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lfisher16

Help with mirror and light placement in new bathroom

3 months ago

We recently renovated our guest bathroom and put in a 7 foot vanity with double sinks. There was a miscommunication in the vanity design and now there is no room to center mirrors over the sinks with sconces on either side as was the original plan. We cannot put sconces on the side walls because one of them has a pocket door. We would prefer two mirrors, each centered over a sink and a light above them. In the picture we have taped out mirrors in two standard sizes, 24 W X 36 H and 24 W X 30 H. We like the taller mirrors, but then the light fixtures would be a little over 80 inches off the floor which apparently causes shadows - HELP!


Comments (27)

  • 3 months ago
    last modified: 3 months ago

    Have you considered lighted mirrors as part of your lighting plan? Lighted mirrors usually do a better job of evenly lighting your face - very useful for someone putting on makeup. Some also come with a "defog" mode as well as have dimmable lights when full light isn't needed.

    Note that a lighted mirror would also eliminate shadows

    lfisher16 thanked Buehl
  • 3 months ago

    I had not considered lighted mirrors. I also forgot to mention that there is overhead lighting throughout the bathroom as well, and all of the fixtures are on dimmers.

  • PRO
    3 months ago

    These should be medicine cabinets and not just mirrors.



    lfisher16 thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
  • 3 months ago
    last modified: 3 months ago

    Lighted mirror example:


    https://www.lowes.com/pd/allen-roth-32-in-x-40-in-Dimmable-Lighted-Silver-Fog-Free-Frameless-Bathroom-Vanity-Mirror/5015006967

    Layered lighting is a plus in bathrooms (and Kitchens).

    Another example:



  • 3 months ago

    Thank you, but we do not want medicine cabinets. It is a guest bathroom, and we have a lot of extra storage already. Those are really cool medicine cabinets though!

  • 3 months ago

    I agree that you won't be disappointed with a medicine cabinet.

    80" + a bit, is the max I'd go with the lighting. These are always my choice. You can never have enough storage in a bath.


    https://www.lowes.com/pd/KOHLER-Archer-20-In-W-x-31-In-H-Aluminum-Single-Door-Medicine-Cabinet-Beveled-Edges/5014758155?store=&cm_mmc=shp--c--prd--bth--ggl--PMAX_BTH_155_Vanities_Priority-Items--5014758155--online--0-_-0&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20288276062&gbraid=0AAAAAD2B2W8EGkwTgvyJHiRJHjd-1wndy&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl5yOg6CpjwMVw5fuAR2uCwfOEAQYECABEgJjzvD_BwE



  • 3 months ago
    last modified: 3 months ago

    Shadows will be minimal -- particularly with white walls and ceiling -- if you choose a vanity light that shines light in all directions: up, down, out, such as the Visual Comfort Lufe 24or one of many similar fixtures.


    lfisher16 thanked wdccruise
  • 3 months ago

    I think the taller mirrors look better as well. We measured our lights in our bathroom and they are also above 80 inches; we never noticed they were so high because the ceiling in that bathroom is vaulted.

    The lights we are considering are the Rigdon sconces from Rejuvenation

  • 3 months ago

    I am now considering the lighted mirrors though, it is an interesting idea and would solve the problem


  • PRO
    3 months ago

    Perhaps 2 mirrors will accentuate the fact that the sinks are unevenly positioned in the counter. What about a wall to wall mirror with pendants, something like below?


  • 3 months ago

    What does everyone think about putting a double sconce in the middle of the two mirrors? This is something a designer at Rejuvenation suggested

  • 3 months ago

    I agree that lit mirrors are your perfect solution. You will need to put electrical wiring behind each mirror.

  • PRO
    3 months ago
    last modified: 3 months ago

    If you post a full front view of your vanity without an angle like the picture you presently show we'll be able to get a better view of the sink positioning in your vanity and perhaps have other suggestions. The sink on the right seems quite close to the wall.

  • 3 months ago

    I will take another picture. They are actually positioned exactly the same distance from the walls.

  • 3 months ago

    Having cleaned my bathrooms today, I say that my next bathroom, the mirrors will be no higher than I can clean without a stepladder.

  • 3 months ago

    What does everyone think about putting a double sconce in the middle of the two mirrors? This is something a designer at Rejuvenation suggested


    This is why they are a sales person at Rejuvenation and not an actual designer! That idea is whacked.


    Place one sconce above each mirror.


    I'm just not a fan of the look of a lighted mirror in this particular bathroom. (Well ok, truth be told, I rarely find them attractive. It has to be the exact right fit.)


    You have some thoughtful details in here - inset cabinets, wall mounted faucet, the backsplash with a bit of a ledge. Sconces above the mirrors would really finish this look - like the perfect piece of jewelry does to a nice outfit.



    lfisher16 thanked Kendrah
  • PRO
    3 months ago

    No? and No . Not a good look







    The two free mirror unless well proportioned, looks awful.

    Call a glass shop, and your contractor. Make a 2" or 2.5 " frame to match cabinet finish paint.

    Then the glass shop comes in, templates inside that frame.

    Get three single lights above, center on faucets , one in the middle and move on.

    Assuming an 8' ceiling,, that 10" splash, a 33" mirror you will have plenty ( 17" ) of room for down light sconces, and you can stop wringing a hand on shadows!

    There is other light in the room.!

    The fuller mirror will expand /brighten the entire bath. No clutter: )





  • PRO
    3 months ago

    For all who may pass?

    When you want the look of this below? You MUST plan vanity and lighting simultaneously, and check, check double check.

    Note the proportion of door/sink base to middle drawer base. You must know the exact sink/drain distance from containing walls. :)



    You don't want an oversized gap in between mirrors..........Lovely proportion above. : )


    lfisher16 thanked JAN MOYER
  • 3 months ago

    I agree, this is exactly what we wanted, but there was a miscommunication with the vanity supplier and unfortunately we did not have the time to wait to have another vanity built. In hindsight we should have waited.

    I saw a similar post on Houzz and people suggested wallpaper or a large tall object on the counter to visually fill in the space between the mirrors.

  • 3 months ago

    I appreciate your drawing above Jan, thank you.

  • PRO
    3 months ago
    last modified: 3 months ago

    ^^

    It will be fine!

    It never works to fake it with flowers, tall objects or paper or or .

    That said? A nice big orchid here on the single large framed? Will be very effective and magnified!

    Do the big bang.: ) Tape it out on the wall.

    lfisher16 thanked JAN MOYER
  • 3 months ago
    last modified: 3 months ago

    My sister was struggling with this exact issue in her recent reno and ended up with the single larger mirror as @JAN MOYER suggested - looks terrific, clean and uncluttered as well as bright & airy with all the reflection


    eta mirror & frame were a custom job and still cheaper than the 2 mirrors she was going to buy

  • PRO
    3 months ago

    Would you consider downlights centered over the sinks instead of sconces?

  • 3 months ago

    One of the benefits of using one full framed mirror is that you have more space to do make-up and hair and not be stuck hovering over the sink with the limited mirror.

  • 3 months ago

    I have practically the exact same length and middle space in a new addition bathroom. I wanted the center console with drawers as big/wide as possible for more storage. Went with bigger mirror and above mirror lighting. All designed on purpose and never thought anything “off.” Two stations with a middle space, simple.. Could put a decorative piece/vignette on middle of counter if wish as a guest bath. After a few years found the perfect picture to put in the middle because I liked it not because needed it. I used mirrors on pivots so could adjust the angle according to who using as well as decorative impact. (Pottery Barn) All to say I do not see any dilemma here except you originally wanted side sconces which may/may not be possible..

  • 3 months ago


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