Lighting Tips from Pros

Lighting Tips from Pros


What is the best LED lighting for a 6x8-ft. bathroom? The only light will be above the mirror over the vanity.

A useful rule of thumb for bath vanities is to use a minimum of two 60-watt incandescent bulbs, which typically produce approximately 800 lumens each for a total of 1,600 lumens. In your application you have several choices:

  • You could choose a fixture with standard medium-base sockets and install LED bulbs that fit the sockets. You would need LED bulbs equivalent to the standard 60-watt incandescent bulbs with approximately 800 lumens each.

  • Considering there is only one fixture in your bathroom, you could go to a higher lumen output, and perhaps go to a 75-watt equivalent and use a dimmer, which would allow you to lower or increase the light level as needed.

  • You could use an integrated LED fixture, which does not have light bulbs but instead is integrated with the LED lighting as a permanent part of the fixture. LEDs have extremely long life (about 50 times that of incandescent) making this essentially a lifetime fixture purchase. With this option you would want a fixture in the range of 1200-2000 lumens. Integrated LED fixtures are more efficient in delivering light, making it possible to go with a slightly lower lumen output (1200 lumens).

To look at the many options available, visit an ALA-member showroom where a certified lighting consultant can show you a variety of design options.

We are remodeling our bathroom. What suggestions or advice do you have regarding the use of LED can lights in a bathroom?

Adding LED can lights is a very good idea. Be sure to select LED fixtures with a warm color. LEDs are available in a variety of color temperature options: 2700K, 3000K, 3500K and 4000K. To get the same warm color as incandescent lighting, choose 2700K. You may need to replace your dimmers with a type that can dim your LEDs. If you are purchasing new LED can lights manufactured by an ALA member, they will be able to recommend the best dimmer to optimize your lights.