LED Vanity Light
LED VANITY LIGHT
An LED vanity light has two roles that seem to conflict: providing precise light for makeup and shaving, and creating a relaxed atmosphere for an evening bath. A single recessed light above your head casts shadows under the eyes, nose and chin; light that arrives from the front or the sides, at face height, makes them disappear. The solution lies in distinct zones around the mirror, and LEDCO offers every fixture that makes them up.
LED vanity light: three zones around the mirror
Think of your vanity lighting as three layers that switch on depending on the time of day. Each one has its place:
- The precision zone: above the mirror and on each side, for makeup or shaving without shadows.
- The ambiance zone: up/down sconces in warm white, drawing beams on the wall.
- The night zone: a strip under the counter, gently lighting the floor.
Above the mirror: backlit, slot or oval
Installed above the mirror, a linear sconce spreads light across the full width of the face and the counter. The 24 in backlit linear wall sconce suits a single vanity, and the 48 in version covers a double vanity in one stroke. Their backlighting also draws a halo on the wall, which adds depth.
For a more graphic look, the 20 in slot linear wall sconce and its 24 in version let light through a crisp slot, while the 20 in oval linear sconce, also available in 24 in, softens the lines. The choice is mainly a question of style: straight lines and rectangular tile on one side, softer shapes and a rounded mirror on the other. All are 3CCT, to match the white to the tile.
On each side of the mirror, about 60 inches from the floor
Side lighting reproduces that of a makeup dressing room: fixtures placed on each side of the mirror, at eye level, about 60 inches from the floor, eliminate the shadows that a single overhead fixture casts on the face. Among our LED wall light fixtures, choose models that spread light forward and to the sides rather than downward.
For the ambiance zone, the round up/down LED wall sconce 4W 3000K and the up/down sconce 8W 3000K draw decorative beams on the wall in warm white. These are the ones you turn on for an evening bath, when the precision light becomes too bright.
A single, well-proportioned unit: the 2' 5CCT square or round
The 2' 5CCT square bathroom light fixture and its round version offer five selectable colour temperatures: you can match the vanity lighting to the rest of the room, from warm white to cooler white. The square follows the lines of a contemporary vanity, while the round softens a bathroom with classic shapes. It is the simple solution when you want a single vanity light fixture above the mirror.
The backlit mirror, when the mirror becomes the source
For as few visible fixtures as possible, the mirror itself can provide the light. Backlit LED bathroom mirrors spread perimeter light that reduces shadows under the chin and on the sides of the face. The range includes rectangular, oval, round and capsule shapes, such as the Harmony frosted backlit LED mirror or the Luna Nera. Paired with a sconce above, it gives even more complete light.
Under the vanity counter, the night zone
An LED strip installed in an aluminum profile under the vanity counter lights the floor with soft light. It is the third zone, the one that complements the precision of the mirror and the ambiance of the sconces; at night, it serves as a night light without turning on the ceiling fixture. Warm white indoor LED strips, combined with a dimmer, adapt to the evening mood, and the custom builder cuts the profile to the exact width of the cabinet.
Technical tips for vanity lighting
Never a single recessed light overhead. On its own, it deepens the shadows on the face; always add a source from the front or the side.
Side sconces at eye level. Aim for about 60 inches from the floor, on each side of the mirror.
The sconce length follows the vanity. The 24 in for a single vanity, the 48 in for a double vanity.
One white for the whole vanity. Set the 3CCT sconces and the 5CCT fixture to the same white as the rest of the room.
A dimmer for the night zone. The strip under the counter, in dimmed warm white, guides you at night without turning on the ceiling light.
A bathroom with under-vanity lighting is among our accomplishments. Contact LEDCO with the width of your counter and mirror: we will help you combine sconce, mirror and strip for precise light in the morning and soft light in the evening.
LED Vanity Light FAQ
How high should the sconces on each side of the mirror be?
At eye level, about 60 inches from the floor. Placed this way on each side of the mirror, they light the face from the front and erase the shadows that an overhead fixture casts under the eyes and chin. Choose models that spread light forward rather than downward.
A 24 in or a 48 in sconce above the vanity?
The 24 in suits a single vanity; the 48 in covers a double vanity in one stroke, without leaving a sink in the shadow. Both are backlit and 3CCT, which adds a halo on the wall and lets you choose the white.
Why does good vanity lighting avoid a lone ceiling downlight?
Because light falling from above your head casts shadows under the eyes, nose and chin, exactly where you apply makeup or shave. Light from the front or the side, at face height, makes them disappear. The downlight remains useful for the room's general lighting.
Which LED vanity light works best for makeup?
For makeup, light has to come from the front: a linear sconce above the mirror, sconces on each side, or a backlit mirror that lights the outline of the face. Combine two if you can, for example a backlit mirror and a sconce above it.
