Bathroom Lights

A bathroom is one of the hardest rooms to light well. It needs to be bright enough to shave or apply make-up, safe around water, and relaxing enough to unwind in. The right mix of ceiling, wall and mirror lighting does all three, and because bathrooms are fitted to last, it pays to get the lighting right the first time.

What types of bathroom light are there?

Bathroom ceiling lights for the main, even light across the room.
Bathroom wall lights either side of a mirror for shadow-free light on your face.
Illuminated mirrors with built-in LED for shaving and make-up.
LED bathroom lights for low running costs and long life.

What IP rating do I need in a bathroom?

The IP rating tells you how well a fitting is sealed against water. In a bathroom the protection you need depends on how close the light is to the bath, shower or basin:

IP44 – protected against splashing water. Fine for most of the room and around the basin.
IP65 – protected against water jets. Use above or inside a shower area.
IP67 – protected against immersion. For fittings inside the bath or shower zone itself.

Bathrooms are split into zones that set the minimum rating for each area:

Zone 0 – inside the bath or shower. Low-voltage, at least IP67.
Zone 1 – above the bath or shower up to 2.25m. IP65 is the safe choice.
Zone 2 – 0.6m beyond Zone 1 and around the basin. Minimum IP44.
Outside zones – standard fittings allowed, though IP44 is still sensible near water.

Understanding the IP code

An IP rating has two digits. The first is protection against solids and dust, the second against water. The higher the number, the greater the protection.

First digit – solids		Second digit – liquids
0 – no protection	0	0 – no protection
1 – objects over 50mm	1	1 – vertical dripping water
2 – objects over 12.5mm	2	2 – dripping water when tilted
3 – objects over 2.5mm	3	3 – spraying water
4 – objects over 1mm	4	4 – splashing water
5 – dust protected	5	5 – low-pressure water jets
6 – dust tight	6	6 – high-pressure water jets
	7	7 – immersion up to 1m
	8	8 – long-term immersion

If in doubt, choose a higher rating or check with your electrician before installing.

Which light for which part of the bathroom?

Use a ceiling light or recessed spots for the main light, wall lights or an illuminated mirror at face height for grooming, and a higher-rated fitting over the bath or shower. Layering these, ideally on separate switches, lets you go from bright and practical to soft and relaxing.

Buying bathroom lights in Ireland

We stock IP-rated bathroom lighting from brands including Endon, Eglo, Searchlight and Dar, all available to order online with fast delivery across Ireland.