skip to main content

Lighting Design Dilemma Bathrooms

Master bathroom vanity lighting

5 years ago

Trying to decided between over-the-mirror vanity lights, hanging pendants (love them), or sconce-style lights. Our current bathroom has recessed lights over the vanity and it is horrible because of the shadows. Makes it difficult to put on makeup, etc. Don't want to make that mistake in our new bathroom. We have a really long vanity (about 128") and will have two undermount sinks. What type of lighting is ideal for a master bathroom vanity?

Featured Answer

Kay Addis

5 years ago

Roarah, I’d like to buy a dozen of the sconces you use.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

pattyl11
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
You can change your recessed light to a gimbal housing type of recessed light and aim it at the mirror to bounce light off of the mirror and onto you to avoid shadows. You can then add any another type of decorative lighting to this like sconces or pendants.
robinrlg thanked pattyl11
robinhome
5 years ago
Sconces are supposed to be best.
robinrlg thanked robinhome
Related Discussions
Does anyone have Amber colored light fixtures?
Q
Comments (6)
We had similar shades (3 pendants) in our kitchen and the color it cast was awful. We spent quite a bit on them, so I sucked it up and we just lived with them, but when we listed the house this summer we swapped them out for white. Our kitchen looked so much better with white shades, not to mention how much better the people in the kitchen looked. I'd recommend you bring the amber color in with accessories.
...See More
Master bathroom help-crosspost from bathroom forum
Q
Comments (19)
olychick, thank you for taking a look. :) I'm relieved to hear you think a white shower pan is best. I am heading out now to find porcelain marble look tiles for the shower walls to pick up the gray as you suggested. I want a shiny finish to the walls. Tell me if you think that's a misstep. I am avoiding marble as I have a marble topped vanity now that is pock marked with etchings. As far as seeing myself in the vanity, yes, I think I will be able to do so. I was planning on a black framed mirror spanning the vanity. My current vanity is 32 1/4" high (as will be the new vanity) and when seated on my vanity stool my reflection is seen up to my chest. The only issue currently is that my knees are pressed against drawers. I failed to mention that I was thinking of using absolute black granite for the vanity top for two reasons: one being cost and the other being to avoid etching. Will doing so deviate too much from my inspiration? Lastly, I had the idea of applying pieces of beveled mirror framed by black molding floor to ceiling along the back wall and continuing behind the toilet (similar to this only floor to ceiling with the exception of base molding & crown): [Traditional Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by Northbrook Architects & Building Designers Michael A. Menn Thoughts? Suggestions? Thank you for reading this far. :)
...See More
bathroom vanity pendant vs over the mirror lighting dilemma
Q
Comments (8)
either do a whole wall framed mirror and mirror mount the sconces or get smaller mirrors. pendants in bathrooms are decorative IMO But do say you cant find any over the mirror that you like? there are have to be at least 800 choices, for example the one you like probably comes in a mutli head option. try kichler, hinkely, murray fiess, hudson valley lighting, minka lavery go to their actual websites and look through that way you will not be overwhelmed by say the vast amount on a lighting on line website.
...See More
Master bathroom vanity lights
Q
Comments (4)
not to knock the suggestion, because they are cool, but look at the terrible light quality they have, those deco bulbs are not for master baths IMO
...See More
roarah
5 years ago
I love the light provided by two sconces. I look years younger in the two baths that have side sconces than I do in the one with over the mirror ones.
robinrlg thanked roarah
roarah
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I think a dozen will make me look older :) just buy two.
Emilie W
5 years ago
If you really want the best lighting conditions for makeup, get a mirror or medicine cabinet with built in light strips at a kelvin that is close to sunlight. Next best is sconces to the sides of a mirror. But if you put them really far apart (like only two sconces on either side of one long mirror over your long vanity), that still makes it hard to do makeup
robinrlg thanked Emilie W
tatts
5 years ago
You'll need a light in the middle of a counter that long, so I'd go with tall-ish, thin pendants.

Do NOT put gimbal lights that bounce light off the mirror onto your face! Why not? Because you'd be looking right into the reflection of the bulb itself. It's simple physics: The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. You'll be blinded by the glare of the bulbs.
robinrlg thanked tatts
robinrlg
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you all for the suggestions. We are building a house and are trying to correct the mistakes we made with our current one. LOVE our master bath and would do it all again the same way, except for the lighting. I will go with sconces that flank each mirror. Our next design dilemma is the TV placement. Learning that open concepts can be problematic. Not enough wall space for things. We have no place to put a TV (not a big deal to me; huge one for my husband). Two options -- mount it above the mantle of our stone fireplace or have it drop from the ceiling with the push of a button. Not sure how the latter would look with a coffered ceiling. Sigh.

Related Stories

BATHROOM DESIGN Bathroom of the Week: Light, Airy and Elegant Master Bath Update

By Jeannie Matteucci

A designer and homeowner rethink an awkward layout and create a spa-like retreat with stylish tile and a curbless shower

BATHROOM WORKBOOK How to Get Your Bathroom Vanity Lighting Right

By Janell Beals - House of Fifty

Create a successful lighting plan with tips on where to mount fixtures and other design considerations

BATHROOM MAKEOVERS Room of the Day: Walnut Vanity Warms Up a Master Bathroom

By Becky Harris

Marblelike tile, a floating vanity and a soaking tub elevate the simple design of this white bath

BATHROOM DESIGN 6 Beautiful Master Bathrooms With Double-Vanity Setups

Geometric tile, a claw-foot tub and shiplap walls are some of the standout details in these renovated master bathrooms

BATHROOM DESIGN Room of the Day: New Layout, More Light Let Master Bathroom Breathe

By Becky Harris

A clever rearrangement, a new skylight and some borrowed space make all the difference in this room

BATHROOM WORKBOOK How to Choose Your Bathroom Vanity Lighting

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Get tips on sconces, pendants, chandeliers, pot lights and LED strips — and find out where to place them

BATHROOM VANITIES Your Guide to Perfect Bathroom Vanity Lighting

By David K Warfel at LightCanHelpYou.com

Follow this lighting expert’s list of 9 do’s and don’ts to select the best light fixtures for your bathroom vanity

SHOP HOUZZ Highest-Rated Bathroom Vanity Lighting and Mirrors

Add fashion and function to your bathroom with these popular picks

0

SHOP HOUZZ Bathroom Vanity Lighting Under $199

Shop these trending lighting fixtures to complete your bathroom

0

SHOP HOUZZ Highest-Rated Bathroom Vanity Lighting

Discover highly rated, high-quality lighting for your bathroom or powder room

0

Sponsored

Fourteen Thirty Renovation, LLC

23 Reviews

Professional Remodelers in Franklin County Specializing Kitchen & Bath

More Discussions

pendants for kitchen

7

Will this Chandelier light our dining room enough?

10

help with vanity sconces!

3

Chandelier - Schonbek or Fake?

5

need help picking out a light

1