How layered lighting schemes are transforming bathrooms into spa-like retreats

As lighting continues to play a more prominent part in bathroom design, Nicola Hanley talks to the experts and shines the spotlight on the latest trends. 

With bathrooms evolving into multifunctional spaces, lighting is increasingly being embraced for its ability to create atmospheric interiors. “Gone are the days of bathrooms that feature a single, overhead light, with successful schemes now embracing a layered approach that carefully combines task and ambient lighting,” says Alvin Biggs, MD of RAK Ceramics UK.

Massimo Buster Minale, founder and creative director of Buster + Punch, is in complete agreement. “We’re moving away from the ’spotlight only’ look to a more layered aesthetic that combines the spotlight with other lights, which gives a stronger design-led aesthetic,” he says. "Our stance on lighting is that it’s not one light to rule them all, but layers and zones that enhance how you use them and appreciate them.”

The trend for spa-style bathrooms has definitely helped to fuel demand for design-led schemes that utilise multiple light sources. “With wellness and mood now at the heart of interior design, people are recognising how the right lighting can enhance relaxation, support daily routines and transform the bathroom into a calming, spa-like retreat,” says Mara Rypacek Miller, founder of Industville. 

For Crosswater’s head of design Jorge Hernandez, lighting is now the the first step to creating a calming, luxurious spa-like aesthetic with colour-changing lights, which offer different temperatures, now widely considered a must-have rather than a nice-to-have. “People want spaces that can adapt to their rhythm – bright and energising in the morning, serene and cocooning in the evening,” he says. “Lighting plays a crucial role in enabling this shift, transforming the atmosphere of the same space easily and effectively.”

The interior trend for personalisation is having a positive impact of the bathroom lighting market, too, comments Esther Patterson, founder and designer at Curiousa, which has just launched Pastello, a playful new collection. “Bathrooms are becoming far more expressive spaces,” she says. “We’re seeing a shift towards using colour, texture and form to create mood, atmosphere and individuality. People are becoming braver with bathroom lighting, too. Decorative wall lights and pendants are being used alongside task lighting to add personality and a sense of occasion.”

Easy to integrate into any bathroom design, illuminated mirrors and cabinets remain big sellers for many manufacturers due to their multifunctional roles. “They are essential for ensuring the vanity space is well lit and providing ambient and task lighting as and when required,” says RAK Ceramics UK’s Biggs. He also notes that illuminated shower niches are a “growing trend as they make a feature and transform practical storage into a statement space”.

Designers are also increasingly utilising pendants, particularly around vanity units, thanks to their ability to create a focal point, points out Jasmine Rowe, product design lead at hib. “Pendants introduce height, softness and a decorative element that enhances the overall design of a bathroom,” she says. “Materials such as hand-blown glass, tinted shades and warm metallic accents are particularly popular, complementing both contemporary and timeless interiors whilst adding texture and visual interest. This shift has been driven by a greater desire for personalisation and the growing expectation that bathroom design should feel more considered and inspired. Homeowners are now becoming more tactful and using subtle features, such as statement lighting, to elevate ambience and visual impact.”

The future of the bathroom lighting market certainly looks bright as consumers become more aware of its ability to set the scene for relaxation and experiment with different fittings. “Looking ahead, we expect bathroom lighting in 2026 to become even more integrated, intuitive and decorative. Expect to see more sophisticated ambient systems, bolder fixtures and greater use of warm, diffused light to bring that curated, lived-in comfort to the bathroom,” says Crosswater’s Hernandez.

Rowe at hib. agrees: “As LEDs become more efficient and compact, manufacturers will have more opportunities to integrate lighting into mirrors, cabinetry and other architectural details, while still leaving scope for decorative pieces. Together, these developments point to a future in which lighting plays a more influential role in defining the character and quality of the modern bathroom.”