LIGHTING BUYING GUIDE
When choosing light fixtures, keep these three essential factors in mind:
Size
Consider the space you’re lighting. Scale up for larger rooms, high ceilings, or more dramatic effect.
Function
Knowing what space you want to light will help you select the right fixture (ambient, accent, or task lighting).
Style
To reinforce your personal style, choose lighting inspired by your decor, with rustic, farmhouse, or modern accents.
TYPES OF LIGHTING
A well-lit room layers all three basic types of lighting.
Ambient
A room’s primary source of light, this is the base layer of warmth every room needs to feel welcoming and cozy.
Accent
To highlight art and architectural features—wall sconces, and picture lights are your go-to.
Task
Bright and direct, task lighting reduces glare and shadows, making it easy to read, cook, and work.
Bathroom Lighting
From flattering light for all of life's moments to creating a spa-inspired space, lighting a bathroom has its unique challenges. A smartly lit bath has both ambient and task lighting, designed to work well with reflective surfaces like mirrors, marble, and tile.
Wall Sconces
Installing a pair of wall sconces on either side of a medicine cabinet or a triple sconce above a mirror guarantees you'll have the right light for every bathroom need.
Expert Tip
Choose sconces rated for damp or wet environments, designed to handle a bathroom’s moisture and humidity.
Multi-Light Sconces
An attractive way to balance out the proportion of a longer vanity, sconces with multiple bulbs add more light to where it’s needed most—over mirrors or medicine cabinets.
Expert Tip
Triple sconces are ideal for pedestals and double vanities that are 36" wide or larger, especially in rooms where overhead lighting is dim.
MEASURING & HANGING TIPS
How many sconces are right for your space, and where should you hang them? Use these golden rules to get the perfect glow.
When flanking a mirror with wall sconces, hang them at least 60" above the floor.
To find the right size above a vanity, choose a fixture ¾ the width of the vanity. (For a 60" vanity, that would be no wider than 48".)
To cut down on shadows, install vanity lighting over mirrors 36"-48" above the counter.
Pendants
Like wall sconces, pendants can elevate the feel of your bathroom for a more luxurious look and a soft, spa-like glow. Choose pendants with glass shades to add a modern touch and shine.
Expert Tip
Pendants should be hung at eye-level, around 30"-40" above a vanity surface, or 72" from the floor to the light's base.
Flush Mounts
Overhead lighting is a must in a bathroom, to illuminate everyday tasks, provide an ambient glow, and make small rooms feel more spacious. Flush mounts over enclosed showers also give you style versatility; just be sure to choose a style that’s rated for wet environments.
Expert Tip
Flush mounts work best in rooms that are 8' tall or lower. For a taller ceiling, consider a chandelier or ceiling-mounted pendants.
