Should vanity lights point up or down?

Downlight is stronger for task lighting; uplight is softer and more ambient. Diffused shades pointing either way reduce harsh shadows on faces.

How wide should a vanity light bar be?

A common approach is a fixture about 75 percent of the mirror's width, centered above it around 75 to 80 inches from the floor.

Bathroom Vanity Lights: online stores to compare

Vanity lighting is task lighting first: it needs to render faces evenly for grooming and makeup. Bars above the mirror, sconces flanking it, or both together all work when scaled correctly. The retailers listed here carry bathroom vanity fixtures. Verify damp ratings and sizes on their sites.

Stores in this collection

Lamps Plus

One of the largest specialty lighting retailers in the United States, with a broad catalog across most fixture categories.

Chandeliers
Pendant Lights
Ceiling Lights

Capitol Lighting

Family-run lighting retailer operating since 1924, selling major fixture brands online at 1800lighting.com.

Chandeliers
Pendant Lights
Ceiling Lights

Destination Lighting

Seattle-based online lighting retailer with a practical, value-oriented catalog across common fixture types.

Ceiling Lights
Pendant Lights
Outdoor Lighting

Lighting New York

Large multi-brand lighting retailer carrying residential and commercial fixtures across hundreds of brands, based in Pennsylvania.

Chandeliers
Pendant Lights
Wall Sconces

Ferguson Home

Home-focused storefront of Fortune 500 distributor Ferguson, with a large multi-brand lighting catalog (formerly LightingDirect and Build.com).

Chandeliers
Pendant Lights
Ceiling Lights

Simple Lighting

UK technical LED specialist shipping strip, profile, and downlights from its own Wirral warehouse.

LED Lighting
Ceiling Lights
Bathroom Vanity Lights

Net Lighting

UK retailer of indoor and outdoor light fittings and ceiling fans for homes and commercial spaces.

Ceiling Lights
Outdoor Lighting
Bathroom Vanity Lights

Lights 4 Living

Wiltshire-based home lighting specialist spanning ceiling, wall, bathroom, outdoor, and Tiffany ranges.

Ceiling Lights
Wall Sconces
Bathroom Vanity Lights

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Frequently asked questions

Should vanity lights point up or down?: Downlight is stronger for task lighting; uplight is softer and more ambient. Diffused shades pointing either way reduce harsh shadows on faces.
How wide should a vanity light bar be?: A common approach is a fixture about 75 percent of the mirror's width, centered above it around 75 to 80 inches from the floor.