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Atlas 11

The Best Ways to Light Your Bathroom

April 9, 2024

Lighting Expert, @lightsdotcom

Well-considered bathroom lighting elevates functionality, ensuring you can comfortably attend to daily grooming tasks with precision. The right lighting can also contribute to a calming, spa-like ambiance, transforming your bathroom into a sanctuary of well-being. To help you get started, we offer a bit of advice on how to illuminate your bathroom with a variety of lighting fixtures.

Task lighting for the mirror

For daily grooming, you’ll need even lighting around the mirror that won’t cause unhelpful shadows.

You can achieve this with a few different combinations of vanity lights. Depending on your preference and size of the bathroom mirror, place a single vanity light above the mirror or two shorter wall sconces flanking it. In the case of larger mirrors, consider using all three.

Suggested measurements:

  • Flanking sconces should be approximately 36-40” from one another and the center of each should be approximately 66” above the floor.
  • A vanity light above the mirror should be centered and placed approximately 75-80” above the floor.

Hot tips:

  • To reduce glare, opt for translucent or frosted lights.
  • Dimmer capability allows you to adjust the lights for the function or mood.
  • Avoid fabric shades as they tend to deteriorate in moist environments.
Joni LED Alabaster Flush Mount, Aged Brass

Joni LED Alabaster Flush Mount, Aged Brass

Flush mount or recessed lighting for evenly diffused light

Small bathrooms can often be entirely lit with the task lighting from the mirror alone. Larger bathrooms, however, benefit from general overhead lighting. We recommend a flush mount ceiling fixture for light that’s evenly distributed.

Hot tip:

  • Avoid placing the ceiling light directly overhead, as it can cause unsightly and unhelpful shadows. Instead, make a note of where you stand in front of the mirror and offset the fixture so that it is not exactly above.
  • Be safe. Bathroom fixtures should alwasy be damp-rated. When it comes to bathroom lighting, consider hiring an electrician that is knowledgeable in the national electrical codes.
Ian LED Vanity Light, Matte Black and Aged Brass
Ian LED Vanity Light, Matte Black and Aged Brass
Ian LED Vanity Light, Matte Black and Aged Brass
Ian LED Vanity Light, Matte Black and Aged Brass
Ian LED Vanity Light, Matte Black and Aged Brass
Ian LED Vanity Light, Matte Black and Aged Brass
Ian LED Vanity Light, Matte Black and Aged Brass
Ian LED Vanity Light, Matte Black and Aged Brass
Ian LED Vanity Light, Matte Black and Aged Brass
Ian LED Vanity Light, Matte Black and Aged Brass
Ian LED Vanity Light, Matte Black and Aged Brass
Ian LED Vanity Light, Matte Black and Aged Brass
Ian LED Vanity Light, Matte Black and Aged Brass
Ian LED Vanity Light, Matte Black and Aged Brass
Ian LED Vanity Light, Matte Black and Aged Brass
Ian LED Vanity Light, Matte Black and Aged Brass

Ian LED Vanity Light, Matte Black and Aged Brass

$349.00
Carlisle 3 Light Vanity, Matte Black and Brushed Brass
Carlisle 3 Light Vanity, Matte Black and Brushed Brass
Carlisle 3 Light Vanity, Matte Black and Brushed Brass
Carlisle 3 Light Vanity, Matte Black and Brushed Brass
Carlisle 3 Light Vanity, Matte Black and Brushed Brass
Carlisle 3 Light Vanity, Matte Black and Brushed Brass
Carlisle 3 Light Vanity, Matte Black and Brushed Brass
Carlisle 3 Light Vanity, Matte Black and Brushed Brass
Carlisle 3 Light Vanity, Matte Black and Brushed Brass
Carlisle 3 Light Vanity, Matte Black and Brushed Brass
Carlisle 3 Light Vanity, Matte Black and Brushed Brass
Carlisle 3 Light Vanity, Matte Black and Brushed Brass
Carlisle 3 Light Vanity, Matte Black and Brushed Brass
Carlisle 3 Light Vanity, Matte Black and Brushed Brass
Carlisle 3 Light Vanity, Matte Black and Brushed Brass
Carlisle 3 Light Vanity, Matte Black and Brushed Brass

Carlisle 3 Light Vanity, Matte Black and Brushed Brass

$179.00
Ronan 24
Ronan 24
Ronan 24
Ronan 24
Ronan 24
Ronan 24
Ronan 24
Ronan 24
Ronan 24
Ronan 24
Ronan 24
Ronan 24
Ronan 24
Ronan 24
Ronan 24
Ronan 24
Ronan 24
Ronan 24
Ronan 24
Ronan 24

Ronan 24" Opal Glass LED Vanity Light, Matte Black

$299.00
Talia 3 Light LED Vanity, Matte Black
Talia 3 Light LED Vanity, Matte Black
Talia 3 Light LED Vanity, Matte Black
Talia 3 Light LED Vanity, Matte Black
Talia 3 Light LED Vanity, Matte Black
Talia 3 Light LED Vanity, Matte Black
Talia 3 Light LED Vanity, Matte Black
Talia 3 Light LED Vanity, Matte Black
Talia 3 Light LED Vanity, Matte Black
Talia 3 Light LED Vanity, Matte Black
Talia 3 Light LED Vanity, Matte Black
Talia 3 Light LED Vanity, Matte Black
Talia 3 Light LED Vanity, Matte Black
Talia 3 Light LED Vanity, Matte Black

Talia 3 Light LED Vanity, Matte Black

$299.00
Sutton 2 Light Wall Sconce, Polished Nickel
Sutton 2 Light Wall Sconce, Polished Nickel
Sutton 2 Light Wall Sconce, Polished Nickel
Sutton 2 Light Wall Sconce, Polished Nickel
Sutton 2 Light Wall Sconce, Polished Nickel
Sutton 2 Light Wall Sconce, Polished Nickel
Sutton 2 Light Wall Sconce, Polished Nickel
Sutton 2 Light Wall Sconce, Polished Nickel
Sutton 2 Light Wall Sconce, Polished Nickel
Sutton 2 Light Wall Sconce, Polished Nickel
Sutton 2 Light Wall Sconce, Polished Nickel
Sutton 2 Light Wall Sconce, Polished Nickel
Sutton 2 Light Wall Sconce, Polished Nickel
Sutton 2 Light Wall Sconce, Polished Nickel
Sutton 2 Light Wall Sconce, Polished Nickel
Sutton 2 Light Wall Sconce, Polished Nickel
Sutton 2 Light Wall Sconce, Polished Nickel
Sutton 2 Light Wall Sconce, Polished Nickel

Sutton 2 Light Wall Sconce, Polished Nickel

$199.00
Carlisle Vanity Wall Sconce, Matte Black and Chrome
Carlisle Vanity Wall Sconce, Matte Black and Chrome
Carlisle Vanity Wall Sconce, Matte Black and Chrome
Carlisle Vanity Wall Sconce, Matte Black and Chrome
Carlisle Vanity Wall Sconce, Matte Black and Chrome
Carlisle Vanity Wall Sconce, Matte Black and Chrome
Carlisle Vanity Wall Sconce, Matte Black and Chrome
Carlisle Vanity Wall Sconce, Matte Black and Chrome
Carlisle Vanity Wall Sconce, Matte Black and Chrome
Carlisle Vanity Wall Sconce, Matte Black and Chrome
Carlisle Vanity Wall Sconce, Matte Black and Chrome
Carlisle Vanity Wall Sconce, Matte Black and Chrome
Carlisle Vanity Wall Sconce, Matte Black and Chrome
Carlisle Vanity Wall Sconce, Matte Black and Chrome
Carlisle Vanity Wall Sconce, Matte Black and Chrome
Carlisle Vanity Wall Sconce, Matte Black and Chrome

Carlisle Vanity Wall Sconce, Matte Black and Chrome

$119.00
Dora Flush Mount 10”, Polished Nickel with Opal Glass
Dora Flush Mount 10”, Polished Nickel with Opal Glass

Dora Flush Mount 10”, Polished Nickel with Opal Glass

$209.00
Connor 2 Light Wall Sconce 25
Connor 2 Light Wall Sconce 25
Connor 2 Light Wall Sconce 25
Connor 2 Light Wall Sconce 25
Connor 2 Light Wall Sconce 25
Connor 2 Light Wall Sconce 25
Connor 2 Light Wall Sconce 25
Connor 2 Light Wall Sconce 25
Connor 2 Light Wall Sconce 25
Connor 2 Light Wall Sconce 25
Connor 2 Light Wall Sconce 25
Connor 2 Light Wall Sconce 25

Connor 2 Light Wall Sconce 25", Polished Nickel

$299.00
Joni LED Alabaster Flush Mount, Aged Brass
Joni LED Alabaster Flush Mount, Aged Brass
Joni LED Alabaster Flush Mount, Aged Brass
Joni LED Alabaster Flush Mount, Aged Brass
Joni LED Alabaster Flush Mount, Aged Brass
Joni LED Alabaster Flush Mount, Aged Brass
Joni LED Alabaster Flush Mount, Aged Brass
Joni LED Alabaster Flush Mount, Aged Brass
Joni LED Alabaster Flush Mount, Aged Brass
Joni LED Alabaster Flush Mount, Aged Brass
Joni LED Alabaster Flush Mount, Aged Brass
Joni LED Alabaster Flush Mount, Aged Brass
Joni LED Alabaster Flush Mount, Aged Brass
Joni LED Alabaster Flush Mount, Aged Brass
Joni LED Alabaster Flush Mount, Aged Brass
Joni LED Alabaster Flush Mount, Aged Brass

Joni LED Alabaster Flush Mount, Aged Brass

$399.00
Theo 2 Globe Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Theo 2 Globe Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Theo 2 Globe Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Theo 2 Globe Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Theo 2 Globe Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Theo 2 Globe Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Theo 2 Globe Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Theo 2 Globe Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Theo 2 Globe Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Theo 2 Globe Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Theo 2 Globe Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Theo 2 Globe Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Theo 2 Globe Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Theo 2 Globe Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Theo 2 Globe Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Theo 2 Globe Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Theo 2 Globe Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Theo 2 Globe Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Theo 2 Globe Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Theo 2 Globe Wall Sconce, Aged Brass

Theo 2 Globe Wall Sconce, Aged Brass

$199.00
Jonah LED Flush Mount 14
Jonah LED Flush Mount 14
Jonah LED Flush Mount 14
Jonah LED Flush Mount 14
Jonah LED Flush Mount 14
Jonah LED Flush Mount 14
Jonah LED Flush Mount 14
Jonah LED Flush Mount 14

Jonah LED Flush Mount 14", Aged Brass

$769.00
Andie Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Andie Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Andie Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Andie Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Andie Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Andie Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Andie Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Andie Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Andie Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Andie Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Andie Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Andie Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Andie Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Andie Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Andie Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Andie Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Andie Wall Sconce, Aged Brass
Andie Wall Sconce, Aged Brass

Andie Wall Sconce, Aged Brass

$159.00
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1698786696-zoom_image-1160622955.jpeg__PID:941b8cee-d686-4c20-bd68-27d3d285b010

Left: Sutton 1 Light Wall Sconce shown in Aged Brass. Right: Castell 4 Globe LED Vanity Light in Chrome finish.

Q&A: Submit your question

All questions are answered within 24 hours.

For the LED mirror above a 26" wide vanity, we would recommend a 20-24" mirror. A bathroom mirror should not be greater than the width of your vanity, in order to achieve the best balanced look. If you have the space around the mirror, we do like additional sconce lights, installed on a dimmer, to add layered lighting.

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