Ideal Vanity Light Height: A Complete Guide

Here is the short answer to the question: what is the ideal vanity light height: 

Install top vanity lights 80 inches from the floor to the center of the fixture. Mount side sconces between 60 and 70 inches off the ground for optimal face-level lighting. Space sconces 36 to 40 inches apart to ensure even illumination across the mirror.

Now, let's dive into the details. 

Introduction

Installing vanity lights at the right height is very important. With the right height, you will be able to get the best illumination for your makeup and beauty routines. You won’t have to worry about unsightly shadows or missing parts of your face during the routine. 

When people usually ask the question “What is the ideal height for vanity lights?”, they expect a single, short answer. The thing is: it matters. The ideal height for the lights depends on a number of factors, including the type of light it is, the type of vanity it is going on/around, and so forth. 

In this post, we’re going to guide you on the importance of the right vanity light height as well as how you can make sure that your lights are perfectly installed.

Let’s get started.

Understanding Different Types of Vanity Lights and Their Illumination

Before we move forward, an important thing to understand is the various types of vanity lights and the type of illumination they create. Once you have an idea of this, you can better understand their ideal heights.

There are two main types of vanity lights that are used nowadays.

• Top lights: These are installed on top of the mirror 

• Side sconces: These are installed on the sides of the mirror.

Top lights give off a symmetrical and ambient light distribution and are great for setups involving small mirrors. However, they can create shadows due to their horizontal placement.

On the other hand, side sconces give off a more centered and even illumination that doesn’t tend to create shadows. However, this type of lighting requires sufficient wall space, which can be hard to come by in smaller bathrooms and vanity rooms.

Depending on whether you’re going with top lights or side sconces, the ideal height will be different.

What is the Ideal Vanity Light Height for Lights Installed Above the Mirror?

The ideal height for lights installed above the mirror is around 80 inches off the ground. Also, make sure that the light is 5 to 10 inches above the mirror so that the illumination can be even and undisturbed.

This is the ideal height when the mirror is a normal, standard size, such as 24 by 36 inches. However, if the mirror is taller than this, and the top end goes up far beyond 80 inches, then you should stick to the rule of installing the light 5 to 10 inches above the mirror.

What is the Ideal Vanity Light Height for Lights Installed on the Sides of the Mirror?

The ideal height for light installed on the sides of the mirror (side sconces) is 60 to 70 inches, or roughly at eye level. This helps to sure that the illumination is centered on your face, allowing you to apply makeup easily.

For taller or shorter individuals, the 60 to 70-inch measurement may not be perfect. They can simply go with the height that matches their eye level and install the lights accordingly.

Another rule of thumb to adopt with side sconces is to install them 36 to 40 inches apart. This helps in distributing the light symmetrically.

Factors Influencing Vanity Light Height

Other than the height of the user, there are other various factors that have an impact on where the vanity lights should be installed. Let’s take a look at some of those factors.

• Mirror size: As mentioned earlier, with a taller mirror, you’ll have to discard the usual 80-inch rule, and simply go with installing the lights 5 to 10 inches above it. Conversely, if a mirror is smaller, it can also impact the ideal light placement. With a smaller mirror, the lights would likewise be installed a little lower than normal. If the light is too far away from the mirror, the illumination can spread out too much and become insufficient for the user.

Read More: Vanity Mirror Size Guide by Lumina Pro 

• Ceiling height: The ceiling height also plays a major role in the ideal vanity light height. If the room is high-ceilinged, the usual 80-inch installation might look a little awkward and too close to the mirror. In such a room, it is usually a good idea to go for a bigger light and install it a bit higher.

• Sink and vanity height: Likewise, the height of the sink and the vanity unit can also change the ideal placement of the lights. For a lower sink/vanity, the lights should be installed closer to the ground, perhaps 50 to 60 inches above it.

• Design and shape of the fixture: If the design of the lights is elaborate and maximalist, installing them close to the mirror might not be visually aesthetic. It would have to be installed a bit further away so that it can show off its full flair.

Factors to Consider for Maximum Aesthetics and Functionality

Here are some considerations that you should make to gain maximum aesthetics and functionality from your vanity lights.

• When installing the lights, make sure that you match the symmetry with the other fixtures in your bathroom. For example, if the shower curtain holders are placed 10 inches away from the rods and the shelves are installed 10 inches away from the nearest wall, then your side sconce lights should also be ideally 10 inches away from the mirror (to the side). This will make the lights complement the overall design.

• Make sure you match the style of the lights to the overall vibe of your bathroom. If your bathroom has a traditional look with wooden fixtures and elaborate designs, buy light units that offer the same aesthetic. On the other hand, if your bathroom is more modern, characterized by sleek, frameless mirrors and glossy fixtures, then you should likewise get “modern-looking" light units.

• Decide whether you want incandescent or LED lights. In most cases, LED lights are the better choice as they are easier on the eyes and they don’t use as much electricity. Incandescent lights are a better choice than LEDs only if the aesthetic demands it. For example, if the bathroom has an old-fashioned theme, incandescent lights can reflect the style and complement the overall look.

Common Mistake to Avoid: Bad Reflections and Glare

A mistake that you want to avoid making is installing your vanity lights at a height or proximity that creates bad reflections and glare.

For example, if you install the lights too close to the mirror, the shine from the lights can interfere with the reflection and create a glare. This can cause issues when you’re using the mirror later on.

The best way to avoid this mistake is to temporarily place the lights where you intend to install them. Use some double tape or just hang the lights gently on the point where you want to install them later. Once they’re there, use the mirror as you normally would and try it out from all angles.

If you don’t find any glare or unsightly reflections in the mirror, you can go ahead and finalize the installation. If you do, adjust the placement of the lights so that the glare goes away.

Installation Tips for Vanity Lights

Moving on, let’s take a look at some general installation tips for your vanity lights.

Make sure the wiring is perfectly in place for the vanity lights

Ideally, the wiring for the lights should be hidden once they are installed. This helps in achieving a smooth and stylish look. Dangling wires or cords snaking around the fixtures can be very unsightly.

Beyond appearance, exposed or poorly managed wiring can also pose safety risks, especially in humid environments like bathrooms.

Here are some tips that you can follow in this regard:

• Use junction boxes or cable channels to route wiring behind the wall or mirror.

• Plan your wiring layout before choosing your light height so the placement aligns perfectly with your electrical access points.

• If needed, hire an electrician so that they can run a fresh set of wires behind the drywall at your chosen spot and drill holes so that you can connect the lights easily.

Make sure the lights are installed perfectly straight and centered

This tip applies especially if you’re installing the lights above the mirror. Make sure to center them using a level so that they are perfectly straight. Even a slight tilt during the installation can make the lights look unsightly. It can also create issues with reflection and glare.

Always measure from the floor

We mentioned some measurements at the start of this article: how the lights should be 70 to 80 inches off the floor for top installation and 60 to 70 inches for side sconces.

It is important to note that these measurements have to be taken off the ground. Not the vanity, not the sink, but the floor. This will help you make sure that you don’t end up installing the lights too high or too low.

If unsure, hire a professional

If you’re not sure how to install the lights perfectly on your own, don’t worry. Instead of “winging” it yourself, don’t hesitate to hire a professional. Even if it means spending money, at least you’ll have no regrets about bad reflections and lopsided installation later on.

Conclusion

And there you have it.

The ideal vanity light height depends on the type of lights that you wish to install, the height of the ceiling, and the size of the mirror.

For side lights, the ideal height is about 60 to 70 inches off the ground.

For top mirrors, the ideal height is around 70 to 80 inches off the ground. However, if the mirror is too long, then the lights should be installed about 5 to 10 inches above it.

There are different tips that you can follow to make sure that the lights are installed perfectly without any bad glares and reflections. We’ve discussed them in the post above.

FAQs

How far from the ceiling should a bathroom vanity light be?

The distance between the ceiling and the bathroom light should be 1 foot, or 12 inches, at the minimum. This helps to maintain the aesthetic of the bathroom and avoid making things too cramped. 

What height should vanity lights be at a 9-foot ceiling?

For a 9-foot ceiling, the ideal vanity light height is around 80 inches off the ground. This helps to make sure that the light provides enough illumination to the user without looking too close to the ceiling.

How far should ceiling lights be from cabinets?

If there are cabinets nearby, make sure that the light units are about 15 to 20 inches away from them so that the illumination is not blocked.