how many can lights in a master bath?

[framer]

scenario, a master bath 6'x10'(not including shower).
would two 6" can lights above a 6' double sink vanity be enough light? typically, how far away from the wall should cans be placed over a vanity? 12"?

[dgbldr]

There is a whole science to proper lighting design, but basically the higher the ceiling and the wider the flood angle, the fewer cans you need. The light needs to spread out so you don't have dark and light spots.

For the typical 8' ceiling with no soffit over the vanity, 2 cans are enough, assuming flood bulbs. That's for the vanity. But what about the rest of the room?

As far as distance from the wall, as little as possible. The theory is that if the light is directly above the person's head, there will be shadows. Like, your nose will shadow your chin, etc. That's why the best lights are on the wall, above the mirror. They light your face without shadows. That's important when you put on your makeup :)

dg

[framer]

i have a 9' ceiling with no soffit.

the cans dont necessarily have to be next to the wall, right? you get light reflecting off the mirror also.

[davenorthup]

I think in an MB you need 'task lighting' on the wall above the mirror or cans real close to the wall and then more for elsewhere just like DG mentioned.

2 cans in the rest of the room may be plenty.

Do not rely on reflection off the mirror for proper light above the vanity.

[GaryJR]

As mentioned above lighting is critical in bathrooms and kitchens. The most time spent on layout is tile, second is probably lighting. We use a laser to get in perfect.

Reconsider the recessed light size. I really don’t like 6” cans and never use them in bathrooms, unless of course they are specified in the plans and that’s what the client wants. They are too commercial looking for me. 5” are the largest we like to use, but we probably use 4” cans in just about every bath that gets recessed lighting. Believe me, they provide plenty of light with the right bulb and finish kit.

As for placement over a bathroom sink, keep the center of the fixture no further out then the center of the sink drain. Center is nice. Any further will cast a shadow, but here is what I like doing that virtually eliminates any noticeable shadow over a sink using recessed lights.
I place two 4” cans above the sink and apart about the width of the sink or more. The light will drape down filling all voids and provide good facial lighting both right and left sides.

In your situation I would place three cans above the vanity. One directly between both sinks, and one to the left of the left sink and one to the right of the right sink. Middle fixture provides lighting to each sink. Halogen floods are best.

[Mark G]

The best mirror lighting is on both sides of the mirror, about 30" apart (task lighting) A little harder to sell and plan for but well worth the effort.

I only use cans to light the floor, 4-6' apart (general lighting).

[bobkni]

Usually we install recessed lights for general lighting and wall mounted lights above mirror or on the sides, recessed lights alone above mirror always leave shadows. We have used both many times and that is what my customers seem to like. In your bath 1 recessed in the shower, 2 over the sink and 2 sconces would light up the room fine. We usually leave wire in the wall and use cut in boxes after mirror and lights are purchased, it is easier than having to move box 2 or 3 " when different items are purchased than what was planned for.

[frenchie]

As far as distance from the wall, as little as possible. The theory is that if the light is directly above the person's head, there will be shadows. Like, your nose will shadow your chin, etc. That's why the best lights are on the wall, above the mirror. They light your face without shadows. That's important when you put on your makeup :)

dg

Jokes aside - ever try shaving under overhead lighting? It really, really sucks: can't see half your upper lip (nose shadow), can't see your neck or under your chin, at all.

i have a 9' ceiling with no soffit.

the cans dont necessarily have to be next to the wall, right? you get light reflecting off the mirror also.

The light reflecting off the mirror is nothing compared to the light coming down on you from above. Trust me.

Rather than keep the cans next to the wall, I'd add a light bar or something above or beside the mirror.

[davidshammer]

I agree with Mark on the task lighting on either side of the mirror. To get the best overall lighting, have sconces on the top of the mirror and sides. Use general lighting (i.e. ceiling mount light) for the rest of the MB unless it is a huge room, then a designer would help then. Have install a big pendant light that huge down 3 feet from the ceiling, and that was just accent lighting in this MB! So it all depends on your layout, ceiling height. Cans just don't belong in the bathroom except in the shower.Of course that is my own humble option.

[framer]

i would have put 3 cans, but the truss layout kinda screws the position of three cans. we did pre-wire behind the wall drywall for if and when we put a wall light above the mirror. i think my electrician placed the cans 13 inches (to center) off the back wall.

i'm not a big fan of wall lights above the mirror. depending on fixture, sometimes the light is blinding(kinda in your face). a few customers have said they preffer only cans.

gary,
reason for 6" cans is cost. they're cheaper than 5". we do put some 5" cans here and there, but when you have over 30 cans in a house, cost adds up.

[GaryJR]

Yes, the best lighting for makeup and looking at your face is side lights, but as mentioned above hard sell and they don't look esthetically pleasing.

Above the mirror are ok, but as framer mentioned they can be blinding. Lighting and the fixtures themselves need close attention for sure.

When clients want only recessed lighting I have always found my method mentioned above works out well.

I myself like sconces. With the right type of globe and bulb the lighting fills the face and is soft.

http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL573.../284987750.jpg

[Alectrician]

NEVER use can lights as your only lighting source in a bathroom.

You MUST have light that shines on your face from the FRONT.

[charles]

I was overseas a couple months ago and stayed in a hotel that had lights on both sides of the mirror. I noticed that I could not see my face as well as I could back home where the lights are above the mirror. Go figure. Maybe humans just naturally feel more comfortable with overhead light, whereas light coming from below or the sides is perceived as glare.