Plenty of good lighting is essential for any bath.

Every bath, no matter what size, benefits from multiple sources of light. And since it’s likely where you start and end your day, successfully lighting your bath can enhance your daily routine. Whether you’re planning an overhaul of your primary bath or just a powder room refresh, in this guide, we’ll help you get started planning your bath lighting.

Our Greenwich Triple Sconce is available in several finish options to mix or match with your bath hardware.

What You Need to Know Before You Get Started

It’s important to consider the size of your bathroom and everything in it. Always take into account the size and placement of your mirror and console. Knowing the measurements of these pieces will help determine the size and placement of your fixtures, especially your wall sconces, and will help your electrician determine where they will install the J-box for your lighting.

Project Tip: The lighting you choose for your bath will need to be UL damp-rated or wet-rated. Damp-rated lights are made for high-moisture environments while wet-rated lights are designed to handle direct contact with water. Choose either a damp-rated or wet-rated flush or semi-flush light for the center of your bathroom, and a wet-rated flush mount above your shower or bathtub.

Caption: Our Eastmoreland and Howe Lighting Collections make a perfect pair.

Lighting Your Bath

There are two fundamental sources of light in a bath: ambient overhead lighting and focused, directional light.

Ceiling Lighting

Ambient lighting illuminates the whole space. And often the source of ambient light in your bath is from a flush or semi-flush mount. In a low-ceiling space or for a more streamlined look, a true flush mount ceiling fixture may be all you need. If you opt for a flush mount, choose a stylish design with an opal or alabaster shade to give your space a soft, diffused glow. For added character and dimension, try one of our semi-flush fixtures with show-stopping shades or a design with slender, elegant arms.

Style Tip: If your primary bath is larger or has high ceilings, a pendant can elegantly fill the space and add visual interest.

Simple yet versatile, our Rigdon Lighting Collection features single and double tube sconces. Complete your look with the entire suite of Rigdon Bath Hardware.

Vanity Lighting

Wall sconces are the perfect place to insert a sense of personal style into your bath—and they make for an excellent source of vanity lighting.

Project Tip: Remember to keep your bath layout in mind when choosing wall sconces. If you have an average-sized medicine cabinet or mirror, place two lights on either side of the mirror at eye level, about 65 inches from the floor and a couple inches from the edge of your mirror. For a single light above the mirror, place it around 80 inches from the floor for an ideal height. The bottom of the fixture or shade should be at least two inches above the top edge of your mirror. For the ideal visual ratio, look for fixtures that are slightly smaller than the width or height of your mirror.

Style Tip: Pairing sconces with a mirror in a matching finish is an effortless way to create a consolidated look.

Inspired by 1960s Scandinavian wall sconces, our Crawford Sconces feature a pared back silhouette with a bare bulb design.

Choosing Light Bulbs

Wattage

For sconces on either side of the bath mirror in your primary bath, two 60-watt bulbs will provide plenty of illumination. In a powder room where you may not need as much targeted light, 40 watts may be ideal.

Project Tip: If you're looking for a long-lasting, sustainable option, we also offer dimmable LED-integrated light fixtures and LED bulbs for many of our fixtures.

Dimmers

Consider installing dimmers when you update your lighting or electric wiring. Dimmers are a great option for any bathroom; it adds subtle illumination during the daytime and less harsh light if you have to get up in the night.

Start your bath refresh today with our wide selection of bath lighting. For questions and design advice, our Design Crew is always here to help.