How bright should vanity lights be?

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It should be placed 75 to 80 inches above the floor and, like all vanity lighting, contain at least 150 watts — ideally spread over a fixture that's at least 24 inches long so that the light will wash evenly over the hair and face.



Besides, how many lumens do I need for a vanity light?

A useful rule of thumb for bath vanities is to use a minimum of two 60-watt incandescent bulbs, which typically produce approximately 800 lumens each for a total of 1,600 lumens.

Beside above, how bright should a bathroom light be? In the master or guest bathrooms, use fixtures that provide at least 75 to 100 watts of illumination, says Randall Whitehead, a well-known lighting expert and author of Residential Lighting, a Practical Guide.

Considering this, what type of lighting is best for bathroom vanity?

Incandescent and halogen light sources always have the best CRI – 100 – meaning they most accurately render colors. If you wish to use an energy-efficient LED or fluorescent light source, ensure your selection has a CRI or at least 90. This provides excellent color rendering in bathroom settings.

What kind of lighting is best for applying makeup?

The best condition for applying makeup is a warm or natural light source. Natural sunlight provides the most accurate reflection of your face, but for those cloudy days when fresh rays aren't an option, warm white light, like LED, is the next best thing.

32 Related Question Answers Found

Should bathroom vanity lights face up or down?

Bath Vanity Lighting Placement
Normally the light should be centered over the basin at about 66” above the floor, and always if possible on the wall not the ceiling. If two sinks are being used each should have its own light, do not attempt to share a light if possible.

How do I choose a vanity light?

A good rule of thumb is to pick one that is about 75% of your mirror's total width, mount them high above the floor (about 78” is recommended) and center them above the cabinet. For longer or double sink vanities, you may want to use two of the same style fixture, installed over each sink.

Should vanity lights hang over mirror?

Over-Mirror Lighting Height
In those situations, a wall-mounted vanity fixture above the mirror is an option. Install the light above the medicine cabinet or mirror at a height of about 75 to 80 inches from the floor. The bathroom vanity light height impacts how well you can see your reflection.

Is warm white or cool white better for bathrooms?

Soft white (2,700 to 3,000 Kelvin) is warm and yellow, the typical color range you get from incandescent bulbs. Warm white (3,000 to 4,000 Kelvin) is more yellowish-white. These bulbs are best suited for kitchens and bathrooms. Bright white (4,000 to 5,000 Kelvin) is between white and blue tones.

How many lumens should I get?


To determine the needed lumens, you will need to multiply your room square footage by your room foot-candle requirement. For example, a 100 square foot living room, which needs 10-20 foot-candles, will need 1,000-2,000 lumens. A 100 square foot dining room, which needs 30-40 foot-candles, will need 3,000-4,000 lumens.

How bright is a lumen?

Lumens measure how much light you are getting from a bulb. More lumens means it's a brighter light; fewer lumens means it's a dimmer light. Lumens let you buy the amount of light you want. To replace a 100 watt (W) incandescent bulb, look for a bulb that gives you about 1600 lumens.

How do you design a bathroom light?

For functional and visually pleasing lighting in a bathroom, work these strategies into your lighting plan:
  1. Prevent vanity shadows.
  2. Fancy up the tub.
  3. Light a footpath.
  4. Jazz up a mirror.
  5. Task.
  6. Accent.
  7. Decorative.
  8. Ambient.

What color temperature is best for makeup?

For makeup application, 4800K-5000K is recommended as it is not too warm or too cool. Kelvin (K) is a unit to describe the colour temperature of the light. 2700-3000K is a soft warm light and suitable if you would like a healthy glow for photography and not make up application.

Are LED lights good for makeup?

The Best Overhead Lights: GE Reveal LED Light Bulb
Not only are these great for when you're applying makeup, but they are designed to help define color contrast in your entire space, meaning your room will look more colorful and brighter, as well. They're very bright, so they're not good for every room in the house.

What is the best lighting for bathrooms?


Incandescent bulbs: These bulbs should have a “white” color indicated (warm white or cool white) or have a color temperature is between 2700K and 3000K. Compact Fluorescent bulbs: Contrary to popular belief, CFL bulbs can be a good choice for bathrooms—as long as their Color Rendering Index (CRI) is 90 or above.

How do I know what size vanity light I need?

The ideal width is at least 28 inches apart, and centered at 60 inches above the floor. If you choose to place your lights above the mirror, the width of your fixture should be at least 1/3 the width of the vanity mirror, but should never exceed its total width.

Is LED or incandescent better for makeup?

Incandescent light tends to be warmer in tone, providing a soft halo illumination. If you apply makeup with an incandescent mirror there is often a second light source in the room which can alter your appearance. Using an LED or fluorescent mirror creates lighting that is closer to daylight and will be brighter.

Are LED lights good for vanity?

Not only do LED light bulbs save you money on your electricity, but they're better for the environment. To top it all off, they produce a true-to-natural light that's perfect for when you're getting ready in the morning.

How many lumens do I need for a small bathroom?

Aim for 40 to 50 lumens per square foot in the task area where you'll need the most light, a more moderate 30 lumens per square foot in areas that require accent lighting, and a softer lighting of 20 lumens per square foot or ambient lighting.

Is daylight bulbs brighter than soft white?


– Intensity refers to the brightness of a color and can also be referred to as saturation. Intensity is how bright a color looks. Daylight LED light produces a higher color temperature in the range of 5000 – 6500 K, whereas Soft White produces a yellow hue and a lower color temperature in the range of 2700 – 3000 K.

Which LED light is best for bathroom?

The Best Dimmable LED Light Bulbs
If you're looking to control the brightness in your bathroom, Hyperikon's dimmable A19 LED light bulbs are ideal, as they can be adjusted from 100 percent brightness all the way down to 20 percent.

WHAT LED bulbs to use in bathroom?

Top 10 Best LED Light Bulbs For Bathroom Reviews
  1. G25 Globe Led Bulb Dimmable.
  2. LOHAS LED Vanity Light Globe Bulb.
  3. Amazon Basics 60 Watt Non-Dimmable Light Bulb.
  4. Philips LED Non-Dimmable A19 Frosted Light Bulb.
  5. Ustellar 6 Pack 5W G25 E26 LED Bulbs.
  6. TCP LA927KND6 9 Watt LED Light Bulbs.
  7. Bioluz LED 40 Watt LED Light Bulbs.