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Lighting Design Dilemma Bathrooms

Lighting help for small bathroom needed

11 months ago

last modified: 11 months ago

Hello,

My bathroom plans call for wall sconces on either side of the 42" wide bathroom vanity cabinet mirror. I have one canned light planned for the shower. As the wall sconces have a 60 watt bulb max capacity, is that enough light for a 6' 7/16" x 7' 9"' bathroom? I really like the wall sconces and prefer them over a vanity light over the mirror even if it would have more wattage.

If more lighting is needed, what is the best way to accomplish that? Can I add more canned lights? My builder is concerned about shadows with the canned lights. Thanks in advance.

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Comments (4)

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Patricia Colwell Consulting
11 months ago
last modified: 11 months ago
I have no idea post pics of the sconces and BTW all lighting should now be LED and I like 4000K for kitchens and bathrooms for sure. I aslo do not think sconces are always the best for small spaces but I need some context.
ccav thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
Mrs Pete
11 months ago
last modified: 11 months ago
Random thoughts:

- I'd lose the wall sconces and go with pendant lighting instead. Sconces and pendants are a better choice than a light above the vanity; lighting from above creates shadows on your face, whereas lighting at face-level gives you a better view of your face.

- Two 60 watts are plenty, and put the pendants on a dimmer switch because they'll reflect in the mirror /double the light.

- We have one canned light over our shower, and it's plenty.

- Your shower isn't all that wide, but it's quite long. I'd consider shortening the shower to 4 1/2' or 5' and adding a linen tower on the end. You don't have much storage in this bathroom, and it'd be more useful than extra shower space. This would allow you to have a hamper on the bottom half /shelves (or pull out shelves) above.

- Where will you hang wet shower towels?

- I'd think about another canned light over the toilet -- on a separate switch.

- With lights on both sides, I don't think you need a center-ceiling light in this bathroom.
ccav thanked Mrs Pete
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3onthetree
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(2) 60 watt fixtures is enough functional light for the open space (though the 7/16" extra width might push it over the limit haha). Realize that whoever comes from the pocket door has to step across the dark space to get to the switch, albeit only 3 steps.
ccav thanked 3onthetree
artemis78
11 months ago
Both our bathrooms are about this size and both have sconces with 60-watt maxes plus a center overhead fan/light combo. That's been plenty of light. (We don't have a light over the shower or bath in either, though both have windows so get natural light during the day.)
ccav thanked artemis78

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