Mid-Century Modern Bathroom Lighting

Why We Love Mid-Century Modern Bathroom Lighting

Not many types of lighting fixtures can pass the test of 60+ years. However, we think the clean, geometric lines of mid-century bathroom lighting fixtures are as attractive now as they were in the 1950s and 1960s. We particularly like Sputnik designs, with their many star-like points of light extending from brass arms, that evoke the early Russian spacecraft and make a statement in any bathroom, foyer, or dining room. Other classic mid-century vanity lighting designs we like include bubble light sconces, pendant lights, and bars of three or more lighted spheres that hang over a sink above a mirror.

Where Mid-Century Modern Vanity Lights Work Best

Mid-century vanity lighting works well in a number of ways, depending on your room's design and layout. You can put a bar of bubble lights above the sink, mount decorative sconces on either side of the vanity, or use bathroom flushmounts to illuminate the space from overhead. All of these fixtures will give you ample light while coordinating with your overall 1950s design scheme. Retro bathroom lighting is a good complement to popular mid-century design elements, such as subway tile and round vanity mirrors.

Retro Bathroom Lighting Designers We Love

It's difficult to find a type of mid-century bathroom lighting that we don't love. We're a big fan of Jonathan Adler retro bathroom lighting designs. These include classic Sputnik chandeliers and ceiling lights as well as rounded pendant lights, which work perfectly above a bathroom vanity. Another of our favorites are the bathroom recessed lighting fixtures by Louis Poulsen. This lighting looks vaguely nautical, like something you'd find on a ship, with metal guards around the light, originally meant to keep the glass from being broken should the ship encounter rough seas. Called a skot, this mid-century vanity lighting will give that touch of whimsy and nostalgia to any bathroom design. We also like the wall sconces by George Kovacs, the pendant lights by Kichler, and the mid-century modern pieces by Arteriors.

How to Choose the Best Mid-Century Modern Bath Lights

Choosing the mid-century bathroom lightin that will work best for you and your family as well as your budget means looking at the space and determining what you need to illuminate. Traditional design wisdom says you need three different types of lighting in each space. This configuration could be a combination of mid-century vanity lighting, vanity wall sconces, and overhead retro bathroom lighting. Or, you could use a signature fixture, such as a chandelier, as a focal point and add recessed lighting to complement it.

Other Considerations

Placement is another prime consideration when choosing mid-century bathroom lighting. While you want adequate lighting, you don't want to overwhelm the room with too many dramatic retro bathroom lighting fixtures. It's best to stick with one signature piece and two or three complementary fixtures. Other considerations when shopping for mid-century vanity lighting include size, how you can hardwire the fixture, and whether the fixture you love can be delivered within the time frame you need.