When you’re remodeling — or even making a small update to your bathroom — bathroom vanity light height is an important consideration. It’s also something that can differ based on your bathroom’s overall design and the way you use the space. Is there a standard vanity light height? We’ll explore all of this below.
What Is the Standard Height for Vanity Lights?
There is a standard measurement — although you don’t necessarily have to use it if there are other factors that might mean you’d choose a different height. Either way, the standard is to place vanity lights above mirrors at 75 inches to 80 inches from the floor to the center of the light fixture. This is for ceiling-mounted lights and for lights mounted to the wall above the mirror.
For wall sconces that will be beside the mirror, the standard measurement is average eye level, which is 64 inches from the floor to the center of the light fixture.
Adjust According to Your Height
While the standard measurements are a good starting point, they’re not a firm rule, which means you can adjust heights where necessary. For example, if 64 inches puts wall sconces where they will be in the way or where they’ll shine directly into your eyes, you can move them up or down between 60 inches and 70 inches. The same goes for ceiling fixtures. Feel free to hang them higher when you have higher ceilings or if the fixtures hang low enough that taller people would bang into them.
Hang Your Mirror First
Since the mirror is the centerpiece on your vanity’s wall, this needs to go up first — then choose where to place lights. This gives you the ability to make sure that the lighting and the mirror work well together. For example, if you want wall sconces centered on the mirror, you may need to change things up from the standard measurement. If you want lighting above the mirror, then you’ll need to know exactly where the mirror’s top will be to determine this.
Think About Your Lighting Needs
Just as important as space constraints is the way you use the vanity. For people who do lots of makeup or spend a lot of time getting ready, bright lighting is extremely helpful. Others may prefer to do their makeup in the bedroom, and some spend little time getting ready for work or outings and would prefer less light.
There’s also time of day to consider. If you need a lot of light, you usually find yourself getting ready when it’s sunny. If the bathroom has a shiny window, you may not need as much from light fixtures. If it’s dark in the bathroom, you’ll place higher demands on light fixtures. What’s the verdict? In general, if you need to add more light to the bathroom so that it’s easier to get ready in the morning, consider hanging lights lower. This puts the illumination where you need it most — on your face and hair.
If you’re usually getting ready near a sunny window that provides enough light, you can safely hang lighting higher. The same is true for people who prefer a dimmer look — place lights higher rather than lower.
As you can see, there’s a lot to consider when choosing the right bathroom vanity light height. Since most of these measurements are based on the center of the light fixture you’ll be using, it’s smart to shop ahead of time for the perfect lights. Modern Bathroom can help with that!
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