Choosing the right bathroom wall light

Although the bathroom is a functional room, it still deserves a decorative touch, whether through accessories or light fittings. After all, the bathroom is meant to be the ultimate room for relaxing and pampering yourself. It is where we get ready every morning before heading off to work or school, where we wash, put on make-up and shave, so it deserves our full attention. Every corner of your bathroom should therefore be lit as well as possible. Between main lighting, ambient lighting and task lighting, there is plenty of choice for this room. However, whether it is large or small, your bathroom will need main lighting, usually a ceiling light, as well as task lighting, usually provided by wall lights. Choosing wall lights means taking certain criteria into account to get it right. These include the style of the bathroom and its layout, but also basic criteria such as the bathroom zones, the light’s ingress protection (IP) rating and its insulation class.

Choosing wall lights to suit your bathroom layout

Mirrors are among the essential accessories in any bathroom. Making your pampering sessions easier and more enjoyable, a mirror needs to be well lit. To light it effectively, place a wall light on each side of the mirror, either on the left and right or above and below. Choose your wall lights according to the size of the mirror and its position: small wall lights on either side of the mirror for a small space, and medium-sized wall lights above the mirror for a medium-sized space. Wherever you put your wall light, choose one that gives a light somewhere between white and yellow. Avoid the glare of overly harsh light and prioritise light sources that come close to daylight. You could also opt for an illuminated mirror if you want to combine looks and efficiency in a single accessory above your vanity unit. Besides the mirror, think about the other fixtures in your bathroom before choosing a wall light. A bathroom wall light can light the vanity unit, but also the washbasin or basins. You can also use your bathroom wall lights to brighten up dark or narrow corners. This will help create harmonious, even lighting throughout your bathroom. Before choosing your bathroom wall light, think about your bathroom layout and the various accessories in it.

Choosing wall lights to suit your bathroom style

Your choice of bathroom wall light can easily be guided by the style of the room. If your bathroom is decorated in a simple, pared-back way, go for discreet wall lights in modern materials such as copper, brass, aluminium or metal. For a bohemian bathroom dominated by light, natural tones, choose wall lights made of fabric, rattan or wood. In this case, the colours to go for are browns, beiges or whites. For a contemporary bathroom, a black, chrome or white bathroom wall light can be ideal. As for shapes, choose modern ones: slender, tubular, rectangular, boxed or minimalist. If your bathroom has a rustic style, opt for discreet vintage-style wall lights. However, choose wall lights protected by glass enclosures, shades or glass globes to shield them from moisture.

Choosing a wall light to decorate your bathroom

Beyond matching your bathroom’s style, a wall light can also be a decorative feature in its own right. As well as its practical role, you can choose your wall light to enhance your bathroom according to your taste and its layout. In this case, your chosen wall light will provide ambient lighting in the bathroom. To bring a vintage touch to a classic bathroom, for example, you could choose wall lights with a gold, silver or antique finish and graphic or slender shapes. As for the orientation of your wall light, you can choose a vertical or horizontal model to add an extra decorative touch to your bathroom. If you plan to place wall lights above large mirrors, horizontal wall lights are the best option. You can, however, choose vertical wall lights to add a rustic feel to the overall look. For a wonderfully cosy, bohemian look, you could also choose mismatched wall lights that only match in shape or colour. You can even create a fun, quirky feel in your bathroom with multicoloured wall lights in a variety of finishes. It is up to you to choose the bathroom wall lights you like, depending on your taste and the decor you want to create in this room dedicated to well-being and relaxation.

Taking into account bathroom zones and the class and IP rating of your bathroom wall light

The bathroom zones are a key criterion when choosing a bathroom wall light. There are broadly four zones in a bathroom: the inside of the bath or shower tray (zone 0), the area up to 2.25 m above the bath or shower tray (zone 1), zone 2, which extends beyond zone 1 up to a height of 2.25 m, and zone 3, which surrounds zones 1 and 2 up to 2.40 m. As you will have gathered, zone 0 is the most exposed to moisture, while zone 3 is a dry area. Before choosing your bathroom wall light, bear in mind that wall lights are only permitted from zone 1 onwards, and only if the wall light has an ingress protection (IP) rating of between IP20 and IP65. As a reminder, the IP rating indicates how well a light fitting resists the ingress of solid objects, splashes of water or prolonged immersion in water. In an IP rating, the first digit shows the level of protection against solid objects, while the second shows the level of protection against water and moisture. The higher the IP rating, the more resistant the light fitting. In a bathroom where humidity is constant, you therefore need wall lights with a high IP rating, especially in zones 1 and 2. As for the class of the wall light, bathroom wall lights in zone 1 must be Class 3 (light fittings running on extra-low voltage), while in zone 2 only Class 2 wall lights (double-insulated, with no earth connection) are permitted. Any Class 1 or Class 2 wall light can be installed in zone 3. By following these technical guidelines, you can easily choose your bathroom wall light, opting for the sturdiest and most resistant models. The following table sums up the technical criteria to help you choose your bathroom wall light:

A bathroom wall light to brighten shadowy areas

Shadowy areas are common in narrow rooms, but also in large living spaces. Whatever the size of your bathroom, you can use a wall light to brighten every corner. Shadowy areas may be near the washbasin, the shower tray or a shelf. Some bathroom furniture (chests of drawers, freestanding cabinets, etc.) can also create dark areas that need lighting with a bathroom wall light. In this case, the bathroom wall light is used to create a light similar to daylight, so as to light the whole bathroom evenly.