Choosing the best LED downlights for your bathroom

Downlights are a fantastic way to illuminate your bathroom, helping you create a relaxing, well-lit sanctuary that you’ll look forward to using in the morning or at the end of a long, stressful day.

While LED downlights are perfect for use in a bathroom, there are also some key considerations that must be taken into account when installing and placing them.

In this guide, we’ll help you choose the best LED downlights for your bathroom and discuss some of the main things to think about to create the right ambience and ensure your lighting meets all required safety standards.

An introduction to bathroom lighting

Water and electricity do not mix so, installing LED downlights or any type of lighting in a bathroom requires careful planning. There are strict safety regulations in place that stipulate the type of lights you can use and where they can be placed.

The first thing to know is that a bathroom can be divided into three different zones, each with specific requirements around the lighting you can use:

• Zone 0 is inside a bath or shower. Any light fitting used in this zone cannot exceed 12 volts and must be IP67 rated, meaning it is protecting against dust and has been tested to hold off up to 1 metre of water for at least 30 minutes.
• Zone 1 is the area above a bath or shower, up to a height of 2.25 metres above the floor. In this zone, lighting must have a minimum rating of at least IP45 but, typically, IP65 is used instead and has become the accepted standard across the industry.
• Zone 2 covers the area extending 60cm from a bath, shower or sink, to a height of 2.25m above the floor. Any lamp within this zone must be IP44 rated or above, meaning it is “splash proof” and protected against solid objects that are bigger than 1mm.

While there are no formal IP rating requirements for lights outside these zones, it is always advised that IP65 fittings are used to protect them from steam and splashes and provide long-term peace of mind.

Installing downlights in a bathroom

When buying and installing downlights in a bathroom, there are a number of key things to consider, including:

IP rating

Firstly, it’s important to check the IP rating of the downlight to ensure that it conforms to the standards required for your desired location. As we have discussed, the IP rating is particularly important in a bathroom due to the presence of water and can determine where it can be placed.

Colour temperature

You’ll need to consider the colour temperature of the downlight, which hugely affects the look and feel created by the lamp. White bulbs with a temperature of 4000K or more tend to work best in bathrooms since they provide a cooler ambience and illumination, but some people might prefer a warmer temperature, so it’s important to weigh up your options.

Brightness

The brightness of a bulb is measures in Lumens (lm) and is another important factor in determining the ambience creating in the bathroom. Bulbs used in LED downlights usually have a Lumen rating of between 300-800lm, with a higher count indicating a brighter bulb.

Placement

Recessed downlights are most commonly used in ceilings, throwing light in a downward direction to create accents in the bathroom and illuminate functional areas. To ensure an even spread of light, downlights should be placed evenly around the room and not too close together.

Adjustment

Many LED downlights can be adjusted to redirect the light around the room. They are great for general lighting, as well as highlighting specific areas, such as over a sink or mirror. Be sure to check the light offers the level of adjustment you’re looking for.

Finish

Downlights are available with a wide variety of finishes depending on your tastes, with trim options including everything from polished chrome to brass and matt white. While this choice is down to personal preference, it is an important factor to consider in terms of creating the right overall look.

Fire-rated downlights

Look out for fire-rated downlights which are flame resistant and may help slow the spread of a fire when compared with traditional downlighters. While all downlights should meet required safety standards, choosing fire-rated fittings can provide extra peace of mind should the worst happen.

Using LED downlights in your bathroom

Offering a cost-effective, safe and long-lasting solution, downlights are ideal for bathrooms since they are extremely versatile and can be used to create different beam angles as required. LED downlights are particularly beneficial since they have an even longer lifespan and produce no heat or UV radiation during use.

LED downlights can be used for a number of applications in the bathroom:

Task lighting

As the name suggests, task lighting is designed for carrying out tasks in your bathroom, such as taking a shower or brushing your teeth in the sink. LED downlights can be used to illuminate these areas effectively.

Ambient lighting

Ambient lighting provides overall illumination of your bathroom, with downlights often being recessed into the ceiling to provide a comfortable spread of light without any glare. Consider fitting a dimmer switch so that you can always create the perfect ambience, with brighter light when you’re having a shower or low light when taking a relaxing bath.

Accent lighting

Accent lighting is great for adding interest to your bathroom and highlighting key focal points, like positioning a directional downlight towards the basin or onto a tiled wall to create a luxurious ambience.

Decorative lighting

Add a further touch of interest and sophistication to your bathroom by adding some decorative lighting. Decorative downlights can be used to cast patterns and effects into the room, creating feature lighting.

Top Picks: The best LED downlights for your bathroom

Product	Price	Lumens	Colour Temp	Lifespan	Warranty
SOLO All-in-One 10w LED Dimmable Downlight	£18.55	800-900lm	3000k, 4000k, 6000k	50,000 hours	5 years	Buy Now
Philips 6w LED Coreline Recessed Spot 830 – Dimmable	£25	650lm	3000k	30,000-50,000 hours	3 years as standard with an additional 2 if registered by Philips direct	Buy Now
Philips 6w LED Coreline Recessed Spot 840 – Dimmable	£25	650lm	4000k	30,000-50,000 hours	3 years as standard with an additional 2 if registered by Philips direct	Buy Now
Osram 7w LED Downlight 3000k – IP44	£16.37	580lm	3000k	50,000 hours	3 years	Buy Now

If you’re looking for bathroom LED downlights for your home, LampShopOnline can help. We provide a range of LED downlights and our team of experts can provide expert advice and guidance. Contact us today.