If you are going to do vertical sconces, we would recommend that your also do at least 1 recessed can light over each sink. This will help with the shadows. And make sure you are using good quality LEDs.

Wabash, what's the relationship between vertical sconces and adding recessed can lights over the sink? Do vertical sconces give less light than other kinds of sconces? Also, how can one tell a good quality LED from a not-so-good quality LED? (As it happens, just yesterday someone at Home Depot told me that any light can be replaced with an LED bulb and that there's no difference between that and a light that's designed specifically as LED.)
JulieBerks, hope I haven't hijacked your thread - I too am looking at vertical sconces

Great questions! The best lighting in a bathroom is actually a light overhead with lights on the sides. Most people don’t do that and opt for a vanity light over the mirror, which is the second best as far as light output. When you have both overhead and side lights, it eliminates most shadows. In the case of just having side light, my concern is that there will not be adequate for grooming and make up, hence the recessed over the sink. It gives you the look, while allowing you to have the light you need.
In the case do the LED bulbs, the guy at Home Depot was correct, in most cases you can swap out a regular light bulb for a LED one. However, not all LEDs are created equal. Lighting supply businesses typically have access to the best LED technology thru their vendors (ours are from Satco, for example). The box stores then get the leftovers, or the lower quality LEDs. You also need to watch out for the color of light that you are buying. It has been our experience that the box stores only stock warm white or daylight, where we (or other lighting supply businesses) have access all the color temperatures in between.

Wabash and Idlewood, thanks to both of you. Hmm, I live in rural Ohio and I don't think we have a local lighting specialist in my area so I may end up purchasing online to get what I need. It's so good to know about the CRI minimums (have read about it but your info is what I needed) and that what's available at the box stores may not be my bet bet. [Update: I have found 2 local lighting stores which I will visit, bringing my CRI and other info.]

Currently my only overhead light is in the tub/shower area and I'm not sure I want to add on to my work scope by opening up the ceiling to add overhead in the ceiling above the sinks. Wabash, in that case you'd recommend the side sconces plus an over-the-mirror light??

Another concern I'm working through is whether I can achieve my goal of two mirrors/three sconces with my 60" double sink vanity that butts to the left wall as well as the back wall.

We would recommend both the side and overhead for the best lighting yes. And tight spaces can be tricky! Look for small sconces and make sure the mirrors are not too big.

Let me ask you guys about lumens. I have 2 bathrooms and i have found that I needed bright lights in both to give me enough light for makeup and shaving. One bathroom has 2 75 or 100watt incandescent (halogen) bulbs and that's it. Room is 6.5'x9' with 7' ceilings. Great lighting. The second has 2each 120watt incandescent (halogen) sconces and 2each overhead fan vent/light units (halogen) at 50watts each. This room is not so bright, but acceptable, especially when I turn the 2 bulbs 250 watt incandescent heating light on, lol. I attribute the more pronounced dimmness of the room to dark wood trim, doors, and vanity, as well as being a larger room that is 8'x10' with 8' ceilings room.

So my question is , do you have a lumen recommendation for a bathroom mirror area, or bathroom in general. All bulbs display lumens and that seems to be the only constant in comparing the variety of bulbs now available.

Actually enduring, I think lumens is not the biggest problem but CRI. Higher CRI will increase the brightness of the fixture. I have 90CRI bulbs and even at 50watts max equivalent (MRI LED bulbs), these bulbs are much brighter than the 50watt halogen bulbs that they replaced. What is the CRI for the sconces you are using?

I've not had any luck finding side sconces that I like AND will go with a large mirror ... so I'm going with pendant lights that will "drop" to about the same height as a sconce.

Homepro, I was thinking in the future of putting LED in the 50watt ceiling fixtures (fantech). I have several spare halogen to go through, but might try changing one out to see what I think. What are MRI LED bulbs? I can only think of MRI machines in an Xray department, lol.

Sorry, there was a typ, MRI is MR type leds. What type of bulb does the Fantech use?