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Lighting Design Dilemma Bathrooms

Sconce Lighting around surface-mounted medicine cabinet (DEPTH Q)

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

When choosing lighting around a surface-mounted medicine cabinet, how important is it that the sconces stick out further than the cabinet?

I am considering purchasing a cabinet that sticks out 5.5" from the wall.

Most wall sconces and LED light bars do not stick out that far. I am having a heck of a time finding something that is all of the following: out farther than 5.5 inches, bright enough (>= 100watts, LED, halogen, high lumen, etc), stylish.

Also -- how annoying is it that very few sites allow us to search by depth of the lighting fixture??

The scarcity of these options makes me think that perhaps it is NOT that important that the light fixture extends past the edge of the mirror, but I just can't shake the feeling that it would be a mistake to buy something of shallower depth than the cabinet.

My dream find: a very bright, energy efficient if possible, stylish (mid century perhaps), sconce or light bar between 8 and 24"-ish long, that extends far enough (6-8") from wall to create sufficient side lighting for the mirror of the cabinet as well as to generally light the small full bathroom.

Halp! Why is this issue so under-discussed? Does it not matter if your light is bright enough?? I just want to get it right!

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Comments (5)

PRO
RL Relocation LLC
5 years ago
are you planning to put these on the sides of the medicine cabinet, because you have to realize you cant stare into a 100 watt bulb while applying make up etc , in your case going above the mirror would be better. and also relocating the power supply to make sure it clears the door. there are plenty of vanity lights that can project out past 5 inches, but then you have to make sure they are not in the way of the door.

Second to that is this the only light source? Please post a picture of the space, and measurements of the counter and wall space you have. Are there side walls?

pictures speak 1000 words.
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PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
5 years ago
Why can't you recess the cabinet? Most can be recessed.
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General recs are for two lights placed on sides of mirror at the eye level. This way you will achieve best light for face without putting it in too much shadows. I would suggest getting lighted magnifying mirror for make up issues. Do you want clearly identify two sinks or you would rather see whole vanity as single unit? Light in the midlle might serve as statement of unity and two lights above 30" cabinets will accent double vanities IMO.
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I see that you will have 2236 lumens with that fixture. It might not be enough. I have 2 fixtures at about 1600 lumens each (3200 total) and it is a little dull. I think it may be due to the thick-ish frosted shade. I have another bathroom with 2250 lumens and it seems to be better lighting. Different fixtures though, and both of mine are halogen. But Lumens are lumens I believe. If you are in doubt would you be able to use 2 fixtures and put them on either side of the cabinet? You could put it on a dimmer too. I really think your vanity/sink is a cute setup.
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I went to a lighting store with the same question. In our case, we put a short, compact 100 watt single bulb fixture in the ceiling about about 3-6 inches in front of the medicine cabinet. It doesn't get in the way of the door opening. I read somewhere that the best lighting for a mirror is with light placement at mid level of mirror. So, you could use fixtures that stick out and have one of each side. This light placement doesn't give you the shadows on the face that overhead light placement produces. All three of our medicine cabinets have overhead lighting and the shadow doesn't bother me. In another bathroom, the carpenter built a wood frame around the medicine cabinet that includes a place on top to mount the light fixture from the wall.
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"... How many would be the next question..." And the answer is...wait for it..."it depends!" :-) Depends on so many things, beginning with the design and type of sconce: is the light throw down, up, sideways or all of the above, or none of the above. There are many, many kinds of sconces, just as with any other type of fixture. At the end of the day, one is left with a question or two: 1) Am I concerned about lighting something(s) specific, and; 2) Do I care if the fixture is visible, and/or is an "eye magnet"? The answers to these questions will tend to answer "how many?" :-)
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PRO
SIDLER®
4 years ago
Why not purchase a mirrored cabinet with its own integrated lighting instead?
0
karissarichards
last year
I am in a similar dilemma and wondering Erika if you found a solution that worked?
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Christine Carey
last year
I came here looking for similar information. I have 57-in width and a 36 wide medicine cabinet that cannot be flush installed. That leaves 21", or 10.5" on each side for these petite shaded sconces.

Since the medicine cabinet definitely cannot be recessed, I'm trying to figure out if the sconces are going to look crowded next to the depth of the medicine cabinet. The medicine cabinet has its own lighting, so I'm not worried about that. The sconces will be room lighting if someone isn't doing detail work at the mirror.

I guess I'm going to have to prop everything up and see if I can figure this out. I'm surprised there aren't guidelines or articles out there on this situation.
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