Bathroom Lighting Ideas That Combine Style and Function

Bathroom lighting is one of the most effective ways to change how the bathroom looks and feels. In many Australian homes, bathrooms rely heavily on artificial lighting because they have limited windows or receive very little natural daylight.

With the right lighting solutions, spaces can be transformed into brighter, cleaner and more welcoming environments without changing the layout. While upgrading ceiling lights or adding layered lighting can help, incorporating natural daylighting solutions such as a Solatube Daylighting System can completely change the atmosphere of the room. Its tubular skylight design evenly distributes light so you can create a soft, ambient environment.

If you are looking to improve the lighting in your bathroom, this blog explores both artificial and natural lighting solutions that are practical, effective and suited to Australian homes.

What Better Bathroom Lighting Achieves

Bathrooms that are dark and enclosed often appear less clean, as grime or damp patches are easily missed in poorly lit areas. Good lighting does more than increase brightness. It improves functionality, comfort and the overall feel of the space.

Well-designed lighting offers:

Bathrooms to feel brighter and more spacious
Creates a soft, calmer environment
Supports daily grooming, such as applying makeup or shaving
Improves how fresh and clean a space feels
Reduces reliance on artificial lighting
Helps internal bathrooms feel less enclosed

Natural light also plays a huge role in improving the look and feel of a bathroom. It helps the bathroom feel fresher and more open as it reduces reliance on artificial lighting during the day and softens harsh shadows. Solatube skylights for homes offer a great solution as they flood bathrooms with natural light and require minimal installation time. Whether you choose to improve lighting in the bathroom with skylight or ambient lighting, bringing better lighting into the bathroom can completely transform a space.

Assess Your Bathroom’s Current Lighting

Before looking into lighting solutions for your bathroom, it is best to first assess the current situation and needs.

Here are some questions you can begin with:

Does the bathroom rely on a single ceiling light?
How will I use the space (i.e., shaving, applying makeup)?
Are there strong shadows around the bathroom vanity or mirror?
Is the space still dark during the day?
Does the room feel cold, damp or uninviting?
Is artificial lighting always switched on, even in daylight hours?
Is there a risk of mould or moisture buildup?

Australian homes, particularly heritage homes and townhouses, have been designed with minimal lighting or placed internally without windows. This means that single ceiling lights don’t capture the comfort or the ambience of the home. Understanding what your needs are and where your bathroom lighting falls short will help you decide what direction to take to improve your bathroom lighting.

The Most Effective Ways to Improve Bathroom Lighting

Choosing the right lighting solutions can transform your bathroom. This can be done through layered lighting, pendant lights, ambient lighting or bringing natural light into the home. Here are our top four ways to effectively improve bathroom lighting.

Improve Overall Light Coverage

One of the quickest ways to improve lighting in the bathroom is to improve light coverage. When you rely on a single ceiling light, it can create uneven light dispersion and dark zones, especially in spaces that are hidden around the toilet or shower.

Instead, it’s best to:

Add multiple ceiling lights or downlights to improve light coverage
Add layered lighting or pendant lighting to ensure all corners are illuminated
Avoid adding one harsh light over bright spots, as it can create glare

Add Functional Task Lighting

Designing your bathroom lighting to match how you will use the space is another great strategy. As grooming, shaving and makeup applications all require evenly illuminated lighting, it is important to design for task lighting.

To improve task lighting, consider:

Use vanity lights at eye level near mirrors
Wall lights or wall sconces on either side of bathroom mirrors for even lighting.
Avoid using only overhead lighting above the mirror, as it creates shadows

Improve Light Quality

Light quality is another consideration for how to improve lighting in the bathroom. Bathrooms with high colour accuracy lighting are important as they can affect skin tones and surface colours. Using low-quality or dimly lit lighting can distort colour and create an unwelcoming environment.

For light quality, try:

Choose comfortable, neutral colour temperatures
Avoid overly cool, harsh blue-toned lights
Prioritise higher CRI lighting for better colour rendering

Introduce Natural Light Where Possible

Although there are many artificial lighting solutions to improve bathroom lighting, natural light remains the best source of light for bright, ambient light. If your bathroom has windows, try to keep window coverings light and use reflective surfaces so the daylight bounces off surfaces.

For internal bathrooms, installing a skylight can bring natural light into the home without compromising on privacy or requiring core structural changes. For example, Solatube’s skylight tubular technology channels daylight into the room below for bright, even dispersion.

Benefits of Natural Light

Natural light does more than brighten up a space.

It can:

Make bathrooms feel larger and more open
Improve comfort and mood
Provide accurate colour perception for grooming
Reduce moisture and mould buildup
Reduce energy dependence during the day

Whilst installing a window may not be a viable option for your home, adding a skylight brings similar benefits, with the added benefit of privacy. Bathroom skylights with integrated ventilation kits are particularly beneficial as they provide consistent daylight, reduce reliance on artificial light and help keep spaces properly ventilated.

Solatube bathroom skylights are designed with this in mind, combining advanced daylighting technology with optional skylight accessories such as ventilation features to brighten your home while maintaining a fresh, comfortable environment.

Layer Your Lighting for Better Results

Another solution is layering your lighting for better results. This allows you to switch between lighting solutions depending on what function is needed or the atmosphere you wish to create.

Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting is typically found in ceiling or downlights and should be used to evenly illuminate the entire bathroom. It acts as your foundation for bathroom lighting ideas. Solatube skylights provide even dispersion and are a great base for functional lighting.

Task Lighting

Task lighting for shaving or doing makeup should be placed where clarity is essential. For example, use wall lights, vanity lights or wall sconces around the bathroom vanity or mirrors to reduce shadows and improve visibility.

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting is great for adding warmth and atmosphere to the bathroom. It helps a bathroom feel less harsh and more spa-like and adds to the overall ambience. Placing accent lighting around shelving or along a bathroom wall helps create depth.

Fixing Common Bathroom Lighting Problems

Windowless Bathrooms

Internal bathrooms are often difficult to effectively light as they do not have access to natural light and rely solely on artificial lighting. This can lead to the spaces feeling enclosed, dark and damp.

To improve these spaces:

Add layered artificial lighting
Use mirrors to reflect light across the room
Introduce daylight from above using skylights

Installing a skylight in a windowless bathroom is a great solution for homes that cannot accommodate traditional windows. It also improves bathroom lighting without structural redesign, making it a practical choice for many Australian homeowners.

Bathrooms That Feel Harsh or Clinical

Bathrooms without natural daylight or adequate lighting can often feel heavier or more humid. When internal bathrooms rely solely on artificial lighting, they often miss out on the natural drying effect of sunlight, which can leave the space feeling humid and uncomfortable.

Solatube Daylighting solutions are designed with this in mind. In addition to delivering consistent, natural light, selected models offer ventilation add-on kits that help extract steam and moisture, supporting a fresher and more comfortable environment.

Bathrooms That Feel Damp or Uncomfortable

Lighting, Moisture, and Comfort

Lighting, moisture and comfort all play a role in how clean and comfortable a bathroom feels. The brighter and better-lit a space is, the cleaner and drier it tends to feel. Quality lighting helps highlight moisture and grime buildup early, improving both hygiene and the overall perception of cleanliness. By combining effective daylighting with proper ventilation, bathrooms can feel brighter, drier and more inviting.

Final Thoughts

If your bathroom feels damp, dark or uninviting, improving the lighting is a great place to start. Updating your lighting can instantly make the space feel fresher and brighter, helping transform it into a more modern and welcoming bathroom. Replacing outdated ceiling lights with brighter bulbs, incorporating layered lighting or introducing task lighting around mirrors and vanities can all help soften shadows and improve functionality.

Solatube bathroom skylights, paired with ventilation kits, are an ideal solution for evenly dispersed natural light while helping keep the space fresh and properly ventilated. They enhance the overall ambience, support energy efficiency and maintain privacy, all while contributing to a bathroom that feels cleaner and more refreshed.

Get in touch with your local Solatube dealer today to learn how you can brighten and revitalise your bathroom.

Bathroom Lighting Ideas That Combine Style and Function

Table of Contents

What Better Bathroom Lighting Achieves

Assess Your Bathroom’s Current Lighting