Up does not give the light needed. Mine can go either way. I first had them shining up but had to turn them down

I always seem to like the way up looks...but I get the feeling that when they're installed, it's going to be the same problem that debbie_2008 has...not bright enough. We'll see!
sarah

Thanks for the info. It makes sense that the light would be better and I don't know why I wouldn't have thought of it. I will go and check out some lighting today. The sconces on the mirror will be the only lights in the room except for the natual light from the window. The old fixtures were mounted at the top of the mirror and we had four lightbulbs with plenty of light.

I wanted up because I was afraid down would be too glaring. My old fixture was up, but it was just a single light fixture with a 100 watt bulb. My new fixture has three lights, so I put in 40 watt bulbs - 3 x 40 = 120 watts. Should be fine, right? No - not enough light. Really bizarre - I don't know if the glass shade is thicker, or if there's less space between the top of the light and the ceiling so less light is reflecting... no idea.

But the fixture takes up to 100 watt bulbs, and I've got it on a dimmer. So I'm going to put in stronger bulbs and then dim it, if necessary.

One nice thing is that I now have an overhead recessed light as well. I wasn't sure I needed it in such a small bathroom (not quite 5x8), but now I realize it makes it much easier to change the bulbs - I can have one light on while I change the bulbs in the other! Used to have to do this in complete darkness. (No window in the bathroom, either.)

Are you planning to use the sconces as a primary light source or for decoration?

If using as a primary light source, pointing down will direct the light to where you are using it.

If for decoration, point the light in the direction you feel looks best.

For our remodel, we are planning scones as decoration and will have ceiling lighting (4" cans) to illuminate the vanity area.

I would have to say it depends on where your placing them. We liked an Ikea sconce that was made up of 5 10 watt bulbs. It was a really pretty fixture and pointing down looked like a fireworks display and up like tulips or something. It was a plug in that I wanted my DH to wire straight. Anyway we were able to try it out and I can tell ya pointing down there was very little light that came out of that fixture but to point it up you had 3x the light. This was playing with it at around a 5ft height. I know these were tiny bulbs but I think the test stands true. I ditched the idea of these lights and now I have installed (3) 3" 50 watt recessed lights over 6ft vanity that are directional and I have them pointed to back wall. (not enough light)Then I will add 2 sconces to either side of the mirror pointing up and the light will be able to come thru the sides of the glass so I am hoping that these 2 at 60 watts each will light the room nicely. If anyone thinks I need to go more then the 60 watts x 2 please say so I have not purchased the fixture yet. I just think 100 watts x 2 shining in my face will blind me. ; 0

simple solution, get a fixture than can go either way. Mine was able to be up or down....I installed it up and changed it a few months later. I too, only had light from the fixtures. It was a small powder room and up was not adequate