Need advice on best mirror/sconce option in small master bath

9 years ago

My husband and I are FINALLY renovating our master bath. It's a very small space. Even after moving a wall (which is making our walk in closet barely a walk in), the bathroom will be 80" wide by 80" deep. This space is only for our vanity and small/freestanding cabinet, the shower and toilet are in an adjoining room. Here's the situation: I have a 72" free-standing vanity from RH, which leaves 4" of space on either side of the vanity before the wall. I am dead-set on wall-mounted sconces at eye level (next to the mirror) - I'll supplement with overhead lighting as needed. I was hoping to achieve the sconce/mirror/sconce/mirror/sconce look, but after looking more closely at the vanity, not sure I'll have enough room. The sinks are placed rather close to the edges of the vanity. With the 23" wide mirrors I was planning on purchasing (Kensington pivot mirror from PB) for above each sink, there is only 7" of space between the edge of the mirror and the wall. I already purchased a 5" wide sconce (obviously before I started doing the calculations and realizing it won't work), that I could return, but would prefer to keep them b/c I like the look. Here's my dilemma...do I:

1) purchase a 60" wide mirror to center over the vanity, which leaves enough room for a single sconce on each side. I'll have to supplement with overhead lighting of some sort, or

2) Go with the original plan, but install the mirrors off-center from the sinks in order to fit the side sconces? From my calculations, I'd have to hang the mirrors about 3" off-center. I think with this option I won't need an overhead light (maybe?) - is (3) 60 watt sconces enough for my small bath?

Has anyone ever hung mirrors off-center like this? I can't tell if it would look terrible and drive me crazy, or if I wouldn't notice a few inches? Any experiences you share is helpful - thanks!

Last question - how much space do I need between mirror and sconce, and wall and sconce? Despite the dozens of posts I've read on this topic, I never really saw an answer. My option 2 above is leaving about 3" b/t wall and sconce and 2" between mirror and sconce. If that is not enough space, than option 2 isn't really a viable option.

Thank you in advance!!

Featured Answer

Gracie

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Have you drawn it out on graph paper? Mocked it up on the wall itself? 7" isn't enough space with 5" sconces. They need breathing room of several inches on each side to look their best. I would also want the mirror to extend a few inches past the sink.

I like the side sconces benje posted, along with the full mirror. It looks very clean and professionally designed. In an alcove you should get some light bounce so two sconces could be enough. Will you have an overhead light for the entire room?

I don't quite get the fascination of two mirrors but have seen several attempts lately to make that work when it's not the best option. I think we've all been too PBed and RHed. It makes the wall look busy and you lose the center mirror area. I would want as much light reflection as possible in a room your size.

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Comments (20)

ontariomom
9 years ago
Would you consider installing the sconces in the mirror itself. That way you could do one big mirror with 3 sconces. You may need to get the mirror made for you so the junction box holes can be cut in the correct spot.

Carol
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sheloveslayouts
9 years ago
I'm not sure I follow exactly what your question is, but... Is your vanity to be placed in an alcove with walls on either side? If so, you don't have to put your sconces on the mirror wall, you can put them on the side walls. Like so...
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sheloveslayouts
9 years ago
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Jill
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
cubusgirl44, believe it or not, I faced the same exact dilemma, in fact, I was without mirrors for a month after finishing reno, and was so committed to the sconce/mirror/sconce/mirror/sconce look that I had the contractor go ahead and hang the sconces and figured I could find mirrors to work...risky, I know! I found an inspiration photo on Houzz with arched mirrors and sconces and that was my solution! I called my local glass/mirror company and had mirrors made to my specs.

I, too, originally wanted the pivot mirror look, but compromised because it was just too cramped. I considered the option that benjesbride posted above, but, alas, the wiring was already behind the back wall, and, I spent God knows how much on shipping from RH trying different mirror options!

I am pleased with the ever-so-slight off center (to the basin) mirrors. (I hope the photo uploads ok, below). Good luck!
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columbushopeful
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you everyone for your input!

Ontaiomom - I should have mentioned in my original post that I prefer not to do the sconce on glass look. I think it looks beautiful in photos I've seen, but can't envision it in my bathroom. I'm also worried about executing on this idea - like you said, making sure the holes in the mirror are cut correctly, etc. I haven't totally ruled the idea out yet though!

Benjesbride - yes, that is our scenario, vanity in alcove (which isn't really an alcove - the bathroom is 78" wide, so the vanity is almost as wide as the bathroom, which creates the same challenges as an alcove installation. I hadn't though of installing the sconces on the side. Do you have any personal expereince with this installation type? Anyone else install sconces on the sides? What was the outcome, happy with the look, light, etc? Thank you for the suggestion! An option we'll consider!
columbushopeful
Original Author
9 years ago
Jill -- THANK YOU! I was starting to feel like I was the only person EVER to face this! Your picture is so helpful! How off-center are your mirrors? They don't seem off-center from your photo. How close are the side sconces to your mirror? I think it looks nice (not too cramped). How wide are your mirrors and vanity? Thank you for your help!!
columbushopeful
Original Author
9 years ago
may_flowers - you're right -- the larger mirror will reflect more light, especially in our small bathroom (with no window, skylight, etc). Thanks for your input, and for your comment about our recent obsession with the two mirror/3 sconce look. You make a good point, that maybe I need to be open to other design ideas/looks. Thank you! To answer your question, yes, I have drawn it on graph paper, but not on the wall (I can't, b/c the wall/room is only 60" wide right now, we're moving a wall as part of the renovation).
Gracie
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I was just looking at PB and RH, and they both have the large mirrors in several frame colors. PB's is 70" L and RH's is 66" and both reasonably priced. While it's easy to get a mirror through a glass shop, finding an affordable frame is another story.
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columbushopeful
Original Author
9 years ago
How much space should I leave on both sides of the sconce (wall side and mirror side)? Can anyone share their experience? I can't see to find a "rule of thumb" anywhere on this!
ontariomom
9 years ago
I can't find a rule of thumb for your exact question either. There are a few measurement guidelines for bathrooms on this link. Hope there is something in there that is useful for your project.

Carol

measurement for kitchens/baths
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Gracie
9 years ago
How much space will you have from the edge of the sink to the wall?
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columbushopeful
Original Author
9 years ago
9" from the edge of the sink to the wall (the sink edge is 5.5" from the edge of the vanity).
anrol
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
You coud have a cabinet maker make a frame and then have a glass place cut a mirror to fit the frame. Take a vanity door or drawer with you to match the stain on the frame to your vanity. I have had mirrors done like this before. I had them bevel the edges of the mirror.
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Gracie
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I think the only way you could use side sconces is if you used a 72" mirror without a frame and mounted the sconces on the mirror. I would position them so that they are 3" from the side of the shade to the mirror edge. But even then, the sconce would overlap the sink edge. That might be okay if the sink is very wide. A bar sconce might be best, but I think most are 4" wide. I'm noticing that the full width mirrors are shorter now, which gives a more contemporary look, though they usually have a narrow frame.

But what about mounting the sconces on the side walls? That idea doesn't appeal to you?
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Georgi
9 years ago
I also had 72" for double vanity. Designer picked tall narrow wall sconces from Waterworks to work with already bought (whoops!) RH medicine cabinets, but they were budget-busters.

These RH sconces were a little wider (5" dia.) and shorter, and luckily fit as there is only 6 1/4" from wall side to mirror. The mirrors are slightly off center of the Caxton sinks (they both over extend inward by an inch or so). Like Jill, I think as long as everything looks balanced, a little off center is not egregious.
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anrol
9 years ago
I have sconces mounted on the side walls in a bathroom. They are about 5 1/4" away from the mirror but and they are 24' long. This is one side of the vanity. It is hard to get a pic of the whole room. My DH made the wall to wall floating vanity and the frame for the mirror! Vanity is 81 1/2" long, wall to wall, with 2 sinks.
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columbushopeful
Original Author
9 years ago
Georgi - thank you! Your picture helps a ton! And thanks for the info regarding how close your sconces are to your mirror - I can't believe you were able to get 5" sconces into 6 /14" space (and it looks good/not cramped). Thanks again for the photo.

anrol - thank you for your photo and info on sconce position too. we haven't yet decided on side wall or back wall installation, but the info you've shared about how close to install to the mirror is very helpful! And, you must LOVE your 81" vanity -- no bumping elbows!!

Thanks again everyone for all of your help, input!
Jill
9 years ago
Cbusgirl41:. Sorry for the delay in my answer. My vanity is 72" wide and inset into a nook. The thing that threw me off in my planning was that I didn't plan on having to align the sinks into the middle of the base cabinets, not getting to choose where to place them on my own, so that was why I ran into the same side sconce alignment challenge you are facing.

In the close up photos, you can see my 36" wide frameless mirrors are slightly offset from the center of the sinks (again, the sinks!!!!) Apparently, the lesson learned and advice for everyone is to be mindful of the sinks!! Nothing that a few strategically-placed accessories can't fix! The frameless option with the arch gives it sort of the pivot look without the extra baubles. I was going to frame oval custom made mirrors, and, in the end, I love the simplicity of what I now have.

I do NOT have supplemental overhead lighting in the vanity area; however, those on a dimmer would have been a nice addition. It's not a problem, because even at night, I have plenty of light and it's rather soothing. Plus, the drywall was already in and finished so I didn't want to have more extras! There is a lighted, heated fan light over in the middle of the room by the shower/tub combo which is to the right when looking from afar towards the vanity.

May_Flowers: I am personally obsessed with the side sconces for their ability to "flatter" now that I am reaching a certain age ;-)

I am trying to add photos (hopefully not upside down this time!). Hope you can read the dimensions and see the scale. The tape measure in the photos starts at the left wall.
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columbushopeful
Original Author
9 years ago
Jill -- I am so sorry for my delayed response -- been battling a house full of sick kids! Your pictures are a tremendous help, thank you so much for taking the time to take/upload them, as well as provide the measurements of sconces. I believe I have what I need to move forward with my project. Thanks again to everyone for all of the advice -- MUCH appreciated!