Vanity Lighting

Sconces and Vanity Lighting Cont'd

Above the Mirror

While sconces can be fixed in several locations, many fixtures are appropriate only above the mirror. Many bathrooms are already pre-wired to accept a vanity fixture directly above or on the mirror. Many people prefer this location because of the flexibility it offers in terms of vanity light width. A vanity light above the mirror also provides a great amount of lighting because of the amount of bulbs they have.

•When sizing a vanity light to be used on top of a mirror, remember that as a general rule you want as much light as possible without exceeding the width of the mirror itself. In the event of a full-wall mirror, a 3 or 4-light strip is sufficient. Vanity strips should also always be centered above the mirror.

•Positioning the vanity strip facing downward will provide direct lighting to the countertop. Make sure to take the height of the glass into consideration as you do not want the glass to hit the mirror’s edge.

•Occasionally, a homeowner will have an electrical box that is not centered over their mirror. In this situation, a vanity light with a full backplate (show right) can be used by the electrician to hide the mistake and to position the light properly without having to move the electrical connection (this isn't always 100% to electrical code, but many people do it anyways)

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