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opinions/up or down light

14 years ago

Since today will be snowing for much of the east.... here's a question for you. For vanity lights that go above the mirror- many can be hung with the light fixture shining up or down.

Is it strictly a matter of personal preference or is there some other wisdom to this? Care to share and explain?

Here is hopefully a page which shows both.

Here is a link that might be useful: pemberton vanity light up or down?

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Comments (4)

3katz4me
14 years ago
I think it's just personal preference - other than up would be more of a dust catcher - both for the bulbs and glass shades.
pepperidge_farm
14 years ago
I believe that up is more of a room lighting while down is more of a lighting for the mirror/ person standing at the mirror, IMHO.
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I would have to say it depends on where your placing them. We liked an Ikea sconce that was made up of 5 10 watt bulbs. It was a really pretty fixture and pointing down looked like a fireworks display and up like tulips or something. It was a plug in that I wanted my DH to wire straight. Anyway we were able to try it out and I can tell ya pointing down there was very little light that came out of that fixture but to point it up you had 3x the light. This was playing with it at around a 5ft height. I know these were tiny bulbs but I think the test stands true. I ditched the idea of these lights and now I have installed (3) 3" 50 watt recessed lights over 6ft vanity that are directional and I have them pointed to back wall. (not enough light)Then I will add 2 sconces to either side of the mirror pointing up and the light will be able to come thru the sides of the glass so I am hoping that these 2 at 60 watts each will light the room nicely. If anyone thinks I need to go more then the 60 watts x 2 please say so I have not purchased the fixture yet. I just think 100 watts x 2 shining in my face will blind me. ; 0
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I wondered about the same thing. So what I did was go out and purchase some sconces that have lights up as well as down, and had them installed at my eye level. I'm not a fan of lighting above the mirror, shining down on your face. I don't feel it's as flattering as having the lights to the side. I also have recessed lighting in the ceiling in case I need an extra boost of light. You may want to consider putting in a couple of those for general lighting.
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CJDP is correct. You don't want a light glaring you right in the face. Bathroom lights should be at face level and off to the sides so that you have even light on your face with no harsh shadows (especially under the eyebrows and chin). That vanity needs 3 fixtures--two pushed to the walls and one in the center. And lower.
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Not sure what you are having trouble with I just googled up and down light outdoor lighting and dozens popped up. this is 3 BTW outdoor lighting is for 3 purpses to light the way to your home and also to highlight features and keep burglers away from the nicely lit areas.
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User
14 years ago
Another consideration would be how sensitive your eyes are to light. I wanted ours up because I experience sensitivity, however, our contractor forgot and installed down. We just left them that way and he added a dimmer instead.
lizbeth-gardener
14 years ago
We hung our vanity lights beside the mirror, because side lighting is supposed to be better. We have a sconce on each side of the individual medicine cabinets and one in between. The lights face down and have a satin glass shade. I was concerned that the shades would make the light too dim, but it just softens it. I believe they are made for a 75 watt bulb, but we are using a 60 watt in each which is plenty of light. We have had the overhead ones before and find there is more glare and shadows. There is also a rule of thumb about the height you install the lights that is based on the tallest one using the mirror. I can't remember what it is, but would think someone on the design forum would know. Good luck on your choices.

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