Jul 062009
Recessed downlights should not be used to light your face while standing at a mirror in your bathroom because the light coming from these fixtures will only cause harsh shadows on your face. Instead, wall-mounted vanity light fixtures attached above the mirror and/or on both sides of the mirror, or backlit vanity mirrors (a very neat option – especially if wall space is limited) should be used. That way, shadows on your face can be minimized. Recessed downlights can be used in other parts of the bathroom for general lighting but not for task lighting at the sink area – unless, of course, you want to look years older or like Bella Lugosi in makeup.
 Round halogen backlit vanity mirror. |
 Square fluorescent backlit vanity mirror. |
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by Tom Farin
Tom Farin is founder and President of Pegasus Lighting. Dr. Farin has been in the field of lighting since 1987. He has extensive training and experience in lighting, physics, mathematics and education, acquired at the undergraduate level, in graduate school, and in the field. It is Dr. Farin's interest and expertise in education that drives the overall design of the www.PegasusLighting.com site - with its heavy emphasis on lighting terminology, lighting techniques, and thorough information on each lighting product.
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[...] Inadequate light above the sinks: If you’re feeling like the light above your mirror is not enough to illuminate your face, add a wall sconce to each side that will complement the ceiling lights. Recommended wattage: 150 watts of incandescent light, or 40 watts of fluorescent light per sink. For more information, check out our blog post on bathroom vanity lighting: “How Not To Look Like Dracula” [...]
Hi, Thanks for the tips.
regards,
SigmaBuilder
I’m interested in the mirrors for bathroom that have the bult in fluorescent lights…..can these be put on a dimmer switch?
Terry:
The lighted fluorescent vanity mirrors that we offer are not dimmable. I am not sure about all fluorescent vanity mirrors, but usually fluorescent lights are not dimmable unless they include a ballast that allows for dimming. These kinds of ballasts are more costly over traditional fluorescent ballasts.
In addition to needing a special (expensive) dimmable ballast, fluorescent lamps also require a special fluorescent dimmer.
I need a vanity mirror that is 24″ wide & 36″ long and would like back lit lighting. Do you offer anything like this? I am on a budgit and dont know if I can afford. Do you have any ideas?
Monta,
We do not have a mirror with those exact dimensions but we do have several items are are similar.
Check out all of our options on this page: http://www.pegasuslighting.com/vanity-mirrors-lighted.html