Outlet Placement in Main Bathroom

last year

I’m looking for advice on the best outlet placement around the vanity in our main bathroom. Here's the current plan for the space:

60" single-sink vanity
48" x 36" mirror above the vanity
32" vanity light mounted above the mirror

The dilemma:
I initially planned to place outlets on either side of the mirror. However, my husband uses a water flosser that must remain plugged in during use, and he needs to stand directly over the sink. With the current plan, the cord would stretch awkwardly across the countertop, which I’d like to avoid.

Here are a couple of options I’ve considered:

Raise the mirror and place outlets between the mirror and backsplash – I worry this will push the mirror too high and look off-balance. Plus, we have a 2-year-old son, and this would make it harder for him to see himself as he grows.
Use a smaller mirror and vanity light – This could allow space for outlets to the side, but I’m unsure how to fill the visual space without it looking bare. My husband prefers the light above the mirror, so sconces aren’t an option.

I’d love input or creative suggestions for how to make the outlet placement functional without sacrificing aesthetics.

Featured Answer

jinwpg

last year

Medicine cabinets aren't just for medicine.

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Comments (13)

PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
Like this instead. See diagram on RH side.

Where is the medicine cabinet? Your mirror could be the medicine cabinet or you could recess one in the side wall.
remodelinmi thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
wdccruise
last year
I have three bathrooms and in all the outlet is placed in the side wall.
- GFCI Bathroom Outlet | Where Must it Be Located?
- Electrical Code Requirements for Bathrooms
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PRO
CAGE Design Build
last year
Side wall below hand towel location
remodelinmi
Original Author
last year
@wdccruise @CAGE Design Build. Thank you so much for your thoughtful suggestions! I really appreciate the input and ideas you’ve shared. I realize now that I may not have explained things clearly in my original post, so I’ve added another diagram to help clarify.

The main challenge is that placing the outlet on the side wall would leave the power cord for the water pick stretching across the counter to the sink—something I’m hoping to avoid for both practicality and aesthetics.

@BeverlyFLADeziner, I truly appreciate your insight and the photo references you provided. Rotating the mirror vertically is an interesting idea, but it would bring the vanity light fixture within about an inch of the ceiling, which I’m unsure would be ideal for proper lighting. Also, most of the reference photos (aside from one) use sconces with vertical mirrors. My husband prefers a light above the mirror, so if we go with your suggestion, I’d likely need to find a shorter mirror—which could definitely work, so I’ll keep that option open.

Just to clarify as well—we won’t be using a medicine cabinet. Since we have a toddler, we’re planning to keep all medication stored safely in a separate, locked space.

Thanks again to everyone for your help—it’s been incredibly valuable as we work through the details!
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
You'd likely have at least 6" above the mirror for a light.

Overhead lighting creates shadows on your face and drags your features down. This may not be an issue for people in their 20s, but after 50 it's a nightmare.

Sconces on sides of the mirror provide even lighting for shaving and applying makeup.

Here are linear bar lights for over the mirror.
kandrewspa
last year
Outlets can be installed sideways instead of the usual vertical as well.
la_la Girl
last year
last modified: last year
I would do a lot not to have things plugged in on my counter - if it were me, I would do a large medicine cabinet with outlets as suggested as well as outlets in the vanity below for bulkier items (i have that now and love being able to just pull out my hair dryer to use and not plug it in each time)
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
The flosser is used for 2 minutes and then just sits on the counter in front of the outlet . You could even have an outlet in a medicine cabinet but honestly this is a non issue for the 2 minutes aday the flosser is used . I agree medicine cabinets are used for many things not hsrmful to kids and often a must to keep things tidy.
wdccruise
last year
"Since we have a toddler, we’re planning to keep all medication stored safely in a separate, locked space."

Ha ha ha! I'm trying to imagine my parents having done such a thing! No, I can't.
ker9
last year
If the user of the flosser is right-handed, putting it on the right side will be better with outlet above the backsplash. Sconces are better than overhead lights.
Yvonne Martin
last year
Consider placing an electrical outlet somewhere in the cabinet. Then not only the flosser but also a hair dryer or electric shaver could be used and put away conveniently.

You might also consider a cord-free flosser and recharge the batteries somewhere else.
bpath
last year
(I think our medicine cabinets hold 90% not medicines. Of course, there are other things in bathrooms dangerous to toddlers.)