A light source on the left and right sides of the mirror, such as two decorative wall lights, will create a shadow-free, flattering light, useful for putting on make-up or shaving,' says Sally Storey of John Cullen Lighting.
If you're working with an average-size medicine cabinet or mirror, place two lights on either side of the mirror at eye level, about 65 inches from the floor and a couple inches from the edge of your mirror. For a single light above the mirror, place it around 80 inches from the floor for an ideal height.
Both sides of the bathroom mirror.
The American Lighting Association's general rule is to mount them 65 to 70 inches from the floor, at about eye level. This allows light to fully illuminate your entire face without casting shadows.
Many people choose vanity lights that are about 75 percent the width of the mirror and center the light above the mirror. For example: If your mirror is 36 inches wide, 75 percent of that is 27 inches, so a bath bar light of about 26 to 28 inches would work.
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 two, three or four lights—and ensure the light is about three-quarters the width of the mirror or no wider than the cabinet, regardless of how the mirrors are installed.
The guideline for spacing recessed lights in a bathroom: divide the ceiling height by two. For example, in a bathroom with a 9-foot ceiling, place the lights 4.5 feet apart. The layout should provide enough light, without overwhelming the space.
Vanity mirror lighting should never overhang the mirror. Make sure the fixture isn't extended past the mirror to avoid down lighting, which will cast shadows on the face. Take advantage of accent lighting to create a warm glow.
For mirror lighting, go with two bathroom lights, one for each side of the mirror. This lighting solution creates an even spread of light, preventing shadows and splotches from showing up on your face. An alternative to two lights flanking the mirror, you can install a bathroom light above the mirror.
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.
Most vanity lights can be mounted with lights pointed up or down. Remember to mount the fixture with the lights pointed up for ambient lighting and pointed down for task lighting.
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.
In addition to providing optimal lighting for grooming, LED-backlit vanity mirrors are energy-efficient and long lasting, making them a practical and eco-friendly choice.
Choose a height near eye-level to minimize shadows around the face. It's important to make sure the light is evenly placed on each side of the vanity mirror to keep the space looking bright and clear. If one light is installed higher than the other, the room can feel off balance.
A soft to bright white LED is the best artificial light source for makeup application. Its color rendering score can be around 80 to 90. This makes it close to natural light, which has a score of 100.
In fact, the light produced by LED mirrors is comparable with natural light. These mirrors give just enough light for what you need them for. LED mirrors light up the face nicely hence the best for applying makeup. They are also energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and provide a classy environment to bathrooms.
In Led Mirrors the light source is just in front of you, eliminating all shadows. Regular lighting fixtures often create shadows on your face, making it difficult to see yourself fully illuminated. Led Mirrors provide full illumination and highlights your entire face with clear, even light.
Single Pendant Light Above Bathroom Mirror
If your mirror is rounded, use a rounded pendant light. If the mirror is square, look for a lighting option with strong horizontal lines. Add night lights to your vanity drawers for extra glow.
Soft Rectangular Bathroom Mirrors
Framed or unframed, distressed or modern, gold or black- the mirror shape of the moment is a soft rectangle, and its clean proportions make it perfect for the bathroom.
A warm white light (3000K) for bathing and going to the toilet is ideal for providing a comfortable and at ease atmosphere. However, for light fixtures that would illuminate your mirror where you would do the shaving, plucking, or skin care, cool white light (4000K) is the ideal temperature.
As mentioned above, LED bulbs use much less energy and electricity when compared with other bulbs. They have an efficacy of over 50,000 hours, meaning you can expect your LED mirror to last for around a decade. Therefore, this certainly represents a long-term investment for your bathroom.
Don't Forget Light Fixtures
If you have wall-mounted light fixtures above the mirror (or ceiling mounted close to the mirror), then you may have to disregard the height of the faucet. Instead, center the mirror between the top of the vanity and the light fixtures.
Consider eye level when it comes to reducing glare and ensuring that the tallest person in the space can't see down into the sconce. Allow 4 inches of space on either side of the mirror that you want to flank with sconces. That 4 inches provides the space for the sconce's electrical panel.
Downlighters especially have become very popular, with an array of different styles, that are perfect for illuminating your bathroom vanity ideas or for adding interest and ambiance to a focal wall. 'It is important to illuminate the mirror and your face with task lighting.
As a rule of thumb, it's always a good idea to match your light fixtures to any other finishes in your bathroom. If you plan on hanging a sconce on each side of your mirror for instance, then your bathroom will have a more cohesive look to it if the sconces match the existing bathroom accessories.