That's an awful lamp for a bathroom (which needs task lighting). You want something diffuse, to cast a soft, even light. That fixture will cast a harsh, glaring light with strong shadows--exactly the opposite of what you want when you're getting dressed and ready to go out.

The Edison bulbs I've seen in person are not "harsh" or "glaring". My concern would be that they really give off very little light at all. Your fixtures might work if they are really more for "decor", and you have other light sources in the room. The are super cute!

I will answer your question. The light fixture you purchased can be hung either way (I have checked this out for the sconces I have purchased for my bathroom). It depends on the look you want!

I think I would go up because the enclosed bottom will trap stuff if it's hung pointing down.

can you post some more details on this project? Is this your master bath, a powder room, etc? If its a powder room, task lighting is not nearly as important as in the bathroom you get ready in daily. Also, what kind of look are you going for? that would help dictate which direction to place the sconces. We are placing a similar 3 light fixture above the mirror in our new basement half bath, facing down (no pics yet)

Edison bulbs are horrible yellow light that is never a good choice for bathrooms and they just do not provide enough task light as for which way to place a sconce do you want light to light the ceiling or actually light the counter . I never understand up lighting in a bathroom

Adparker53:

Bathroom only used by overnight guests.
Black and white tile
White tub
4x16 white tile surround in tub.
Black oval mirror above vanity. (Think Steinway finish)
Vanity finish tbd
Chrome fixtures
Vanity countertop tbd

What I am thinking now but have time to change tile and/or choose vanity color and countertop.

I do want lights to be appropriate for putting on makeup-thats why I am going with sconces. Like cleaner, simple lines with a lean towards contemporary or at least transitional.

My bathroom has a very very similar layout and I just ordered some lights with a glass shade. I'm hoping it will be bright enough! I plan on getting bulbs like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073RCWDHV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_IRo0AbYXE42KB

I prefer sconces on either side of the mirror, but have no room on the right side of my mirror, so I'm doing one over the mirror and one over the toilet.

Patricia Colwell Consulting,

Excellent information about Edison lights. I will search for sconces that direct light either down or diffused to face of person standing in front of mirror.

Here is one that may work. It would be suspended from ceiling on either side of mirror. Not an Edison bulb.
Anyone have an opinion?

I would hang it going down and you don’t have to use an Edison bulb.

Here’s one more maybe I should consider
And yes, I just found out I can use a different bulb than Edison.
Now to decide which if these.....anyone have a thought?