Bathroom lighting

Bathrooms are functional spaces but can sometimes be a place of relaxation, so the lighting in this space needs to cater for both. Dimming the light will help to create the different environments required. The most difficult lighting consideration in a bathroom is the mirror. Ideally the light should be diffused so that it softens what we see. Points of light should not be used, as they create harsh shadows that are not particularly flattering. Use lamps with good colour rendering properties.

Task based bathroom lighting

There are many options for wall lights in bathrooms. What's more, there are many possible lamp sources that these fittings may use.

Bathroom task based lighting

Old bulb

Replacement

Comment

150W linear halogen fixutre (double-ended)

120W or 80W energy saver halogen

Double check the length of the linear halogen lamp - there's a longer version of the standard 150W lamp

T5 fluorescent wall light

No need to change but make sure the tube is a warm colour temperature (3000K)

T5 can be dimmed easily if it has the correct dimmable ballast on purchase (may require special wiring & dimmer control)

Linear incandescent fixture

No energy saver version

Replace the fixture with T5
technology or dim the fixture when full intensity light is not required

Small halogen  'burner' lamp

Equivalent energy saver halogen. You can replace a 50W with 35W, 35W with 25W and 20W with 14W.

This replacement uses 20%-30% less electricity and will last twice as
long

General bathroom lighting

If you have standard incandescent downlights in your bathroom, you firstly need to establish what type of fitting you have. Does it have a reflector in it or not? (Do not assume the lamp inside the fitting is correct).

Bathroom general lighting

Standard incandescent light bulb in fitting with a built in reflector

Equivalent new generation halogen bulb with reflector or 'warm white' 2700K CFL bulb

Check the physical dimensions of the fixture; whether the CFL can fit inside the fitting; and that light can escape

Incandescent reflector light bulb with reflector

Choose appropriate energy efficient reflector lamp: R63, R80, PAR 20, PAR30 or PAR 38. Both new generation halogen and CFL equivalents are available.

R lamps are well suited to producing general volumes of light; PAR lamps produce a more spotty effect as the
beam is more precise

50W 12v halogen spotlight (also
known as MR16 dichroic spotlight)

35W IRC halogen spotlights

Get the same amount of light from a bulb that lasts twice as long