Wow this stuff is confusing. So online I see bathrooms listed as needing anywhere from 56 lumen per sq ft to 80 lumen per sq. ft. (if my sources are correct). The room is 52 sq ft which means 2912 - 4160 lumen for the room. Currently we have 2 standard GE BR30 flood lights in the room which have an output of ~700 lumen each or 1400 total. Maybe we just don't like bright light, but we think the 1400 lumen in there now is plenty. The LED recessed bulbs I am looking at are about 320 - 400 lumen. I am just worried that if we use the calculations above that will be way too much light. I don't want my contractor to install this many recessed lights only to find that we need sunglasses to enter our bathroom. Not looking for a sleek modern design but actually just the opposite (traditional bathroom with sconces). Was thinking of going with LED because we want to be ahead of the curve and not find ourselves 2 years down the road with outdated traditional bulbs when everything is LED and us needing to replace dimmer switches, etc. Can anyone recommend a 3" shower (wet rated) IC recessed light that we can use LED bulbs in? Not having much luck. The ones I found appear to be with an integrated bulb and I don't like the color of the bulb or they are not IC or wet rated. I may just need to switch to 4" if I can't find anything. Or for that fact give up on LED all together.

Pure indirect lighting such as cove lighting is great for "mood lighting," but not so good for task lighting. I'd sugggest a conventional hanging or surface mount fixture that provides both direct and indirect light. That will reduce shadows and give you ample light. Mostly likely only one fixture, maybe two, will be required. This will probably give you a nice cost savings over multiple recessed cans, and will also save electricity. Supplemental lighting with sconces is a good idea for those annoying times when you're trying to get that darn little speck out of your eye, or apply makeup carefully. A surface mounted light bar or even (dare I suggest it? ;-) a linear fluorescent fixture above the vanity or mirror might be less likely to glare in your eyes, depending on placement.

how is it overkill, the makeup area is where you want the best light, pendant light will not do that. it will create glare in the mirror for one, and also that style of light bulb will add all sorts of "color" back into your skin. I would use a back lit LED mirror here and an overhead recessed light.

Sunco 8 Pack Vanity Globe Light Bulbs G25 LED for Bathroom Mirror, 4000K Cool White, Dimmable ($24) Sunco 8 Pack Vanity Globe Light Bulbs G25 LED for Bathroom Mirror 3000K Warm White, Dimmable ($24)