Bathroom lighting has one main job: lighting your face evenly so you can shave, do makeup or style your hair without shadows. The right vanity light depends on your mirror size, your wall layout and how the light is spread. Here is how our lighting consultants approach it.
Light bar above the mirror, or sconces beside it?
Sconces on each side of the mirror give the most even, shadow-free light on the face, because light comes from both sides at eye level. Mount them about 60 to 66 inches from the floor to the centre of the fixture, and about 36 to 40 inches apart.
A vanity bar above the mirror works well for wide mirrors, double vanities and walls where side mounting is not possible. Mount it about 75 to 80 inches from the floor, or a few inches above the top of the mirror.
In larger bathrooms, many designers combine both, or add an LED mirror which builds the light into the mirror itself.
What size vanity light?
Choose a fixture about two thirds to three quarters of the mirror's width, and never wider than the vanity. For a double vanity with two mirrors, use a fixture above each mirror, or a pair of sconces per mirror.
Up or down?
Many vanity lights with glass shades can be mounted with the shades up or down. Shades facing up give a softer, wider spread that also lights the ceiling. Shades facing down put more light on the face and countertop. Check the product details to see whether the fixture can be mounted either way.
Colour temperature and CRI
For bathrooms, colour accuracy matters more than anywhere else in the home.
- Colour temperature: 3000K is warm and flattering; 3500K to 4000K is crisper and closer to daylight for grooming. Some LED fixtures offer selectable colour temperature so you can choose at installation.
- CRI (colour rendering index): look for 90 or higher. High-CRI light shows skin tones and makeup accurately.
Damp ratings
Bathroom fixtures should be rated for damp locations. Fixtures inside a shower or directly over a tub need a wet rating, and local electrical code may set specific requirements, so check with your electrician.
Choosing a style
- Modern vanity lights: integrated LED bars and minimalist designs, often mountable vertically.
- Contemporary vanity lights: glass shades, mixed metals and multi-light designs.
- Crystal vanity lights: sparkle for powder rooms and primary baths.
- Traditional vanity lights: classic glass and heritage finishes.
Coordinate the finish with your faucet and cabinet hardware, and add matching wall sconces if you have a second mirror or a dressing area.
Quick checklist
- Measure your mirror and vanity width.
- Choose sconces at 60 to 66 inches, or a bar at 75 to 80 inches.
- Size the fixture at two thirds to three quarters of the mirror width.
- Pick 3000K to 3500K with a CRI of 90 or more.
- Confirm the damp or wet rating.
Get free help from a lighting consultant
Every space is different. LV Lighting is a team of lighting consultants based in Richmond, BC, and our online store carries thousands of fixtures from brands like Hinkley, WAC Lighting, Dainolite, Matteo and Artcraft. Send us your room dimensions, ceiling height and a photo or plan, and we will suggest fixtures, sizes and mounting heights at no cost. Call 604-233-1998 or email sales@lvlighting.ca. Orders over $199 ship free, and all prices are in Canadian dollars.