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Bathroom Recessed Lighting Tips

Adding recessed lighting to your bathroom can be an undertaking, as there is more to consider in a damp environment than other places in your home. We’re here to answer your questions and guide you to the best bathroom recessed lighting solution for you!

Where should I place my bathroom recessed lighting?

three recessed lights over two bathroom vanities and pendant light over bathtub

You’ll want to place your bathroom recessed lighting in spaces that aren’t accommodating to decorative fixtures. Fortunately, that leaves you with a lot of different options based on your bathroom space.

For example, say you have a decorative backsplash for your bathroom vanity. You may not want to install traditional vanity lighting, as it could disrupt your aesthetic design. In this case, recessed lighting becomes the perfect bathroom vanity light solution, installing above the vanity area to provide even lighting across your space without interfering with your style! There are tons of creative applications for recessed lighting that give you the light you need while preserving the style you want.

One popular place to install bathroom recessed lighting is above your shower. That way you can avoid lighting up the whole bathroom by switching on vanity/overhead light (and possible waking your partner when you get up to shower before work) by only turning on the light where you need it—in the shower. You can do the same thing with your bathtub, directing light exactly where you need it. Recessed shower lights are becoming more and more popular as a power-saving option for your bathroom lighting. Most recessed lights are also LED compatible for maximum power efficiency!
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Some people prefer to place recessed light in the center of their bathroom to create ambient lighting throughout the room and use vanity lighting as supplemental task lighting for getting ready in the morning or cleaning up before a night out.

one recessed light over shower in bathroom

One popular place to install bathroom recessed lighting is above your shower. That way you can avoid lighting up the whole bathroom by switching on vanity/overhead light (and possible waking your partner when you get up to shower before work) by only turning on the light where you need it—in the shower. You can do the same thing with your bathtub, directing light exactly where you need it. Recessed shower lights are becoming more and more popular as a power-saving option for your bathroom lighting. Most recessed lights are also LED compatible for maximum power efficiency!

Some people prefer to place recessed light in the center of their bathroom to create ambient lighting throughout the room and use vanity lighting as supplemental task lighting for getting ready in the morning or cleaning up before a night out.

Recessed lighting is highly versatile and can be used for many applications. We recommend examining the style you’re going for in your bathroom and placing your recessed lighting appropriately—fortunately, recessed lighting fits in with all décor styles!

How far apart should I place my bathroom recessed lighting?

The general guideline when installing multiple recessed lights is to keep them four feet apart. We recommend making a grid layout of your bathroom to help you determine the placement of your recessed lights. A simple grid where one box = one square foot can help you understand your space and where the bathroom recessed lighting placement you need.

Can I use other lights with my bathroom recessed lighting?

two recessed lights installed in bathroom shelves

The great thing about recessed lighting is that it saves space and stays out of the way of your other light fixtures while providing even lighting to your space. These lights will also be placed out of the way of your decorative fixtures. We recommend using recessed lights for even lighting over your whole space, and/or as spotlights over your shower and bath where other fixtures may not be accommodating. Combine these recessed lights with vanity lights, undercabinet lighting, and decorative fixtures like damp-rated chandeliers or semi-flush mounts to complete the aesthetic design of your bathroom.
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Recessed lights can also be used in spaces other than your ceiling, such as shelves and underneath cabinets that don’t have natural light in order to either spotlight your décor or as functional task lighting.

The great thing about recessed lighting is that it saves space and stays out of the way of your other light fixtures while providing even lighting to your space. These lights will also be placed out of the way of your decorative fixtures. We recommend using recessed lights for even lighting over your whole space, and/or as spotlights over your shower and bath where other fixtures may not be accommodating. Combine these recessed lights with vanity lights, undercabinet lighting, and decorative fixtures like damp-rated chandeliers or semi-flush mounts to complete the aesthetic design of your bathroom.

Recessed lights can also be used in spaces other than your ceiling, such as shelves and underneath cabinets that don’t have natural light in order to either spotlight your décor or as functional task lighting.

How should I install bathroom recessed lighting in a small bathroom?

﻿Mini-recessed lighting is the perfect solution for small or low-ceiling areas. Because these lights tuck up into your ceiling, they bathe your room in light without taking up any space. If you have limited ceiling space, mini-recessed lighting is available to accommodate your spacing needs!

How do I know if my recessed lighting is safe for the bathroom?

When installing any light in a bathroom, always check to make sure the fixture is either damp or wet rated. Wet location recessed lighting can be used in locations where water will touch the fixture directly, while damp rated fixtures are safe in rooms where water condensation (such as steam from your shower) will be present. Understanding your space and which type of light you will need by evaluating if the fixture will come into direct contact with water or not, and always have a professional double-check your installation to make sure everything is safe.

We offer a wide array of both wet and damp rated recessed lights for your bathroom that are specifically designed to keep the electric components safe from moisture. We also offer shower trim for your recessed lights. This trim is made to be installed in showers to protect the electrical components. All recessed lighting housing is made to protect the electrical components, but shower trim adds another layer of protection for safe use.

If you have further questions about installing recessed lighting in your bathroom, please give our experts a call. We’re always happy to help you find the right solution!