When choosing a light fixture to install over a kitchen or bathroom sink, there are a few key factors to consider in order to pick the best option for your needs. The right type of light over a sink provides enough illumination for tasks like washing dishes and brushing teeth, while also creating an attractive focal point in the room.
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Brightness
First and foremost, you’ll want a light source that is bright enough for the intended purpose. Kitchen sink lighting should provide ample brightness for washing dishes, preparing food and general kitchen tasks. Bathroom sink lights need to be bright enough for tasks like putting on makeup and shaving.
As a general rule of thumb, look for sink lights that provide at least 500-700 lumens over the sink area. Lumens are a measure of total light output. For reference, a typical 60W incandescent light bulb produces about 800 lumens. LED and fluorescent lights are available in many brightness levels these days. You can find sink lights with anywhere from 400 lumens for a small fixture up to 1,000+ lumens for a larger statement piece.
Recommended Lumens for Sink Lighting
| Room | Recommended Lumens |
| Kitchen sink | 500-700 lumens |
| Bathroom sink | 500-700 lumens |
| Double sink vanity | 700-1,000+ lumens |
The size of the sink area also factors into the brightness level needed. For example, a large double vanity will require brighter lighting than a small powder room sink. Gauge what seems appropriate for the sink space. You want it bright enough to comfortably do tasks, but not overly bright and glaring.
Light Color
The color or temperature of the light also matters when choosing sink fixtures. Light color is measured in degrees of kelvin (K). Lower kelvin temperatures like 2700K-3000K produce a warm, yellowish light. Higher kelvin temperatures like 4000K-6500K result in a crisp, bluish-white light.
For kitchen sink lighting, warmer color temperatures in the 3000K-3500K range are recommended. This soft white light is ideal for food prep. The warmer tones show off the colors and textures of ingredients accurately. Cooler colors can make food appear dull and unappetizing.
Bathroom sinks often benefit from a brighter, whiter light in the 4000K-5000K range. This mimics natural daylight which is helpful for applying makeup and doing detail work like shaving or tweezing. However, you don’t want the light to be overly clinical and blue.
Look for sink lights with adjustable color temperature if possible. This allows you to customize the mood and use warmer light for relaxing vs. cooler light for tasking.
Recommended Kelvin Temperatures for Sink Lighting
| Room | Recommended Kelvin Temperature |
| Kitchen sink | 3000K-3500K |
| Bathroom sink | 4000K-5000K |
Lighting Style
Beyond just the technical factors, choosing a sink light also comes down to your personal style. What aesthetic are you going for in the space? Consider a fixture that matches or complements your decor. Here are some popular lighting styles for above sinks:
Pendant Lights
Pendant lights suspend gracefully from the ceiling over a sink. They’re available in countless shapes, sizes, colors and material finishes. Slim linear pendants work well over rectangular sinks. Round or dome pendants look nice over circular sinks. Multi-light pendants cast broad illumination over wide sink areas.
Track Lighting
Track lighting offers flexible placement of light heads over a sink area. You can adjust the number and positioning of the lights on the track. Track lighting provides more focused task lighting compared to a pendant.
Flush Mounts
As the name implies, flush mount lights install directly to the ceiling over a sink. They provide an out-of-the way, minimalist option. No chains or wires hang down. Flush mounts come in round, square and rectangle shapes to match your space.
Sconces
Wall sconces mounted on either side of a mirror is a popular vanity lighting choice. The light is vertically positioned to illuminate each side of the face. Sconces also provide a nice up-down aesthetic balance to a hanging pendant fixture.
Under Cabinet Lights
In addition to overhead lighting, many kitchens also install under cabinet lighting. LED strip lights or puck lights below the upper cabinets provide ideal task lighting for the kitchen sink area. They illuminate the countertop workspace nicely without too much glare.
Energy Efficient Options
Be sure to evaluate the efficiency of sink light fixtures too. More energy efficient options like LED or fluorescent technology can save on electricity costs compared to less efficient incandescent or halogen lights. Here are some of the most energy efficient options:
LED
LED lights last the longest and are up to 80% more efficient than incandescent. They’re available in both built-in and replaceable bulb options. LEDs also have excellent color quality and dimming capabilities.
CFL
Compact fluorescent lights (CFL) use about 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs. They don’t last as long or dim as well as LED. But CFLs are more affordable if you’re on a budget.
Fluorescent
Long tube fluorescent fixtures can provide bright, even lighting over sinks. While the light quality isn’t as good as LED, fluorescents are fairly energy efficient and inexpensive to install.
Smart Options
For added convenience, consider installing sink lights with smart technology. Smart lights can be controlled remotely using an app, voice assistant or smart home system. Here are some of the smart capabilities to look for:
- Dimmable lighting – Adjust brightness as needed
- Tunable white – Change light color temperature
- Timers – Set lights to turn on/off automatically
- Motion Sensors – Lights turn on when motion is detected
- Voice Control – Control lights via voice assistants
Conclusion
When selecting a sink light, keep these key considerations in mind: sufficient brightness, appropriate light color temperature, style that fits your decor, energy efficient technology, and smart lighting options if desired. Layer overhead lighting with under cabinet task lighting for the best illumination. Choose fixtures with adjustable elements like dimming or tunable white to customize the lighting. The right sink lighting should provide great visibility for tasks, set the desired ambiance, and also make a stylish design statement.