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Lighting Design Dilemma Bathrooms

Above and side lights?

8 days ago

last modified: 8 days ago

I am almost finished with my coastal spa bathroom remodel. I am confused now about what i should do with the vanity lights. I love the look of sconces on the sides of the mirrors but i was told it wont be enough light. So i purchased the 3 light overhead light fixtures. 3 each to go over the mirrors. Now my contractor said he saw a designer put a sconce in between the mirrors also and there is alot of bare space there. I cant find any pictures of how this might look finished to have both lights over the mirrors and then also in the middle. What do you think? Im not sure how to move forward.

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Comments (5)

Karin Spence
Original Author
8 days ago
0
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
8 days ago
last modified: 8 days ago
I need to see the space design and I do not like sconce since most provide poor light I much prefer good over head light combined with good bath bar light all in LED 400K if the bathroom is small the bath bars can often be all you need. That sconce you show will IMO cast weird shadows from that textured glass .
Karin Spence thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
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I used 4 similar sconces (Restoration Hardware Double Sutton) in my master and replaced the included incandescent light bulbs with round 40W LED bulbs because I was worried about heat and electricity usage. I'm very happy with the effect - cool, probably brighter though not as warm a glow. My contractor thought 3 sconces would have been enough, but I am happy with 4. I put in 2 75W LED can lights over the vanity, which though bright, cast facial shadows since they were located too far from the wall (10" vs. 4"- 6") - look a little ghoulish at 60+ years of age. We had above mirror makeup lights which I loved, so I would recommend horizontal above mirror lights for your situation. My RH medicine cabinets have 2 halogen lights, so sometimes I use just them to put on makeup, and they do run a little hot. I just don't put on makeup that often. And there is 1 general LED can light with diffuser in the vanity area. This post was edited by gildee on Sun, Sep 7, 14 at 16:11
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Karin Spence
Original Author
8 days ago
0
PRO
Ariana Designs & Interiors
7 days ago
I agree with Patricia in most cases, well-placed overhead lighting and bath bar lights with the right color temperature can do the job beautifully without overcomplicating the layout. That sconce you’re considering is lovely on its own I would love to see how the whole design looks like it would help make the best decision.

If you’re concerned about the wall looking bare, maybe add visual interest with a framed mirror. Sometimes less is more when it comes to lighting layers!

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Pendants can also be a nice addition, although like I said I would love to see the design first and what fits best.
0
3onthetree
7 days ago
The work done does not make sense. The dual over-mirror lights and sconce had drywall patched, yet there are no electrical boxes. All are a whip, but then a hole is bored for an electrical box. The box should have been mounted to studs when the drywall was open, and with that insulation could have been tucked/air sealed to these boxes. If your chosen lights do not need a box, then more patchwork is needed.

For aesthetics, the single sconce in the middle looks a little odd IMO. It's moreso decorative, so it completes with the (no pic provided) over-mirror lights and feels disproportionate to a dual mirror setup. The sconce might be better on another wall to tie in to the vanity lights.
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