Start with safety and the actual installation
Bathroom lighting must suit its exact position, not just the room's style. Water exposure, the bath or shower layout, electrical supply and local installation rules all matter. Have a qualified electrical professional assess the planned fittings and carry out work that requires professional installation.
This guide helps with product selection and lighting design; it is not a wiring or bathroom-zone installation manual.
What an IP rating tells you
An IP rating describes enclosure protection. Its first digit concerns access and solid objects; its second concerns water ingress under specified tests. An IP rating alone does not confirm that a light is suitable for every bathroom position.
Do not treat “IP44 for most of the bathroom” or “IP65 anywhere near a shower” as universal rules. The required protection, permitted equipment and supply arrangement depend on the location and applicable rules. Nor is everything outside a defined protection zone automatically unrestricted.
Before ordering, give your installer the product instructions and a plan showing the bath, shower, water outlets and intended mounting position. In Sweden, use a registered electrical installation company for work that requires one; in other markets, use a professional qualified under the local requirements.
Plan three lighting functions
General, mirror and mood lighting are design functions—not the numbered electrical safety zones.
General light
A suitable ceiling light or arrangement of recessed lights helps you move around the room. Choose output and distribution for the room size, surfaces and obstacles. One fixed lumen figure is not enough to specify an entire bathroom.
Mirror light
Lighting beside a mirror can help reduce facial shadows. A well-designed illuminated mirror or an above-mirror fitting may also work. Judge the actual distribution, glare and your viewing position rather than assuming one arrangement is always best.
Softer evening light
Suitable dimmable fittings or properly specified indirect lighting can create a quieter atmosphere. Do not move an ordinary table or floor lamp into the bathroom without confirming that both product and placement are suitable.
Ceiling lights, pendants and recessed fittings
A compact ceiling-mounted light can suit a small room. Recessed fittings require checks on mounting depth, the ceiling construction, thermal requirements and access to components. A pendant needs adequate clearance and explicit approval for the intended position; a large room or an IP label alone does not make it suitable above a bath.
Browse bathroom lighting, then confirm the exact model's requirements before purchase.
Colour temperature and colour rendering
Warm-white light around 2700–3000 K can give a softer impression, while around 4000 K looks cooler. The choice depends on preference and use. Colour temperature does not by itself establish how faithfully skin or makeup colours appear.
Compare colour-rendering information, output and glare alongside the kelvin value. Our light source guide explains what to check. For integrated LEDs, also check service and replacement options.
Dimming and separate controls
Separate control of general, mirror and evening lighting can be useful. Plan it with your installer and confirm compatibility between the fixture, light source, driver and dimmer or smart control. Additional wiring and controls have project-specific costs.
Normal dimming changes light output, not necessarily colour temperature. If you want the light to become warmer as it dims, look for a compatible warm-dim function; adjustable colour temperature is another distinct feature.
Brass and other finishes
Brass-coloured details can bring warmth to white tiles, stone and dark surfaces. They can coordinate with bathroom accessories, but finish and colour do not establish electrical or moisture suitability. Mixing metals is a design choice, not a technical fault.
Read our brass bathroom accessories guide. A light from the brass wall light collection still needs its own suitability check before bathroom use.
Compare brands by the individual product
Explore designs from Thorup Copenhagen, Nuura and Buster + Punch. These are brand collections, not blanket lists of bathroom-approved lights. Do not assume a Patrone or any other model is suitable merely because its style fits the room.
Our articles about Thorup Copenhagen and Nuura offer design background. Use the model's current technical documents for installation decisions.
A practical planning checklist
- Draw the room and mark wet areas, furniture and desired light positions.
- Decide what each light should do and test glare at the mirror.
- Have suitability, protection and installation assessed before buying.
- Compare dimensions, output, colour rendering and control compatibility.
- Keep instructions and allow access for cleaning and maintenance.
Frequently asked questions
Which IP rating do I need?
There is no single answer for the whole bathroom. Have the exact location and product assessed under the applicable rules.
Must mirror lights be on both sides?
No. Side lighting can help, but the result depends on the actual fitting and light distribution.
Is 4000 K automatically better for makeup?
No. Colour rendering, shadows and glare also matter; compare the complete lighting effect.
Can I use a pendant above the bath?
Do not assume so. The specific fitting, mounting position and installation must all be suitable and professionally assessed.
Find lighting for your bathroom
Explore our bathroom lighting and accessories. Ask us for product information if needed and confirm the installation with your electrical professional.
