Have you ever wondered how much space should exist between your bathroom mirror and your bathroom sconces? It can be difficult to determine the exact amount of space because it depends on the size of your bathroom, the size of the mirror, and the sconces. We've done research on how close these elements should be according to professional interior designers.
If sconces are fixed beside the mirror, there should be an allowance of not less than 1 inch from the side. If placed on top and center-aligned, there should be a margin between 1 to 5 inches. Sconces should be positioned to be level with your face at an approximate distance of 36 to 40 inches. This distance should be enough to provide illumination while keeping you safe from the heat and UV rays emitted by the sconce.
Now you have an idea of what to measure for. Keep reading to learn how you can make sure that your bathroom mirror is spaced correctly for its lighting fixtures and sconces.
Why Spacing is Important Between a Bathroom Mirror and Sconces
Light is an important element for a mirror to produce an image. A bathroom mirror that doesn't get enough light will not be able to produce a clear image.
Similarly, a mirror that is too close to a source of light will reflect the light back towards the source and may cause glare instead of reflecting an image. To avoid these problems, mirrors are typically spaced apart from other lights and placed in locations that provide enough light for them to work properly.
The same concept applies to sconces. Sconces are often installed to provide general lighting for a bathroom. In this case, the light must be positioned at a proper location and distance so as not to cause glare on the mirror.
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How To Position Your Sconces
The first thing to consider when considering how to light a bathroom is the area of the bathroom itself. A large bathroom will need a lot more lighting than a smaller one.
Try to focus on task lighting if your bathroom is small. Bathrooms are often designed optimally for convenience, with style and design as secondary.
Additionally, you can still focus on lighting in certain areas if your bathroom is bigger. For example, the sink area should be well lit for you to shave or wash your face. The bathroom can also benefit from task lighting near the toilet for proper hygiene.
Here are some tips on how to position your sconces in the bathroom.
1. Sconces should be positioned just around eye-level
This means that they should not be placed at too high of a level. In other words, they should not be positioned where you have to look up or down to get a sufficient amount of lighting.
2. Place sconces in strategic areas of your bathroom.
One good place is by the mirror. It is ideal that you place them right next to the mirror so that you get the needed illumination while you brush your teeth or apply your makeup.
You might like to have the sconces placed above the mirror. However, a light source from above your head would cast a shadow when shaving unless you have sconces on each side of the mirror.
3. Keep sconces away from any heat sources.
The external heat sources (like heat from heaters) may damage the bulb, causing it to burn out.
How To Position Your Bathroom Mirror
Mirrors are often overlooked in bathrooms because they are the most practical utility item. But if you really want to maximize the functionality and style of your bathroom, then the right positioning of your mirror is a must.
There are a few factors to take into account when determining the right location for your bathroom mirror. For instance, you will want to consider the orientation of your mirror and the light source to make sure that it reflects what you need to see.
1. Bathroom mirrors should be positioned to center-align your face
Isn't this the reason why we have a mirror in our bathroom in the first place? A mirror should be positioned to center-align your face for obvious reasons. Bathroom mirrors should also be positioned so that the mirror image is not too close to your face.
We want to see our reflection in the mirror, not to stare at ourselves! So if you are going to put a mirror over your sink, be sure that it's positioned so that it doesn't reflect your face too close to your eyes.
2. Bathroom mirrors should be positioned to reflect the right light
If you're using a mirror that is reflecting too much light, chances are you have your sconces or other lighting fixtures on the opposite side of it.
This positioning produces intense light around the room by bouncing light from the mirror. Your sconce should illuminate the bathroom, not reflect light from the mirror.
Despite this, you'll still be able to see your reflection in the mirror. But there's one reflection that it fails to produce: a bathroom's sense of style and design.
In order for your sconce to effectively work, you must let it illuminate light on your face instead of the mirror. So it makes sense to have your sconce either placed right beside or on top of the mirror.
3. Bathroom mirrors should be positioned near your window
This is a great way to get natural light into your bathroom without having to turn on your lights. A bathroom mirror should be positioned near your window so that you can catch a glimpse of the outdoors.
Typically, bathrooms are not designed to have windows (some do though). But if yours does, this would be the ideal spot for your bathroom mirror.
Watch the video below to learn more about sconces and bathroom mirrors from a professional interior designer:
How High Should a Sconce Be Above the Bathroom Floor?
Sconces are an interesting and often-used fixture. They are also an essential part of your bathroom lighting system. In fact, you cannot complete a well-designed bathroom lighting scheme without them.
The main idea behind a sconce is to create a focal point. As mentioned, it is a very important part of your overall lighting plan. It serves as the centerpiece of your bathroom lighting system, so it should be placed where it can provide you with optimal lighting.
If you're considering having a sconce above a mirror, you should install it at the correct height to ensure that it provides optimal lighting. The standard height recommendation is between 75 to 80 inches from the floor.
How Many Sconces Should I Have in My Bathroom?
It's hard to come up with an exact answer to this question. This is because there are so many factors that influence the amount of light a sconce produces like the size of the bathroom and the kind of paint used. High-gloss paints reflect light better so they may affect the overall illumination of the area.
Nonetheless, here are some general guidelines to help you make an informed decision:
In a bathroom, you're aiming for illumination of about 7,000 to 8,000 lumens. If you already have a standard lighting fixture of about 3,000 lumens to illuminate the whole bathroom, you have about 5,000 lumens left to work with.
To put things into perspective, a standard light bulb has 1,500 lumens. Sconces use standard light bulbs, so you can have 3 sconces for an average size bathroom.
Keep in mind that this is just a general guide and not a hard-and-fast rule. You can always modify as you see fit.
Check out this vintage sconce on Amazon
How Big Should a Mirror Be in the Bathroom?
A mirror is typically installed over a countertop. The size of the mirror is typically determined by the width of the countertop, but this is only a general guideline.
As a standard guide, the countertop's width should be 1 to 2 inches longer than the size of the mirror.
Can You Put a Full-Length Mirror in the Bathroom?
Yes, you can! A full-length mirror is a handy way to make sure that you look your best at any given moment. However, many bathrooms are short on space. If this is the case with your bathroom, you can install the mirror on the back of the door or on the wall behind the door.
It's important to consider how much room you have in the bathroom before purchasing your full-length mirror.
In Closing
If you’re looking to add some extra lighting in your bathroom, sconces might just be the way to go. Many bathrooms don’t get the lighting that they deserve. If you’re looking for a little bit of light, sconces aren’t going to break the bank, so there’s no excuse for a poorly lit bathroom!
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