Journal / Lighting
Bathroom lighting ideas, and the rules around water
Words by the Bathroom Edit editor · Updated on 3 October 2026 · 2 min read
Good bathroom lighting comes in layers: light on your face at the mirror, a soft glow for night, and daylight when you can get it. And around water, the wiring rules decide where things can go.
Light the face from the front at the mirror, add a low glow under the vanity or in a niche for night, and bring in daylight. Keep switches and power points out of the restricted zones around the bath, shower and basin.
1. Light the face
Spec board
- MirrorBacklit round
- SconcesEither side at face height
- ColourWarm white
- SwitchOutside the wet zone
- FinishBrushed brass
A downlight above the mirror casts shadows under the eyes. Light from either side of the mirror, at face height, is what designers use.
2. A glow for night
A strip light under a floating vanity or in a shower niche lights the floor at night without waking you up.
3. Daylight
A high window or skylight gives privacy and daylight; this year's award-winning ensuites used skylights. See the 2026 trends.
The rules around water
Australia's wiring rules, AS/NZS 3000, divide the space around baths, showers and basins into zones. In the NSW Government's summary of the rules:
- Zones 0 and 1 (inside and directly around the bath or shower): no switches or socket outlets.
- Zone 2: switches only if at least 0.3 m away and rated at least IPX4; sockets only as a shaver outlet or RCD-protected inside a cupboard.
- The NSW guidance suggests keeping switches about 0.6 m clear of a bath or shower screen entry, and 0.15 m to the side and 0.4 m above a basin, to stay out of zone 2.
All of this is for a licensed electrician to design and install. Bring your lighting plan to them early.
Common questions
What is the best lighting for a bathroom mirror?
Light from either side of the mirror at face height, or a backlit mirror, which lights the face evenly without shadows.
How far does a light switch need to be from a shower?
NSW Government guidance on AS/NZS 3000 suggests about 0.6 m from the shower screen entry to stay out of zone 2, or a switch rated IPX4. Your electrician will confirm for your room.