There are commercially available waterproof lighting, shower wet space lighting,

I’m searching the web now. Do you have any leads? Thank you!

Wet space lighting. Is this DIY?

no but the builder has never done it before
and I’m just trying to facilitate the process because I REALLY would like this lighting.

we were looking to go with a steam shower option—we are awaiting the quote

I’m guessing vapor proofing is standard with that application

how much of a drop in the ceiling height is needed?

thank you

is this something like what you were speaking of?

https://www.wired4signsusa.com/products/hidden-drywall-led-channel-model-omni10?variant=39684957667394&currency=USD&utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gmc_led_channels&utm_content=Hidden Drywall LED Channel ~ Model Omni10&cmp_id=17619646756&adg_id=139042711195&kwd=&device=m&utm_term=&utm_campaign=&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=4180687217&hsa_cam=17619646756&hsa_grp=139042711195&hsa_ad=607336248172&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=pla-1679199071160&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gclid=CjwKCAiA_6yfBhBNEiwAkmXy5wh5u1OM8SR-ZLOq6Z-0uPQFwf6h49LsO4jFOm8wcNFccxiG_U4qzRoCY2kQAvD_BwE

this looks like a pretty straightforward approach

https://www.wired4signsusa.com/products/plaster-in-ceiling-perimeter-lighting-led-channel-model-alu-ceiling-us

wondering if this is on the right track

https://www.flexfireleds.com/client-gallery/bathroom

https://www.alconlighting.com/commercial/cove-lighting.html

If your contractor doesnt already know how to do that, I doubt you’re going to get a great result from that team, esp on a big custom steam shower project.

You need a builder with a great framer who is used to doing modern design. In other words, you will not have trim to cover things that are not level or don't join perfectly. Not sure where you are located, but those folks are out there. Depending on location, might be hard to find. This type of design doesn't start with the lighting, it starts with the framing design. You'll also need to have this as part of your electrical specs.

How far along are you on this project?

A steamer adds in a whole other skill and planning set as the entire ceiling needs to be sloped, I believe 2" per foot, then you need all the lighting to be dealt with in a similar fashion.

we have our building permit

we will have our pre-construction meeting soon

have to get this squared away by then

The slope is 1/2" to 2" per foot.

2" would be a lot. It would be a foot drop from one end to the other of a 6 foot shower.

This will not get you the ultra diffuse downlight effect, but if that ends up getting nixed for budgetary reasons, mud-in LED trim may be a reasonable secondary solution.

https://ledprofiles.com/collections/recessed-led-channels

I really like the idea of the mudded in LED profile in general, but my only concern is if it fails then you are stuck with an embedded fixture that does not work. I have seen failure of this in damp commercial applications. I used LED linear fixtures on my bathroom vanities ( I rarely turn them on, there are multiple layers of lighting) but if they malfunction--they are already non-replaceable, as the way things go now--I can just get w larger mirror and cover the inch on each side that was taken up by the fixture.

I have a very good contractor, but I have been very hesitant to use any products or technology that involve irreversible design decisions. A ceiling pocket for lighting that no longer works is just an unneeded slot in the ceiling with an inaccessible shelf for potential mold or mildew growth.

The mudded in LED profiles are just aluminum channels. The do not contain any of the LED stuff. You'd install the mudded in channels, then run your LED strips. Obviously you'd need to be able to access the LEDs, but they can be swapped out as strips or individual cells fail as long as your box/control is accessible, somewhere in the ceiling or crawl space or similar.

There are actually some that come as a complete unit, so I was thinking about those.

Ah, yeah, in that case i'd be extremely hesitant to use something like that.

thank you all for the feedback.
I am taking it all in.

it seems like we may not be able to emulate that exact accent lighting installation, but I would like find a nice accent lighting alternative.

this is for a large walk-in shower and I’d like a vacation spa ambiance.

another thought I’m toying with is floor accent lighting—like landscape lighting 🤔

thanks for all the links!
I will be studying those options.

Every flush floor loor level accent lighting in damp areas that I have ever seen has failed in short order.

You could always incorporate under vanity or toe kick lighting. We are doing a floating vanity and my plan is to put an LED strip with a motion sensor under the vanity, so it always kicks on when it sees someone walk into the bathroom, working like a night light.