Before You Swap Your Bathroom Light Fixture, Check This Crucial Detail

Lighting is essential in a bathroom space, as you'll need full visibility to get ready for the day ahead. You should have vanity lighting in your bathroom that is bright without being too harsh to make the sink space as functional as possible. Bathrooms typically have what is known as task lighting: a fixture that is put in a specific spot for a desired purpose. It illuminates the vanity space, so you can effectively complete your morning routine without shadows or dark areas. If you're looking to bring new life to the bathroom, a quick switch to updated, modern lighting could be an easy fix. Beyond picking out the perfect size light fixtures for your bathroom vanity and the correct voltage needed, you'll also need to assess what the base of the lights should be. 

Take note of the base that is currently framing your bathroom lighting and where it is located. Is it a row of multiple lights dangling from a single plate that sits atop your bathroom mirror? Or perhaps you have a dual vanity with two separate light fixtures that overlook the sinks. Some bathrooms feature two sconce lights on either side of the mirror. This will let you know the width that you need to match when new lights are installed. To simplify the swap, select a light base that is similar in width or even lightly longer than the existing base, so the project will be quick and will likely not require rewiring. 

With so many different shapes and styles of lighting fixtures that can be used in bathrooms, many homeowners focus on the aesthetics. They may overlook the importance of the base itself — it holds the fixture in place and covers all of the electrical connections. The base could have as much impact on the bathroom design and layout as the lights do and should be taken into consideration when planning a bathroom lighting fixture makeover that will save money. If you're replacing a longer, vertical light base with new smaller ones, or even wall sconces, the excess width of the previous light base will need to be covered up on the wall. This could mean you'll need to repaint or spackle the area so the wall looks uniform. 

When it comes to light fixtures mounted over the mirror, you'll want to make sure the base is centered and is not wider than the mirror or the vanity. Ideally, your mirror should take up slightly less wall space than the vanity, and the overheard lights should be smaller than the mirror. It should resemble the descending nature of a pyramid shape. This way, the pieces are stacked evenly to create a balanced look where each one takes up more space from top to bottom. It will also make the lighting fixture on top feel less heavy in size and keep it from overwhelming the space.