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Vanity Lights Over Medicine Cabinet

13 years ago

We're leaning towards this vanity set for our master bath that comes with two large medicine cabinets, but not sure what to do with lighting the vanity. Photo of vanity: http://www.amazon.com/Fresca-Infinito-Bathroom-Tempered-Countertop/dp/B0035LQD48

Everything I've read says sconces are better than over-the-mirror lights, but I'm a little nervous never having done that before. We've only ever lived in places that had a boring builder's mirror and over-the-mirror vanity lights with 3 bulbs.

Other lights in the bathroom:

1 can light over shower

1 can light in toilet area

The entire room is rectangular (5'7" deep x 11'4" wide) with the shower, toilet, vanity in a line. We have maximum 70" for the vanity / mirror area.

Suggestions most appreciated.

Here is a link that might be useful: Picture of the vanity

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Comments (2)

jle
13 years ago
I'm in the same boat -- similar past experiences, and now faced with a lack of space to do side sconces (which is really a shame because I love how they look!).

But I'm thinking I'll do a double or triple sconce over the mirror/medicine cabinet. Similar look, though I imagine the lighting won't be quite the same. I've got to figure out how deep the sconce needs to be so that the light extends fully over the medicine cabinet's (partially recessed) depth.

Sarah Richardson (on Sarah's House show) has done a pendant light before -- very nice look, don't know how the lighting was.

Just my 2 cents!
sue_b
13 years ago
That is a GREAT vanity! Congratulations on finding one. That piece was the hardest search in my remodel. I have two tips for making the lighting decision.
#1 go to a lighting store if there is one within driving distance. Call first and make an appointment with a residential lighting designer. These people actually exist. Since I made an appointment I got great service and my contact had actually marked some catalogs with post-its before I got there since I had emailed my photo to her. There are great online sources for ordering lighting but having a real live person talk to you about it is a great investment of your time.

#2 Go to the design ideas photo site Houzz.com I just did to see what lighting layouts are shown for double vanities like yours. I picked the category "modern" and it was a bit surprising how few show the vanity lights in the shot. I saw a lot with two hanging pendants from the ceiling shining down on each sink but probably you don't have a high enough ceiling. Here are 3 different inspiration photos for lighting from Houzz

https://www.houzz.com/photos/master-bathroom-and-vanity-contemporary-bathroom-seattle-phvw-vp~28339-Bathroom---Vanity-modern-bathroom-seattle

[modern bathroom design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2105) by new york architect Chelsea Atelier Architect, PC

[modern bathroom design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2105) by los angeles architect HartmanBaldwin Design/Build

[modern bathroom design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2105) by seattle interior designer Garret Cord Werner

Here is a link that might be useful: [Houzz inspiration photos website[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2105?fi=42)
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