When designing a bathroom, your shower lighting ideas might not be the priority, but let's all agree right now: drab overheads have got to go. Curating an atmosphere that is not just utilitarian but utterly transformative all comes down to the right lighting.
Whether you’re looking to cast a spa-like glow or bring in natural luminosity with architectural skylights, it’s time to think beyond boring fixtures and instead reframe your everyday rituals with shower lighting ideas that are just as intentional as the rest of your space.
Today, designers are using cleverly-placed recessed LEDs, showerheads with built-in illumination, and more to merge the practical with the beautiful — from lighting that amplifies luxe tile and stone to ideas that casts the right amount of shadow. Yes, your shower should absolutely be functional, but why can’t it also be one last spot to show off your style? Here are some of our favorite shower lighting ideas.
1. Channel Your Favorite Hotel
This peaceful penthouse includes an encompassing tiled shower with a discrete cove light.
Canadian firm ACDO “wanted to incorporate all the details you’d find in your resort hotel room” into their Niagara-on-the-Lake penthouse project, says architect Abe Chan. They sure pulled it off. The bathroom features a living plant wall, sleek travertine, and a hammam-inspired aesthetic pulled from the client’s own international travels.
In the steam shower, shown above, they placed a “nice covelight so you aren’t looking at glare like with a direct light source,” explains Sam Khouvongsavanh. Would builder-grade lighting have worked just fine? Yes, but an unexpected wraparound wall of light is more memorable — just like any five-star stay would be.
2. Create a Dramatic Focal Point
Backlit stone is not often top-of-mind but it should be for a shower that is dramatic as it is luxurious.
In Texas, Torchy’s Tacos founder Mike Rypka’s Lake Austin home is full of moments of wonder. His primary suite is no exception. Rendered by Britt Design Group, the shower features Patagonia Extra quartzite lit with carefully placed LEDs.
The waterproofing, especially the lighting system, took some configuring, but it was well worth it, notes Laura Britt. “The client was open to bold ideas and trusted us to take risks, and when we found this slab, we knew it was the perfect statement piece for a striking, one-of-a-kind primary bath,” she says.
RAK Ceramics' Luce tile is made from a translucid body that, when illuminated, gives off a soft glow that can completely transform a space.
3. Let the Architecture Be Your Guide
Sometimes an operable window is the ideal element when you’re looking for an experience that brings the outside in.
The light on the Spanish coast is uniquely warm, and designers Tanya Selway and Benjamin Stelly took full advantage of it when refining a Port Xabia vacation home.
The natural light provides both function and subtle beauty, they note. “For the bathroom, we utilized the shower’s arched tiling as an expressive light funnel for the rest of the bathroom, selecting a wood-framed window to tie to the blue maximalism, which harkens to the Mediterranean Sea just across the street,” says Tanya Selway.
4. Keep it Simple With a Skylight
Flood your bathroom with ever-changing light with a skylight. Be sure to add a plant for a special touch.
Sometimes, the most straightforward shower lighting ideas are the best. For designer Sara Cukerbaum of Austin-based Slic Design, an oversized skylight did the trick in one of her recent contemporary ventures.
“With all this natural light, we didn’t need to crowd the space with color and pattern," she explains. "We opted to keep it simple and let the veining and depth of this clean marble define this beautiful, crisp space.”
5. An Integrated Ray of Light
A cost-effective shower lighting idea? Bring in the LEDs.
Don’t have room for a unique pendant or a statement-making skylight for your shower lighting ideas? A budget-friendly upgrade can easily be done with LED lighting, which happens to be San Francisco designer Lexie Saine’s go-to move.
“There's something undeniably romantic about adding soft illumination to a shower. It creates a warm, inviting glow that elevates the entire experience,” she says.
Beyond the mood it sets, LED lighting ideas are a sensible choice at any time of day. “It acts as a sophisticated night-light, offering just the right amount of light without disrupting the ambiance of the space,” Lexie adds.
Available in warm white, white, and cold white, this 10 meter strip of LED lighting is cuttable, meaning you can customize it to fit whatever niche, nook, or space you want to light.
6. Or Line the Whole Wall With LEDs
An LED strip along the wall in this shower adds architectural interest without distracting.
But LEDs can also be used for lighting so much more than just illuminating small niches in your shower.
In this bathroom, an LED strip light runs along the length of the wall, creating an architectural focus that doesn't distract from the stunning marble shower enclosure, designed by Donna Dufresne Interior Design.
7. Build an Artistic Mosaic
Bring the drama with an artful and well-lit shower.
Shower lighting ideas may not seem like a thrilling topic, but why can’t it be? Great design lives in the details.
For Debbie Bernstein, a lighting designer at Tirschwell Lighting Design, “contemporary-style showers have many possibilities for lighting, such as backlit stone or linear fixtures in walls and ceilings.”
This particular project, located on New York City’s Billionaires’ Row, leaves quite the impression with an amber-hued glow.
Debbie Bernstein is an architectural lighting designer for Tirschwell Lighting Design in Los Angeles. She earned an Associate of Science degree in Interior Design, before working for a premier lighting company in Orange County, honing her craft for lighting design in high-end luxury residential, hospitality, and boutique projects.
8. Map Out Your Own Starry Night
Embedded LEDs are one way to set the right mood.
One of the highlights of this Manhattan pied-à-terre is its custom steam shower. Silver travertine drapes the walls, floor, and ceiling of the shower, perfectly aligned with the homeowner’s desire for a truly soothing environment.
“PCJ Architecture developed a constellation of lights on the ceiling to mimic the sense of standing under a starry sky,” says founder Phillip J. Consalvo.
Adding an extra layer of personalization, the firm modeled the design after the constellation visible on the day the client was born, he notes. Better yet? The team individually hand-drilled each LED fiber-optic cable into the stone slab on the ceiling.
9. Look to Mother Nature
A sun-lit space is always a classic, and if you don't have direct access to outside, a sun tunnel can help.
For Florida designer Teresa Cannon, her favorite shower lighting idea is easier than one may think: the sun.
“There is just something spa-like about feeling the running water while being bathed in natural light," she says. "A 'solar tube' light is actually a very reasonably priced luxury addition to any bathroom."
Add one in a walk-in shower, like she did with this large en suite, to flood the space with diffused sunlight. Velux's Sun Tunnels would do the trick.
10. Use Glossy Tiles to Reflect Light
Glossy black tiles help to bounce light around this otherwise dark bathroom.
Sometimes, the best shower lighting ideas don't actually have anything to do with your specific choice of lighting, but rather the other surfaces and finishes you use in the space, which accentuate your lighting.
In this space by Carter Williamson Architects, it's easy to see how the choice of glossy black tiles helps to bounce light around the otherwise dark bathroom.
To achieve this look, opt for tiles with a high sheen, such as a Zelliege tile, which will create a dynamic effect in the space, bouncing and reflecting the changing light throughout the space.
This glossy green tile will contribute to a moody bathroom scheme, but its high sheen will ensure light still bounces around the space, making it feel dynamic and ever-changing.
11. Make a Scene with Recessed Spotlights
Recessed spotlights are a popular shower lighting idea for a reason.
But, of course, we shouldn't completely banish spotlights. In fact, they're often the best (and most accessible) shower lighting ideas.
And while often the biggest benefit of recessed lighting is the fact that you can't see them, the small fixtures sit directly inside the walls or ceiling and emit focused lighting — sometimes, it can work to make a statement with them.
In the bathroom above by Onestà and Mia Molato, black recessed lights were selected for both the bathroom and shower lighting, which ties in with the tap and hardware finishes throughout the space, making the space feel cohesive and considered.
12. Balance Your Bathroom with Wall Sconces
Don't forget to consider wall sconces when choosing your shower lighting ideas.
To make your bathroom feel cohesive overall, don't come up with shower lighting ideas in isolation — think about how they will layer and complement with the rest of the lighting in the space.
In this bathroom by Ezequiel Farca Studio, the statement wall sconces are repeated throughout the space, spotlighting the different features — above the mirror, in the shower, and over the toilet.
13. Make a Statement with Surface-Mounted Downlights
Surface-mounted downlights are a more architectural option to traditional spotlights.
Another variation on spotlights is to opt for surface-mounted downlights as your shower lighting ideas. These are a good choice when you want to direct light towards a specific area, and can also contribute more to your design scheme, as they're completely visible.
The surface-mounted downlights work particularly well in the bathroom and shower area shown above, where they make a statement in the space, but as they're color-drenched with the rest of the ceiling, they still feel soft and disappear into the room.
Make a statement with a brushed brass surface-mounted downlight like this style from Pooky. Also available in a bronze finish.
14. Opt for a Showerhead with Built-in Lighting
Why not let the light shine straight from your showerhead?
Yes, they exist. While it can be more difficult to find elevated options (steer clear of colorful light displays if you want a spa-like feel), showerheads with built-in lighting can be a more functional way to illuminate the space, casting light where you need it most.
The showerhead below is designed to sit flush with the ceiling and features multi-colored panoramic LED lights, which reflect beautifully off the water as it falls.
15. Trick the Eye With Light Boxes
Believe it or not, this isn't a skylight but a light box that mimics natural light.
Natural light is important everywhere, but perhaps nowhere quite as much as in the bathroom. "If there’s no availability of sunlight, you can install artificial lights so that the space doesn’t seem too gloomy," says architect Nishita Kamdar.
Innovative light boxes, like those from CoeLux, can replicate the look of natural light coming through a skylight, even in windowless spaces, as seen above.
16. Maximize Light with a Carefully-Placed Mirror
Something as simple as a well-placed mirror can be an effective shower lighting idea.
Overloading a shower with too many lights can overwhelm the space, creating a cluttered or overly harsh atmosphere. This is especially true in larger or darker bathrooms, where finding the right balance between sufficient illumination and a cohesive design can be a challenge.
But there's a simple solution. Instead of relying solely on additional lighting, consider incorporating reflective surfaces and bathroom mirror ideas strategically to maximize the light.
For example, placing a mirror behind the shower head, such as in the bathroom above, reflects light throughout the space and adds depth, making the bathroom appear brighter and more open. Similarly, using reflective materials on the shower ceiling or walls — such as polished metal tiles or high-gloss finishes — can amplify both natural and artificial light
17. Hide Diffused Lights in the Ceiling
Diffused ceiling lights can provide ample illumination without cluttering your design.
For the most flattering lighting in a bathroom, conceal diffused lights diffused lights concealed behind ceiling panels or inside acrylic ceilings, avoid the harshness of direct lighting offer a minimalist aesthetic.
"Acrylic ceilings with diffused lights are perfect solutions to all your light troubles! And for those who like to bring in a mood — remember no bright harsh lights — add in backlit bathroom mirrors and turn on the music to create a peaceful ambiance," says Nishita.
For added convenience, use low-level PIR (passive infrared) motion-sensor lighting. These lights switch on automatically as you enter the room, making them perfect for nighttime visits or when you're having a long, leisurely shower when you need soft, unobtrusive illumination. These can be hidden inside the ceiling, right above the bathtub or shower stall.
FAQs
Do you need a special light bulb over a shower?
"Yes, you absolutely need a special type of bulb for use over the shower," says Carr Lanphier, CEO of Improovy. "Using the wrong bulb can result in water damage and corrosion inside the bulb or the fixture itself, which of course can eventually result in shorts and the potential for electrical fires.
"Steam, damp, wet, or shower-rated are all terms you should be looking for when you’re buying a bulb or LED strip for over your shower. These bulbs are fully sealed so as to prevent moisture from getting inside and damaging the bulb."
Keep in mind that in in bathrooms, especially small ones, the humidity levels are high and there are chances that the lighting fixture will be exposed to condensed steam. This is why, it's good to speak to an expert or electrician on the type of damp lighting fixture to choose, and where to install it in the bathroom. Wet-rated fixtures that are fixed inside the shower stall or close to it, and can withstand water and humidity. These are also sealed to prevent water from entering and they also are made from components that will not rust.
What type of light is best over a shower?
When it comes to shower lighting ideas, recessed LED lights are a great choice, according to Carr Lanphier. "Personally, I like recessed LED lighting over a shower for better visuals. Oftentimes, these lights allow you to adjust the quality and color of the light, which can help provide a really unique and relaxing shower experience."
Dara Greaney, founder and CEO of LEDLightExpert, adds, "Ideally, the light should be IP 64 or higher if you use it very close to a shower. That 4 indicates it can handle indirect moisture (or steam in this case)."
Dara Greaney is the CEO and President of LEDLightExpert.com, a leading provider of commercial lighting solutions. Under his lead, the company has won multiple awards in the lighting sector, and sold millions of dollars worth of LED lighting.
What kind of lights can you put in a shower?
When choosing lighting for your shower, it’s important to consider both function and safety.
Recessed spotlights installed directly above the shower provide focused, bright illumination for clearer visibility. For a softer, more uniform glow that stretches even beyond the shower, you can choose a domed glass diffuser. Adjustable spotlights mounted just outside the shower offer flexibility, allowing you to direct the light as needed for optimal coverage. Indirect ceiling lights, which provide a diffused, soft glow, are also a great choice, especially in walk-in showers where a gentle ambiance is desired.
If you prefer a dramatic effect, a back-lit wall made of semi-transparent synthetic panels with an RGBW LED strip can create stunning color and mood changes, transforming the space with a simple flick of a switch. Track lighting is another option, with individual adjustable spots that can highlight different areas of the room without the risk of accidental contact with the lights.
You could also opt for a long line of track lights may be useful since the individual spots on it can be aimed in different directions, helping you accentuate different parts of the room. Also, you won't accidentally reach out and touch the lights.
It’s crucial to ensure that your lighting fixtures are rated appropriately for wet areas. For example, lighting in direct contact with water or steam, such as within a shower, requires a minimum IP67 rating to handle moisture, advises Leigh Price co-director of Real Tiles & Bathrooms. For overhead lighting near the shower, a rating of at least IP44 is recommended. To protect the circuit, particularly for 240V fixtures, it’s also essential to use a 30mA RCD (Residual Current Device).
Can you put a light over the shower?
The simple answer is yes. You must choose a bathroom ceiling light that is rated for damp or wet areas. While these may seem like standard fixtures, they have extra features like a rubber gasket and glass lens or diffuser, that make the light moisture-resistant. One thing to keep in mind while installing tracks or chandeliers above the bathtub or shower is that there should be at least eight feet of space between the top of the tub or shower bottom. If not, it can result in electrical malfunction or safety hazards.
Always make sure that the lighting you choose is designed for wet environments to ensure both safety and longevity in your shower space.