What Is the Proper Height of a Light Above a Vanity?

Side Sconces

• By installing sconces on both sides of the mirror, light will flood evenly across and around your face. Because vanity heights vary, locate the correct elevation for sconces by measuring up from the flooring. Mount the sconces 66 inches above the finished floor. If you’re much shorter or taller than average, consider installing them at your eye level. On extra-wide mirrors, mount the fixtures directly to the glass, allowing 30 inches between sconces.

Above-the-Mirror Wall Fixtures

• Although side sconces offer ideal lighting conditions for grooming, your walls may not have sufficient space for fixtures to fit next to the mirror. If it's more practical for you to install lights above the mirror, use a fixture with bulbs that face downward; you don't want all your light directed toward the ceiling. To locate the proper height for an above-the-mirror fixture, measure 78 inches up from the floor. The top of the mirror should rest about 3 inches below the bottom of the light.

Ceiling Pendants

• Pendant lighting serves as an attractive alternative to above-the-mirror light fixtures. Install each pendant so that the bottom of the shade hits just above eye level. To avoid hitting the fixture when leaning forward, place pendants to the left and right of the sink. Avoid large pendants; instead, choose a design that matches the scale of the vanity. To minimize glare and heat, select fixtures with translucent diffusers across the bottom of the shades.

Considerations

• Because soft hues bounce more light around the room than dark colors, pale counters and light paint colors will improve illumination under your face and around your jawline. Unlike fixtures with exposed bulbs or clear shades, lighting with frosted, translucent shades will minimize glare. Opaque shades block too much light and don't deliver adequate illumination for getting ready in the morning. To avoid overwhelming your eyes at night, install dimmer switches.