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kristi_spencer

Bathroom Lighting

6 years ago

I'm looking to replace the fixture above the sink. The current light is not bright enough and puts out uneven light (even if hubs would put in matching bulbs). I realize two fixtures over the sinks would be ideal, but trying to get by without having to change wiring, patch and paint. I'd love to see your ideas, FYI the mirror is 8 feet long. Thank you in advance for your help!




Comments (15)

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Will your faucets stay Gold?

    Kristi S. thanked Home Interiors with Ease
  • 6 years ago

    In addition to changing the light above the sink, I would add wall sconces to the side walls above the towel holders. It will give you additional and better light from the side rather than all from above, reducing shadows on your face.

    Kristi S. thanked calidesign
  • 6 years ago

    Two fixtures over the sink is NOT ideal. You will always have light above casting shadows on your face.

    Ideal is lights flanking each side of your face, at face level--no shadows. Install pendants if you want ideal.

    Kristi S. thanked tatts
  • PRO
    6 years ago

    If nothing else can be changed like you mentioned I would do a bar light that faces up..it helps disperse the lighting.

    Kristi S. thanked Home Interiors with Ease
  • PRO
    6 years ago

    The bar light you have is about as big as they come..maybe a 8 light but that is about it...change out all the bulbs to GE daylight ..they are amazing fir in the bathroom and kitchen.

  • 6 years ago

    You can improve the light in the room with a lighter paint color. Ben Moore paint specifies reflectance value on its paint. Next, you could add some recessed lights behind where a person stands. YES, the light you have should point up, not down, to reduce shadows.

    Kristi S. thanked daratwist
  • 6 years ago


    1. putting all the same type of bulb, in a 3k LED WOULD make a difference. You can see the reveal bulbs on the right do put out more white light than the traditional bulbs on the left.

    2. Changing the bulbs in the hanging fixture behind you would help too.

    Those would be the cheapest starting points.

    Right now you have 7 bulbs if you have 60watts you have 4 hundred and 20 watts!!! That's a lot of light so I feel like bulbs do count for something!

    Otherwise, the fixture above in halogen probably pumps out 300 watts of halogen that Beverly posted, and is one of the best bright lights out there.

    You could switch to a hollywood strip with the round exposed bulbs.


    NOW here is the one thing that builders loved to do when they put in long strip lighting, and that's:

    sometimes the outlet is not centered behind the mounting plate so you will need to investigate that.

    Replacing that light fixture with something that is the right size and produces better light would be pretty expensive, and i do not believe it is the crux of the problem.


    Kristi S. thanked RL Relocation LLC
  • 6 years ago

    Try flipping it over (downward direct light is unflattering) with brighter bulbs

    Kristi S. thanked badabing2
  • 6 years ago

    Also light bulbs loose lumens over time, so if some of the bulbs are older they effectively need to be changed anyway.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    you have 6 bulbs, and it's not bright? I have 4 of the candelabra bulbs in my spare bath and it's blinding. get the LED bulbs in the natural, or 4000K, daylight. use those in the 60W and you'll be able to land aircraft in there.


    either that or get a 6 light fixture w/100 max bulbs. I mean, geez,,,do you guys have cataracts?

    Kristi S. thanked Beth H. :
  • 6 years ago

    I really think if you used good LCD lighting you would be fine. I have a similar setup in my bathroom only my light has 5 bulbs and covers a 7 foot vanity. Using 5 60 watt equiv 5000 k Cree daylight light bulbs my entire bathroom is lit up.


    If you really want something over each sink you could use double or triple pendants.

    One fixture, multiple pendants on chains. I actually replaced a double pendant with the new fixture. The old one was also on the wall and the chains went up to two hooks on the ceiling and hung down from the hooks.


    https://www.lampsplus.com/sfp/17K64/?cm_mmc=GOO-SH--NA--NA-_-17K64&sourceid=DFGPD17K64&gclid=CjwKCAiAgqDxBRBTEiwA59eEN35LKkxGtQ1GF_gFplplmF2UXSvL4qlCUAAHRw6aAibk9kwRg7t-0RoC1UMQAvD_BwE


    Not the best picture or a great style, but will give you an idea of how it works.




    Kristi S. thanked Jennifer Hogan
  • 6 years ago

    Under construction

    at the moment, but this is the light I am getting from my fixture.


  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Our lighting could be a great addition to your home. We do custom lighting so we will be able to work to feed your needs and wants. Different amount /design/size of pendants, and size of canop etc. We also do 2D drawing before so you can have an idea of what it would look like before committing! Feel free to visit onhttps://shakuff.com/ or our instagram @shakuff_ :)




  • 6 years ago

    Shakuff,,design dilemma is not the place to continually hawk your wares. You'll get flagged.