Bathroom Lighting: Sconce above mirror or sconces flanking mirror
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!
Comments (13)
E H
2 years ago
Carrie B
2 years agoRelated Discussions
Are these vanity wall sconces too large to flank a mirror?
Comments (9)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....See MoreBathroom sconces beside mirror? Wiring requirements?
Comments (5)Thanks, Chispa. The ceiling fan was installed this week, so I can finally see in the bathroom. Here are pictures taken without flash. The black walls make it look darker, but when the drywall goes up, that will help. The floors, walls, shower tile, etc. will be light colored. Plus the shower is essentially open with two walls of glass. The toilet will be on the left corner where the towel is on the floor. The tub will go on the lower left where the missing tiles are. The two yellow circles represent where the lights will go above the vanity. There is not much room since the vanity is 48" wide. I could move the vanity to the wall on the right, but I believe the lights would not be bright enough to reach the door. If I put two lights with 100 watt bulbs on the toilet wall, the lights should reach the door. I guess I could put a double light on each side of the mirror, but I have not seen any pictures of double lights on each side of a mirror. The first is 18" wide and the second is 12" wide. That takes away space for the mirror which I need to reflect light. I would rather have a 36" mirror than a 24" mirror. It looks like a single light on each side of the mirror will have to do....See MoreSconces Mounted on Bathroom Mirror
Comments (4)For this type of installation, I think you're better off having a custom mirror made by a local glass contractor. You'll have to have the sconce j-boxes installed prior to the glass guy doing an onsite measure, then they can make cut-outs for the j-boxes. If you like, you can have your contractor's finish carpenter make a frame for you to install after the glass goes in. And no, it's not a dated look. I'm doing this for two new bathrooms in the same home as we speak....See MoreWall sconces and recessed lighting in bathroom help???
Comments (16)The recessed lights are fine. They are for general lighting. The sconces are the more specific task lighting and will eliminate any shadowing. That’s quite a lot of light, actually. You may want to tweak the wattage of the bulbs later, depending on how it feels after you get it all together. I would also put a dimmer on one or both light switches for late night visits. Tip: address appliance outlets in the vanity while you can - if you haven’t already. If you’re right handed, having the cord strung across the sink is a pain. I had an outlet installed down the right side of the vanity and have my hair dryer on a hook there. You may have a better solution for storage inside, but either way it’s a good time to take care of it....See MoreCarrie B
2 years agolast modified: 2 years ago
PRORL Relocation LLC
2 years agokandrewspa
2 years agoE H
2 years agoThe 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
9 months agocwurch
7 months agocwurch
7 months ago
Karenseb
7 months agoNan Kni
2 months agolast modified: 2 months ago
E HOriginal Author