Bathroom lighting has to be flattering, bright enough for grooming and safe around moisture. That makes the vanity light one of the most important fixtures in the house, and one of the easiest to get wrong. This guide covers how to size a vanity light, where to mount it, and what the damp rating on the box actually means.
How wide should a vanity light be?
Measure your vanity and your mirror before you shop. As a rule of thumb, a bar-style fixture should be about 75 percent of the width of the mirror or vanity, and no wider than the mirror itself. For a 36 inch vanity, a fixture between 24 and 30 inches is a good starting point. A fixture that is too wide overwhelms the mirror, while one that is too narrow looks like an afterthought and casts uneven light.
For a double vanity, you have two good options. Install one long fixture centred over the pair, or hang a separate fixture over each mirror. Two matching fixtures give more even light on both faces and are usually the better choice when each person has their own mirror.
Over the mirror or beside it?
Side lighting is the most flattering because it lights the face evenly and reduces shadows under the eyes and chin. Place two wall sconces on either side of the mirror, with the centre of each at about eye level, roughly 60 to 66 inches from the floor, and about 36 to 40 inches apart. If there is no room beside the mirror, mount a bar fixture above it, about 75 to 80 inches from the floor, with the light spread evenly across the width.
Whichever you choose, aim for a combined output suited to the room. A small powder room may be fine with a modest fixture, while a main bathroom with a large mirror benefits from more output, ideally with a dimmer for late-night visits. Our guides on where to place vanity lights and bathroom lighting design go deeper on layout.
Light colour and quality
Look for a colour temperature between 2700K and 3000K for a warm, flattering look, or up to 3500K if you prefer a cleaner white. A high colour rendering index, ideally 90 or above, helps skin tones and makeup look natural. Frosted or opal glass diffuses the light and cuts glare, which is helpful when the bulbs sit close to your face.
Damp ratings in plain language
Bathrooms are humid, so the fixture needs to be built for it. In Canada, luminaires carry a marking that states where they are suitable to be installed.
- Dry location: for indoor spaces without moisture, such as bedrooms and living rooms.
- Damp location: for spaces with moisture or condensation, but not direct water contact. Most vanity lights, covered porches and bathroom ceilings fall here.
- Wet location: for fixtures that may be exposed to direct water, such as spray or rain. In a bathroom, this applies to fixtures installed inside or very close to a shower or tub enclosure.
For a typical vanity away from the shower, a fixture that is marked suitable for damp locations is the standard choice. A wet-rated fixture is always acceptable where a damp rating is needed, but a damp-rated fixture should not be used where a wet rating is required. Look for the certification mark from an accredited body, such as CSA or cUL, on the fixture or in the specification sheet. We explain these ratings in more detail in our guide to CSA and ULC damp and wet location ratings.
Finish and material matter too
Humidity can be hard on some finishes. Choose finishes that are suited to bathrooms, such as chrome, brushed nickel, matte black or polished nickel, and keep the room ventilated with a fan to reduce condensation. Confirm the fixture's specifications before you buy, and ask our team if you are unsure.
Before you order
- Measure the mirror and vanity width.
- Decide between over-mirror and side placement.
- Check the location rating and the certification mark.
- Confirm bulb type, colour temperature and dimmer compatibility.
- Check the backplate size so it covers the electrical box and any wall marks.
Ready to compare options? Browse our bath and vanity lighting collection, or look at wall sconces for side-mounted styles.
Help from our team
Lighting specialists since 1996, we are happy to review your measurements and recommend suitable fixtures. Email info@starlightlighting.ca or call toll-free 1.833.782.7544. Free shipping across Canada applies on orders from $199. Installation should be done by a qualified electrician, and we can refer customers to local electricians in Calgary and Edmonton.