The bathroom mirror is an often overlooked but essential element. It plays a role in the balance, functionality, aesthetics and spaciousness of your bathroom. A properly sized and arranged i.e. carefully placed and illuminated bathroom mirror will really make a difference in your room. Plus, opting for a mirror is a relatively quick, easy, and affordable way to spruce up your bathroom without splurging or expensively renovating your space. Here are the answers to some questions about bathroom mirrors.
Where should you place your bathroom mirror?
The most obvious and common place to place your bathroom mirror is above your vessel or sink. However, if you have an unusual bathroom layout, such as a misplaced window or a particular obstacle, or if you just want to experiment with an original placement, remember that mirrors should not hang flat. It is better to hang them on a hook. Or opt for a full-length mirror. You can also have an ultra-wide mirror that covers an entire wall or an entire wall.
How high should you hang your bathroom mirror?
There is no standard rule for how high to hang a bathroom mirror. The height at which you hang your bathroom mirror depends on a variety of factors: the size and shape of the mirror, the height of your vanity, the height of your ceiling or light fixtures, and the height of the occupants of your dwelling that use the bathroom. While there are no hard and fast rules on how to hang your bathroom mirror, here are some tips to follow:
- Hang your mirror so that it is at eye level for most users.
- Hang your mirror so that it’s a few inches above the eye level of the tallest person in the house.
- Hang your mirror 10 to 20 centimeters inches above the basin or sink
- Hang your mirror a few inches above your faucet
- Hang the mirror 10 to 15 centimeters above the floor
- Center the mirror between the sink light and the basin
Assess all the space you have and use these general guidelines to determine the optimal height for your mirror.
How wide should your bathroom mirror be?
It’s important to find a bathroom mirror that’s the right width for your vanity because a mirror that’s not to scale or proportional to the vanity will look unbalanced. Find a mirror the same width as your sink or cabinet. This is the most common, hassle-free approach that provides symmetry. Otherwise find a mirror that is about 70-80% as wide as your sink. If you’re leaving room for wall sconces, find a mirror that’s 60-70% of the width of the vanity so that the sconces have enough space. Of course, the easiest (but most expensive) option would be to create a custom mirror with the exact dimensions you need.
What shape should your bathroom mirror be?
Bathroom mirrors usually have round or circular shapes, square or rectangular shapes, and irregular geometric shapes. Choose a bathroom mirror that suits the mood and aesthetics of your bathroom, including the finish of the walls. Round mirrors bring an element of softness to the room. Rectangular mirrors have a more classic design, are perfect for a modern bathroom and are slightly more functional.
Irregularly shaped mirrors provide visual interest and a decorative element.
With a frame or without?
Another thing to decide is if you want a framed mirror or a frameless mirror. A frameless mirror is easy to place in any space and goes well with any aesthetic. A framed mirror adds a decorative touch. You can either opt for an ornate, decorative frame or a simple, minimal frame. If you opt for a framed mirror, consider the finish you want, such as brushed chrome, brushed nickel, brass, or matte black. Match the finish to the rest of your bathroom decor, including lights, walls, and tile.
How many mirrors should you have? One or two ?
If you have the space and a large enough vanity or even two sinks, you can use one or more mirrors. How many bathroom mirrors should you hang above your vanity? If you want your bathroom to have a vertical look (especially if you have high ceilings and want to showcase the vertical space), go with two vertical length mirrors. If you want to emphasize the width of your room or create the illusion of space in a small bathroom, opt for a single large mirror. You can also use several mirrors even if there is only one basin.