If you prefer a softer lighting effect, you can create a pleasantly calm atmosphere with warm white light and a slightly diffuse cover. This creates a lighting effect around the bathtub that promotes relaxation without sacrificing functionality.
In larger bathrooms or modern wellness bathrooms, lighting is often used specifically to emphasise the design of the wet areas. Indirect light along the ceiling or behind panelling provides soft accents. In small bathrooms, on the other hand, it is important to have compact lights that are suitable for damp rooms and provide sufficient light even where space is limited. If you pay attention to the right IP code, suitable light colour and well thought-out placement, you can combine safety and comfort in a stylish way.
Modern bathroom lights for atmospheric accents
In addition to functional lighting for everyday use, atmospheric lighting in the bathroom is becoming increasingly important. Modern bathroom lights can be used to create targeted lighting accents that give the room a cosy, almost wellness-like atmosphere. Especially in the evening hours, indirect light along the wall, behind furniture or on the ceiling creates a pleasant ambience for relaxing, ideal after a long day or for a quiet bath.
Such lighting concepts can also be used specifically in windowless bathrooms to compensate for the lack of daylight. Lights with adjustable colour temperature make it possible to switch between cool and warm light depending on the time of day and mood. In the morning, cool white light provides energy, while in the evening a warm white light allows you to relax.
Tech-savvy users are increasingly opting for smart controllable lights that can be controlled by app or voice command. Smart lights with Bluetooth, ZigBee or WLAN control allow colour change, dimming and scenarios via app or voice assistant. A perfect addition for flexible daylight and wellness modes.
Dimming functions, time control or customised lighting scenarios help to turn the bathroom into a feel-good space that can be used flexibly. Whether discreet lines of light, decorative wall lamps or creative combinations of different light sources, modern bathroom lighting today offers far more than pure practicality. It helps to customise the bathroom and tailor it to personal requirements.
