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Bathrooms Design Dilemma Lighting

Narrow powder room lighting

5 years ago

I have a narrow powder room with one canned light in the ceiling. I am redoing everything and am debating between a vanity light and sconces. I really love the look of two wall sconces, but the total width of the powder room is 34”. Do I forgo the sconces and just do a vanity light in addition to the ceiling light?

Featured Answer

leelee

5 years ago

Sconces are way more attractive than an over the mirror light.

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Comments (7)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
5 years ago
One light over the mirror is the best.
PRO
User
5 years ago
I would say do a slim vanity light. Do you have pictures that you can share?
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My one bathroom has 2 fixtures that can take 100 watts each. I stocked up on halogen (72watt?) that are comparable. It is very bright in my 6.5x9' bathroom with light gray/blue walls. Very bright for husbands shaving. Now with the powder room, you wont need that bright. I'd think a couple sconces with lower wattage such as 40 or 60watt equivalent lumination would be fine. How big is your room. You can always put lower wattage bulbs in a fixture. I have dimmers, but find that i seldom use them. I like going into a powder room that isn't like a surgical suite. I like lights to add ambience with twinkle and drama, and a powder room could be a great place for that IMHO.
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how much powder room lighting, second guessing
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Comments (5)
Thank you so much! This is the most expensive project I’ve done on my own and I’m both decisioned out and second guessing everything. I read something about vanity lights being preferable in narrow powder rooms and I went down a rabbit hole for like 2 days! I’m going to stick with my original plan and if it feels like I need more light I can switch out the fan for a combo unit.
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ci_lantro
5 years ago
Linear light over the mirror. Scones will just bring attention to how narrow the room is.
PRO
User
5 years ago
I agree with both of ya'll! I am a huge fan of sconces in a bathroom setting of a vanity light, but the size of the powder I think will make the space seem so closed and play the enemy to something that usually gives a great experiences. Good luck!
leelee
5 years ago
While I don't know the exact dimensions of the narrow powder rooms above neither looks "off" or crowded by the sconces. On the other hand, try to imagine an over-the-mirror fixture in either setting : [ My vote is still for the sconces.

One thing I would add is look how the whole wall behind the mirror is the same tile or wallpaper. This gives the tiny rooms a nice continuity.
eumyrha
Original Author
5 years ago
Unfortunately I can’t do sconces on the side walls because I have my outlet and switches there. I guess vanity light it is!

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