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

LightingDirect

Online lighting retailer with a broad, spec-friendly catalog spanning residential fixture categories.

Ceiling Lights
Pendant Lights
Outdoor Lighting

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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.