How to Light Up a Dark Bathroom

Make the Most of Your Bathroom Lighting for a Warm and Flattering Look

Jason Ball July 30, 2011

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In my last ideabook, about bringing natural light into your bathroom, a reader asked for ideas on lighting a bathroom without windows. This ideabook is all about that. If you have a bathroom without a source of natural light, here are some tips and tricks on how to properly light your space. With a little planning, you might forget about the lack of natural light completely.

Beth Dotolo, ASID, RID, NCIDQ

Bring light down towards the face. When you have limited light sources, the key is to make sure the light you do have is placed in the absolutely correct spot.

In this case, two bright sconces are placed at about eye level. This casts light directly at the face from the sides rather than from above, which is much more flattering to everyone.

Stonebreaker Builders & Remodelers

In this powder room, the sconces at head level and white paneling balance the more dramatic color on the upper half of the walls. The beauty of natural light is that it flows all around you. This configuration gets close to that feeling.

Angelica Henry Design

Pendant lights offer another way to bring light down off the ceiling. This acts in the same way as a pair of sconces, but with a more dramatic flair. Pendants give you a chance to bring in another design element not always possible with wall-mounted light fixtures.

Spread the light around. There’s nothing worse for lighting a larger room than relying on one light source for the entire space. This luxurious and rustic shower (in which you could probably hold a square dance) has lights all around it, perfectly placed to highlight the structural elements and shine light all around. Even though it’s built out of heavy materials, it doesn’t feel heavy.

Brighten up your bathroom with a custom lighting design

Claudio Ortiz Design Group, Inc.

Keep everything light and bright. In what I imagine is a converted attic space, most likely without windows, an abundance of light materials keeps this traditional bathroom bright. From the herringbone stone floor to the white ceramic shower tile, this bathroom feels lighter than air.

Debbie R. Gualco

Use reflective surfaces to carry light around. In this quaint hall bath, all the walls are covered in a cream ceramic tile to great effect. Besides unifying the surfaces, the reflective surface helps bounce light around the room. The room feels well lit even with just the one light source.

Debbie R. Gualco

Another great example of using surface to play with the lighting. The smart positioning of these glossy vertical tiles does double duty: It helps the space feel a little bigger (by creating movement around the room), and it reflects light from the pendants back into the room. Brilliant use of glossy tiles.

Megan Crane Designs, Inc.

This bathroom gets sparkle and interest from a beautiful “quilt” of glossy tile behind the vanity in varying shades of blues and brown, a simple oval mirror, a glass vessel sink and chrome details.

Atmosphere Interior Design Inc.

The high graphic wallpaper, darker cabinetry and black door could have made this elegant bathroom feel much smaller. By placing sconces on the oversized mirror, the light seem to double in intensity, toning down the graphic power of the wall covering. And it looks super cool!

Evoke Interiors

Use unconventional light locations. This master bathroom (which may have a window we can’t see) illustrates perfect use of indirect lighting to distribute light throughout a room. A simple light under the raised vanity helps lighten what otherwise would be a dark corner.

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Andre Couture Coloriste Decorateur

Use the darkness. This is almost in complete conflict with the concept of this Ideabook. Sometimes it's okay to use the darkness of a room to great impact. In this condo bathroom, the deep tone on the walls creates a cozy and romantic environment. The large jetted tub doesn't hurt either. More than anything, have fun and don't hesitate to make your bathroom spectacular.

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