Image above: design guide by Jill Seidner Interior Design on Pinterest
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Planning a bathroom? My Bathroom Design Toolkit walks you through the whole room, from layout and clearances to tile, so the vanity wall and its lighting are planned before anything is ordered.
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Bathroom vanity lighting starts at eye level
The most common mistake I see is a single light bar over the mirror and nothing else. Light coming straight down casts shadows under your brow, nose and chin, which is exactly what you don't want when you are looking at your face.
The fix is light from the side. The NKBA Bathroom Planning Guidelines put it simply: task lighting at the vanity should be beside the mirror and at eye level, with the lamp not visible to the eye. That last part matters. A shade or a frosted glass globe softens the bulb so you are not squinting into it.
Sconces vs overhead: which is right for your vanity?
- Two sconces, one on each side of the mirror. My first choice whenever the wall allows it. Your face is lit evenly from both sides, and the pair frames the mirror like a piece of furniture.
- An overhead bar above the mirror. The right call when the vanity sits tight between two walls, or the mirror is so wide that side sconces would be too far apart to reach your face. Pick a fixture that throws light down and out, not just down.
- Both. In a primary bathroom with a long double vanity, I often do a sconce on each side of each mirror, or sconces plus a bar, so each person has their own light.
- A lighted mirror. A good option in a small bathroom or a rental where you can't move the electrical box. It puts soft, even light right at your face.
If you go with a bar, a 3-light black vanity bar with clear glass shades reads clean and modern, and a brushed nickel 3-light vanity fixture works with chrome or nickel faucets. For sconces, I love a pair of brass globe wall sconces on either side of a round or arched mirror.
Image via Jill Seidner Interior Design on Pinterest (originally from Emily Henderson). View the pin
In Emily Henderson's farmhouse primary bathroom, the lighting is planned around the mirrors, so every station at the vanity gets its own light.
Vanity sconce height and spacing
This is where a few inches make a big difference. Lighting makers give slightly different ranges, so here is what two of them say:
- Golden Lighting recommends centering side sconces 60 to 66 inches from the finished floor, keeping each one 2 to 6 inches from the mirror edge, with paired sconces 24 to 36 inches apart overall.
- Lumens suggests mounting the center of side sconces 60 to 70 inches from the floor, which puts the light near eye level for most adults, and spacing them about 28 to 30 inches apart.
My rule: aim the center of the fixture at the eye level of the people who use that sink most. If you are tall, go toward the higher end. If you share the vanity with someone much shorter, meet in the middle.
For a bar above the mirror, Lumens suggests 75 to 80 inches from the floor, and Golden Lighting suggests 78 to 84 inches for standing use with at least 6 inches of clearance to the ceiling. Either way, mark it in painter's tape before your electrician sets the box. It is much easier to move tape than a junction box.
Image via Jill Seidner Interior Design on Pinterest (originally from House Beautiful). View the pin
House Beautiful's vanity roundup is a great place to study how designers line up the mirror, the faucet and the lights on one centerline.
Bathroom mirror lighting: plan the mirror and lights together
Pick the mirror and the lights at the same time. The mirror width decides where the sconces go, and the sconces decide how wide the mirror can be. On a single sink vanity, I like a mirror a few inches narrower than the vanity, with the sconces just outside its edges.
Lumens notes that in a powder room, a two- or three-light bar that spans roughly one-third of the mirror width is often the most practical solution. In tight spaces a lighted LED bathroom mirror is another way to get even light at your face without moving the wiring.
Image via Jill Seidner Interior Design on Pinterest (originally from Olive and Neon). View the pin
This custom white oak double vanity by Olive and Neon shows how a long vanity wall can be split into two stations, each with its own sink and mirror.
Bulbs, color and dimmers
The fixture is only half of it. The bulb decides whether your skin looks healthy or gray.
- Color temperature. Lumens says most designers recommend 2700K to 3000K for vanity lighting, a warm, natural white that is flattering to skin tones.
- Color accuracy. Lumens also says a CRI of 90 or above is the standard for accurate color at the vanity, which matters most for makeup.
- Dimmers. Bright for the morning routine, soft for a bath at night. A Lutron Diva LED+ dimmer switch works with dimmable LED bulbs.
For globe sconces I use dimmable G25 globe LED bulbs in 2700K, and for sconces with a shade, a soft white Feit Electric A19 LED bulb in 2700K. Keep every bulb at the vanity the same color so the light looks even. If your ceiling light is a different color than your sconces, you will notice it every time you look in the mirror. My post on ceiling lighting solutions covers the overhead layer.
Bathroom light fixtures and moisture
Bathrooms get steamy, so check the fixture's rating before you buy. Destination Lighting explains that damp rated lights are designed to withstand moist environments where condensation may build up in and around the fixture. And the NKBA guidelines note that light fixtures installed within tub and shower spaces should be marked suitable for damp or wet locations. When in doubt, ask your electrician what your local code requires.
Image via Jill Seidner Interior Design on Pinterest (originally from The Lifestyled Co). View the pin
The Lifestyled Co designed this primary vanity for a custom new build in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Notice how the lighting, mirror and hardware all share one warm finish.
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My bathroom vanity lighting checklist
Choose the mirror and lights together. Put light beside the mirror whenever you can. Center sconces near eye level, roughly 60 to 66 inches up. Use warm 2700K to 3000K bulbs with a high CRI, all the same color. Add a dimmer, and check the damp rating. If you are planning the whole room, my guide to planning a bathroom remodel and my list of bathroom remodel mistakes to avoid will help you get the order right.
Bathroom Vanity Lighting FAQ
Are sconces or an overhead light better for a bathroom vanity?
Sconces on each side of the mirror give the most even, flattering light on your face. An overhead bar works when the vanity is tight between walls or the mirror is very wide. Many bathrooms use both.
How high should vanity sconces be mounted?
Golden Lighting recommends centering side sconces 60 to 66 inches from the finished floor, and Lumens says 60 to 70 inches. Aim for the eye level of the people who use that sink.
What color light bulb is best for a bathroom vanity?
Lumens says most designers recommend 2700K to 3000K, with a CRI of 90 or above for accurate color. Use the same bulb in every fixture at the vanity.
