Discover stunning bathroom lighting ideas for both commercial and domestic spaces. View our full range of IP44 rated fittings for zone 2 of your bathroom here.
Choosing bathroom lighting can feel more complicated than it needs to. Get it wrong and you’re looking at fittings that steam up, corrode, or fail to meet regulations. Get it right and you have lighting that transforms your bathroom into a space you actually want to spend time in. Every bathroom pendant light, swan neck, and wall sconce in this collection is IP44 rated for zone 2 use, which means it’s designed and independently tested to withstand the moisture, steam, and splashes of a working bathroom. If you’re unsure which zone your light will sit in, our team can talk you through it.
For over four decades we’ve been designing and making lighting from our Herefordshire workshop, and our bathroom range brings that same craft to a space where quality really matters. Whether you’re planning a period restoration, a contemporary refurbishment, or somewhere in between, you’ll find IP44 bathroom pendant lights, ceiling lights, wall sconces, swan neck lights, and chandeliers here that are built to last. Every fitting can be customised in finish, cable colour, and shade to suit the room you’re building.
In UK bathrooms, lights within 60cm of a bath, basin, or shower must be IP44 rated or higher. Outside that zone, standard IP20 fittings are fine. Directly above the bath or shower, IP65 is recommended for extra protection against water jets. The IP44 rating means the fitting is protected against solid objects over 1mm and against water splashes from any direction, which covers everyday bathroom conditions like steam and mirror splashes.
The UK wiring regulations divide bathrooms into zones. Zone 0 is inside the bath or shower itself (needs IP67, fully immersion-proof). Zone 1 is directly above the bath or shower up to 2.25 metres high (IP65 recommended). Zone 2 is the area within 60cm of a bath, basin, or shower (needs at least IP44). Anywhere outside these zones has no specific requirement, meaning you have real freedom to use decorative fittings that would not otherwise be suitable for a wet environment.
No. IP44 means splash-proof, not waterproof. An IP44 fitting will happily withstand steam, condensation, and the occasional splash from a basin or shower, but it should not be sprayed with a direct jet of water or submerged. For direct-spray areas (like inside a shower enclosure) you need at least IP65. For everyday bathroom use in Zone 2, IP44 is the right choice.
IP44 protects against water splashes from any direction and is required in Zone 2. IP65 protects against low-pressure water jets and is recommended for Zone 1, which is the area directly above the bath or shower. If you are lighting the space around your bath, basin, or vanity, IP44 is enough. If you are placing a fitting directly over the tub or in the shower area, choose IP65.
Yes, provided the fitting is IP44 rated and installed correctly. Statement pendants and chandeliers can transform a bathroom, particularly in a period property with high ceilings where the fitting sits well outside any water zone. Every pendant and chandelier in our bathroom range is designed for Zone 2 use, and most of our non-bathroom fittings can be converted for bathroom use on request.
Anything directly above a bath (up to 2.25 metres from the floor) sits in Zone 1 and needs a minimum of IP44, though IP65 is recommended for better protection against steam and water. Small pendants, flush ceiling lights, and downlights all work well here. Cluster pendants are increasingly popular for creating a spa-like feel above a freestanding tub. If the ceiling is higher than 2.25 metres above the bath, standard IP20 fittings become an option.
The area within 60cm of a basin is classed as Zone 2, meaning any wall light or pendant in that space needs to be at least IP44 rated. Wall lights either side of a mirror are the classic choice, giving even, shadow-free light for grooming. Swan neck wall lights, glass sconces, and small pendants all work well. If you position the fittings more than 60cm from the basin edge, you are outside Zone 2 and can use any decorative wall light.
Yes, the same rules apply. Any room with a bath, shower, or basin is subject to the same zoning regulations. That includes downstairs cloakrooms and compact ensuites, where the zones may cover most of the room. Wet rooms are treated more cautiously still, with IP65 often specified across the whole space because water can reach every surface. When in doubt, an electrician can confirm which zone a specific fitting will sit in.
The fitting itself needs to be IP44 rated as a complete unit. The IP rating covers the housing, the seal around the bulb, and the electrical connections working together. This means you cannot make a standard fitting IP44 compliant just by using a water-resistant bulb inside it. The bulb type (LED, halogen, incandescent) is a separate choice made for brightness, colour, and efficiency.
Yes, most of our decorative lighting can be adapted for bathroom use, even if it is not part of the bathroom range. This is a service we offer directly and it means you are not restricted to the bathroom collection when choosing a light for your space. If a wall light, pendant, or chandelier elsewhere on the site catches your eye, get in touch and we will confirm whether it can be converted.
Yes. Every fitting in our bathroom range can be customised in finish, cable colour, and shade, and we regularly design entirely bespoke bathroom lighting for period restorations, contemporary refurbishments, and hotel and hospitality projects. Our design team can work from a brief, a sketch, or a mood board. If you have a specific project in mind, contact us to talk it through.
Start with the zone the fitting will sit in, since that determines the IP rating you need. Then think about the light’s job in the room. General ceiling lighting sets the mood; wall lights either side of a mirror give useful task light for grooming; pendants over a bath or freestanding vanity add a focal point. Finally, match the style to the rest of the room. Our team is happy to talk through options if you would like a second opinion.
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If the ceiling is higher than 2.25 metres above the bath, standard IP20 fittings become an option." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What lights can I use beside a bathroom mirror or above a sink?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The area within 60cm of a basin is classed as Zone 2, meaning any wall light or pendant in that space needs to be at least IP44 rated. Wall lights either side of a mirror are the classic choice, giving even, shadow-free light for grooming. Swan neck wall lights, glass sconces, and small pendants all work well. If you position the fittings more than 60cm from the basin edge, you are outside Zone 2 and can use any decorative wall light." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I need IP44 lights in an ensuite, cloakroom, or wet room?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, the same rules apply. Any room with a bath, shower, or basin is subject to the same zoning regulations. 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