The Best Ceiling Lights For Your Bathroom

Bathroom Lighting

Providing lighting for the bathroom presents its own special problems and contradictions. The bathroom gets used at all times of the day or night, so lights are essential.

Lighting means electric light. The bathroom is frequently quite wet and we all know electricity and water do not mix well. Bathroom ceiling lights are the best option for the main lighting in the bathroom because the ceiling is as far away from water as you can get. However there is still steam to consider, even with a good extractor.

Zones and Ratings

Electrical safety regulations divide bathrooms into zones , Zone 0 being the wettest, actually in the bath or shower tray and Zone 3 being the least likely to get wet. Any area more than 2.25 metres above floor level is in zone 3. The average ceiling height in modern properties is around 2.4 metres, higher in older houses, so bathroom ceiling lights are likely to be in zone 3.  For more in-depth details of this topic take a look at our complete guide to bathroom zones.

This zoning is to enable electricians and anyone buying lights to know what degree of protection is needed for a given location. To find the degree of protection provided to a light, look for the IP Rating. This consists of the letters IP followed by two digits. The first digit refers to protection against fingers, solid objects, dust etc., the second to protection against the ingress of moisture. The higher the figure in each case the higher the degree of protection. Our guide to IP Ratings will give you the full rundown of what is what when it comes to IP ratings.

Be safe – use a professional

Installing bathroom ceiling lights should always be carried out by a qualified electrician. However you may well be choosing the lights yourself for him or her to install, so even a basic knowledge of the requirements will save you time and trouble and may even impress your electrician!

IP as standard

Bathroom ceiling lights to be installed in Zone 3 do not actually require an IP Rating at all. However remember, the regulations prescribe minimum requirements and it makes sense to use only IP rated lights anywhere in the bathroom if only because they are likely to last much longer, quite apart from any safety aspects. All the bathroom ceiling lights sold by Lighting Direct are IP rated to at least IP44.

Flush is plush

A small bathroom of a regular shape may only need a single bathroom ceiling light. Others may require several lights. In either case the use of flush fitting ceiling lights not only looks attractive, they keep cleaner and having their working bits concealed behind the ceiling helps to protect from the steam generated by a hot bath or shower. Here is a selection of bathroom ceiling lights available from Lighting Direct to help you find the right bathroom lighting for you.

Recessed downlights

We’ll start with multiple recessed downlights. Lighting Direct recommends any of the following examples.

1. The Astro Trimless Fire Rated Downlight is an inconspicuous fitting with a plastered over, trimless finish that is beautifully flush to the ceiling. A popular product from British manufacturers Astro.

2. The Luceco F-Eco 5W Dimmable LED Downlight is a fully dimmable fixed fitting that comes with quick-connect push-fit terminals for stress free installation. It is fully dimmable and has an average life expectancy of 25,000 hours, plus a 3 year guarantee. Available in a white finish, brushed steel, and polished chrome.

3. The Integral EvoFire Fire Rated Low Profile Fixed Downlight here is a great value super-slim 0.8mm bezel is 10 times slimmer than standard downlight bezels and incorporates push terminals to allow rapid installation.

To flush or semi-flush – that is the question

Lighting Direct also has many recommended flush or semi-flush bathroom ceiling lights. Full details of all of them can be found in our bathroom lighting section but here is a brief look at some of them.

1. The 3 Arm Semi-Flush ceiling light in a polished chrome finish with clear glass shades is a stylish fitting suitable for use in bathroom zones 1 and 2.

2. Offering traditional style, the Bubble 3 light Led Spotlight Plate is IP44 rather and suitable for zones 1 and 2. It is only 200mm wide and suitable for smaller to medium sized bathrooms.

3. For something even more glamorous, the Orlando Flush Ceiling Light with cascading clear glass balls on hanging chains is a light that becomes a real statement piece as soon as you install it.

ASTRO ZEPPO SEMI-FLUSH CEILING LIGHT

 

 

4. Our top choice for a simple, but effective flush bathroom ceiling light: The Astro Zeppo Semi-Flush Ceiling Light is a round fitting with opal glass diffuser suitable for use anywhere in your bathroom.

A little bit more

If you really want to inject style into your bathroom via your ceiling lights and have sufficient ceiling height that a more protruding design is suitable, you will probably love the Ganso Bathroom Ceiling Chandelier. This stunning light has machine cut clear glass prisms on a chrome metal frame. It is IP44 rated so you can install it in Zones 1 and 2.

The choice is yours

The best ceiling lights for your bathroom could be any one of the above. Having said that, you know your bathroom best and if these don’t quite give you what you want feel free to browse our full selection of bathroom lighting to find your ideal bathroom ceiling light.

Looking for more inspiration and advice? Try our Lighting Ideas section.

Where Next?

Bathroom lighting zones where next IP44 bathroom lights where next Bathroom vanity lighting where next

 

Maxine Clarke Senior Buyer

Maxine has been our decorative buyer since 2015. With her experience in working for consumer-led brands, she is the perfect person to pick out the latest lighting trends for both your home and business. Maxine has an eye for the best up-and-coming lighting from the UK and around the world and works tirelessly to add new brands to our portfolio. One of her trends to watch in 2020 is connectable garden lighting; with summer garden parties more and more popular, being able to build and extend your own outdoor lighting with spotlights, festoons and string lights has never been easier – simply plug and play.

Ceiling Lights – 10 Essential Buying Tips

Updating your ceiling lights used to consist of simply buying new lampshades that match the new décor and that was that. Now we have an enormous choice of ceiling lights in various styles and designs. We have come to appreciate the benefits of choosing the right lighting for a particular room. A light fitting can either make or break the overall impact of the décor.

Things to consider

When buying ceiling lights there are a number of aspects you should consider, but the most basic rule to remember is: Don’t fall into the trap of buying a ceiling light fitting you like and then trying to work out which room it might suit. Do it the other way round. First look at the room and then look for ceiling lights that will enhance it.

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Size of room

First you need to consider the width. Long, narrow rooms are awkward to light effectively. Instead of a centrally mounted pendant ceiling light you may want to go for track lighting. Several spotlights are mounted on a track to provide a more versatile distribution of light. A fine example of this is the Robus Acorn 3 Light and Track Kit. This one is particularly well suited to a kitchen or dining area. You can add additional track and spotlights of up to thirty metres.

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Height is crucial

Pendant lights and chandeliers work great with higher ceilings but if you have low ceilings, as in many modern homes, flush and semi-flush fittings may be better. The example here is the Luther 4 Light Semi-Flush ceiling light with crystal glass shades and a polished chrome finish. It’s a truly elegant addition to any living or dining room.

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The easy way to update

For a quick and easy way to revamp your home lighting décor you can’t beat simply replacing the shades on your existing ceiling lights. There’s nothing wrong with going for the lazy option as long as you get the style just right, for example the Funk 27 transparent shade will instantly give a room a modern and stylish feel.

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Keep it simple and you won’t go far wrong

At Lighting Direct we have lots of products that make a bold statement on their own. However if you are not 100% sure about what works stylistically in a particular room there is nothing wrong with playing it safe with a simple neutral ceiling light. Have a look at the Dar Zaragoza 3 Light Cream Pendant for example.

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Lighting for wet rooms

In the Bathroom you need to consider IP rating as well as size and style. If you are not familiar with IP ratings, consult Lighting Direct’s excellent “Guide to IP Ratings” and all will become clear. Briefly the IP rating measures how well the fitting is protected against ingress of dust and water. As an example, if you take a look at the Mantra Semi-Flush Fitting, you’ll see that it is IP44 Rated, which means it is suitable for the bathroom.

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Childproof

In rooms predominantly used by children you’ll want everything to be child friendly. Lighting Direct has a range of fittings specifically designed for children. The Speedy Flush for example delicately diffuses the light for a soft illumination perfect for the little ones who want to fall asleep with the lights on.

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The amount of illumination

You should also consider how much light you want and/or need for a particular room. Larger rooms, obviously, need larger fittings to light them appropriately. The Minster 6 Light Dual Mount in Ivory/Gold is an elegant fitting perfect for a larger room. Alternatively you may want to use a number of smaller fittings. It all depends on the lighting style you are trying to achieve.

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Efficiency is key

LED or dedicated low energy fittings are well worth considering for their long life and cost efficiency. The Kasko LED Ceiling Fitting gives you all the benefits of LED lighting. You will generally have to pay a little bit more for the initial layout for LED fittings but don’t let that put you off as the return will be well worth it.

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To co-ordinate or not?

Ceiling lights that are part of a co-ordinated range can be really helpful to develop a complementary décor throughout your home. Take the Kennedy 3 Light Semi-Flush Fitting in Antique Brass for example. It is part of a range that encompasses a selection of wall lights, table lights and floor lights as well as ceiling lights.

Is it you?

Your ceiling lights, along with your general décor, should reflect your tastes and personality. Lighting Direct offers fittings in a whole range of different styles from traditional and retro right through to the most contemporary designs. Browse them all to find the style that best reflects who you are.

It is a good idea to keep these ten tips in mind whenever you are looking for ceiling lights. They should help you make the right choices. If you are still not sure about anything, Lighting Direct’s experts are here to help, you only need to get in touch.

Now you know what to bear in mind when looking for ceiling lights, why not take a look at our full range of ceiling lights.

Alternatively for more inspiration try our Lighting Ideas section.

maxine author bio

Maxine Clarke Senior Buyer

Maxine has been our decorative buyer since 2015. With her experience in working for consumer-led brands, she is the perfect person to pick out the latest lighting trends for both your home and business. Maxine has an eye for the best up-and-coming lighting from the UK and around the world and works tirelessly to add new brands to our portfolio. One of her trends to watch in 2020 is connectable garden lighting; with summer garden parties more and more popular, being able to build and extend your own outdoor lighting with spotlights, festoons and string lights has never been easier – simply plug and play.