Where to place medicine cabinet and vanity lighting?

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

We removed the mirror the previous owners had installed and found a surprise. They had put insulation behind the mirror, and framed it. Yes, the mirror went all the way down to the laminate on the wall and the vanity light is currently too close to the ceiling.

From the ceiling to the top of the wood frame around the window is 8 1/2" The wood frame is 1 3/4"

I've chosen a Max Stow medicine cabinet that is only 3 1/2" deep. We had planned to surface mount it, which is why we're putting it in now as it doesn't affect the rest of the remodel. I'm curious as to how much I can fit into it!

I like a light from Dolan Designs which is 6 1/2" tall, 30" wide, and 5" deep.

The medicine cabinet is 30" wide, 24" tall.

From the bottom of the frame in the wall to the ceiling is 46"

So 46 minus 24 is 22 inches to place the 6 1/2" light.

We'll use higher cabinets so the bottom of the framed portion of the wall is 9" above the new vanity height. I've chosen a faucet that is 8" high.

It's an outside wall, so we'll insulate behind the cabinet, we're in Seattle area.

Please advise at what height to place the medicine cabinet and light.

Is 10 1/4" (ceiling to top of light fixture) enough room for the light fixture? Perhaps I could frame out the window in a narrow trim.

Thanks.

Featured Answer

norwega18
Original Author

5 years ago

We've had the light in for a couple months, and there seems to not be any problems. We lined it up with the top of the window frame. Obviously we haven't finished yet, in fact the contractor is starting next week, yay! We really like the light and got the same for the main bathroom. DH will put in a dimmer so it doesn't always have to be so bright. It's from Dolan Designs in Portland, # 627466. https://www.dolandesigns.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=627466

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Comments (6)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
5 years ago
IMO the remodel should include redoing those textured walls to smooth and if you go that route then just close that hole and when the new drywall finish is done you will just a flat wall to mount the cabinet.I would keep looking for a light that one will have a yellow glow on everything and IMO integrated LEDS are not a good idea since if a bulb goes you need a new fixture. I also like a bathroom light to light the counter and my face and the space not the ceiling.
norwega18 thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
norwega18
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I didn't know textured walls were outdated.

I'm interested in why a yellow light is preferred? I thought a daylight lumens is best for bathrooms to have accurate makeup lighting, between 2700 and 3000 lumens? I understand the LEDs are not great as the fixture needs to be replaced, but this particular model has average rated life of 43800 hours, so should last while we're in the house, ha!

I called the lighting company and they recommended a minimum of 6" between the top of the light and the ceiling. I haven't bought this light yet, but if I do, I'll have the top of it equal to the top of the window molding, which is 9" from the ceiling.
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PRO
SIDLER®
5 years ago
Were you able to find a solution?
norwega18
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
So, the dimmer we bought from HD, is only for 150 watts. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lutron-Skylark-Contour-LED-Dimmer-Switch-for-Dimmable-LED-Halogen-and-Incandescent-Bulbs-Single-Pole-or-3-Way-White-CTCL-153PDH-WH/202517700#product-overview This light is 210 watts. Anyone know where we can find a dimmer for it? TIA
PRO
SIDLER®
5 years ago
norwega18 - Very nice! So happy you found a solution. :)