Vanity Light Size Guide: The 75% Rule & Sizing Chart

Getting vanity light sizing wrong is one of the fastest ways to make an expensive bathroom look cheap. A fixture that's too small disappears against your mirror. Too large, and it dominates everything else.

Most people overthink this decision. The truth is, there's one simple rule that handles 90% of situations.

Here's everything you need to know, with real measurements for every common vanity size.

What Size Vanity Light Do You Need? The Essential 75% Rule

The industry standard is simple: your vanity light should be 75% the width of your mirror.

Why 75%? It's the sweet spot. Smaller percentages make the light look inadequate. Larger ones make it dominate the space.

Tips:If your mirror's planned width falls between standard sizes, it's usually best to round down to the smaller light fixture size.

Standard 8-foot ceilings work with the exact recommendations above. For ceilings 9 feet or higher, you can choose a fixture that is 2-4 inches larger to maintain a better sense of proportion.

How to Size Lights for Double Vanity Bathrooms

Double vanities need a different approach. You have two main options, both of which work well.

Option 1: Two separate lights (most popular)

If you have two separate mirrors, apply the 75% rule to each mirror individually.

If you have one long mirror over both sinks, divide the mirror's total width by two, and then apply the 75% rule to each of those sections. Center each light over its respective sink.

Option 2: One long light fixture

 For a more modern, streamlined look, choose a single bar light that is 75-80% of the total vanity width. This provides excellent, even light distribution, though it can sometimes create a slight shadow between the sinks.

Double vanity sizing chart

Double vanity width	Two lights option	One light option
60 inches	Two 18-22" lights	One 45-48" light
72 inches	Two 22-27" lights	One 54-58" light
84 inches	Two 27-32" lights	One 63-67" light

Center each light over its sink, typically 30-36 inches apart depending on your vanity configuration.

Where to Mount Your Vanity Light: Height and Placement Guide

Proper placement is just as important as size for effective, flattering light.

Standard mounting heights

Above mirror lights: Mount 75-80 inches from floor to center of fixture. Leave 3-4 inches between the top of your mirror and bottom of the light.

Wall sconces: Install at eye level, 65-70 inches from floor to center. This eliminates shadows on your face.

Sconce spacing rules

For the best lighting, place sconces 28-30 inches apart for smaller setups. Larger vanities can handle 36-40 inches apart.

The key is to ensure the light flanks your face evenly from both sides of the mirror. Too close creates harsh shadows. Too far apart leaves dark spots.

Height and placement quick reference

Light type	Height from floor	Distance from mirror	Spacing
Above mirror	75-80 inches	3-4 inches gap	Center over vanity
Wall sconces	65-70 inches	6-12 inches from sides	28-40 inches apart

Do Bar Lights vs Sconces Change Your Sizing Strategy?

Different light types need different sizing approaches. Your fixture choice affects both size and placement.

Bar lights (linear fixtures)

These work best with the standard 75% rule. They provide even, broad lighting across your entire vanity area.

Best for modern and contemporary bathrooms. Choose 2-light bars for smaller vanities, 3-4 lights for larger ones.

Wall sconces

Size each sconce individually, not as a pair. A good rule: each sconce should be roughly 25-30% of your mirror width.

Example: 36-inch mirror needs sconces around 9-11 inches wide each.

Pendant lights

Treat pendants like sconces for sizing. They work best in pairs, sized at 25-30% of mirror width each.

Hang pendants 30-36 inches from the countertop. This prevents head bumping while providing good task lighting.

What Color Temperature and Brightness Should You Choose?

Size isn't just about dimensions. The quality and amount of light matters just as much.

Color temperature guide

2700k-3000k (warm white): Creates cozy, relaxing ambiance. Good for evening routines.

3500k-4100k (cool white): Bright and energizing. Best for morning grooming tasks.

5000k+ (daylight): Most accurate color rendering. Essential for makeup application.

Brightness recommendations

Aim for 1600 total lumens for your vanity area. For individual fixtures, target 500-700 lumens each (equivalent to 75-100 watt incandescent bulbs).

Why color rendering matters

Look for bulbs with a CRI (color rendering index) of 90 or higher. This ensures colors look true-to-life, especially important for makeup and clothing choices.

Why Your Vanity Light Looks Wrong: Common Sizing Mistakes

Even with the right measurements, these mistakes can ruin your lighting setup.

Mistake 1: Measuring the vanity instead of the mirror

Plan your mirror and light sizing together from the start. Your vanity width sets the maximum boundary, but your mirror size should drive your lighting choice

Mistake 2: Ignoring your existing electrical box

Plan your electrical rough-in carefully during construction. Standard junction box placement should align with your chosen fixture's mounting requirements to avoid future patching work.

Mistake 3: Choosing style over function

A beautiful fixture that doesn't provide enough light defeats the purpose. Task lighting comes first, style second.

Mistake 4: Forgetting about proportions

In rooms with high ceilings, standard-sized lights can look tiny. Scale up 10-15% for ceilings over 9 feet.

What Size Light for 24", 30", 36", and 48" Vanities?

Need a fast answer? Here are the most searched vanity sizes with exact light recommendations.

Vanity size	Best light size	Alternative size	Recommended fixture type
24 inches	18 inches	20 inches for fuller look	2-light bar or single sconce
30 inches	22-24 inches	Up to 26 inches for modern style	3-light bar or dual sconces
36 inches	27-30 inches	32 inches for contemporary look	3-4 light bar or dual sconces
48 inches	36-40 inches	Two 20-inch lights	4-5 light bar or multiple fixtures

Conclusion

Getting your vanity lighting right comes down to one simple guideline: the 75% rule. Measure your mirror, choose a fixture that's about three-quarters of its width, and hang it at the correct height. With this knowledge, you can shop with complete confidence, knowing your choice will look intentional and professional.

Now that you're equipped with the rules of good design, take the next step. Explore our curated collection of bathroom vanity lighting to find the perfect style that fits your space perfectly.

FAQ

What size light for bathroom vanity?

The light fixture should be about 75% of the mirror's width. This ratio ensures the light is visually balanced with the mirror it's illuminating.

How long should a vanity light be for a 60 inch vanity?

You have two main options. For a single modern fixture, choose a light that is 45-48 inches long. If you prefer two separate lights over each sink, select two fixtures that are each 18-22 inches wide.

How wide should a vanity light be over a 36 inch vanity?

A light fixture between 27-30 inches wide is recommended. This range is based on applying the 75% rule to a standard 36-inch mirror.

What size light should go over a 48 vanity?

The ideal range for the light fixture is 36-42 inches wide. This maintains the correct visual proportion for a common 48-inch mirror.

What size light fixture over a 42 vanity?

You should look for a light fixture that is 30-36 inches wide. This size range is properly scaled for a 42-inch mirror according to the 75% sizing principle.