As a general rule, a vanity light placed above your mirror should be about 75% of the mirror's total width. For example, if your mirror is 36 inches wide, look for a vanity light that is around 24 to 28 inches wide. The fixture should never be wider than the mirror.

For bath vanity lights mounted above the mirror, the bottom of the fixture should be 75 to 80 inches from the floor. If you are using bath sconces on the sides of the mirror, the center of each light should be at eye level, typically 60 to 66 inches from the floor, and spaced 28 to 36 inches apart.

The best lighting is layered. For task lighting at the mirror, choose vanity lights for bathroom use that provide bright, even illumination to eliminate shadows. LED vanity lights are an excellent choice for their bright, clear light (3000K-4000K color temperature is ideal) and energy efficiency.

Placing bath sconces on either side of the mirror is considered the best for task lighting, as it creates even, cross-illumination that eliminates shadows on your face. However, a single, long vanity light or vanity light bar mounted above the mirror is a very popular and effective solution, especially when wall space is limited.

A "bath vanity light" is a broad term that often refers to the multi-light fixtures (2, 3, or 4+ lights) or vanity light bars mounted horizontally above a mirror. A "bath sconce" typically refers to a single-light fixture, or , that is often mounted vertically on either side of a mirror.