Mirrors are easy to overlook. After all, when we look in the mirror, we see the reflection of many other things before we even see the mirror itself. But a good mirror is an important part of many rooms, especially the bathroom. There are plenty of sizes, styles, and shapes to choose from, so I’ve put together this guide to help you put things in perspective and get your bathroom mirror just right.
When choosing the size of the mirror, it is important to consider not only the function, but also the proportions. To create a balanced look, consider the size of the mirror relative to the dresser.
Usually, the vanity mirror will not be wider than the vanity itself, but we will discuss some exceptions later.
A common way to do this is to make the mirror exactly the same width as the dresser so that the two align perfectly. Of course, it’s much easier to use a custom-sized mirror, as you may not find a pre-made mirror that is exactly the same width as your dresser.
If they are not the same width, another reliable method is to make the width of the mirror the same as the width of the dresser, about 70 to 80 percent, so that the mirror will look smaller, but not shrinking.
In terms of height, a functional mirror only needs to reach about a foot above and below the user’s line of sight. But the higher the height, the better, as it will provide more perspectives and a more open space appearance. Try to reach a height of at least 4 to 7 feet above the ground.
If you have a large dresser, especially one with multiple sinks, you can choose to use multiple mirrors or one that is wide enough to serve both mirrors. Using several tall and thin mirrors can make the room look more vertical, emphasizing the height of the space (especially effective when the ceiling is high). Of course, using a large mirror can open up a room by reflecting more of the opposite wall. The final choice comes down to personal preference.
Even if there is only one sink, using a multi-faceted mirror can still make a difference. In fact, placing a mirror in the center of the sink and then adding a second mirror that is symmetrical to the first side can make the whole composition look more balanced than using just one.
Another reason to use a smaller mirror is, of course, to leave some space for wall lights. A vanity lamp can be installed in various places, but placing it on either side of the mirror illuminates the face well, making it both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
When making room for a wall lamp, choose a mirror that is close to 60 to 70 percent of the width of the dresser (or divide by the number of mirrors if there are more than one) so that the wall light has room to place above the dresser, not above it. Suspended beyond the edge.
For different ways to adjust the size of the mirror, you can ignore the size of the dresser itself and instead fill the entire wall with a mirror, usually also above the toilet. This method can give you a larger mirror, which can make a compact bathroom feel twice as big.
In this case, you can literally extend the mirror from wall to wall (usually up to the ceiling) or from one end of the dresser to one end of a nearby fixture. But in the latter case, it should still fill most of the walls to avoid looking the wrong size. It should be neatly aligned with the object underneath.
On the one hand, custom-sized mirrors cut to fit the wall perfectly are a higher investment than buying prefabricated pieces. On the other hand, it is often a relatively budget-friendly option compared to laying tiles or stones behind or around smaller mirrors.
Depending on your budget and goals, it may make sense to use a custom mirror paired with some of the luxurious materials below.
Frameless mirrors are a popular choice in bathrooms for several reasons. One is that they tend to be cheaper, but they are still usually quite fashionable. The second reason is that they have a modern appeal, and even in some traditional homes, bathrooms tend to be a little more modern to achieve a clean, airy, “spa-like” look.
Frameless mirrors are best used in contemporary or modern minimalist spaces that don’t have too many complicated decorations. Mirrors with elaborate frames tend to be suitable for traditional spaces, as the other elements are also very detailed and decorative.
To achieve a good balance that fits almost any space, try using mirrors with simple frames, a few inches wide, and textured materials that aren’t too complex. The weathered wooden frames of this beach are a good example of this. It gives a finished look that is pleasing to the eye, but doesn’t look heavier than the dresser itself.
For an eclectic feel, a gorgeous mirror can look gorgeous as a decorative addition in a modern bathroom. Just the right mix requires a good design eye, but the unique result will bring a lot of personality and drama to the room.
To achieve the modern look of a frameless mirror and the polished feel of a framed mirror, a clever way to do this is to recede the mirror into the tile so that it is essentially framed by the surrounding material.
As you can see in this example, the mirrors are flush with the wall tiles, which gives the whole wall a very sophisticated look but with a minimalist touch. The top tiered floating shelves provide extra modern style and some useful storage space.
So far, we’ve focused mainly on simple rectangular mirrors, but of course there are many other shapes.
Round mirrors are a great way to bring softness and relaxation to your bathroom, as bathrooms often have a lot of hard surfaces and clear lines. A mirror like this, hung with a strap or chain on a nail in the center, gives a very casual feel and brings a bit of fun.
Round mirrors are a great companion to column sinks, as they often have curved lines on their own. Circular mirrors typically leave more negative space in the “corners” than rectangular mirrors, which makes sense, since the pedestal sink leaves some negative space around the pedestal.
If you want to show off a fun wall décor, such as this beautiful exotic wallpaper print, then a round mirror is also a great option. It gives you enough mirrors to see your face, but it leaves more walls exposed, and the curves will take on organic shapes in green leaves or floral patterns.
Sure, all the previous mirrors are attractive, but what if you need some important storage space?
Medicine cabinet mirrors are best embedded in the wall so that they are not so harsh. A professional can guide you during a site visit to determine if your wall cavity can accommodate some recessed or partially recessed cabinetry.
Otherwise, try to use a few tricks to avoid making the cabinets visually shrink the room.
Cabinets with no or very few frames can avoid the feeling of being in front of you, while adding some under-cabinet lighting (just like you would in the kitchen) will bring in the glow, eliminating any dark shadows and making the entire sink area feel brighter.
If your bathroom is laid out unusually, or windows or barriers are inconveniently placed, don’t forget that the mirror doesn’t have to be flat on the wall.
Hanging the mirror from the ceiling or window frame, or mounting it on a rail that rises from the counter, allows you to place the mirror in a new functional location.
Keep an open mind and you can really open up some beautiful landscapes.
