Kitchen and Bathroom Lighting
Design-led schemes take centre stage
Kitchen and bathroom lighting has evolved considerably in recent years, with customers increasingly looking beyond a grid of standard downlights towards more considered, flexible and design led schemes.
N
ick Gwilliam, lighting designer at Ansell Lighting, looks at the changing kitchen and bathroom lighting market, the products driving demand and the opportunities it presents for wholesalers.
Lighting design in kitchen and bathroom spaces has completely transformed: what was seen previously as purely functional, is now recognised as an essential design element, influencing not only how a space looks but how it feels and works.
From LED strip and under-cabinet lighting to selectable CCT, dimming and smart control, the range of solutions available is expanding, creating a valuable opportunity for wholesalers to increase sales.
Where once, a typical lighting scheme incorporated little more than a grid of downlights and the occasional under counter fluorescent tube, today’s approach is much more considered, with different layers of light combined to provide illumination for specific tasks, to create atmosphere, highlight design features and allow a space to adapt to different uses throughout the day.
Driven by more design conscious homeowners and the ‘Instagram effect’, this change has opened up significant opportunities for electrical wholesalers. Rather than supplying a small number of standard fittings, wholesalers can now benefit from selling a much wider range of luminaires, accessories and controls, opening up additional revenue streams.
In kitchens, downlights remain a popular source of illumination, but they are increasingly being supplemented with other forms of lighting. Decorative pendants for example, are a popular choice over islands and dining areas, whilst under cabinet lighting provides direct illumination on work surfaces for food preparation and other tasks.
LED strip is also hugely popular. Installed under cabinets and shelving, inside cupboards and around architectural features, it adds visual interest and accentuates design details. It is also being used along plinths and around ceiling cornices to provide a softer layer of ambient
lighting when the main task lighting is no longer required.
A similar shift is also taking place in bathrooms. Rather than relying solely on downlights, different forms of lighting are being used to add ambience and enhance wellbeing. LED strips are a popular option around ceilings, vanity units, baths and shelving, whilst wall lights and illuminated mirrors around vanity areas deliver effective illumination for tasks such as shaving, applying make-up and skincare.
For wholesalers, these product lines offer a real opportunity for increased revenue and mean curating a diverse product range is increasingly important. But it’s not just the type of luminaire that matters; the performance, flexibility and technical features offered by products are as equally important.
Wholesalers need to ensure their product ranges cater to the specific requirements and regulations governing different spaces. For example, in bathrooms and other areas where luminaires may be exposed to water or moisture, products must have the appropriate IP rating for their location meaning stock across a number of different IP ratings may be necessary. Colour temperature and dimming are also important. Homeowners want greater flexibility over both the appearance and intensity of their
lighting so stocking products that offer different hues and brightness settings is a must. To meet such a wide range of requirements while keeping stock lean, wholesalers should select products that offer multiple options within a single fitting. CCT-selectable and power- selectable luminaires for example reduce the number of variants that need to be stocked, helping to minimise SKUs, simplify inventory and reduce capital tied up in stock. They also make life easier for installers, who can carry fewer products yet still meet different project requirements.
Offering a range of control options such as smart lighting is also important. These allow homeowners to easily adjust their lighting to suit different activities, moods and times of day, whether that is brighter task lighting for cooking and getting ready or softer lighting for dining, entertaining and relaxing.
Ultimately, the opportunity for wholesalers is significant. Kitchens and bathrooms are two of the most important spaces in the home and areas where homeowners are increasingly willing to invest. By stocking a wide range of luminaire types, alongside flexible, multi-option products and controls, wholesalers can maximise the sales potential of every project.
26 | electrical wholesaler November 2026
ewnews.co.uk
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