Home Home Design & Decor Bathroom Design Ideas 18 Bathroom Lighting Ideas That Brighten and Beautify Your Space Create a functional, beautiful room with these creative bathroom lighting ideas. By Blythe Copeland Blythe Copeland Blythe Copeland is a contributing writer with more than a decade of experience as a freelance lifestyle writer. Editorial Guidelines Published on July 7, 2024 Close Photo: Madison Stoa Photography, Triple Heart Design Choosing the right lighting is an essential part of your design in any room—but it's especially important in the bathroom, where you need balanced brightness for everything from beard trimming and tooth brushing to makeup application. Even in a half bath, where daily grooming rarely takes place, a chic sconce or pretty pendant can give the entire room an intentional, curated design sense. Whether you're looking for polished sconces, shaded fixtures, dramatic chandeliers, or minimalist bulbs, these bathroom lighting ideas will help you see the light. 50 Small Bathroom Ideas That Make a Huge Impact 01 of 18 Add Height With Slim Sconces Kerrie Kelly Studio/Lindsey King Photography Patterned tile is the focal point in this crisp, white bathroom. Warm gold sconces on either side of the mirror tie into the other metallic accents in the room while providing balanced lighting over the sink. 02 of 18 Accent Artwork Nick Sargent A bathroom nook offers space for a console table topped with a collection of decorative objects, a colorful abstract painting, and a shaded lamp. The overall design gives an often blank and sterile space a homey feel. 03 of 18 Install a Chandelier Molly Culver Soft lighting from a candelabra-inspired chandelier provides a warm glow over this bathtub. The silver and glass of the chandelier add an understated shine that complements the marble tile and swan-themed wallpaper. 04 of 18 Go With Clear Glass Lauren Pressey White walls, gray sink cabinets and window trim, and silver-edged mirrors and sconces keep this bathroom's monochrome palette cool and coastal. Individual lamps hung above each mirror provide even light, while the glass shades allow the fixtures to disappear into the design (instead of reflecting in the mirror). 05 of 18 Incorporate a Work of Art Jim Tschetter An avant-garde art piece becomes a textural light fixture shade hung above the deep, freestanding tub in this modern bathroom. Choose materials that can withstand the humidity of the bathroom, like acrylic and glass, say designers. 06 of 18 Choose an Unexpected Pendant Vivian Johnson A rounded sink cabinet, terrazzo tile floor and shelves, and mid-century metals surround this eye-catching pendant. The unexpected shape and warm brass tie together the other elements within the room. 26 Easy—and Impactful—Bathroom Upgrades That Cost Less Than $100 07 of 18 Add an Industrial Ceiling Fixture Jake Shea In a bathroom full of natural materials—a stone floor, light oak shelving, delicate plants, wooden benches—an industrial-inspired chandelier made with black arms, gold fixtures, and glass orbs adds a sharp, contemporary accent. 08 of 18 Use a Single Sconce Gieves Anderson Photography, JAM The dark slate walls and gold accents in this lavish half bathroom are lit by a single, dual-bulb sconce hung sideways above the mirror. The fixture casts just enough light to show off the room's striking artwork and luxe textures. 09 of 18 Mix and Match Katie Charlotte Photography, Courtney Bishop While the pale pink cabinets and patterned tiles are the main design elements in this double-sink bathroom, the mismatched fixtures on the walls and ceiling are a distinctive finishing touch. Wall sconces flank each mirror and match the cabinet hardware, while a playful collection of globes on the ceiling is reminiscent of frothy bubble baths. 10 Paint Colors That Make Small Bathrooms Feel Bigger 10 of 18 Pair Classic and Modern Jenifer McNeil Baker, Maestri Studio A modern palette of neutral florals, black shiplap, and light wood blends with traditional touches: A marble sink with shield-shaped backsplash, antique drawer pulls, a milk glass pendant, and gold sconces inspired by antique candleholders. 11 of 18 Add a Textured Shade Spacecrafting Photography, Bria Hammel Interiors Earth-toned wainscoting and a matching sink base allow a dynamic, blue-and-white wallpaper to lighten this small bathroom. The textured oval ceiling light suspended in the center of the space mimics the pattern on the graphic wallcovering. 12 of 18 Hang Golden Globes Martha Stewart Matching gold, globe-shaped pendants provide more light than smaller sconces, directing the light downward instead of out or up. The crisp lines of the tile and sink cabinet are tempered by the rounded mirror, light fixtures, and contrasting faucet. 12 Renovation Ideas That Will Turn Your Bathroom Into a Spa 13 of 18 Pair Copper and Crystal Light fixtures in a bathroom don't have to match each other—or the rest of the room—to become a cohesive whole. The copper-and-glass ceiling fixture includes warm metals that tie into the rest of the fixtures, while the rippled glass sconces on either side of the mirror are a decorative accent. 14 of 18 Keep It Simple Kelly Brown This tone-on-tone palette of wood and white is lit by two matching globe lights. Instead of hanging, they sit flush against the wall, providing essential light without overpowering the space. 15 of 18 Choose Natural Fibers Katie Charlotte Photography Printed wallpaper, contrasting woodwork, and a custom tile layout on the floor highlight a petal-inspired woven pendant in this pretty bathroom. 16 of 18 Fill the Space Between Mirrors Madison Stoa Photography, Triple Heart Design A shared primary bathroom needs practical lighting for daily grooming. Adding oversized, wall-mounted pendants on both sides and between a pair of mirrors—instead of a single lamp over each mirror—provides essential extra light for morning and evening routines. 17 of 18 Add Coastal Color Jane Beiles Photography, D2 Interieurs Watery blue pendants and a matching ceiling light call back to this bathroom's pool-inspired sinks and fun typographic floor, where bespoke tilework reminds bathers of the safety rules. 9 Beautiful Bathroom Trends That Will Make You Want to Remodel, According to Designers 18 of 18 Incorporate Fabric Shades Classic white subway tile is a sleek backdrop for a rustic wooden sink cabinet, matching mirror, and metal-rimmed accessories tray. Traditional silver sconces are finished with white shades, adding an elegant finishing touch. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit