Vanity Lighting: Up light or down light or bar light?

13 years ago

In the next few months, I'll be renovating a small, galley type bathroom that will have a mirrored cabinet over the sink/vanity. I'm following the existing footprint to save costs. The vanity sits flush against a bearing wall for tub/shower. To the right, is the toilet. On the wall opposite the toilet, is a narrow radiator with a built-in mirrored cabinet. I'd like to put lighting above each mirrored cabinet. The only other lighting will be the vented fan/light. It's going to be a classic bath, with black & white tile. I'm not going for a theme or anything, and would like to keep the lighting unobtrusive but it needs to be functional since three females will be using the space for primping. No room for sconces alongside the mirrors, in addition to lights above. My biggest roadblock to making a decision is the directions that the bulbs will point. Should they point up, or down? Other option is strip light or some sort of track lighting. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

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PRO

Clear Lighting and Electrical Design

12 years ago

Let’s start with the shape of a human head itself. Our heads are tapered downward from our cheekbones. Fixtures that just deliver light from the top of a mirror; only illuminate the top of your head. They produce a distinct shadow below your cheekbones and nose. This creates a less-than ideal reflection of the lower cheek, jaw line and mouth. The image below shows optimal light fixture selection and placement. Compare it to your makeup area. Is there a difference? Talk about “seeing the light.”

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Comments (19)

TanCalGal
13 years ago
Recessed lighting?
Master Bathroom - Traditional · More Info
PRO
User
13 years ago
You need light from above and sconce lights. With just light from above everyone is going to look old and have bags under their eyes etc. I used a track light rail on either side of a mirror where I didn't have room for sconces. I attached a pic. I hope this helps.
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Furnished Up Fine Furniture and Home Decor
12 years ago
If you have no space for sconces then i'd agree with Interiors International, Inc. about the railings. Mind posting pictures (if you could)?
PRO
Galilee Lighting
12 years ago
Have you considered pendants light? here are some ideas from our collection
PRO
User
11 years ago
If the cabinets have sliding doors instead of ones that open out or if you just have mirrors you can use something like this from Kichler lighting
PRO
User
11 years ago
Sorry for the bad picture, it mounts above the mirror and has lights that drop down to frame the face!
PRO
Zaniboni Lighting
11 years ago
We offer wet location (IP65) lighting solutions that I think would be perfect for your project. All of our solutions are LED (low voltage) and stunning.
PRO
We Got Lites
11 years ago
We have a huge selection of bathroom lighting on http://www.wegotlites.net/ Shop bathroom lighting here: http://www.wegotlites.net/Bathroom-Fixtures_c_13525.html
PRO
Pegasus Lighting
11 years ago
For primping, you'll really want some side lighting in addition to an overhead light, but I realize space is an issue. If the mirrors aren't flush to the wall, you could use wet location tape lights around the sides and/or bottom of the mirror in addition to an overhead vanity light. Look for a warm (around 2700K), high CRI (90 or above) light for the best color rendition, like the InvisiLED Pro 2 - this is optimal for makeup application.
White Halo Lighting Around a Bathroom Mirror.jpg · More Info
partim
11 years ago
How about a pendant light fixture on either side? If there is already a place for a fixture centrally above the mirror, you can swag the pendants to either side.

You will love the light you get from the side. Wonderful for putting on make up.
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Lightcrafters, Inc.
11 years ago

These bulbs are mounted horizontally and reflect off the ceiling. The light is actually quite pleasing and sufficient for make up and shaving. Lightcrafters in Austin, TX www.lightcrafters.com
PRO
Dounia Home
10 years ago
you could do pendant lights! we carry gorgeous lights www.douniahome.com
timothy jackson
10 years ago
A happy medium always works best. Why don't you hang them in the midsection or middle of the mirror?
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
10 years ago
If lighting in this room is important for , then the lighting should illuminate the face

This one below is a good compromise. Light goes up down and through the front.
Luna Liu
9 years ago
Check out for more solutions about home lighting design: http://bit.ly/2nbLzvF
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AQ Lighting Texas, Inc.
9 years ago
The thing about lighting; especially for make up application, is it needs to be layered. Too much uplighting and you'll be doing your faces like you've got a flashlight under your chin, too much down lighting and it will have the reverse impact. Even worse, the color of your light bulbs can actually impact your foundation and bronzer process. My recommendation is to layer the lighting without increasing your footprint as you desired.

First, go mini with your recessed lights. Use nothing larger than a 3 inch adjustable gimbal trim. The small fixture will be unobtrusive, while to trim will allow you to modify the angle on a whim. Then I would install a [mirror will build in LED illumination.[(https://www.houzz.com/products/illuminated-vanity-mirror-39x28-prvw-vr~56591498) This will give you the angle of side sconce lights without taking up extra mirror space. If you want your LED bulbs to mimic natural daylight, find an LED between 4500k to 6000k. While that is closer to a cool white bulb than a warm white incandescent, you will have lighting that mirrors the day.
PRO
User
8 years ago
Pendant lights are a great way to layer light in a bathroom. Check out these and our full catalogue of handmade custom lights at www.tjferrie.com
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Docklights.com
7 years ago
lighting pro here...definitely agree with those who've suggested a pendant light...that's the best way to make your guest look their best given your space limitations. the above-the-mirror stuff is always unflattering, especially if you don't get much ambient light from outside.