Bathroom Wall Lights & Vanity Lighting

Wall lights and vanity lighting do the most important job in a bathroom: lighting your face clearly for shaving, makeup, and skincare, without the shadows a single overhead fitting creates. This guide covers wall sconces, LED mirrors, and how to position them properly, along with the IP ratings each needs depending on where they sit in the room.

Wall Sconces vs LED Mirrors

Wall sconces flanking a mirror remain the better solution for flattering, even task lighting – positioned at face height on either side, they eliminate the downward shadows that overhead or above-mirror lighting creates. An LED mirror is a good alternative where wall space is limited or a cleaner look is preferred, combining the mirror and light source in one fitting. Where space allows, pairing flanking sconces with a plain mirror gives the most complete result.

Valencia Double Bathroom Mirror Light IP20

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Soajo Circular Inner LED Bathroom Mirror 60cm

£147.84

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Positioning Wall Sconces

Mount sconces at face height, roughly 150-160cm from the floor, spaced at shoulder width apart on either side of the mirror. This single adjustment makes more difference to how flattering and functional bathroom lighting feels than almost any other choice.

Choosing LED Mirrors

Look for integrated demister pads (genuinely useful in a steamy bathroom), touch-controlled brightness, and adjustable colour temperature if you want flexibility between a warmer evening setting and a crisper one for grooming tasks.

IP Ratings for Wall Lights

Wall lights positioned in Zone 2 (within 60cm of a bath, shower or basin) need IP44 minimum. Positioned closer, in Zone 1 directly above a bath or shower, IP65 is required. Elsewhere in the bathroom, IP20 is technically permitted but IP44 is recommended throughout for longevity. Read our full bathroom light zones guide for the complete breakdown.

Brass or Glass

Brass wall lights develop a natural patina over time and handle bathroom humidity well without corroding. Glass wall sconces, in opal or holophane finishes, soften and diffuse light rather than directing it sharply – a good option where you want gentler ambient light alongside dedicated task lighting elsewhere.