Proper bathroom lighting is important.
Changing light fixtures changes the ambiance of any room. Yet, just as with any other do-it-yourself home improvement project, planning and preparation are key elements. Before buying a light fixture for your bathroom, take proper and precise measurements to obtain attractive and symmetric results.
Instructions
Measuring for Side Lighting
1. Measure the areas alongside of the mirror. The best way is to place the bottom of the fixture at eye level. Stand next to the right of the mirror, and draw a line at eye level with a pen or pencil. Measure the distance between that line and the floor.
2. Mark off a spot on the left side of the mirror, using the measurements that you took from Step 1. Measure from the floor to eye level. Draw a horizontal mark with a pen or pencil.
3. Measure the width of the light fixtures. In order to create symmetry and correct spacing, add 4 inches to the measurement of the fixture. Use a tape measure or straight edge to draw a line on the wall intersecting the eye level lines. The intersection of the lines marks where the center of the fixture is hung.
Light Fixtures Above the Mirror
4. Measure for the fixture above the mirror. Use a tape measure to determine the full width of the mirror. Write that measurement down on a piece of paper.
5. Measure the width of the lighting fixture. Subtract the measurement of the light fixture from the width of the mirror, and divide that number in half. The result is the amount of space required on each side of the mirror to center the light fixture above the mirror. Use the tape measure, and mark vertical lines on the wall above the mirror.
For example, if the mirror is 36 inches wide and the fixture is 24 inches wide, subtract 24 from 36. The result it 12 inches. Divide 12 by 2. This means that six inches much be left on each side of the mirror to place the fixture in the direct center. Place marks six inches inward from the left and right edges of the mirror.
6. Measure the height of the light fixture. Add 4 inches to the height to accommodate for space above the mirror and hang the fixture symmetrically. Use a straightedge to draw a horizontal line for the light fixture placement at the top in between the two lines establishing the center of the fixture.
Tags: light fixture, above mirror, , tape measure, above mirror tape, center fixture