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Lighting Design Dilemma Bathrooms

Bathroom Lighting: Sconce above mirror or sconces flanking mirror

3 years ago

We are remodeling our kids’ shared bathroom.

It’s 5’x9’ with a 48” vanity, toilet, shower/tub combo. I need help picking between the 2 lighting options.

Option 1: 36”x11” light above the framed mirror with the light sitting on the top rail of the framing. This would give us a mirror ~42” wide.

Option 2: 19”x5” sconces flanking the mirror. They would sit on the mirror framing. The mirror would be ~36-38” wide, but we would take it to the ceiling.

Is it worth giving up the mirror width for the taller mirror and sconces on either side? We’ve already ruled out installing the sconces on the mirror and the option of using hanging pendants.

Here are pictures of the 2 lights we are looking at for each option as well as the inspiration picture that has the same layout and color scheme.

Thanks!

Featured Answer

E H
Original Author

last year

We did! Here are a couple of pictures. We went with a light over a large mirror. Works best for us as our kids don’t like to share vanity sides. 😂 We also change out the fan for one with a light and that has helped to brighten up the main bath area as well as the shower.

Sorry, I didn’t see Sue’s question until now. The 4-light sconce is from Innovations Lighting and the 2-light sconce can be found on Shades of Light.

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Comments (13)

E H
Original Author
3 years ago
Hi All - Any input would be greatly appreciated. I can’t decide if having a narrower mirror in a shared bathroom is worth what I read is the better lighting option (sconces on the side) or not.
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Carrie B
3 years ago
Do you have an elevation picture of the plan, or even an overall layout? It's hard to visualize from your description, which may be why you're not getting responses.
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I have seen this and it doesnt cause any more glare than a fixture mounted to the side or one that extends over the mirror from the top. Any part of the fixture that faces the mirror (excluding that part butted right against the glass) has to be decent looking because you will see its reflection in the mirror.
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I think they would look great, but, because of all the warm colors in your room, I might look at an orb type finish instead of the silver. I know it would mean mixing metals - which some people are uncomfortable doing, or just don't care for the look, but I do think it would look terrific in your bathroom. Eta to add pics of what I mean using orb sconces and light with silver fixtures: one more
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They make neutral light Edison bulbs. Look on amazon for 4000k LED bulbs if you decide to go with these sconces. But since it’s a clear shade you wouldn’t want the bulb any brighter than 40 watt. Like you said it’s right in your face. Task lighting does not need to be so bright. The other good thing about these bulbs is that the lights they emit is so clean and fresh. It’s perfect for a bathroom and applying makeup. The light is perfectly natural, not yellow like a traditional Edison or commercial like daylight bulbs. To answer your original question... 9” does seem rather deep, but not ridiculously so. If they’re centered on either side of your 32” mirror over your 48 inch vanity they would be spaced somewhere around 40-42” apart? Though the light will be shining at eye level the lights themselves will be comfortably off to the side. Now if you’re expecting multiple people to be sharing that mirror I might opt for something with a little less depth. Ultimately you have to live with it, so there’s no real rigth or wrong answer, just whatever functions best for you and speaks to your asthetic preferences. I think it could look great and function well with certain considerations taken.
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Above. You don't want to use the mirror with your face being side-lit. Sconces only when you can light both sides of the face. I'd do something like two 3-lights or two light bars here.
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E H
Original Author
3 years ago
These are photos of the actual space as it is now. Does this help?
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Carrie B
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Do you have images of your plan, assuming it will be different, or are you keeping size/placement of vanity? Most of us here are probably more visual. Trying to visualize based on word & number soup is nearly impossible for many... :-)
0
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
3 years ago
You dont need to give up the mirror at all I would just frame that one and put a new bar over top.
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kandrewspa
3 years ago
Lighting on the sides is better than lighting overhead. I only do overhead lighting when I really can't do anything else because of the way the space is configured. The lights are best placed at eye level. If you have more than one person using the bathroom and they are different heights, split the difference. If they're children, consider adult height as they will only grow. :-) If you only have one sink you have plenty of room for a decent sized mirror and side lights.
E H
Original Author
3 years ago
The bathroom layout will stay the same. I don’t have a drawing, but can map out an overhead view with measurements if that would help.

Since we will be replacing the vanity the new one will be taller and we won’t be able to keep the existing mirror. The backing of the mirror is also coming off in places so I wouldn’t want to keep it.

I was thinking of getting a new one made and my contractor can frame it out. If I keep the light where it is now I was thinking of something like this, but with a wider mirror.
Sue
last year
I've been looking for those exact sconces! Did you get the through houzz???
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cwurch
last year
Hi! Did you finish your bathroom? I’d love to see what you decided! I’m in the planning process (demo starts next month!) and our layout is almost identical to yours - I have the same questions! Would love to see what you decided on!
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cwurch
last year
Your bathroom turned out great! Thanks for sharing your photos!
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Karenseb
last year
Beautiful! love your countertop
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Nan Kni
last year
last modified: last year
Well, I am trying to make similar decisions on this myself. I too had come across that it is better to have sink lighting from the side rather than above but have found the layout to be challenging and busy. So, I checked houses for sale with 2500 - 3500 square feet and none of them had side sconces around their mirrors. And only one or two had frames around their bathroom mirrors. Most of them had one large mirror across the sink area with lights over it. A bathroom can be a busy area, so from a minimalist standpoint, no frame. Now a mirror in the Livingroom really needs a frame.
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