A bathroom asks more of its lighting than any other room in the house. It has to be bright and accurate enough to shave or apply makeup by, soft enough to relax in, and rated to survive steam and splashing. Most bathrooms fail on one point specifically: a single downlight above the mirror, which throws shadows exactly where you need to see clearly. Here is how to get IP rating, brightness, and mirror placement right at the same time.
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What IP rating do bathroom lights need?
Bathrooms are divided into zones by distance from water, and the fixture has to match the zone. Inside the shower enclosure or above the tub, use a fixture rated at least IP65, which withstands direct jets. Within about 24 inches of the bath or shower, IP44 is the minimum and protects against splashing from any direction. Beyond that, a standard fixture is acceptable, though IP44 remains a sensible choice near a basin. Every product lists its IP rating on the specification tab.
| Zone | Distance from water | Minimum IP rating |
|---|---|---|
| Inside shower or above tub | Direct contact | IP65 |
| Near bath or shower | Within 24 inches | IP44 |
| Elsewhere in the room | Beyond 24 inches | Standard fixture |
How bright should bathroom lighting be?
Budget 70 to 80 lumens per square foot overall, noticeably more than a living room, because a bathroom is a task space. A 50 square foot bathroom therefore wants around 4,000 lumens in total. At the vanity specifically, aim for at least 1,600 lumens falling on your face rather than the top of your head. Choose 3000K to 4000K there with a CRI of 90 or above, so skin tones and makeup read accurately, and keep ceiling and accent fixtures warmer at 2700K to 3000K so the room still feels calm at night.
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How do I light a mirror properly?
The single most common mistake is relying on a ceiling downlight above the mirror, which casts shadows under the brow, nose, and chin, exactly where you need to see. Light the face from the sides instead. Mount a pair of sconces with their centers 60 to 66 inches from the floor and 36 to 40 inches apart, just outside the mirror's edges. Where wall space allows only a single fixture above the mirror, center it and choose a horizontal bar spanning about 65 to 75 percent of the mirror's width.
For sizing based on your exact mirror width, use our bathroom vanity light size guide and calculator.
What materials suit a wet room?
Natural marble and sintered stone bring warmth without absorbing the room's humidity. Crystal and clear glass keep a small bathroom feeling open and are easy to wipe clean of limescale. Brushed brass, copper, and stainless steel resist corrosion better than plated finishes in a room that swings between hot and cold several times a day. Most fixtures use integrated LED modules rated for 25,000 to 50,000 hours, so replacement is rarely a consideration.
What mistakes make bathroom lighting fall short?
A handful of habits are behind most bathrooms that look fine but never quite work at the mirror.
- Relying on a single ceiling downlight above the mirror instead of side lighting, which shadows the face exactly where it matters.
- Choosing a fixture with no IP rating for a spot near the shower or tub, which fails inspection and fails safety.
- Using cool white light throughout, which reads clinical rather than calm once the task lighting is done.
- Skipping CRI when choosing vanity bulbs, which leaves makeup and skin tones looking off under otherwise bright light.
Building your bathroom lighting plan step by step
Work through it in this order.
- Map your zones: inside the shower or above the tub needs IP65, within 24 inches of water needs IP44.
- Set vanity brightness at 1,600 lumens minimum on the face, with the rest of the room at 70 to 80 lumens per square foot total.
- Mount a sconce pair 60 to 66 inches high and 36 to 40 inches apart, flanking the mirror rather than sitting above it.
- Choose 3000K to 4000K with CRI 90 or higher at the vanity, and warmer 2700K to 3000K elsewhere in the room.
- Pick corrosion-resistant materials, brushed brass, copper, or stainless steel, for any fixture near moisture.
For general wall sconce height and spacing outside the bathroom, see our wall sconce guide.
Not sure which fixtures fit your bathroom? Reach out to our team with your mirror width and layout and we will help you plan it out.
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About the author
Konstantin Khanasiuk is the founder of Mirodemi and works with luxury lighting day to day, helping homeowners and designers get bathroom lighting right on both counts it has to satisfy: safe around water and flattering at the mirror.
Frequently asked questions
What size vanity light do I need for my bathroom mirror?
A light bar or sconce pair should span about 65 to 75 percent of your mirror's width, centered above it, with the fixture's center mounted 65 to 72 inches from the floor. Use our bathroom vanity light size guide and calculator for exact numbers based on your mirror.
What IP rating do bathroom lights need?
Inside the tub or shower enclosure, use a fixture rated at least IP65. Within about 24 inches of the bath or shower, IP44 is the minimum. Beyond that, a standard fixture is acceptable, though IP44 remains sensible near a basin.
How bright should bathroom lighting be?
Budget 70 to 80 lumens per square foot overall, and at least 1,600 lumens on the face at the vanity specifically. Choose 3000K to 4000K with a CRI of 90 or above there, and keep the rest of the room warmer at 2700K to 3000K.
How high should bathroom wall sconces be mounted beside a mirror?
Mount the center of each sconce 60 to 66 inches from the floor, which puts the light source near eye level. Flanking a mirror, set the pair 36 to 40 inches apart, ideally just outside the mirror's edges.
Sources
Mirodemi bathroom lighting collection page: IP zone, brightness, CRI, and mounting height guidance, collection FAQ Lighting design references: IP rating conventions and lumens per square foot for residential bathrooms