Are you looking to update your bathroom? If so, there are endless options for sprucing up your bathroom and making it aesthetically pleasing, but little touches, such as vanity lighting, can make a big impact on the overall look and feel of the space.

With so many options to choose from, it can seem overwhelming to determine which type of vanity lighting is best suited for your bathroom. In this post, we’ll provide helpful tips for choosing the right fit to illuminate your bathroom.

4 Tips for Choosing Bathroom Vanity Lighting

Determine its purpose

When it comes to choosing the perfect bathroom vanity lighting, the first thing you need to do is consider the purpose of the lights. Are you using the space primarily for getting ready in the morning, applying makeup, or setting a relaxing ambiance during a bath? Each of these scenarios requires different types of fixtures and color temperatures.

For functional or task lighting, you may want to opt for a pair of sconces or a vanity bar for maximum illumination. But for aesthetic purposes, you don’t need bright and even lighting, so a chandelier or pendant can be an option.

Choose the shape

The shape of your bathroom vanity lighting plays a big role in the overall look and feel of your space. But it ultimately depends on your personal style. Below are some of the most popular options:

• Bar shape. A long rectangular shade containing several lamps, which you can pair with LED bulbs.
• Tube shape. Similar to bar fixtures, but with a more futuristic touch embodied in their rounded structure.
• Globe shape. Typically made of clear or frosted material, which encloses the lamp and adds a touch of sophisticated flair to your vanity area.
• Cage shape. Creates a rough and tough industrial vibe in the bathroom while also providing unobstructed illumination.
• Shaded. Covers the lamp with shades and comes in a variety of shapes and materials.

Consider the size of your bathroom

The size of your bathroom is also vital since it will decide the type of light fixtures you need, whether a single fixture, a vanity bar, or a pair of sconces.

Ideally, you will want to have a pair of sconces mounted on both sides of the vanity mirror so they can cast an even light across the face for your daily grooming rituals. For this setting, the fixtures should be placed on each side of the mirror, 36-40 inches apart, and each fixture’s center should be positioned approximately at eye level, which is around 66 inches above the floor.

However, smaller bathrooms don’t always have a lot of wall width to work with, so you will want to place a single fixture or a vanity bar above the mirror. This also applies if your vanity mirror is wider than 60 inches. The fixture needs to be positioned around 75-80 inches above the floor.

Think about how much light you need

The amount of light and color of bathroom vanity lighting you need can vary depending on the tasks in the room. There are two considerations when choosing lighting for your bathroom vanity: CRI (Color Rendering Index) and color temperatures.

CRI measures how colors will look under a light source compared with natural sunlight on a scale out of 100. The higher the CRI number, the more accurately the light renders colors. You’ll want to pick a fixture that has a high CRI (90 or above) to make colors look natural.

Color temperature is the amount of white light that a light source produces. Lower color temperatures give warmer/redder light, while higher temperatures produce cooler/bluer light. Color temperature preferences can vary for everyone, but for an optimal grooming experience in the master bathroom, ideally, you want to have light around 3000K since it emits brighter-white light. For a powder room, you can opt for light around 2700K.

See also: 3 Tips for Lighting Your Bathroom

Choosing the right lighting for your bathroom vanity requires a good eye and lots of planning to ensure that everything blends well together with the other fixtures and colors in the space. Be sure to factor in safety, long-term maintenance, as well as your preferred design style when selecting just the right bathroom vanity light.

If you do not know where to start in this process, reach out to us at Facets of Lafayette for assistance from a Showroom Consultant who can help make it fast and easy. We have many years of experience working with homeowners to design their bathrooms. If you’re looking for a local lighting store in Lafayette, LA, contact us!