Bathrooms are small, yet they are where lighting mistakes happen most often. A single ceiling light casts shadows on the face of anyone standing at the mirror, leaving the face half in the dark while shaving, applying make-up or doing skincare. The short answer: use the ceiling light for general lighting and light the face with sconces on both sides of the mirror.
General light: the ceiling
The ceiling light illuminates the whole bathroom. In a small bathroom a single ceiling fixture is enough; in a long or wide bathroom, splitting the light between two points gives a more balanced result. On its own, the ceiling light cannot light the face, so it should be complemented by mirror light.
Mirror light: from the sides or from above?
The best way to light the face without shadows is from both sides of the mirror. Two sconces placed symmetrically on either side give even light from two directions. The centre of the light is usually close to eye level, about 150–170 cm above the floor; the distance between the two sconces depends on the width of the mirror.
If there is no room for side sconces, a horizontal sconce can go above the mirror. Light from above leaves slight shadows on the face, but a wide-glass design that spreads light down and to the sides reduces this effect.
Choosing the glass
- Opal (milk white) glass spreads light softly and evenly without glare. It is the most comfortable option beside a mirror.
- Frosted glass gives a similar softness.
- Clear glass leaves the bulb visible; it looks stylish with decorative bulbs but gives harsher light on the face.
Wet areas
Areas close to the shower and bath count as wet zones. The suitability of the fixture and its mounting position in these areas must always be decided together with an electrician. If you tell us where in the bathroom the sconce will go when you request a quote, we will assess whether the design suits that use.
Colour temperature
To see your skin’s natural colour at the mirror, avoid very yellow or very white light; a tone between neutral and warm (about 3000–4000 K) is balanced for most bathrooms. For more, see our guide to choosing light colour.
Summary
- Ceiling light is for general lighting; it cannot light the face on its own.
- The best mirror light comes from both sides; if there is no room, use a wide-glass sconce above.
- Opal and frosted glass give soft, shadow-free light on the face.
- Plan mounting near wet zones with an electrician.
You can find suitable designs among our indoor wall sconces. Sharing the product code is all we need to prepare a quote.
