A bathroom vanity is the statement piece of your bathroom. Between streamlining your morning routine and winding down for the evening, it's important to have a well-lit space to devote time to yourself. Below, we're outlining what vanity lighting is, various styles of lighting, and six vanity lighting ideas that will help you perfect your bathroom.

What Is Vanity Lighting
Vanity Light Styles
Vanity Lighting Ideas

What Is Vanity Lighting

Vanity lighting is a set of lighting, either singular fixtures or a string of lights, mounted around a bathroom vanity. It’s important to light this area so that you and your guests can wash up in a well-lit area. Vanity lighting provides another source of light where you need it most and accompanies a main lighting fixture that brightens the bathroom as a whole.

Vanity Light Styles

Pendant: This type of fixture is a light that hangs directly from the ceiling. Most pendant lights only have one bulb and create a focused downward flow of light. Pendants should be placed symmetrically on either side of the vanity mirror.

Bath Sconce: A bath sconce is a fixture that is mounted into the wall. Unlike a pendant, this lighting flows upward, but can be directed downward with the help of a lamp shade.

Bath-Bar Vanity Lighting: A bath or overhead bar goes on top of your vanity's mirror and provides more direct light, making it a great task-lighting choice for your personal bathroom.

Vanity Lighting Ideas

1. Mix & Match Hardware

Be a little daring with your decor by using complementary hardware finishes instead of one uniform finish. Mixing metals is on-trend and the perfect answer if you can’t decide on just one color or design. These glam bath sconces feature a mix of gold and faux marble that pair perfectly with the matte black faucet and brass cabinet pulls. When mixing and matching your hardware, make sure that the finishes are cohesive and complement each other without competing with one another.

2. Consider Consistency

Alternatively, you can create a cohesive look by choosing to use the same hardware finish throughout your bathroom. Choose a bath vanity lighting finish that can be easily replicated in other parts of the space. We love these modern, antique-like gold sconces that match the mirror frames, sink faucets, and hand-towel holder. Curating the bathroom with one metal creates a cohesive, luxe space that feels spa-like.

3. Make a Statement With Sconces

Wall sconces are the most popular vanity fixture. They add visual interest to the wall, are easy to install on your own, and provide the right lighting. Sconces come in a wide variety of shapes and finishes, making them perfect for adding organic movement to your design. Go the transitional route and choose a playful style that curves to create juxtaposition next to the vanity's straight edges.

4. Get More Light With an Overhead Bar

Overhead bars are a great option for your personal bathroom because they provide more of a focused, task-lighting flow that’s great for a morning makeup application or an evening skincare routine. When picking out your overhead bar, make sure the width is not longer than the length of your mirror. Choose your bar design carefully so that the two don't have to compete.

5. Elevate Based on Your Style

Simplify your search for bathroom vanity lighting ideas by choosing light fixtures that suit your aesthetic. In a contemporary-style bathroom, consider a sleek, metal bath bar or frosted bubble sconces. For a pared-back, traditional look, opt for lighting with classic shapes with brass hardware. In a small bathroom or powder room you could forgo wall sconces altogether and hang a chandelier in the middle of the room.

6. Hang Pendant Lighting

If you are limited on wall space or working around a large mirror, consider hanging your vanity lighting instead of mounting it on the wall. Pendant lights provide a more focused light that won’t compete with your main bathroom light fixture. Make sure your pendants are symmetrical on either side of your mirror and don’t let them hang past the top third of your mirror, or the lighting could end up being too harsh.

Pro tip:

Learn all of the hanging lights with our guide Hanging Light Fixtures: What to Know & Where to Place Them.

Ready for new vanity lighting?