The best vanity lighting comes from the sides: a pair of sconces mounted around eye level, roughly 60 to 66 inches above the floor, lights your face evenly without shadows. If side sconces won’t fit, mount a vanity bar above the mirror at about 75 to 80 inches, and make sure any fixture near a tub or shower carries the damp or wet location listing that spot requires.
Side sconces vs. vanity bars
Both approaches work. The difference is where the light lands on your face.
| Side sconces | Vanity bar above mirror | |
|---|---|---|
| Light quality | Even, cross-lighting from both sides; the fewest shadows | Light from above can shadow eyes and chin unless well diffused |
| Best for | Makeup, shaving, grooming | Narrow walls, wide mirrors, tight remodels |
| Space needed | Wall space on each side of the mirror | Space above the mirror |
| Wiring | Two boxes per mirror | One box, often already in place |
Many of the best-lit bathrooms use both: sconces for grooming and a bar or ceiling fixture for overall light. Browse wall sconces and bath bar and vanity lights to compare styles.
Mounting heights and spacing guidelines
These are common design guidelines. Adjust for the heights of the people who use the room most.
Side sconces
- Center the light source about 60 to 66 inches above the floor, close to eye level.
- Space the pair about 36 to 40 inches apart so light reaches both sides of the face.
- Leave a few inches between each sconce and the mirror edge.
- For double vanities, use a pair of sconces for each sink, or share a center sconce between two mirrors.
Vanity bars
- Mount about 75 to 80 inches above the floor, a few inches above the top of the mirror.
- Choose a bar that’s at least about three-quarters of the mirror’s width, without running past the vanity.
- For double vanities, use one bar per mirror or a single long bar centered over both sinks.
How to avoid shadows at the mirror
- Light from the front or sides. A recessed downlight directly over the sink is the main cause of shadows under the eyes.
- Choose diffused shades. Opal, frosted or fabric shades spread light softly. Clear glass with exposed bulbs can glare.
- Pick color temperature carefully. 3000K to 3500K is a good guideline for most baths; some people prefer up to 4000K for makeup.
- Insist on high color accuracy. CRI 90 or higher shows skin tones naturally.
- Add a dimmer. Full brightness for getting ready, low light for a midnight trip.
Damp vs. wet ratings: what the listings mean
Bathrooms are moisture zones, so the safety listing on a fixture matters. Under UL 1598, the safety standard for luminaires, a damp location is an interior or exterior location that is normally or periodically subject to condensation of moisture. A wet location is one where water or other liquid can drip, splash or flow on or against electrical equipment. Fixtures are marked “Suitable for Damp Locations” or “Suitable for Wet Locations,” and a wet-listed fixture can also be used in a damp location.
The tub and shower zone
The National Electrical Code, which Georgia enforces through state amendments to the 2023 edition, sets specific rules around tubs and showers in Section 410.10(D):
- No part of a cord-connected, chain-, cable- or cord-suspended fixture, track light, pendant or ceiling paddle fan may sit within 3 feet horizontally and 8 feet vertically of the bathtub rim or shower threshold. That zone includes the space directly over the tub or shower.
- Fixtures within the actual footprint of the tub or shower, up to 8 feet above the rim or threshold, must be marked for damp locations, or for wet locations where subject to shower spray.
In practice, a chandelier over a freestanding tub needs careful measuring, and a recessed light inside a shower should be wet-listed. Vanity lights away from the tub and shower typically need a damp listing. Your electrician and local inspector have the final word, since requirements can vary with local amendments.
Lighted mirrors: features worth paying attention to
A lighted mirror combines the mirror and the vanity light in one piece. Look for:
- Front-lit vs. backlit: front-lit mirrors put usable light on your face; backlit mirrors create a halo glow that works best paired with other lighting.
- Anti-fog: a built-in defogger keeps a clear spot after a hot shower.
- Dimming and selectable color temperature: adjust brightness and switch between warm and neutral light.
- Touch or motion controls, sometimes with memory for your last setting.
- Hardwired vs. plug-in: hardwired mirrors look cleaner but need a box behind the mirror location.
- A safety listing: confirm the mirror is listed by a recognized testing lab and suitable for bathroom use.
See our lighted mirrors for sizes, shapes and medicine-cabinet versions.
Don’t forget the exhaust fan
Steam fogs mirrors and, over time, can damage finishes and fixtures. That matters in Georgia, where summer humidity is already high. The Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) suggests about 1 CFM per square foot for most bathrooms, a 50 CFM minimum for baths 50 square feet and smaller, and adding up the needs of each fixture for baths over 100 square feet. For a quiet fan, HVI recommends 1.0 sones or less. Fan-light combinations are an option, but if one goes over a tub or shower, confirm its listing allows that spot. Shop bath exhaust fans to match your room size.
Frequently asked questions
How high should bathroom sconces be mounted?
A common guideline is about 60 to 66 inches from the floor to the center of the light, close to eye level. Adjust for the people who use the mirror most.
Can I use a damp-rated fixture in a shower?
Only if it won’t be subject to shower spray. Fixtures that can get hit by shower spray must be marked for wet locations under NEC 410.10(D).
Can I hang a chandelier over my bathtub?
Not within 3 feet horizontally and 8 feet vertically of the tub rim, under NEC 410.10(D). With tall ceilings it may be possible above that zone; have an electrician measure first.
Are lighted mirrors bright enough to be the only vanity light?
A front-lit mirror can be enough for a small powder room. In larger bathrooms, pair it with ceiling or sconce lighting for even overall light.
Whether it’s a new vanity bar or a full bathroom remodel, explore our bathroom lighting collection, then submit an installation request to have a qualified electrical contractor handle the wiring and mounting.
Sources
- DMF Lighting: Technical Bulletin, Wet Location Luminaires (UL 1598 definitions)
- HEW: The Difference Between Dry, Wet, and Damp Locations (NEC and UL 1598)
- EC&M: NEC Requirements of Luminaires Installed in Wet, Damp, or Corrosive Locations
- Georgia Department of Community Affairs: New Codes and Amendments Effective January 1, 2026
- Home Ventilating Institute: Bathroom Exhaust Fans
