vanity lighting placement

9 years ago

In a new build, I'm trying to decide on the light fixtures and placement before the electrician comes in.

The sink is on the left. The architect called for a double sink. I asked for the sink on the right to be removed in favour of more counter space for hair and makeup paraphernalia. The entire counter is just over 6' long.

There will be a bulkhead above the vanity due to venting and messed up structural design.

I don't like most wall sconces. And we don't have room for a light above the mirror, which I hate even more than wall sconces. I have seen pendants hanging in front of the mirror, and I love the look. I also like the idea of lighting the face rather than the forehead.

But I'm wondering if I have the room for them? I'll end up with the pendant a couple of inches from the walls and about 2.5' between pendants. I can have the sink moved over a few inches. But then I have even less space between the pendants.

If I skip the middle pendant, would there be enough light from the pendant on the far side to not have shadows on one side of the face?

Another option is pot lights in the bulk head. If it was up to my GC, there would be hundreds of pot lights in my 2000 sq' house. But I try to avoid using them as much as possible.

Comments (9)

sloyder
9 years ago
maybe pot lights, and a lighted vanity mirror?
amberm145_gw
Original Author
9 years ago
The whole wall, from counter to bulk head, will be mirrored. I don't know if you were suggesting a medicine cabinet that incorporates a light?
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sloyder
9 years ago
they have these mirrors at wayfair, but since you are doing the whole wall it would be very expensive. A 3ft one is almost $800.

Here is a link that might be useful: lighted mirror
dekeoboe
9 years ago
A vanity light can be installed through the mirror, so you should have room for one even if your mirror is from the counter to the bulk-head.
amberm145_gw
Original Author
9 years ago
I don't like the fixtures that sit above the mirror; for style or for light effectiveness. I'm quite happy the bulkhead gives me an excuse not to use one.
dekeoboe
9 years ago
Can you post some photos of what you like? How high and far from the wall do you hang them so they are not in the way? To me, vanity pendants remind me of dated 1980's lighting.
amberm145_gw
Original Author
9 years ago
{{gwi:2133826}}

[Contemporary Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2103) by North Hollywood General Contractors Globus Builder

Haha, I had never seen the pendant hanging in front of the mirror until about a year ago. I think of the light bar above the mirror as very 80s. :)

Forcing me to look at pictures has probably answered my question. In the photo above, you can see the pools of light on the counter, and the sinks are not centered between the sinks.

I do like the look of this one, too. Although I wonder how the light would affect the person looking in the mirror.

{{gwi:2133827}}

[Modern Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2105) by Cambridge General Contractors Charlie Allen Renovations, Inc.
nicole__
9 years ago
My master bathroom was built in the '80's and has the canned lights above the vanity(same size as the one in the pic too). Works really well!
Bunny
9 years ago
If it were my bathroom I'd rather have the last one you posted, with the cans in the soffit. I do not care for the pendants hanging in front of the mirror one little bit.