Mount a vanity light bar above the mirror about 75 to 80 inches from the floor, or roughly 3 to 6 inches above the mirror's top. For sconces beside the mirror, place them around 60 to 66 inches high and 28 to 36 inches apart, centered near eye level for even, shadow-free light.
The goal: even light on your face
Vanity lighting has one main job, to light your face evenly so you can shave, apply makeup, and see yourself without harsh shadows. The most common mistake is relying only on a single overhead fixture, which casts shadows under the eyes, nose, and chin. Good placement puts light at or near face level, ideally from both sides.
Height and position depend on whether you use a light bar above the mirror or sconces flanking it.
Think in layers, too. Vanity fixtures handle the task light right at the mirror, while a ceiling fixture or recessed cans provide general room light and a separate shower light covers the wet zone. When one vanity fixture is asked to do all three jobs at once, the result usually disappoints, either too dim for grooming or too glaring for a relaxing bath.
Light bar above the mirror
A horizontal light bar or fixture above the mirror is the most popular setup and the simplest to install where one junction box already exists.
- Height: Center the fixture about 75 to 80 inches above the finished floor, which usually lands 3 to 6 inches above the top of the mirror. Above eye level keeps the bulbs out of your sightline.
- Width: Choose a fixture roughly 75 percent of the mirror or vanity width for balanced proportions, not so wide it overhangs, not so narrow it looks lost.
- Aim: Fixtures with shades or diffusers pointing down or outward spread light onto the face rather than straight into the mirror.
Sconces beside the mirror
Side-mounted sconces are the best way to eliminate facial shadows because they light both sides of your face at once.
- Height: Mount them around 60 to 66 inches from the floor, near eye level for the people who use the bathroom.
- Spacing: Place them 28 to 36 inches apart, ideally on each side of the mirror. This spread frames an average face without leaving shadows.
- Fixture choice: Sconces with frosted or opal shades diffuse the light and avoid glare. Vertical sconces work well in tighter spots beside a mirror.
Placement over a double vanity
With two sinks and mirrors, treat each station as its own zone. Options include:
- A light bar centered over each mirror at the standard height.
- A pair of sconces between and beside the two mirrors, so each face gets light from both sides.
- One long fixture spanning both mirrors only if it is wide and diffused enough to cover both stations.
Common measurements to remember
- Fixture width: about 75 percent of the mirror or vanity width.
- Bar height: 75 to 80 inches to center, or 3 to 6 inches above the mirror.
- Sconce height: 60 to 66 inches to center.
- Sconce spacing: 28 to 36 inches apart.
- Ceiling-mounted or recessed fills: keep them slightly forward of the mirror so light falls on the face, not the top of the head.
Ratings and clearances
Bathrooms are damp environments. Fixtures directly over a tub or shower must be rated for damp or wet locations as appropriate, and code sets minimum clearances around tubs and showers. Standard vanity fixtures away from the water source generally do not need a wet rating, but always check the label and your local code.
Electrical safety
Vanity lights are almost always hardwired to a junction box, often near water. Turn off power at the breaker and confirm the circuit is dead with a voltage tester before working. Bathroom circuits usually require GFCI protection. Adding a box, moving wiring, or running a new circuit is a job for a licensed electrician if you are not certain. This guide is general information and does not replace a licensed electrician or local code.
