Cut through the shine and dazzle to find the best mirror for your bathroom with a few important considerations.
Mirrors play an important role in our appearance and sense of self, as well as the functionality of a home. A well-placed mirror can work with the natural lighting of a room as well as the lamps, accenting and displaying the decor… but it can also work against it. They should be chosen carefully. The many different sizes, shapes and styles of mirrors can leave eager renovators confused about their options. With some careful planning, you can find a stunning mirror that is both affordable, high quality, and visually appealing.
Select the Right Size
The key to a great bathroom is proportion. You want a mirror that is large enough to comfortably gaze at, but not too big or obnoxious. Since most mirrors are above the vanity, you should consider vanity size while shopping.
It’s best to find a piece that can center on the wall, which means measuring for everything around it.
- Measure the wall where you want to place the mirror.
- Measure the width of the vanity or cupboard below it.
- Take note of any windows or fixed shelving on that wall and measure to the vanity.
- If there are existing light fixtures on the wall, measure the distance between the lighting and the countertop, as well as how much room you have between the lights on the wall.
Typically, the bathroom mirror shouldn't be wider than the vanity. One trick is to purchase a size that is the exact same width, which allows you to line the edges of the mirror to the edges of the vanity to create a sense of symmetry and balance. However, should you find yourself in a store with an impressive selection of dazzling mirrors, but none available in an exact width to match the vanity, look for a mirror that is between 70 to 80 percent the width of the vanity. This ensures that the mirror can look appropriately small and balanced without looking unfinished.
When looking at the height of the mirror, take note of the people that will be using the bathroom. A mirror should reach about a foot above and below the eyeline of the viewer, minimum. It’s best to leave room for water splash from a faucet, so at least 6” between counter and the lower edge of the mirror frame. Ideally, the higher you can get the mirror the better. A tall mirror can really open up a space and provide good lighting and angles for gazing.
As previously mentioned, you should consider the size of the vanity when choosing a mirror. However, if you have a compact bathroom, you might want to consider a wall-to-wall mirror. These larger mirrors hang over the vanity and other fixtures, such as the toilet, to take up the entire wall. They make a small space seem bigger by reflecting more light and showing the opposite walls, creating the visual trick that there is more physical space to explore.