Bathroom lighting guide
Bathroom Lighting Ideas
Ideas, bathroom zones and IP ratings, and LED lighting for every part of the bathroom.
Light your bathroom in layers
The best bathroom lighting ideas go beyond a single ceiling light. Task lighting at the mirror gives clear, shadow-free light for shaving and make-up. Convenience lighting in cabinets and drawers helps you find things. Mood lighting under a vanity unit, in a shower niche or along a feature wall turns the bathroom into somewhere to relax.
Bathrooms also need the right IP rating for each zone. Sensio designs LED bathroom lighting with that in mind: LED bathroom mirrors, mirror cabinets, battery mirrors that need no wiring, IP rated downlights, waterproof LED strip and extractor fans. Use the ideas below, then see the full bathroom lighting range.
Before
After
Zone by zone
Bathroom lighting ideas for every area
LED mirrors for task lighting
An illuminated mirror lights your face evenly, without the shadows a ceiling light casts. Many include a demister pad and colour adjustable light.
Illuminated mirror cabinets
A mirror cabinet with built-in lighting gives you task light and hidden storage in one, and lights the contents when you open it.
Vanity unit and plinth glow
Waterproof LED strip under a floating vanity unit or along a bath panel gives a soft glow, and doubles as a gentle night light.
Showers, niches and alcoves
Recess IP65 LED strip into a shower niche or alcove to show off the tiling and add a spa-like feel.
Ceiling lights and downlights
IP rated downlights give bright, even general light. TrioTone® downlights let you choose warm, natural or cool white.
Battery mirrors with no wiring
No power at the basin? A battery operated LED mirror hangs like a normal mirror, with no electrician needed.
Safety first
Bathroom lighting zones and IP ratings
The wiring regulations split a bathroom into zones, each needing a minimum IP rating.
- Zone 0, inside the bath or shower tray: IP67 minimum, and low voltage (12V maximum).
- Zone 1, up to 2.25m above the bath or shower: IP44 minimum, with a 30mA RCD for 240V fittings.
- Zone 2, 600mm outside the bath, shower or basin: IP44 minimum.
- Outside the zones: the general rules of BS 7671 apply.
Bathroom electrical work should always be done by a qualified electrician.
Read the full zones guideShop by type
Bathroom lights and fittings
Choosing the right colour
Complement your bathroom design
Choose a colour of light that matches the colours and textures of the bathroom and suits how you use it. Tap the dots to compare warm, natural and cool white.
Warm white
A yellow tone that complements wooden surfaces and creates a warm, relaxing feel.
Natural white
Suits a wide range of finishes and gives balanced light for everyday tasks.
Cool white
Works well with modern, bold and minimal designs, and gives bright, revitalising task light.
Set any tone, any time
CCT technology
CCT mirrors and lights move smoothly from warm, through natural, to cool white, so you can set the light to suit the time of day.
Bathroom CCT collection
Match the interior or preference
TrioTone® technology
TrioTone® gives a 3-in-1 choice of warm, natural or cool white in one light or mirror, so you can change the colour without replacing the fitting.
Bathroom TrioTone® collectionWhy Sensio
Why choose Sensio bathroom lighting
Designed in the UK
Sensio has designed LED lighting for kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms since 2000.
Made for bathroom zones
IP rated lights, strip and connectors, and an IP44 bathroom driver, so you can light each zone with confidence.
Patented battery mirror technology
The Lustro rechargeable lithium-ion battery mirror lights up a bathroom with no mains wiring.
Your choice of light colour
TrioTone® and CCT mirrors and downlights let you choose warm, natural or cool white.
Sensio Studio™
Our premium collection of designer LED mirrors and mirror cabinets.
Guides
Bathroom lighting guides and advice
Bathroom zones and IP ratings
Which IP rating you need in each bathroom zone, explained.
How to choose an LED bathroom mirror
Size, lighting style, light colour and features.
Are battery operated bathroom mirrors any good?
How battery mirrors compare with mains mirrors.
Can you fit an illuminated mirror without an electrician?
When you need an electrician, and when you do not.
Bathroom ventilation
Everything you need to know about bathroom extractor fans.
Smart bathroom technology
Ideas for smart lighting and mirrors in the bathroom.
Colour temperature chart
Warm, natural and cool white, and which suits a bathroom.
Video guides
Watch how to fit Sensio mirrors and lighting.
Bathroom lighting FAQs
Shop bathroom lightingWhat are the best bathroom lighting ideas?
Layer the light. Use an LED mirror or mirror cabinet for task light at the basin, IP rated downlights for general light, and waterproof LED strip under a vanity unit, in a shower niche or along a bath panel for mood lighting.
How do I choose the best bathroom lighting?
Start with the zones, as each needs a minimum IP rating. Then plan task light at the mirror, general light from the ceiling and mood light for relaxing, and choose a colour of light that suits the design.
What IP rating do bathroom lights need?
Zone 0, inside the bath or shower, needs IP67 and low voltage (12V maximum). Zones 1 and 2 need at least IP44. Outside the zones, the general rules of BS 7671 apply. See bathroom zones and IP ratings.
What are bathroom zones?
Areas of the bathroom defined by how close they are to water. Zone 0 is inside the bath or shower tray, zone 1 is above it up to 2.25m, and zone 2 extends 600mm outside the bath, shower or basin.
What colour light is best for a bathroom?
Natural or cool white gives clear light at the mirror for shaving and make-up. Warm white creates a relaxing feel for bathing. TrioTone® and CCT mirrors and lights let you choose or change the colour.
Do I need an electrician to fit an LED bathroom mirror?
A mains wired mirror should be connected by a qualified electrician. Battery operated mirrors need no wiring and hang like a normal mirror. See can you fit an illuminated mirror without an electrician?
Can I add bathroom lighting without rewiring?
Yes. Battery operated LED mirrors give task light at the basin with no wiring, which suits existing bathrooms, caravans and lodges.
Can I use LED strip lights in a bathroom?
Yes, choose an IP65 rated strip such as Polar X IP65 and check the zone first. See all bathroom LED strips.
Who should install bathroom lighting?
Bathroom electrical work should be carried out by a qualified electrician, who will check the zones, IP ratings and circuit protection for your bathroom.
Where can I buy Sensio bathroom lighting?
Sensio lighting is available through bathroom retailers, installers and our distributors and stockists. Trade customers can apply for a trade account.
Bathroom 2026
See the full bathroom range
View the brochure online, or find a Sensio stockist near you.