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Lighting Design Dilemma Bathrooms

Vanity Lighting - Help

createanddesign

last year

Looking for suggestions with lighting for master bath vanities. Your assistance is Greatly appreciated.

We have totally demoed the bathroom down to studs (so no pics, just sketches I've prepared).

My objectives are 1) to use/work with the wall to wall mirrors my DH wants 2) provide bright lighting at vanity area for H 3) lighting that will not throw shadows and provide good make-up lighting 4) even though our vanities are separated by a bank of dressing mirrors, want the two to work together cohesively.

Challenges are 1) Wanted Sconces on side walls of each vanity but when I get to my vanity the sink is so close to the right side wall that I think the sconce would be an obstruction when at the sink. (sink will be approx. 4" away from wall. 2) If I try to put sconces thru the mirror (mirrors not installed yet) it would still be too close to sink.

Any thoughts/suggestions? The electrician is coming in two days and guess where he is starting - yikes- in Master bath. We are in midst of whole house reno lots and lots of decisions and this one has really really really stumped me. My attempt at sketching the layout of MB and one of just the most difficult vanity. Thank you so much in advance for your advise.

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Comments (5)

olychick
last year
It's really hard to figure out what you're doing there with two walls so close to each other? If they really are full height walls, maybe narrow pendant lights would work and some can lights for more brightness?

this is hung high enough that it shouldn't interfere with someone using the sink.
PRO
JAN MOYER
last year
last modified: last year
Get a Pro KD in there before you proceed further. Your plan makes no sense, or your scale is way off. Especially for a closed up toilet. Get help NOW.
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Comments (4)
Sconces won't work if this vanity is in an alcove or if it abuts one wall. I doubt there's more than 4" from the side of the vanity to the sink edge. A small sink base pushes your sink closer to the edge, which is why a larger sink base is a better choice. The mirror should be wider than the sink, eating up even more of the wall space. She'd have to use a full mirror and mount the sconces on the mirror. But if it's on a straight wall, sconces can sit slightly outside the edges of the vanity. The shadows from overheading lighting are minimal. I would do sconces if it works with the design because they are a pretty look, but I think we place too much importance on side light source. If your make-up is that complicated, a wall-mounted lighted magnifying mirror is a better choice. Shoot, some women apply mascara while driving!
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Some options: This is a simple mirror "framed" with wood painted to blend into the wall. Any glass company can cut mirror to any size. That would accommodate the differing sizes you need. Then you can "frame" it with wood trim or leave it unframed. Here's one that has no frame, simply a sheet of mirror installed on the wall. I think that would work best for your application since you have two different sizes. This one has lights mounted over it like yours would. This one has the same treatment but not covering as much wall You said you wanted it to pop. If both the mirror and the light pop, then that's too much. I'd go with a plain mirror and get lighting that pops. The style of lighting would depend on what you like.
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I purchased this light fixture from schoolhouse.com. The first picture is their Norfolk sconce: a ceramic fixture that is pressed, cut and glazed by hand in Portland USA. Check out their website❣️I purchased several of their handmade light fixtures. They are simple and well made. You may find another light fixture that is more to your liking.
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I have a 48” bathroom vanity and mirror that is also 48” above vanity…is it better to go with a 27” wide light over the mirror that has 4 bulbs, or a 33” wide light with bulbs? Additionally, since the bathroom itself is only 5’ x 8’ total size, is a seperate ceiling light necessary? Or will a bright vanity light suffice?
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Helen
last year
I am not sure what you are asking specifically

I have wall to wall - ceiling to counter mirrors for what was originally a two sink vanity.

When I remodeled I changed to one sink with a lower area so that I could sit when grooming.

Each half has a different "treatment" on top of the mirror. The portion above the sink has a decorative custom mirror treatment in an Art Deco motif and the portion above the vanity has an LED lit Hollywood style smaller mirror on top of the larger mirror. I also have a Simple Human magnifying mirror for close up work.

Here are pictures - the sconces above the sink are more for decor than lighting although they have a nice mood quality if there are the only lights being used. I also have recessed ceiling lights including one in the walk in shower - my designer believes in bathrooms having an abundance of good lighting from every angle - although sometimes I am happy to just not see that clearly. 🤣🤷🏼‍♀️
createanddesign
Original Author
last year
Thank you all for your most appreciated assistance and suggestions. Sorry for the confusion. To clarify, I'm interested in ideas for Lighting at the 2 vanity areas. With the research I've done on Houzz, I'm unclear if I should go with fixtures above mirrors (in the 9" of sheetrock above wall to wall mirrors), or through the mirror, or sconces (concern if sconces on side walls if they will be intrusive when at (Her Sink) or pendants or will they be intrusive, which will reduce shadows, etc.

What to do? As far as the layout/design of the MB, it is what it is and I'm trying to work with it. Our home is full of angled walls. Just to orient and explain why my previous hand sketches had 1 off-set vanity and walls between vanities, I have attached drwg of floor layout.
createanddesign
Original Author
last year
All walls between vanities and beside vanities are full floor to ceiling walls. Also, we have 8' ceilings with 36" high vanities and DH is 6'3 and I'm 5'3.

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