Zoning in on Bathroom Lighting

Zoning in on Bathroom Lighting

The bathroom is a daily focus of domestic life – providing both a bright and busy thoroughfare as people prepare for the day ahead, and a haven of low-lit calm to soak the cares of the day away.

It is also one of the most demanding rooms to light thanks to the safety challenges presented by water showers, splashes and steam, which introduce the risk of electric shock.

When planning bathroom lighting, you must follow strict regulations relating to the location of fittings, voltage levels and their protection against potentially damaging moisture ingress. These must be balanced with the need to create a well illuminated space that meets the varying needs of daily use from washing to shaving; relaxing to make-up application.

Here we have defined the different bathroom ‘zones’ to help you .

Choose light fittings that are functional and compliant, with the correct Ingress Protection (IP) rating and create a bathroom that meets your lighting design needs and desires.

Zone 0

This is the area inside the bath or in the shower tray itself, which is most exposed to potential moisture ingress. If lighting is required in these areas, the fitting must:

• Use a Low Voltage supply, which is to a maximum of 12V
• Be rated to at least IPX7, which means it is protected against the effects of being temporarily immersed in water

Zone 1

This covers the area above the bath or shower tray, up to a height of 2,250mm from the bathroom floor.

• Any fitting in this zone must have a minimum IP rating of IPX4, which means it is protected against splashing water from any direction
• If water jets are likely to be used for cleaning purposes, increase the ingress protection by selecting an IPX5 rating

Zone 2

This zone extends 600mm beyond the perimeter of the bath and to a height of 2,250mm from the bathroom floor. It is good practice to also consider the area around a wash basin, within a radius of 600mm of any tap, as Zone 2.

• Any fitting installed in this zone must have a minimum IP rating of IPX4, which means it is protected against splashing water from any direction.
• If water jets are likely to be used for cleaning purposes, increase the ingress protection by selecting an IPX5 rating

Outside the Zones

This covers anywhere in the bathroom outside of Zone 0, Zone 1 and Zone 2. Light fittings outside the zone limits do not require ingress protection. However, if  water jets are likely to be used for cleaning purposes, select a light fitting with IP rating of IPX5.

Once you have established the correct IP ratings for the different spaces, you can focus on the fun part – the bathroom lighting design. The following steps will give you a guideline for building a lighting scheme with the ‘wow’ factor.

Ambient lighting

Ambient lighting provides uniform background illumination in the bathroom and is the place to start. Recessed ceiling downlights lights are generally the best way to achieve it.

We always recommend installing IPX5 rated downlights in bathrooms – even if the ceiling height is above 2,250mm –  as they operate well within warmer ambient temperatures ,as well as in damp and steamy environments.

Downlights can be strategically spaced in smaller areas or installed in a grid pattern in larger bathrooms.

Task lighting

Task lighting can transform a bland illuminated space into one which has interesting focal points. Task lighting is generally a much brighter, whiter light, usually between 3100K-4500K and used for specific tasks such as shaving or make-up application and would usually be positioned around or directly above the sink and mirror.

Install additional downlights to highlight the sink area, add an over-mirror light for added interest, or use LED Strip lighting around vanity areas.

You can also install one or two extra downlights above a walk-in shower for extra brightness.

Creating the mood

The colour temperature – or lighting tone and hue – will help create the mood you want for your bathroom. It will also provide the right lighting levels for those important rituals such as shaving and applying make-up.

If you want to create a soft, calming atmosphere, choose a fitting with a lower colour temperature of around 3000K as this will deliver a warmer, gentle light.

A higher colour temperature of 4000K and above emits a cooler, more blue-white light and is the one to choose to illuminate you’re the space where you carry out tasks such as personal grooming.

Accent lighting

Accent lighting provides the finishing touch to a bathroom, lifting your lighting above the ordinary to highlight features such as alcoves, shelving or profiles. Here are just a couple of examples:

• Install recessed marker lights in the floor for added aesthetic appeal (taking care to avoid creating a trip hazard).

• Add LED Strip lighting to provide subtle lighting without visible fittings. Selecting an RGB or RGBW LED Strip, ideally with a separate lighting control, will give you the option of creating multiple colour options in addition to white, to suit your mood or task requirements.

Safety first

Ultimately, provided you meet the legal requirements, lighting your bathroom is a matter of individual taste and practical need. But it is essential to make safety your top priority.

The latest Wiring Regulations of BS7671 – 18th Edition provide detailed guidelines on the safety of installing lighting in bathrooms. However, we recommend that you always consult a qualified and approved electrical contractor to ensure your bathroom safety is watertight.