The right mix of lighting makes a big difference in any room, including the bathroom. When you’re thinking about the bathrooms for your custom home design, it’s important to consider the lighting overall and in specific areas. In primary bathrooms and other bathrooms with vanities, there are considerations for the right lighting in and around the vanity. Here are the best ways to light a bathroom vanity, including different fixtures you can use and tips to help get the bathroom vanity lighting you need:
6 Bathroom Vanity Light Fixtures
The best bathroom vanity lighting often requires multiple sources of light and the right combination of fixtures. Here are some common bathroom vanity light fixtures to consider for your bathroom design:
- Wall Sconces
- Side-Mounted Lights
- Lighting Fixtures Above the Mirror
- Backlit Mirrors
- Mirrors With Integrated Lighting
- Toe-Kick Lighting
1. Wall Sconces
Wall sconces are a classic type of bathroom vanity light fixture. They are often mounted to the sides of the mirror for extra illumination on tasks and shadow-free illumination. It’s recommended that these be installed at eye level.
For larger double vanities, especially those that are separate and feature two separate mirrors, it may make sense to have an additional wall sconce in the center between them. This may not make sense for every bathroom design, but it is a double vanity bathroom idea to consider.
2. Side-Mounted Lights
Wall sconces are usually mounted to the sides of vanity mirrors, but they are not the only side-mounted light fixtures available. Side-mounted lights could be light bars, recessed lighting, and more.
3. Lighting Fixtures Above the Mirror
Lighting fixtures installed above the mirror provide overhead lighting for vanities. Fixtures are available in a seemingly endless number of styles and configurations. From single lights, light bars, and spotlights to fixtures featuring two, three, five, or more lights, there are a lot of options to help you get the look and light you want.
Whatever lighting makes sense for you in this area, light bars or fixtures should be centered above the mirror. As a general rule, lighting fixtures should be about a third to a half the width of the bathroom mirror. Recessed lighting is also an option for lighting above the bathroom vanity.
It’s just a matter of getting the placement and housing options right for the amount of light you need over the vanity. For bathrooms with higher ceilings, a fixture that allows you to get light closer to where you need it on the vanity may make more sense, while recessed lighting may be a better fit for overhead lighting in other areas of the bathroom.
4. Backlit Mirrors
One of the bathroom mirror ideas is to opt for a backlit mirror. With backlighting, vanity lighting is minimalistic and seamless. Backlit mirrors offer consistent illumination around the edges and a clean, modern look and feel.
This is a feature that can work well for a variety of mirror shapes and sizes. Whether you have a double vanity with smaller separate mirrors or one large mirror that extends across a continuous vanity, a backlit mirror can enhance the overall look and feel of your bathroom design, while still providing the light and function you need for the vanity.
5. Mirrors With Integrated Lighting
Other types of bathroom vanity light fixtures that continue to gain popularity are mirrors with integrated lighting. Although backlighting could be considered integrated lighting since it is lighting behind the mirror, these mirrors with integrated lighting have the lighting integrated into them.
Often, this is within the frame or the mirror itself for illumination from the front of the mirror instead of behind it. Not only does this provide a seamless, modern, and high-tech look and feel, but it also provides even light distribution for a bathroom vanity. Using mirrors with integrated lighting like this is a bathroom design trend.
6. Toe-Kick Lighting
Although it is not lighting above or to the sides of a mirror, another type of bathroom vanity light fixture is toe-kick lighting. Toe-kick lighting is a cabinet lighting idea that adds lighting under lower cabinets.
This type of lighting adds some illumination between the bottom of lower cabinets and the floor. It can be a great option for floating bathroom vanities or cabinet vanities that have a small gap or recessed area just above the floor.
5 Tips For the Best Bathroom Vanity Lighting
With all of the vanity light fixtures available, the options and combinations are practically endless. It’s just a matter of getting the right fixtures and styles for your bathroom design. Here are some tips for the best bathroom vanity lighting:
- Use the right mix of bathroom vanity light fixtures.
- Combine lighting types and fixtures for layered lighting.
- Focus on warm-to-neutral color temperature.
- Include dimmer switches and adjustable lighting.
- Integrate smart technology for added function and convenience.
Design and Build Your Custom Home With CHG
These are just a few tips for how to light a bathroom vanity to consider as you think about the bathrooms in your custom home design. Working with an experienced custom home builder with an in-house design/build process can help you narrow down options to what works best for your style and needs and ensure you end up with a home design you love. If you’re ready to get started on your own custom home in Central Pennsylvania or Northeastern Maryland, contact Custom Home Group at 717-284-4090. We can help bring your dream home to life!
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