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Bathroom vanity lighting is a key element of any bathroom lighting design. In this vanity unit lighting guide, we’ll explore how to light a bathroom vanity and discuss some general bathroom lighting tips as well.
Why Proper Bathroom Vanity Lighting MattersÂ
Bathroom mirror lighting is one of the most important lighting elements in a bathroom. This task light is responsible for increasing visibility in the mirror, making it easier to groom and get ready for the day.
Quality vanity lighting makes a huge difference. With good illumination that accurately reflects colour, you can be sure that how you look in the mirror is how you look out in the sunlight as well. If you have poor quality lights, or poor bathroom light placement near the mirror, this may not be true.
Choosing the Right Vanity Light FixturesÂ
Figuring out how to choose vanity lighting comes down to understanding vanity lights more clearly. As mentioned, the goal here is to provide ample illumination for visibility. To do so, you will need the right lights and the proper placement.
The best lighting for bathroom vanity mirrors is ultimately subjective. There are a few main types of vanity lighting fixtures that you can choose from:
- BAR LIGHTS. Bar lights are wall sconces that are long and straight. They can expand over the entire area of the mirror from above, casting plenty of illumination.
- SURFACE MOUNTED LIGHTS. Having lights on either side of the mirror on the wall can provide even illumination from both sides.
- Attaching spotlights to the ceiling to shine down on the vanity area is another way to create a vanity mirror with lights. They can be beneficial in small bathrooms that have limited wall space.
- LIGHTED MIRRORS. One of the common vanity lighting options for bathrooms is to get a mirror with integrated lighting. These lights are built right into the mirror itself, providing good illumination head-on.
Placement of these lights is just as important–if not more important–than the lights themselves.
How to Position Vanity Lights for Optimal IlluminationÂ
Positioning vanity lights can dictate how well the lights do their jobs. After all, you want to ensure that there are no shadows cast upon your face as you get ready for the day.
For this reason, paying careful attention to placement when completing your bathroom lighting installation is key.
A general rule for such lighting is to have the lights installed at eye level. This tends to be about 36 to 40 inches from the sides of the mirror. Doing so will generate even illumination without casting any shadows, nor creating glare.
If you prefer to use some of the overhead lighting options mentioned, you’ll need to take extra care in the placement. Be sure that the fixture is placed close enough to the wall to illuminate your face without any downward shadows cast. It should also be placed directly above the mirror.
Should You Use LED Lights for Vanity?Â
LED lights are quickly overtaking halogen and incandescent bulbs as the most popular bulb style. This is for good reason. LED lights pose many benefits that other bulb types simply do not.
- ENERGY EFFICIENT. LED lights use up 80 percent less energy than halogen bulbs. Since LEDs transform energy directly to light instead of turning it into heat first, they are far more energy efficient.
- ECO-FRIENDLY. Due to their energy efficient nature, using LED bulbs will be gentler on the environment.
- ULTRA LONG LIFE. Unlike halogen and incandescent bulbs rated to last for around 1,000 hours, LED lights can burn for tens of thousands. This will reduce the number of replacements you will need to make, as well as the cost to do so.
- COST EFFECTIVE. Alongside having fewer replacements, the energy efficient nature of the bulbs will save you money in the short and long term. You may notice a reduction of your energy bill over time, which can take some of the burden off your wallet.
- LED bulbs come in many different lumen counts and colour temperatures. Because of this, you can pick and choose exactly how bright, and how cool or warm, you want your light to be.
Layering Your Bathroom Vanity LightingÂ
Much like any other room in the house, having layered lighting in the bathroom makes a huge difference in its overall look and feel. Layered lighting for bathrooms consist of three elements: ambient, task and accent lighting.
Ambient Light
Ambient lighting for bathrooms comes in the form of ceiling lights. In smaller bathrooms, you can get away with bright wall sconces instead. The role of this light style is to provide the main foundation of illumination that the other lights then supplement.
Ambient light fixture options in the bathroom include:
- pendant lights
- recessed ceiling lights
- surface mounted ceiling lights
- wall lights with higher lumen counts
Task Light
Task lighting serves the purpose of adding more focused lighting to high-activity areas. Task lighting for vanity unit areas is especially important, since the entire purpose of that zone is for grooming and skincare. Beyond the vanity, task lighting can also be installed above baths and showers to give plenty of illumination for bathing.
Accent Light
The final layer of lighting, accent light sets the mood and atmosphere in a room. They can also be used to accent and highlight certain elements in the room. For bathrooms, you can create a spa-like look and feel by use of well-placed accent lights.
Common Vanity Lighting MistakesÂ
Bathroom lighting design can be an intricate thing, especially if you don’t have any interior design experience. Stay ahead of any potential mishaps by familiarizing yourself with some of the most common bathroom lighting mistakes.
Using Only Overhead Lighting
Only installing overhead lights runs the risk of casting unwanted shadows. Downcast lights can cause unflattering shadows under the eyes and near the mouth especially. Not only will you not look your best, but you won’t have an accurate look at your makeup either.
Not Choosing High CRI Bulbs
Similarly, choosing bulbs that have a poor colour rendering index will be a detriment to your vanity. Colour rendering index, or CRI, indicates how well a light shows the true colours of what it is shining upon. Low CRI means you may not get an accurate reflection of your clothes or makeup. You might look different out in the sun from how you look in the mirror.
Poor Light Placement
Not using the suggested vanity light height, or not taking flanking lights on either side of the vanity, can lead to poor results. Be sure you take note of the recommended guidelines for placement of your lights to ensure even, balanced illumination.
Neglecting IP Ratings
IP ratings, or Ingress Protection ratings, are a way to indicate how well-protected a light is against debris and water. The first digit indicates resistance to solids, while the second indicates resistance to moisture.
For vanity areas, it is recommended that you have a minimum IP rating of IP20. That said, it will never hurt to have waterproof or other more highly rated lights near the vanity.
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Not Using Dimmers
While having bright, clear lighting is important for grooming, do not overlook the benefits of having a vanity mirror with lights that can dim. When used as the only light in the bathroom, vanity lights make for nice accent lighting. By dimming them further, you can create a spa-like, relaxing feel for taking baths at night.
ConclusionÂ
Having proper vanity lighting is crucial to a balanced, well-lit bathroom. Above, we have discussed how to properly light a bathroom vanity while avoiding common mistakes. Keep this article close for reference as you design your bathroom lighting.
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Vanity Lighting Ideas
Light up your vanity from above with the LWA195 6 Watt Black LED Mirror Light. This bar light provides 420 lumens of 3000K warm white light that spreads evenly across the entire mirror. It has an acrylic diffuser that further spreads and softens the light as it shines. The light can be mounted horizontally along the top of the mirror, or vertically along the sides. It is durably built from aluminium and measures 320 millimeters in width.
Enhance your modern bathroom with the LWA431 6 Watt Round IP65 Bathroom Wall Light. These round lights, available in matte black or white finishes, provide contemporary charm and beautiful accent lighting. They generate 600 lumens of 3000K warm white light that shines back in a halo against the wall. Fashioned out of durable aluminium and rated IP65, they are waterproof and resilient. The fixtures measure 180 millimeters in diameter.
Get a classic Hollywood style vanity with the LWA338 9 Watt LED Stainless Steel Bathroom Wall Light. This wall light features three bulbs behind opal acrylic globe shades mounted to a stainless steel backplate. They output 720 lumens of light, perfect for vanity areas. These fixtures feature an IP rating of IP44 and measure 390 millimeters in width.
Light up your bathroom in a stunningly modern way with the LWA288A 6 Watt LED Round Up And Down Bathroom Wall Light. This wall light features a cylindrical housing in your choice of matte black or white. From within, it shines 600 lumens of 3000K warm white light. The light is projected both up and down the wall behind it at a 90 degree beam angle. This durable aluminium fixture is rated IP65 waterproof for safe bathroom usage.
