Color Temperature for Bathroom: How to Have the Best Bathroom Lighting

Whether for your nightly routine or a special at-home spa day, your bathroom can be your sanctuary, beyond a place to apply makeup and skincare. No matter the reason, the right color temperature for a bathroom supports both those relaxation and practical needs. Here’s what you need to know as you create your immersive space.

Different types of color temperatures

Color temperature falls into two categories: warm and cool.

• Warm color temperatures span 2700K-4000K (K stands for Kelvin, the color temperature measurement unit). They’re more reddish and yellow in color, just like when the sun is setting. Cozy and intimate, it can create a more relaxing atmosphere in your bathroom, but it may not be best for all tasks.
• Cool color temperatures exceed 4000K. They have more white and blue tones and can appear brighter than their warmer counterparts, just like when the sun is shining. Cool light can help to energize a space and create a more vibrant atmosphere. It’s also best for task lighting, as this can help you see details up close and clear as day.

What is the best color temperature for bathroom lighting?

Whether you prefer lots of natural light for your zen spa moments or want ambient light to get ready in the morning, color temperature matters. Before you decide on what accent, task, or vanity lights to add to your bathroom, consider the below color temperature factors.

Warm vs. cool

Warm bathroom lighting range creates the right atmosphere for a soothing bath. If you put on your makeup in the bathroom mirror, you’ll do better with cool lighting. The cooler your color temperature, the more it resembles sunshine and the environments you’ll actually spend time in throughout your day. So when applying makeup, go for cool lighting, and for spa day, choose warm lighting.

Your bathroom lights’ color temperature may also vary based on the atmosphere you're trying to create. For a welcoming feel, try using warm color temperatures between 2700K and 3000K. This way, you’ll give your bathroom a soft, yellowish glow that evokes comfort. On the other hand, if you're looking for a more modern, sleek look, go for a color temperature between 3500K and 4000K. Your bathroom will appear brighter and whiter in this range – and more clean and spacious.

Color rendering index

The color rendering index (CRI) of your bathroom light source is also important. It measures how well your bathroom bulbs render color. A CRI of 80 to 90 is ideal for bathroom spaces – it approximates a natural white glow. This way, the face you see in your bathroom mirror after your morning routine is the same one you present to the world.

Red vs. blue

The color of your bathroom lights shapes the vibe. Different colors can set different moods. For example, a warmer color like red can make a bathroom feel more relaxing. A cooler color like blue can bring a sense of life to the room. A multicolor light can forge a new environment with just a quick tap on an app – no need to change fixtures.

Best lighting options for bathroom color temperature

Bathrooms are where you start your day after you get out of bed and end it before sliding back into bed. That’s why it's so important to have the best illumination possible in your bathroom. Below are some great options for setting the right color temperature.

Layered fixtures

If you love a well-lit space, layers of light are perfect. This design involves utilizing different light sources to fill the whole room. For example, you can use recessed lighting as your ambient source. Then, you can add a table lamp to make tasks easier to see, like a manicure or tweezing. After that, add some sconces around the mirror to double as accent and task lighting.

Ambient mood lighting

Ambient mood lighting is soft, calming, and versatile. Many mood lights let you easily move through literally millions of colors across the rainbow to reach the right vibe. The very best options give you mobile control so you can shift the mood right in the middle of a soothing bath.

The BlissRadia Smart Ambient Mood Light is a perfect example. It comes with nine color gradient options and solid lighting in every color on the rainbow. You can control it from anywhere with the BlissHome app, which lets you change the gradient settings too. It’s the ultimate way to bring relaxation to your spa days and brightness to your morning routine.

BlissRadia Smart LED Mood Light

$39.99

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Makeup lights

Makeup lights are an especially glamorous bathroom accessory. As their name suggests, they provide extra illumination while you're doing your makeup. You can attach them to a mirror or use them as the main source in your bathroom. You should always look for a fixture or bulbs with a daylight color temperature. This way, the makeup you see in the mirror winds up being what everyone else sees when you’re out in the world.

Vanity lights

To add a touch of luxury to your bathroom, consider adding some vanity lights. You’ll typically mount them on the wall so they can provide direct light to the area around the mirror. They’re perfect for putting on makeup, shaving, or anything else you’d do in the bathroom mirror.

Accent lights

Accent lights are a great way to add extra personality to your bathroom. You can use them to draw attention to a specific object in the room, whether your mirror or your favorite piece of wall art. Accents can also double as task lights – they’re basically vanity fixtures with a more artistic flair.

LED lights

Although halogen bulbs are more energy-efficient than standard incandescent bulbs, LED lights are the modern energy-saving standard. They're long-lasting and available in various colors and styles – many are multicolor and span the whole rainbow. They also emit less heat than other bulbs, meaning that only the steam from your calming shower will warm the room. They give you control over your bathroom’s color temperature and actual temperature.

Dimmers

Dimmers give you full control over your bathroom lighting. They allow you to adjust your lights’ brightness so you can create the perfect bathroom atmosphere. That means you can bring a strong light into your space for getting ready in the morning or a softer source for relaxing in the evening. Gently sliding the dimmer is all it takes to completely reset the mood in your bathroom.

Multiple sources of light

It's always good to have multiple sources in your bathroom. This way, you can adjust the levels to suit your needs, or switch between warm and cool with ease. If one source is too bright or dim, you can use another source to set the right vibe. For example, you could entirely turn off your overhead lights and just take in the warm lighting of the sconces flanking your mirror. Or you could dim the overheads and switch to LED strips for a more dynamic bathroom experience.

You can run them along wall molding or mirror edges or stick it onto the undersides of your bathroom cabinets. You can shine it in one color or several. It’s the simplest way to completely transform your bathroom.

Find the right bathroom color temperature with BlissLights