Transform your bathroom with stylish and functional lighting by exploring these bathroom ceiling light ideas. Ditch the uninspired “boob light” and upgrade your space with options like elegant chandeliers, trendy pendant lights, decorative flush mounts, or even versatile ceiling fan lights.
From apartments to builder-grade homes, I’ve lived in my fair share of spaces where those tired dome lights were the standard. I loathed them, but back then, I had no clue how to switch them out for ones that better matched my aesthetic.
I also didn’t know such a cosmetic change could fit my budget — and a range of others. To save money, visit consignment stores, yard sales, and the like (I recently discovered a crystal chandelier for just $200 via an online marketplace). Or, if you’ve got more to spend, you can buy brand new from $20 to $2,000+.
- 1. Select a Statement Chandelier
- 2. Brighten Up with Flush Mount Lights
- 3. Double the Function
- 4. Choose Complementary Finishes
- 5. Opt for Recessed Lighting
- 6. Add LED Strip Lights
- 7. Hang a Vintage-Style Lantern
- 8. Try Track Lighting
- 9. Suspend a Cluster of Pendants
- 10. Invite the Cozy with a Candelabra
- 11. Accent with Beads
- 12. Install a Skylight
1. Select a Statement Chandelier
Declare your design aesthetic with a pop of color, a showy fixture, or a contrasting style. Aim for an oversized chandelier in your bathroom to ensure it’s a true focal point, but still be certain it fits the space. For the biggest impact, I’d suggest hanging it in the center of your room or above the tub.
2. Brighten Up with Flush Mount Lights
For bathrooms with lower ceilings that can’t contain a statement chandelier, try two flush-mount or semi-flush-mount fixtures to get the same amount of light. Available in an array of styles and finishes, these, too, can add a dash of elegance that pairs well with any aesthetic — from minimalist to modern to industrial.
3. Double the Function
If you’re like me, you’re forever multitasking. Get a fixture that multitasks as well as you do with a ceiling fan light. Besides providing a sufficient amount of ambient lighting for your bathroom, ceiling fans also keep things cool, reduce unpleasant smells, and are more energy efficient and less of a fire risk than exhaust fans.
4. Choose Complementary Finishes
Adding a dash of opposite fixture finishes to your primary one is an easy way to introduce texture and interest into your bathroom design. Pair silver, gold, and black or keep it monochromatic, but switch things up by using matte and shiny options. Just be careful not to overdo it; two or three finish variations are plenty.
5. Opt for Recessed Lighting
In my opinion, recessed lights are best for ambient or accent lighting and can brighten your bathroom without taking up a lot of space. Bathe your whole room in a soft, white hue for ultimate relaxation or spotlight decor on a feature wall. To keep things super low-maintenance, use LED bulbs, which can last more than a decade.
6. Add LED Strip Lights
Ready to match the energy you choose to start (or end) the day, LED strip lights in an array of colors are perfect for lighting up the perimeter of your shower ceiling. Emulate sunrise or sunset with warm white, create some zen with blue or green, up the romance with red, or go with yellow for a dose of coziness.
7. Hang a Vintage-Style Lantern
Sometimes, to truly escape life’s stressors, you need to retreat to a simpler time. A fun way for me to do this has been to add a dash of historic charm to the bathroom with an antique-inspired lantern. Complement the lantern with some jazz tunes, antique mirror frames, and wall art; it’s the next best thing to a time machine.
8. Try Track Lighting
Most often used above vanities, track lighting (or linear light fixtures with multiple, adjustable bulbs that are suspended from ceilings) works best in larger, primary bathrooms. A better over-the-mirror lighting option than recessed lights, as those can cast undesirable shadows, track light bulbs can be moved to just the right spots to highlight your face when getting ready.
9. Suspend a Cluster of Pendants
An alternative to a chandelier, consider hanging multiple pendant lights over your bathtub, sink, or toilet. Hang them at different heights to create a dynamic shape that stands out in an otherwise square or rectangular room. For an industrial look, use exposed bulbs, or try abstract bulbs for a more modern approach.
10. Invite the Cozy with a Candelabra
I’ve started romanticizing my life whenever I can, and you can, too, by simply upgrading your bathroom ambiance with a candelabra chandelier. Evoking an air of sweetness and romance, this lighting emits the right amount of glow to bring warmth and relaxation to your space, especially if you opt for flickering bulbs.
11. Accent with Beads
Harness the feel of a seaside resort by adding some coastal or boho textures — my favorites are beaded flush mount lights, pendants, or chandeliers. Combined with your chosen bulb color temperature (e.g., warm white or cool white) and fixture style, a beaded ceiling light creates the perfect accent piece to break up overall minimalism.
12. Install a Skylight
While not a light fixture per se, a skylight will let in more natural light. Instead of relying 100 percent on harsher, artificial light, a skylight will give you brightness and privacy. Install one over the shower or tub, and consider getting a vented design for the added benefits of air circulation, moisture control, and odor reduction.
Find a Lighting Pro Near You
Flip the switch on a new ceiling light design — one that fuses function and artistry. Choose one of the above that strikes your fancy, or let these ideas be a springboard to something that better fits your personal vibe.
- 10 Over-the-Mirror Bathroom Lighting Ideas
- How to Change a Bathroom Light Fixture
- How to Install a Vanity Light
- 10 Shower Lighting Ideas
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Main Photo Credit: Tanjina Aziz / Adobe Stock Generated with AI
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