Lighting Your Bathrooms
When it comes to lighting in a bathroom, it can seem daunting to get your head around all the do’s and don’ts to make sure you are creating a practical and compliant lighting plan. This guide outlines the key points and correct steps to create a bathroom lighting plan that will impress!
Planning
When you're still in the planning phase of your bathroom build or renovation, it's crucial to consider key design elements early—especially due to strict Australian zoning regulations. If certain features aren't included in the initial plans, it may be difficult or even impossible to incorporate them later.
As you gather bathroom inspiration, pay close attention to feature lighting elements that appeal to you—such as vanity wall lights, statement pendants, LED strip lighting, or floor lighting. Bring your ideas and references with you when meeting your builder. This ensures that your lighting preferences are factored into early decisions like cabinetry design, power point locations, and shower placement.
Lighting layering is essential in your bathroom design, as it helps create the right atmosphere and mood to suit different times of day and varying needs.
General lighting is a need in every bathroom. This is your primary light source—typically ceiling-mounted—that illuminates the entire space. LED downlights are ideal for this purpose, offering effective, energy-efficient, and low-voltage lighting that evenly brightens the room.
Task lighting focuses on areas where precision is required - most importantly, around the vanity. Whether you're washing your hands, applying makeup, shaving, or inserting contact lenses, clear and well-placed lighting is critical.
LED strip lighting is a stylish and versatile way to add both aesthetic appeal and practical layers to your bathroom. It enhances the overall ambiance while offering subtle illumination that can serve as both accent and task lighting.
Key areas to consider for LED strip lighting include behind mirrors for a soft, modern glow, Underneath vanities or shaving cabinets, inside shower niches or shelving, along feature walls or around the perimeter of the ceiling.
Integrating LED strip lighting early in your planning ensures it can be installed seamlessly, with proper power and cabinetry considerations.
Adding a dimmer to your bathroom lighting is almost essential. Dimmers offer the perfect solution for creating ambient light, allowing you to adjust brightness levels to suit any time of day. Whether it's general or feature lighting, dimming gives you the flexibility to tailor the mood and functionality of your space.
IP Ratings
IP ratings, or Ingress Protection ratings, are used to classify the degree of protection an electrical enclosure offers against foreign bodies such as dust and moisture.
An IP rating typically appears as two numbers following the letters "IP" (e.g. IP65). The first number indicates the level of protection against solid particles like dust, while the second number refers to protection against water ingress.
The format is: IP[dust protection level][water protection level]
If only one aspect is being rated, the other digit is replaced with an “x”. For example, IPx4 means the product is rated for water resistance only, with no specific rating for dust.
According to the EN 60529 classification system, these ratings provide a standardized way to ensure products are suitable for their intended environmental conditions.
Bathroom Zoning
Now that you know what an IP rating means, it’s time to understand how it applies to bathrooms. According to AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules and building regulations, bathrooms are divided into four distinct zones. These zones help determine the type of lighting and fixtures that are safe to install, based on their exposure to moisture.
Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right IP rating for each zone.
Zone 0 - Inside the bath or shower
Any lighting used in Zone 0 (inside the bath or floor area of the shower) must have a minimum rating of IP67. Fixtures in this zone must be completely water-tight and able to withstand immersion.
Zone 1 - Above the Bath or Shower (up to 2.25m)
Fittings used in Zone 1 (above the bath or shower to a height of 2.25m) must
have a minimum rating of IPx4, we would recommend IPx5.
Zone 2 - Perimeter Zone
The perimeter zone extends 0.6m around the bath or shower and above Zone 1 if ceiling height exceeds 2.25m. Lights in this area requires a minimum IP Rating of IPx4.
Outside the zones
Outsize of the zones covers areas in the bathroom beyond Zones 0, 1, and 2 where water jets are not used for cleaning. Although no specific IP rating is legally required, fixtures should still be suitable for humid environments, and therefore we would generally recommend IP44+ (see our further considerations below) unless in a separate powder room.
Further Considerations
When selecting lighting for your bathroom, it’s essential to consider both the humidity levels and ventilation of the space. Even areas located outside official IP-rated zones can experience high moisture levels, especially if ventilation is inadequate. Prolonged exposure to humidity and water moisture can lead to mould, mildew, and corrosion, potentially compromising the safety and longevity of your fittings.
To mitigate these risks:
- Install adequate ventilation, such as a effective high-capacity exhaust fans and adquately sized operable windows, to reduce moisture build-up and prolong the life of both fittings and finishes.
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Ensure all light fittings are suitable for high-moisture environments. For wetrooms and shower areas, we strongly recommend fittings with a minimum rating of IP65.
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Be aware of material suitability. Some materials are naturally more vulnerable to moisture damage. For high-moisture environments, we do not recommend fittings made from or incorporating Plaster, Porcelain, Raw Ceramic, Leather, Rattan or Rafia. These materials may degrade or discolor over time when exposed to humidity and should be avoided in high-moisture zones. You also need to be aware there is a risk of corrosion to metals, so please choose carefully.
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Avoid using harsh cleaning chemicals near or on fittings. Products such as bleach, mould removers, and window cleaners can damage surface finishes and degrade seals. Instead, opt for a mild detergent solution and a soft cloth when cleaning to ensure long-term durability.
By choosing appropriate materials, ensuring proper IP ratings, and maintaining good ventilation and gentle cleaning practices, you can ensure your bathroom lighting remains safe, stylish, and functional for years to come.