Vanity Light Height Installation and Placement
When designing your bathroom, an important element to consider is vanity lighting. The placement of lighting in a bathroom, having the right vanity light height, greatly affects the functionality and aesthetic of the space as this determines how bright or dim the room will be. Throughout this blog, we’ll discuss the proper bathroom sconce height and height of mirror above vanity in order to help you create the perfect bathroom.
Why Vanity Light Height Matters
1. Functionality and Usability
Having the right lighting in the bathroom is crucial for being able to see what you are doing when getting ready for the day, such as shaving or applying makeup. If your vanity lighting is at an improper height, this can create shadows or produce a glare in the mirror, making it more difficult to see and potentially causing mistakes.
2. Enhancing Aesthetics
The placement of your lighting can actually complement the bathroom’s overall design, enhancing the other fixtures and features of the room. If the distance between the mirror and light fixture, as well as the vanity, is properly balanced and symmetrical, then it will help make the room more visually appealing.
Standard Vanity Light Height Guidelines
1. Above Vanity Lights
Standard vanity light height for above the mirror is 75-80 inches from the floor to the centre of the light fixture. Of course, adjustments can and should be made based on the height of household members to be as comfortable as possible. Adjustments can also be made based on the height of the vanity itself, if it’s taller or shorter.
2. Vanity Sconce Height
Wall sconces placed on either side of the mirror should be at eye level, which is typically 64 inches from the floor. The standard space between the sconces is 36-40 inches apart. When placing sconces beside the mirror, it is important to ensure that they are even to maintain symmetry, so one is not higher or lower than the other.
3. Placement of Vanity Light Over Mirror
In order to maintain the most even illumination across your reflection, the placement of the light fixture should be 3 inches above the top of the mirror. This way, shadows around your face and any glare that may be produced from the light are minimized.
Bathroom Vanity Light Placement Tips
1. Balancing Light and Mirrors
When aligning your vanity lights with your mirror, it is not just about having the perfect height from the floor or the space between the two, it is also about making sure that the dimensions of both are proportional to each other. As such, your light fixtures can be either the same width as the mirror if placed above or about half the length of the mirror if placed beside.
2. Bathroom Sconce Height Considerations
Instead of above vanity lights, sconces on both sides of the mirror are better for bigger bathrooms and can be used alongside separate overhead lighting to make the space even brighter. To avoid any shadows, sconces can be placed facing up, which helps provide more light to the entire room.
Choosing the Right Fixtures for Your Vanity
1. Vanity Light Size Guidelines
Choosing the correct size for your light fixtures comes down to maintaining proportionality with the mirror and vanity. So, you must first measure the width of your mirror and vanity before figuring out what size lights would work best in relation to them in order to create a balanced space.
2. Complementing Your Bathroom Style
Whatever the aesthetic of your bathroom, whether it is modern or traditional, lighting can enhance the design and tie the whole space together in a great way. Depending on the colours of the walls and other features, warm or cool lighting can be used to match the rest of the room. Different finishes on the lighting fixtures, like matte black or brushed nickel, can also be used to complement the existing look of your bathroom.
How Mirror Height Impacts Vanity Lighting
1.Height of Vanity Mirror and Lights
Just as there are standardized heights for vanity lighting, there is also a standardized vanity mirror height, which is an important factor to take into account when picking out lighting as the two must coordinate to create a balanced aesthetic. Typically, mirrors should be 1-2 inches smaller than the width of the vanity countertop and placed 5-10 inches above it.
2. Adjusting Height of Bathroom Mirror and Lights for Custom Designs
If you want a custom design that is outside of standardized heights, this is still something that can be done for your bathroom. Whether you have chosen a unique vanity or taller or shorter mirrors, the height of your lighting options can also be customized to better align with those choices, creating an upscale look that is one of a kind.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Installing Vanity Lights
When installing vanity lights, it’s good to be aware of common pitfalls in order to avoid them. Some of these mistakes include installing the vanity light fixtures too high or low, which can cause unwanted shadows and glare, choosing fixtures that are too large or small for the vanity, and overlooking the spacing between the mirror and light fixture, both of which can disrupt the aesthetic and balance of the room. Another common mistake is ignoring the type of lightbulb used and thus ending up with the wrong colour temperature, warm or cool, and level of brightness for the room.
FAQs About Vanity Light Height and Placement
What is the standard height for above vanity lights?
The standard height for above vanity lighting is 75 to 80 inches from the floor to the centre of the light fixture.
How high should wall sconces be placed in a bathroom?
The bathroom wall sconce height should be at eye level, around 64 inches from the floor to the centre of the fixture.
What is the ideal distance between the mirror and light fixture?
The ideal distance between the mirror and light fixture is 3 inches to maintain even illumination.
Should bathroom sconce height match above-mirror light height?
No, the height of a sconce should not match the height of above-mirror lighting because sconces are placed beside the mirror instead and therefore have different height requirements.
Final Thoughts
No matter the type of lighting fixtures you decide to use, you have to make sure that they align with the vanity and mirror in your bathroom. If the height of the vanity light is off at all compared to the other fixtures or the spacing is wrong, then the balance of the room is negatively affected and unwanted shadows may appear. At Siga Home Comfort, we are here to help you find the right lighting for your space and possess beautiful vanity fixtures for you to choose from. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a free in-house estimate!
