Can you post a picture of the work already completed or a diagram of what you plan to do? It is possible to have a side sconce with a recessed medicine cabinet.

we have 2 recessed cabinets with 3 sconces.. one in the middle and one on each side left and right. There is only 3 inches between the cabinet mirrors and right and left lights! We have lived with this for a year and it hasn't been an issue.... we haven't broken or even touched a light fixture with the medicine cabinet door.

Figure every 25sq feet needs 50 watt light, that's minimum. Of course you have different zones and don't use them all - all of the time. I have a 66" long area for my vanity and put in 3 3" recessed lights above it. They are approximately 8" from the wall. I have 2 sconces to either side of my medicine cabinet and took care to place them where they would not get involved with the swing of the medicine cabinet. I am waiting to see how the light gets bounced off of a counter in the room. Right now we don't have a vanity or counter in the space. Right now I am not crazy about the way the light looks on my face. Think monster. All the light is coming from the top and I knew that was a problem going in but I thought the sconces on the sides would help me out but I placed them so they look good but didn't place them low enough, I am short. 5' 2".
I will tell you I went to a lot of lighting stores and no one would tell me what the formula was for lighting. That is why I gave it to you up front. I am sure when my counter gets placed that things will straighten out.

Thanks for your response just_julie! Do you happen to have a picture? The electrician and the light saleslady said I can't do side sconces for some reason. I will post a pic soon, thanks again!

Thanks for your response jjaazzy. What height did you put your side sconces at? I've read the light source should be 60 inches from the floor for side sconces, the light saleslady told me that as well. But then the medicine cabinets would be in the way. I am worried about the recessed can lights above as well, they cast a lot of shadows. But I don't know what else to do...I thought the table lamps would help at the makeup vanity, saw a pic online once, but can't seem to find the link...

I'm curious as to why your electrician is saying no.

I've seen some designers (maybe Sarah Richardson or Candice Olsen?) use pendant lighting above or in front of vanity mirrors. You mentioned that you do not like the over mirror vanity lights and that sconces may not work either. Have you looked at whether pendants (or small chandeliers) might work?

Thanks for posting a pic just_julie, beautiful! They said I can't because the medicine cabinets would be in the way. They said side sconces are usually placed at 60 inches above the floor. But I guess I could place the sconces higher...

Thanks pricklypearcactus, I'll have to look into that...I'll have to search some pics online...

Everyone...having trouble downloading pics. But here is a link for a similar concept: http://hostedmedia.reimanpub.com/TFH/Step-By-Step/FH06APR_TRABAT_05.jpg
Keep in mind, the makeup vanity is the same material as the sink vanity. To the left of the makeup vanity is a corner where the medicine cabinet is. I like the 2 lamps on the makeup vanity to provide light at eye level. But how do I get electricity to these lamps? Could I just put an outlet behind each lamp on the wall? But do I need to have a backsplash at the makeup vanity though?? Wasn't sure if it would look weird if there is a backplash at the sink vanity and not at the makeup vanity. I asked the electrician & contractor about mounting sconces in the mirror as pictured. Contractor said he would charge $$$ to cut the mirror so that option is out. Don't know what to do in addition to the 2 lamps. I REALLY don't like vanity lights above the mirrors...but recessed lighting casts shadows. What to do???

I am going through this as well. I just don't like those vanity light racks. They are so corny. But like you, I am stuck with them. I did notice that Lighting Universe had some that were palatable and not quite as bizarre as some in the past. There are some that are just really cylinder shaped and look pretty neat in a modern setting. I love that you are doing the candlestick lamps and would have suggested that. Maybe you don't really need anything more than that in that area and just use the lamps for lighting along with the vanity lights for the other two mirrors. I remind myself that I am not going to be doing surgery in there and have cut back from a 4-5 light rack to a three light. Helped a lot as far as appearance goes.

Then look how nice this looks with recessed lighting:
http://www.hgtv.com/designers-portfolio/room/contemporary/bathrooms/4028/index.html#//room-bathrooms
I could put a separate switch for the makeup vanity recessed can. Then another separate switch for the sink vanity recessed cans. When I'm doing makeup, I can put the sink vanity cans on and turn off the makeup vanity can. Then also use light from the 2 lamps...thus no direct light overhead. What do you think? If you agree, what size recessed cans should I go with? Should I use directional eyeballs?

Those are 3" lights.

You could achieve a similar effect using cove lighting (Led or fluorescent).

Thanks for your input gr8day! I'll check out that website for lighting.

Thanks davidtay! I actually just read an article that said if you have to do recessed lighting to do a luminous soffit with 2 4' fluorescent tubes instead. Is that the same idea? Does it look something like this?
http://remodeling-design.bathroomlightingoutlet.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ls_application11.jpg

Will that provide as much light as cans or vanity lighting would? Do you recommend LED or fluorescent? Are either dimmable? Thanks!!

Any more thoughts? I can't do the light cove. So I am stuck with recessed lighting. Any thoughts on type/placement would be greatly appreciated! I'm meeting with the electrician soon. Thanks for your help!!

There are mirrors with cutouts that have lights behind them. This is one option: http://www.csnmirrors.com/Kenroy-Home-90830-lo2973.html. Similar mirrors have lights completely around the perimeter of the mirror.

Sconces wash the face with light from the side. Sconce placement should have the bulb approximately level with the users eyes (usually around 66 inches). You should do a mockup of the light since the junction box may need to be placed higher or lower to get the actual bulb placement in the right zone. You also want to make sure that you don't place the scones too far apart--30 to 36" is one rule of thumb.

As far as recessed light placement, it is difficult to avoid shadows when the light is coming from above without any side lights. I was told to place the can so that the light hit the edge of the counter--I think it was about 18 inches off the wall (it depends on the spread of the beam). I decided not to use recessed cans so I can't speak personally about this. (Shine a flashlight over your head in a dark bathroom to get a sense for the shadows.)

Thank you socialsister!

Or you could have a strip of light in the ceiling.

Other alternatives include robern uplift or candre sconces.

The uplift sconces are actually hung from the ceiling to approx eye level. They provide ample lighting.