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Half-bath Wall Sconce Location

15 years ago

We do not have room to place wall sconces adjacent to the mirror so will be mounting them to the side walls. So one will be next to the vanity, and the other will be next to the toilet. (Toilet and vanity are on one wall, opposite of the door.) There is also a solatube w/light.

I think the sconces will look better centered on the wall but am worried that this will essentially back-light the face of someone standing at the vanity and might create unflattering shadows. Or it might be ok since the light will reflect off the mirror.

Would it be better to place the sconces closer to the vanity wall?

Comments (4)

brutuses
15 years ago
I can't picture what you are saying. I'll post photo's of my sconces and where they are positioned. They are closer to the back wall then to the front of the vanity. Does that make sense? Two mirrors, one on each side of the center sconce, will be hung. Hope this helps. Alos, hanging them 66" from the floor is the recommended height.
carterinms
Original Author
15 years ago
brutuses, my door is where your picture is taken from - the vanity is on the right side of the far wall, and the toilet is on the left side. The mirror above the vanity was pieced together from 2 (3?) pieces of furniture that we salvaged post-Katrina, and does not allow room for a wall sconce. We could put in our two sconces like your outside 2, or we could center them in the flanking walls. DH set the boxes a couple of hours ago, centered in the flanking walls. But because they are not flanking the vanity, 66" looked too low, especially with the 10' ceiling. I think DH set them at 72". Not ideal, but I think we can live with it. I might go back and see how they look if we placed them like yours - now's the time to change them.

This site is a blessing and a curse - this is something I have never noticed before, but now that I know how and more importantly, why they should be at 66", I am going to fret over it until the decision is made!
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carterinms
Original Author
15 years ago
Nevermind - the location next to the wall is taken by two vent pipes. I'd be looking for a new DH if I suggested moving those! So we'll live with the sconces on side walls, higher than eye level. With the reflections off the mirror, it will be an improvement over the original plan of just having an overhead light.
brutuses
15 years ago
Good luck cart. I know what you mean. Before I came to these forums I was design and decorating ignorant and had a lot less stress. What is it they say, ignorance is bliss? LOL I hope you can post some photo's when you get your lights in place.

I am grateful for the knowledge I've learned from the many talented people who frequent the decorating and other forums. It's a lot of fun learning how to do things the right way. LOL

I lived with oak paneling and taupe walls for many years only to find out that's completely wrong. See what I mean, ignorance is bliss!!

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