How to Choose Your Bathroom Vanity Lighting
Get tips on sconces, pendants, chandeliers, downlights and LED strips – and find out where to place them
The bathroom vanity is an important space in the home, but one that can sometimes be overlooked. In a primary bathroom, it can be the central hub for much of our self-care and the true workhorse for some of our daily routines. For this reason, bathroom vanities need carefully selected lighting that lives up to its full potential. There are many options to choose from, all of which work in different scenarios and can be used together to achieve the best of both worlds. Read on to find out how to choose the right lighting for your bathroom vanity.
It’s important to realise, though, that sconces come in various forms and should be selected properly to provide appropriate light for a bathroom, which is different from, say, the lighting in a tight hallway or intimate dining room.
In a main bathroom, where one will sometimes be using the mirror for tasks such as shaving, applying make-up, it’s important to have fixtures that light not just the space, but the face.
Remember, good bathroom task lighting, like that shown in this bathroom by Built Design Collective, will primarily light you, rather than the wall or mirror.
In a main bathroom, where one will sometimes be using the mirror for tasks such as shaving, applying make-up, it’s important to have fixtures that light not just the space, but the face.
Remember, good bathroom task lighting, like that shown in this bathroom by Built Design Collective, will primarily light you, rather than the wall or mirror.
For this reason bathroom sconces are commonly chosen in pairs or more (one on each side of each mirror).
Together, a pair of sconces will evenly light the face from the sides, avoiding harsh shadows that can leave part of your visage in the dark.
That being said, the fact that they can cap off the look of a beautiful bathroom mirror is a great bonus.
Picture Perfect: 35 Beautiful Bathroom Lighting Ideas
Together, a pair of sconces will evenly light the face from the sides, avoiding harsh shadows that can leave part of your visage in the dark.
That being said, the fact that they can cap off the look of a beautiful bathroom mirror is a great bonus.
Picture Perfect: 35 Beautiful Bathroom Lighting Ideas
To get the most functional lighting in a bathroom, you’ll want to choose light fixtures with a semi-opaque shade that diffuse light gently, rather than an opaque shade that completely blocks the light from traveling forward. This way the light will reach your face rather than just hitting the surfaces of the room.
For an evenly lit space, fixtures such as the multi-bulb ones shown in this bathroom by Fohr Design Studio will generate light from multiple angles to better eliminate shadows.
For an evenly lit space, fixtures such as the multi-bulb ones shown in this bathroom by Fohr Design Studio will generate light from multiple angles to better eliminate shadows.
Long, minimalist sconces like the ones designer Darci Hether used here are popular choices for a similar reason: the long stretch of light, either from multiple bulbs or LED strips, will cast a lot of light evenly up and down the face. Plus, they bring a modern appeal that helps give a bathroom a crisp, clean feeling.
As a general rule, try mounting lights such as these between 165 and 180 centimetres from the floor, depending on their size and dimensions. Sconces placed 70 to 76 centimetres apart can also help achieve a well-lit vanity, though this depends on the size of the room, the size and direction of your light sources, and other factors.
5 Designer Tricks for Brightening a Windowless Bathroom
As a general rule, try mounting lights such as these between 165 and 180 centimetres from the floor, depending on their size and dimensions. Sconces placed 70 to 76 centimetres apart can also help achieve a well-lit vanity, though this depends on the size of the room, the size and direction of your light sources, and other factors.
5 Designer Tricks for Brightening a Windowless Bathroom
Choose a pair of sconces if:
- You need your vanity to be an evenly lit workstation for your morning routine.
- You want to fill the space to the sides of your mirror with an extra decorative touch.
- You have a single narrow mirror or multiple mirrors with spaces between.
- You can’t install lights in the ceiling (in an apartment with concrete ceilings, for example).
- Your renovation will already involve opening a wall but not the ceiling, making sconces more convenient to install than a ceiling fixture.
A single sconce above the mirror
Don’t have a lot of wall width to work with? To allow the maximum width for a mirror, you can position a sconce above the mirror instead of squeezing one in on each side, as done in this bathroom by Focus Builders.
This keeps the lighting symmetrical, though having the light come from overhead may cause some shadows on your face.
Don’t have a lot of wall width to work with? To allow the maximum width for a mirror, you can position a sconce above the mirror instead of squeezing one in on each side, as done in this bathroom by Focus Builders.
This keeps the lighting symmetrical, though having the light come from overhead may cause some shadows on your face.
Again, to help get more light, you can look to twin-light or multi-bulb fixtures to cast some light down from two sides for better balance.
Often fixtures that are seemingly meant to be installed vertically can be rotated to run horizontally, as Fuchsia Design did here, giving you even more options when you shop. This is not always the case, so check the installation instructions before buying.
Often fixtures that are seemingly meant to be installed vertically can be rotated to run horizontally, as Fuchsia Design did here, giving you even more options when you shop. This is not always the case, so check the installation instructions before buying.
Another situation to use a sconce above the mirror is when the mirror is quite wide, as in this bathroom by Cohesively Curated. If your mirror is 150 centimetres wide or more, one sconce on each side of the mirror might be spaced too far apart to provide strong, even light to someone standing between them.
This is especially true for a double vanity, where people will not be standing in the centre but rather to one side. A series of lights above the mirror will light your face more evenly in this case, regardless of where you stand.
Sconces mounted over the mirror can also work especially well in a bathroom with a tall ceiling, playing into the verticality of the space and drawing the eye upward. The ideal height for installing fixtures above a mirror is about roughly 200 centimetres above floor level.
Best of the Week: 34 Brilliant Bathroom Vanities
This is especially true for a double vanity, where people will not be standing in the centre but rather to one side. A series of lights above the mirror will light your face more evenly in this case, regardless of where you stand.
Sconces mounted over the mirror can also work especially well in a bathroom with a tall ceiling, playing into the verticality of the space and drawing the eye upward. The ideal height for installing fixtures above a mirror is about roughly 200 centimetres above floor level.
Best of the Week: 34 Brilliant Bathroom Vanities
Use a single sconce above the mirror if:
- You don’t have room on one or both sides of the mirror to fit a pair of sconces.
- You have a very wide mirror with no breaks in between.
- You have double mirrors, as seen here.
- You have a tall space and want to dramatically accentuate the height by adding a focal point up high.
A statement chandelier or pendant
So far we’ve talked a lot about functional task lighting, but sometimes light has a different, ambient function: just being beautiful.
Especially true in spaces other than the main bathroom, such as a powder room, the lighting may not need to be perfectly even and bright. In these cases and seen here in this interior designer’s bathroom by Jacque Yates, a single light or a cluster of pendants that make a dramatic statement is preferable.
Read about this interior designer’s sustainably designed home
So far we’ve talked a lot about functional task lighting, but sometimes light has a different, ambient function: just being beautiful.
Especially true in spaces other than the main bathroom, such as a powder room, the lighting may not need to be perfectly even and bright. In these cases and seen here in this interior designer’s bathroom by Jacque Yates, a single light or a cluster of pendants that make a dramatic statement is preferable.
Read about this interior designer’s sustainably designed home
If you don’t use a space as often, it can be a great place to experiment with unique looks that you might not use anywhere else in the home.
Asymmetrical or off-centre arrangements can work wonders, like in this bathroom by Studio Black Interiors, where a slim yet bold mini-pendant casts functional light and gives the space a sense of personality and drama.
Asymmetrical or off-centre arrangements can work wonders, like in this bathroom by Studio Black Interiors, where a slim yet bold mini-pendant casts functional light and gives the space a sense of personality and drama.
If you love the look of a statement chandelier in the bathroom but still want the functionality of less-dramatic lighting, consider placing the chandelier in the centre of the room or over the bathtub instead, as Built Design Collective did here, and combine it with a pair of subtle sconces for contrast.
Mixing basic wall fixtures with a more elaborate ceiling fixture will reduce the chance of the two styles competing or clashing.
Mixing basic wall fixtures with a more elaborate ceiling fixture will reduce the chance of the two styles competing or clashing.
Choose a statement chandelier or pendant if:
Expert Eye: 10 Design Features for a Brighter Bathroom
- You don’t need perfectly even lighting for tasks in a non-primary bathroom.
- You want to make a big impact in a powder room.
Expert Eye: 10 Design Features for a Brighter Bathroom
Multiple simple pendants
While pendant lights can be quite dramatic, they can also be functional as well. Here, AV Architects + Builders shows how a series of pendant lights can function similar to sconces if hung low enough, or being hung higher to sit above the mirror, or somewhere in between.
While pendant lights can be quite dramatic, they can also be functional as well. Here, AV Architects + Builders shows how a series of pendant lights can function similar to sconces if hung low enough, or being hung higher to sit above the mirror, or somewhere in between.
Because pendants don’t attach to the wall, many models can be hung at whatever height and points in the bathroom that you choose. You could hang one light on either side of the basin, or include more pendants for more brightness.
Pendants can be very useful when you cannot install lights on the wall, either because of an architectural feature, such as a window, as in the Terracotta Studio project shown here, or because the wall is already finished (say, with beautiful tiling) and you don’t want to open it up just to add a new light.
Pendants can be very useful when you cannot install lights on the wall, either because of an architectural feature, such as a window, as in the Terracotta Studio project shown here, or because the wall is already finished (say, with beautiful tiling) and you don’t want to open it up just to add a new light.
Keep in mind that the rules here are similar to using sconces: Hanging the light around eye level, with a shade that lets the light diffuse outward in all directions, will light both the face and the room the most evenly. This bathroom by Falken Reynolds Interiors is a good example.
In a tighter space you can hang the sconces in front of the mirror to allow for a wider mirror. But, if the fixtures are too close together they’ll be too in-your-face to see the mirror properly. Therefore, make sure you have at least 75 centimetres or more between them.
How Do I… Choose Light Bulbs?
In a tighter space you can hang the sconces in front of the mirror to allow for a wider mirror. But, if the fixtures are too close together they’ll be too in-your-face to see the mirror properly. Therefore, make sure you have at least 75 centimetres or more between them.
How Do I… Choose Light Bulbs?
Choose multiple pendants if:
- You want to have it all – a wide, uninterrupted mirror and multiple functional lights.
- You have a tricky wall that can’t house sconces.
- You already have power supplied for lights in the ceiling and don’t want to open the walls unnecessarily.
Recessed downlights
Recessed downlights are often the first thing people look to when planning a bathroom renovation. This is especially true when renovating a space to sell, as downlights are aesthetically neutral and generally acceptable to any potential homeowner.
However, downlights are often burdened with lighting a whole room, when in fact they should only be one part of a full lighting scheme. If downlights are being used to light a vanity, it’s important to remember the previously mentioned rule: vanity lights should be lighting your face, not the mirror or the room in general.
Recessed downlights are often the first thing people look to when planning a bathroom renovation. This is especially true when renovating a space to sell, as downlights are aesthetically neutral and generally acceptable to any potential homeowner.
However, downlights are often burdened with lighting a whole room, when in fact they should only be one part of a full lighting scheme. If downlights are being used to light a vanity, it’s important to remember the previously mentioned rule: vanity lights should be lighting your face, not the mirror or the room in general.
It’s also important to make sure the lighting forms a complete grid, as Pomegranate Design did here. A single light in the centre of the room will not usually be enough light for the whole space. Using four or more downlights, wired on a dimmer system, will ensure you can turn the brightness up or down as needed.
For the richest light scheme, it’s best to combine downlights with pendants or sconces to bring in light from additional angles. However, using just ceiling lights can create a particular breezy, modern atmosphere, with nothing interrupting the crisp vertical surfaces, so it ultimately comes down to the look you prefer.
For the richest light scheme, it’s best to combine downlights with pendants or sconces to bring in light from additional angles. However, using just ceiling lights can create a particular breezy, modern atmosphere, with nothing interrupting the crisp vertical surfaces, so it ultimately comes down to the look you prefer.
Choose recessed downlights if:
10 Top Design Tips for an Ergonomic Bathroom
- You want to sell your home and need to make a safe decor choice.
- You like a wide open, modern scheme with walls free of pendants and sconces.
- You want a rich lighting scheme that includes multiple light sources working together.
10 Top Design Tips for an Ergonomic Bathroom
Modern LED strips
While most of the lighting types we’ve looked at have existed for ages, the use of modern LED strips to create mysterious glowing light virtually anywhere is a more recent development, with technology that just keeps getting better and better. The Chicago bathroom shown here by dSPACE Studio is a great example.
While most of the lighting types we’ve looked at have existed for ages, the use of modern LED strips to create mysterious glowing light virtually anywhere is a more recent development, with technology that just keeps getting better and better. The Chicago bathroom shown here by dSPACE Studio is a great example.
Bright lights that can now easily be built into mirrors, medicine cabinets, vanities, shelves or ceiling coves give a sense of futuristic cleanliness, which may be too minimalist for some spaces but tends to work well in a wide range of bathrooms.
Mirror lights are especially great for bringing a bright glow when you need it for tasks, as evident in this bathroom by LKID. These lights can be a bit of an investment compared to a typical bulb, but their long life usually makes them an economical choice in the long-term.
Mirror lights are especially great for bringing a bright glow when you need it for tasks, as evident in this bathroom by LKID. These lights can be a bit of an investment compared to a typical bulb, but their long life usually makes them an economical choice in the long-term.
Glowing lights built under or above a deep cabinet will not provide as much light on your face as a light beaming directly out of the mirror like in this bathroom by Mari Kushino Design. But the way they wash a wall can be good for highlighting a cool treatment like these stone tiles.
Choose modern LED strip lighting if:
- You like the space-age look of glowing LED light emanating from a mysterious source.
- You want to achieve ultimate brightness by adding a mirror light to an already rich scheme.
- You have a cool wall treatment you want to highlight with an even wash of light.
- You have a medicine cabinet for necessary storage and want to make sure the room still feels bright and open.
Your turn
Have you found this article helpful? Tell us in the Comments, save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Need more renovating and design advice? Don’t miss these 4 Steps to Get Ready for Kitchen Renovations
Have you found this article helpful? Tell us in the Comments, save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Need more renovating and design advice? Don’t miss these 4 Steps to Get Ready for Kitchen Renovations
Sconces, or wall-mounted light fixtures, are a popular choice for bathroom vanities for several reasons. They can be beautiful and highly functional, and generally they don’t take up a lot of space. This bathroom by Kenowa Builders shows what pairs of sconces can look like.
Find a specialised bathroom designer and renovator near you on Houzz