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.
Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Vanity Lights
The following step-by-step includes how to take measurements, how to determine the vanity light height above mirrors, and tips for marking and installing brackets:
1. Acquire Measurements
Acquire the measurements of your bathroom height and width as well as the height and width of your vanity and mirror. The standard vanity light height is 75 to 80 inches from the floor to the centre of the fixture and 3 inches above the mirror. Use a pencil to make wall markings as it can be easily erased if needed.
2. Disconnect Power to the Bathroom
It’s vital to switch the breaker off to your bathroom to avoid injury and/or damage. At your electrical box, locate the correct breaker switch and switch it to the off position. Using green painter’s tape, leave a note on the switched breaker to make sure no one turns it back on while you’re working. For added assurance, use a voltage meter to confirm there’s no electrical current running through the fixture.
3. Remove Existing Light Fixtures
Remove any existing vanity lights to make room for your new fixture. The steps for removal include:
- Unscrew and set aside light bulbs
- Remove decorative elements such as light shades
- Loosen the mounting plate and bracket fasteners
- Steady the mounting plate with one hand while using the other to carefully remove it
- Test the exposed wires with a non-contact voltage tester, then remove the wire nuts and disconnect the wiring.
4. Install Mount
You’ll need to secure the mounting plate to the electrical box in the wall. The tools you’ll need include a level and a screwdriver or drill. Use your markings as a guide to make sure the vanity light height from floor to the centre of the fixture is between 75 and 80 inches. Your fixture should come with fasteners, such as screws or nuts, along with instructions for installation.
5. Connect Wires
After the mounting plate is secured, you’ll need to connect the wiring to the fixture. The manufacturer instructions should include wiring instructions. Typically, this involves connecting the neutral ground wire (white) and hot wires (black) with wire connectors. Once connected, tuck all the wires and connectors neatly into the electrical box.
6. Secure Vanity Light
Align your new light fixture with the previously installed mounting plate and secure the two using the provided screws and/or nuts. When the fixture is secured, you can then install any additional decorative elements according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The final step is screwing in the light bulbs and turning the breaker switch to the bathroom back on.
Adjusting Vanity Light Height for Different Bathroom Layouts
The height of your bathroom vanity lights can vary based on the layout of your bathroom, such as bathrooms with low ceilings vs. high ceilings. Different types of vanity lights will also pair better with some layouts than others. For example, if you have a small powder room with a low ceiling, you may opt for a small vanity light bar rather than wall sconces.
Unless your bathrooms have a low or high ceiling, you won’t need to adjust the vanity light height from the standard of 75 to 80 inches from the floor. For example, if you have a wall-mounted faucet that sits higher than a sink-mouth faucet, you’ll still want to base your vanity light height off of mirror and ceiling height.
How Ceiling Height and Vanity Design Affect Light Placement
Your bathroom ceiling height can affect how high you mount lighting above a vanity as well as mirror placement. While the standard vanity light height is 75 to 80 inches from the floor, you may need to adjust your light and mirror placement to sit more proportionately on the wall. Here are a few examples:
- 7 ft Ceilings: You may adjust the lighting height to between 70 and 72 inches from the floor. You could also use side sconces to avoid a sense of overcrowding.
- 8 ft Ceilings: As 8 feet is an average ceiling height, you can stick with the standard vanity height of between 75 and 80 inches.
- 9 ft Ceilings: Place your vanity lights slightly higher at about 82 inches for a more balanced appearance.
- 10 ft Ceilings: For higher ceilings of up to 10 feet, you may want to raise your vanity light fixtures to 84 to 86 inches to avoid a shrunken appearance. You may also use vertical sconces for better proportion.
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.
Lighting Quality Tips
The lighting experts at Siga Home Comfort recommend using warm white bulbs of 2700K to 3000K and a lumen range of 800 to 1600 depending on the number of fixtures. This creates a flattering natural glow that’s perfect for bathroom spaces. Dimmable bulbs are a great option as they provide added control. This is especially beneficial for varied ceiling heights or custom setups that would alter your bathroom vanity light height.
Here are some amazing bathroom vanity light options to consider from Siga Home Comfort:
- Ice Glaze Vanity Light Fixture: 3 LED crystal lights with an exquisite cylindrical design and a shiny chrome finish. Perfect for bathrooms of all sizes, install one of these fixtures over a single vanity or two over a double-sink vanity.
- Jewels Crystal Vanity Light Fixture: Featuring a sleek metal finish, this fixture is a great option for modern, traditional, or elegant bathroom designs. Options include 3 or 4 jeweled LED lights for varying vanity and mirror sizes.
- Diamonds Vanity Light Fixture: Add a pop of elegant flair to any bathroom with this intertwining diamond vanity light. Select 3 or 4 lights to pair perfectly with different sizes of bathroom vanities and mirrors.
- Ambience Vanity Light Fixture: A metal base mounting plate holds your choice of 3 or 4 glass vertical crystal LED lights. Suitable for traditional, classic, modern, or elegant bathrooms of all sizes.
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!
