Your bathroom renovation deserves more than a single ceiling light. Thoughtful lighting makes daily routines easier, elevates finishes, and helps small Toronto bathrooms feel bigger. This guide breaks down the essentials so you can plan layers of light, choose the right fixtures for wet zones, and control everything with smart, simple switches.

Why bathroom lighting matters in Toronto

Toronto homes often have compact bathrooms with limited natural light. Good lighting improves visibility for grooming, reduces shadows, and makes tile and stone look their best. It also supports safety in wet areas and keeps night trips comfortable without harsh glare.

Plan the layers: ambient, task, accent, night

Ambient (overall): Soft, even illumination from a ceiling fixture or low‑glare recessed lights. In low ceilings, choose shallow recessed or a slim semi‑flush mount to keep headroom.

Task (vanity): Put light on faces, not just the counter. Side sconces at roughly cheekbone to eye level on each side of the mirror give the most flattering, shadow‑free light. If you only have space above the mirror, pick a wide bar with opaque or diffused lenses.

Accent (style): LED strips under a floating vanity, toe‑kick, or niche add depth and a custom look.

Night (wayfinding): A low‑level night light or motion‑activated toe‑kick strip saves you from switching on bright lights at 2 a.m.

Vanity lighting that flatters and works

• Placement: Side sconces spaced to sit about 30 to 36 inches apart work in many setups. If using a single over‑mirror bar, mount it 75 to 80 inches from the floor, depending on the mirror height.
• Colour temperature: 2700K to 3000K feels warm and flattering. Keep the whole bathroom consistent so the colours of tile and paint appear true.
• Colour rendering: Look for CRI 90+ to see skin tones, grout, and finishes accurately.
• Backlit mirrors: Great for narrow rooms because they add task light without protruding fixtures.

Shower and wet‑zone lighting: ratings and safety

• Use fixtures rated for the location: “Wet location” for inside showers and over tubs where water can contact the fixture. “Damp location” suits areas with moisture but not direct spray.
• Trim choice: Look for shower‑rated downlights with a sealed lens and an appropriate gasket. IP65 or similar ratings are common for spray exposure.
• Steam showers: Choose sealed fixtures and confirm with your electrician that drivers and junctions sit outside steam enclosures where required.
• Fan with light: An efficient, quiet exhaust fan with an integrated light can help reduce condensation and fogging.

Important: Always hire a licensed electrician and follow Ontario electrical safety rules for wiring in wet zones and for GFCI‑protected circuits where required.

Controls that make the room smarter

• Separate switches: Put vanity, ambient, shower, accent, and fan on separate controls so you can tailor light levels.
• Dimmers: Dimmable LEDs let you go bright for cleaning and soft for evenings. Use compatible dimmers listed by the fixture manufacturer.
• Timers and motion: Put the fan on a countdown timer or humidity sensor. Add motion to a toe‑kick strip for night use.
• Smart options: Smart dimmers with scenes make mornings and evenings one tap away.

Small bathroom layout example (5×8)

If you are remodeling a classic 5×8, try this:

1. One low‑glare recessed fixture centered for ambient light.
2. Two vertical vanity sconces or a wide over‑mirror bar.
3. One shower‑rated recessed downlight centered on the shower floor.
4. LED strip under a floating vanity for night mode.

For more small‑bath strategies, see our Toronto 5×8 Bathroom Remodel Playbook (2025).

Condo considerations

Many Toronto condos have concrete ceilings that limit recessed fixtures. Surface or semi‑flush mounts, track with shielded heads, or mirror‑integrated lights are excellent alternatives. Always confirm building rules and required approvals.

Pair lighting with the rest of your bathroom plan

Lighting plays best with waterproofing, tile selection, and comfort upgrades:

• Waterproofing: Good lighting helps you spot slope and grout issues. See Toronto Bathroom Waterproofing & Tile 2025.
• Comfort: Heated floors dry surfaces faster and feel great. See Toronto Heated Bathroom Floors Guide (2025).
• Kitchen lighting: For kitchen lighting principles you can borrow, check our Toronto Kitchen Lighting Guide 2025.

Typical budgets and timelines in Toronto

• Fixtures: $300 to $1,200 for a quality vanity setup, $100 to $300 per recessed light, $60 to $200 for LED strip hardware, $150 to $400 for a quiet fan with light.
• Controls: $80 to $150 per dimmer or timer, smart options from $120 each.
• Labour: Simple swaps can be a half-day. New circuits, fan ducting, or concrete ceilings often take 1 to 2 days. Combine electrical with other trades to save visits.

Every home is different. We will design for your space and your electrical panel capacity, then coordinate with tiling and waterproofing so everything lines up cleanly.

Common mistakes to avoid

• One bright ceiling light that creates shadows and glare.
• Blue‑white 4000K to 5000K bulbs that make finishes look cold.
• Non‑rated fixtures in wet zones.
• No dimmers, which makes the space feel harsh at night.
• Random fixture styles that clash with mirrors and hardware.

Work with a team that sweats the details

We design lighting and switching plans that fit your space and budget, coordinate with tile and waterproofing, and install to Ontario safety standards. See our Bathroom Renovations service page and recent project posts for inspiration.

Ready to brighten your bathroom?
Contact us today to book a consultation. We will help you plan a lighting layout that looks great and works day to day.

📞 Call us at: 437-259-9632

✉️ Email us at: jgcontractingyyz@gmail.com

🌐 Website: https://jgcontractingyyz.com