The three bathroom zones
Every bathroom has three electrical zones, defined by distance from water sources. The zone determines the minimum IP (Ingress Protection) rating you need. Get this wrong and you have a safety hazard. Get it right and any fixture works.
Zone reference
| Zone | Location | Minimum IP | Common fixture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 0 | Inside the shower or tub basin | IP67 | 12V low-voltage recessed only |
| Zone 1 | Above the shower, up to 7.5 ft high | IP44 (IP65 recommended) | Shower-rated recessed light |
| Zone 2 | 6 ft radius around the sink or tub edge | IP44 | Wall sconces, vanity lights |
| Zone 3 | Anywhere else in the bathroom | IP20 (no rating needed) | Standard ceiling fixtures |
Reading an IP rating
IP44 means protected against solid objects over 1 mm (the 4) and water splashes from any direction (the 4). IP65 means dust-tight (the 6) and protected against water jets (the 5). For a shower-rated fixture, IP44 is the legal minimum but IP65 is the practical choice. The extra cost pays for itself in fixture longevity.
The lighting layout
Three layers. Ambient (the overhead light, usually recessed or flush mount). Task (vanity lights flanking the mirror, never overhead — overhead light casts shadows on the face). Accent (a small fixture over the tub or in a niche).
Mirror lighting rules
- Place vanity sconces at eye level, roughly 60 to 66 inches off the floor.
- Space them 28 to 36 inches apart, centered on the mirror.
- Pick CRI 90+ bulbs. Skin tones look natural only at high CRI.
- Avoid fixtures that protrude more than 6 inches from the wall — they get bumped.
Common layout mistakes
- Single overhead fixture only. The face is in shadow when standing at the mirror.
- Vanity light directly above the mirror. Same shadow problem.
- Wrong IP rating. A standard ceiling fixture above a tub is a code violation.
- No dimmer. Bathrooms need a dimmer for late-night visits and relaxing baths.
- Wrong color temperature. 4000K is unflattering. Stay in 2700K to 3000K for residential bathrooms.
Real picks from LoryLAB
Most of our lighting line is designed for dry zones. For bathroom-specific projects, our LoryLAB Wall Lights collection includes IP44-rated wall sconces that work in Zone 2, and our flush mount collection includes damp-rated options for Zone 3 ceilings.
