I spent months sourcing the travertine. I hired a plumber for the new vanity. I agonized over the faucet finish for two months. And then I installed a single overhead light and called it done. Three months later I realized I couldn't apply mascara without leaning into the mirror until my nose touched it.
The problem was the overhead fixture. A single ceiling light illuminates the top of your head. It does not illuminate your face. The shadows it creates across the eye sockets and jaw are the exact opposite of what you need at a bathroom mirror. It's also the exact setup that builders default to because it's the cheapest one.
The Fix That Actually Works
A pair of bathroom sconces flanking the mirror at eye height. Mounted at 60-65 inches from the floor, they provide side light that hits the face evenly from both directions, eliminating shadows rather than creating them. The overhead fixture is still useful for ambient light, but it's the sconces that make the mirror functional.
The sconces you see in the photo above are the LIVI from BO-HA — the teardrop arm keeps the globe right at face level, and the brass finish works with almost any vanity hardware. It's the fixture I wish I'd found before buying two others first.
I installed mine on a separate dimmer from the overhead. Morning routine: both on full. Evening wind-down: sconces at 30%, overhead off. The room transformed from a bathroom with a lighting problem into a bathroom that actually worked.
If ceiling height allows, a pendant light over a freestanding tub adds a layer that makes the room feel designed rather than installed. This is the move that turns a functional bathroom into one guests comment on.
Before: Single Overhead Only
The problem
This is what it looked like before. One ceiling fixture throwing light straight down — cold, flat, and completely useless at the mirror. The room looked fine from the doorway but the second you stood at the vanity you felt it. Shadows under the eyes, jaw, everywhere. Not warm, not flattering, not functional. The LIVI sconces on either side changed everything: side light at face height, warm tone, and finally a bathroom that actually works.
Michelle at The Wharton House documented the exact opposite mistake, doing her makeup in dim light for four years before finally installing side-mounted sconces. Same problem, same fix.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common bathroom lighting mistake?
Installing a single overhead fixture and nothing else. Overhead-only lighting casts harsh downward shadows on the face. The opposite of what you want for a mirror. Flanking sconces at eye level (60-65 inches from the floor) eliminate shadows and provide the even, flattering light that makes a bathroom mirror actually useful.
Where should bathroom sconces be placed?
Mount vanity sconces on either side of the mirror, centered at 60-65 inches from the floor. This positions the light at face level rather than above it. If your bathroom only has room for one fixture above the mirror, choose a horizontal bar light rather than a single centered pendant. It distributes light more evenly.
What bulb color temperature is best for a bathroom?
2700K-3000K warm white gives the most flattering and accurate light for skin tones. Cooler temperatures (4000K+) are harsher and make the bathroom feel clinical. If your bathroom doubles as a relaxation space, staying at 2700K creates the warmest, most spa-like atmosphere.
My Honest Take After Unboxing
That photo is from when I unpacked mine. I genuinely was not expecting this quality for under $100 with shipping. The brass arm is solid, the globe is real glass — not plastic — and the backplate is heavy enough that it feels like something you'd find in a boutique hotel, not a budget order.
BO-HA gave me a discount code to share with readers. Use HOLLOWAY at checkout for a discount on the LIVI. Fair warning though — it's only valid for the first 5 people, so if you've been thinking about it, now's the time.
Shop the LIVI — use code HOLLOWAY
