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how do i choose a vanity light

by Treva Kris Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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How to Choose the Right Vanity Light Fixture

  • Size Consider the size of your vanity and bathroom when choosing a light fixture. ...
  • Style Your home's architectural style and existing decor will have a significant impact on the light fixture you choose for your vanity. ...
  • Illumination Vanity lights should provide sufficient illumination for grooming tasks, such as shaving, applying makeup and hair styling. ...
  • Other Considerations ...

While you want to ensure you have plenty of light, be sure to choose one that is no wider than your vanity or cabinet width, which may be wider than your mirror. Most people choose vanity bar lights that are about 75 percent of the mirror's total width.

Full Answer

What are the best vanity lights?

Best Vanity: Three Posts Averi 3-Light Dimmable Vanity Light View On Wayfair Vanity lights are a popular choice for bathrooms, and the Averi Dimmable Vanity Light is a top-rated option in this category thanks to its attractive design and versatility.

Can you install a vanity light without a junction box?

You can't install a light fixture without a junction box, but the fact that there's no box at the spot where you want to install the light doesn't mean you can't install the light. Whenever it's too late to install a junction box in the wall without ripping off a large section of drywall, you can use a remodel junction box instead.

What are the best bathroom vanity lights?

  • BEST OVERALL: PRESDE Modern LED Chrome Bath Mirror Lighting
  • RUNNER UP: Bennington 3 Bulb Vanity Light Fixture
  • BEST DIMMABLE: mirrea 48in Modern LED Vanity Light
  • BEST SCONCE: Effimero Black Wall Sconce Lighting
  • BEST PENDANT: Linea di Liara Primo Large Glass Globe Pendant Light
  • BEST FOR MAKEUP: DINGLILIGHTING DLLT Wall Light Fixture

More items...

How to wire and install a bathroom vanity light?

  • 2 Disconnect the Power. Before doing any electrical work in your home, disconnect the power to the bathroom. ...
  • 3 Remove the Existing Fixture. Loosen the small screws that hold on the glass shades. ...
  • 4 Disconnect the Wiring. ...
  • 5 Prepare the Area. ...
  • 6 Install the New Mounting Plate. ...
  • 8 Attach the New Light Fixture. ...
  • 9 Reconnect the Power. ...

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What type of lighting is best for bathroom vanity?

Incandescent and halogen light sources always have the best CRI – 100 – meaning they most accurately render colors. If you wish to use an energy-efficient LED or fluorescent light source, ensure your selection has a CRI or at least 90. This provides excellent color rendering in bathroom settings.

How big should your vanity light be over your mirror?

If you are hanging a vanity light of your mirror, the light fixture should be around a third of the width of your mirror. It shouldn't be any longer than the mirror's width. For vanities with a wider countertop or that have two sinks, you can explore a multi-light vanity fixture.

How do I know what size vanity light I need?

A good rule of thumb is to pick one that is about 75% of your mirror's total width, mount them high above the floor (about 78” is recommended) and center them above the cabinet. For longer or double sink vanities, you may want to use two of the same style fixture, installed over each sink.

Does vanity light have to match faucet?

Bathroom faucets do not need to match light fixtures and doorknobs. In fact, by mixing finishes on your bathroom faucets, fixtures and doorknobs, the decor will be intriguing and layered instead of monotonous. However, take care that the finishes compliment each other.

Should vanity lights be up or down?

The light reflects off of the ceiling and walls, amplifying the overall light for the entire room. Regardless of which direction you hang them, vanity lights should hang high off of the floor, approximately 78 inches.

Is warm white or cool white better for bathrooms?

Bathroom lighting experts often recommend sticking to the warm white light, as shown in the color/temperature breakdown below. (Hint: Try warm white 2700-3000 kelvins (K) for the most flattering bathroom lighting).

Should vanity lights be above mirror?

Above-Mirror Light Height Place the vanity light bar 3 inches above the mirror for the most even illumination across your reflection. For a child's bathroom, keep the light at the standard height, but choose a wall-hung mirror that can be adjusted. The bathroom mirror height can be increased as they grow.

Are LED lights good for bathroom vanity?

Is LED lighting good for bathrooms? Yes, LED lighting is good for bathrooms, especially those lacking in natural light.

How many watts should a bathroom vanity light be?

A useful rule of thumb for bath vanities is to use a minimum of two 60-watt incandescent bulbs, which typically produce approximately 800 lumens each for a total of 1,600 lumens.

Can you mix polished chrome and brushed nickel in a bathroom?

You can mix these metals together if you prefer having a uniform look. However, if you are looking for contrast or a more creative flair, mixing brushed nickel and chrome may be too plain for you since they both come in the same family.

What should match in a bathroom?

The cabinet fixtures and hardware in a bathroom do not have to match the faucets. Matching all the hardware to each other is the safest way to make sure the fixtures look cohesive. But since it's your home, go with whatever you like!

Can you mix chrome and black fixtures in a bathroom?

The short answer: Yes, you can! To add additional dimension you can mix metal finishes between your faucet, hardware, light fixture, shower handles, etc. A lot of designers play around with finishes in bathrooms and kitchens and in my opinion, it's just another layer to your design.

Should vanity light be the same length as mirror?

Your vanity light should be equally as big or smaller than the size of your bathroom vanity mirror. Ideally, it should cover about 3/4 of the mirror's width and approximately half its height. An appropriate vanity light size ensures your vanity space is well-lit.

How wide should vanity light be compared to vanity?

Choosing the right size While you want to ensure you have plenty of light, be sure to choose one that is no wider than your vanity or cabinet width, which may be wider than your mirror. Most people choose vanity bar lights that are about 75 percent of the mirror's total width.

Can a vanity light be bigger than mirror?

Single light fixtures placed above a mirror should generally be about a third of the width of the mirror. Multi-light fixtures and other horizontal styles like vanity light bars can extend beyond the width of the mirror but should never be longer than the vanity itself.

How much space should be between bathroom mirror and light?

If sconces are fixed beside the mirror, there should be an allowance of not less than 1 inch from the side. If placed on top and center-aligned, there should be a margin between 1 to 5 inches. Sconces should be positioned to be level with your face at an approximate distance of 36 to 40 inches.

Does the Bathroom Vanity Light Fit the Space?

Vanity lights come in several shapes and sizes. For the most part, they’re defined by their width. Some are available in two-light widths, while others stretch for four or more lights. The fixture you choose depends on the layout of your bathroom and vanity space.

Does the Fixture Offer the Right Amount of Light?

You expect every light fixture in your home to deliver the right amount of light for the room it’s found in. You use each light every day to see, from reading in the living room to cooking in the kitchen.

Does the Light Fit Your Style?

The bathroom vanity light is a utilitarian fixture, but that doesn’t mean it can’t look good at the same time! The primary bathroom is where you spend a decent amount of time. From showering to getting ready for the day, it’s like a mini oasis where you know you can accomplish certain tasks.

What is the best light source for a bathroom vanity?

Many modern bathroom vanity lights use LED as the primary light source, which is great for energy efficiency, performance, longevity and design considerations. However, with great technology comes greater amounts of technical specifications. Pay attention numbers like the Color Rendering Index (CRI) and Color Temperature (Kelvin) ratings. Briefly, CRI refers to how well the lighting renders color to your eye: look for a higher CRI (at least 90) to see the truest skin, makeup and hair color in the mirror. Color temperature is rated on the Kelvin scale and refers to how warm or cool light appears (warmest being firelight, coolest being blue light). For most indoor applications, LED lighting should be about 2700K - 3000K and not over 3500K. This is the closest rating to a standard incandescent light bulb, which our eyes are accustomed to. Our LED Lighting Buyer’s Guide goes into more depth on this topic.

How many lights should I put on a vanity above a mirror?

For double-sink vanities or those with wider countertops, a multi-light vanity fixture above mirror can be a good solution—choose a configuration of 2, 3 or 4 lights—and ensure the light is about ¾ the width of the mirror or no wider than the cabinet, regardless of how the mirrors are installed. Alternately, two vanity lights ...

How far apart should a vanity be?

The bathroom vanity lighting you select depends on the size and layout of the vanity you’re working with. For a single-sink vanity, use a pair of wall sconces to flank the mirror for the most even lighting. The American Lighting Association recommends wall sconces be mounted about 28” - 30” apart, and about 60” - 70” high from the bottom of sconce to the floor (approximately eye-level). This layout ensures the most even (and flattering) lighting for all vanity tasks.

What does CRI mean in lighting?

Briefly, CRI refers to how well the lighting renders color to your eye: look for a higher CRI (at least 90) to see the truest skin, makeup and hair color in the mirror. Color temperature is rated on the Kelvin scale and refers to how warm or cool light appears (warmest being firelight, coolest being blue light).

Where is vanity lighting installed?

Vanity lighting comprises any light that is installed over a bathroom sink, commonly on either side of or above a mirror. The sink may or may not have a vanity cabinet surrounding it, and the mirror might be installed against the wall or part of a functional medicine cabinet; the lighting needs remain the same.

What to use to counter shadowplay?

Frosted bulbs, globes or glass offers even more light diffusion to counter any shadowplay that’s unwelcome at the vanity. Finally, in half-baths or powder rooms, or anywhere the sink is set into an alcove with no wall space on the sides, try mounting sconces on the walls perpendicular to the sink, set back toward the mirror.

How far from a shower can you put lighting?

For instance, in some jurisdictions, lighting fixtures within 6 feet of a bathtub or shower must be wet rated. This is a safe rule of thumb for bathroom lighting, although most well-ventilated bathrooms are not considered wet environments. Curalate Widget V3.

How Do I Figure Out What Size Vanity Light I Need?from litelume.com

An easy rule to remember is to pick a lighting fixture that’s around three-quarters of your vanity’s width. You’ll want to center the light above the mirror.

How Many Light Fixture Over Vanity?from qpreview.com

You have to choose the number of lights depending on the size of your bathroom mirror and counter. Let’s look at it in detail.

What are Vanity Lights?from qpreview.com

Vanity lights are a type of lighting fixture that can be set around the vanity. These lights are not expected to light up the entire room, but just for the vanity.

How Many Vanity Lights Do I Need?from litelume.com

The type of vanity lighting you pick depends on the layout and size of your vanity. For a vanity with one sink, a pair of wall scones to go on either side of your mirror is the recommendation.

How Many Watts for Bathroom Vanity Light?from qpreview.com

The general recommended wattage for bathrooms is 120 watts after combining two 60-watt bulbs. But your vanity is not going to settle for something so less. So, get 60 or less wattage for each bulb for your vanity.

What is the best light source for a bathroom vanity?from lumens.com

Many modern bathroom vanity lights use LED as the primary light source, which is great for energy efficiency, performance, longevity and design considerations. However, with great technology comes greater amounts of technical specifications. Pay attention numbers like the Color Rendering Index (CRI) and Color Temperature (Kelvin) ratings. Briefly, CRI refers to how well the lighting renders color to your eye: look for a higher CRI (at least 90) to see the truest skin, makeup and hair color in the mirror. Color temperature is rated on the Kelvin scale and refers to how warm or cool light appears (warmest being firelight, coolest being blue light). For most indoor applications, LED lighting should be about 2700K - 3000K and not over 3500K. This is the closest rating to a standard incandescent light bulb, which our eyes are accustomed to. Our LED Lighting Buyer’s Guide goes into more depth on this topic.

How far apart should a vanity be?from lumens.com

The bathroom vanity lighting you select depends on the size and layout of the vanity you’re working with. For a single-sink vanity, use a pair of wall sconces to flank the mirror for the most even lighting. The American Lighting Association recommends wall sconces be mounted about 28” - 30” apart, and about 60” - 70” high from the bottom of sconce to the floor (approximately eye-level). This layout ensures the most even (and flattering) lighting for all vanity tasks.

How Many Lights

The number of lighting that you need actually depends on the size of your vanity. For instance, a pair of wall sconces is enough for a single-sink vanity with small to medium dimensions. For you who have a wider sconce, you can choose a set of lighting fixtures that contains 3 to 4 pieces.

Pick the Style

As part of bathroom décor, wall sconces should also give a more attractive touch around and you will find tons of sconces which are designed in various styles. You can always refer to your very own personal taste to choose a design of vanity light.

Level of Light

To measure the level of light that you need, lumens measurement is mainly used. By knowing this, you can be sure whether you will get adequate light around your vanity area or not.

Consider Safety

As the bathroom environment can be wet all around, you might want to consider the safety of your vanity light. Some sconces have been specified with a wet rating to suit the wet environment of the bathroom that is important if the area of your vanity gets lots of water splashes.

Other Factors

Some additional features that may need your attention are the lighting type that the lights come with. Mostly, the modern vanity lights use LED since it’s considered energy-efficient, durable, and reliable at the same time.

What to keep in mind when buying a vanity light?

When buying a vanity light fixture, keep these things in mind: its size, finish, style and how you’ll be mounting it. Keep reading to learn how to pick the perfect vanity light.

Can you mount a vanity light with the lights pointed down?

Exposed bulbs often give off harsh light that can cast shadows. On the flip side, mounting a vanity light with the lights pointed down gives off stronger light that s ideal for task lighting. This mounting direction provides more bright light, but it can also cast harsh shadows on your face when you look in the mirror.

Can you mount a vanity light up?

Depending on the type of light you want in your bathroom, most vanity lights can be mounted up or down. Installing a vanity facing up provides excellent ambient light. Fixtures with frosted glass shades diffuse the light so there’s an even amount of illumination.

Can vanity lights make or break a bathroom?

Vanity lighting can make or break a bathroom. Choosing the right fixture will help provide the right amount of light so you can look your best every day. Shop our selection of vanity lights to find a statement piece that’s sure to brighten your day! Previous Next.

How Do I Figure Out What Size Vanity Light I Need?from litelume.com

An easy rule to remember is to pick a lighting fixture that’s around three-quarters of your vanity’s width. You’ll want to center the light above the mirror.

How Many Light Fixture Over Vanity?from qpreview.com

You have to choose the number of lights depending on the size of your bathroom mirror and counter. Let’s look at it in detail.

What are Vanity Lights?from qpreview.com

Vanity lights are a type of lighting fixture that can be set around the vanity. These lights are not expected to light up the entire room, but just for the vanity.

How Many Vanity Lights Do I Need?from litelume.com

The type of vanity lighting you pick depends on the layout and size of your vanity. For a vanity with one sink, a pair of wall scones to go on either side of your mirror is the recommendation.

How Many Watts for Bathroom Vanity Light?from qpreview.com

The general recommended wattage for bathrooms is 120 watts after combining two 60-watt bulbs. But your vanity is not going to settle for something so less. So, get 60 or less wattage for each bulb for your vanity.

Why are lighting fixtures important in a bathroom?from uniquevanities.com

Lighting fixtures are extremely important when it comes to bathroom remodeling, and should not be overlooked. These need to be included in your remodel brainstorming and planning. It’s important to make sure the new light fixtures measure up nicely with the bathroom vanity.

What is the voltage of a 48" wide bath bar?from houzz.com

This simple, 48"wide bath bar features our Chrome finish and is outstanding for everyday use. Voltage 120 Number of Bulbs 8 Bulb Type G Wattage 60W Bulbs are not included Read More

How Do I Figure Out What Size Vanity Light I Need?

An easy rule to remember is to pick a lighting fixture that’s around three-quarters of your vanity’s width. You’ll want to center the light above the mirror.

How Many Vanity Lights Do I Need?

The type of vanity lighting you pick depends on the layout and size of your vanity. For a vanity with one sink, a pair of wall scones to go on either side of your mirror is the recommendation.

What is vanity lighting?

Vanity lighting’s primarily function as bathroom mirror lighting is to fulfil both task lighting to see the face well and accent lighting to create mood at more relaxed times of the day.

When choosing a bulb for your light fixture, should you first make sure the technical requirements match what you need?

When choosing a bulb for your light fixture, you should first make sure the technical requirements match what you need. Which socket or lamp holder do they use is the first question to answer. Then, keep in mind your desired aesthetic since it may come down to a choice between exposed bulbs for clear shades or they will be hidden.

What type of glass shade is used for globe lights?

Globe lights use frosted or clear glass shades as the primary aesthetic, lending itself to a modern classic style depending on the design and finish of the arms. Frosted glass creates the best type of diffused light for vanities as the light created is softer and more flattering on the face.

What is a long linear light?

Long linear shaped lighting is popular in bathrooms as it creates an even uniform illumination ideal for mirrors. Whether a bar or tube shaped diffuser, each long rectangular shade will either house multiple lamps or a LED source. Bar lights are great for adding sleek, classic vibes to your bathroom space.

Can LED lights be mounted on a mirror?

This can be better than over-the-top lighting but not quite as good as a pair of wall lights.

Is a bathroom light UL or ETL?

Lighting designed for bathrooms will usually have that covered and labelled ETL or UL wet rated or in the EU IP44 or even IP65 rated. Be sure to check with your installer what you will need according to your location and where in the room you are choosing to install them.

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