7 Tips to Help You Choose the Best Bathroom Mirrors
7 Tips to Help You Choose the Best Bathroom Mirrors
A bathroom is not complete without a mirror, that’s a fact. Every bathroom has one. After all, you use it every single day, don’t you? It is a critical element for grooming, yet is also one of the easiest ways in which you can inject style and character into the bathroom.
It’s important to choose a mirror based on both your needs and also the style of your bathroom. A large basin unit looks best with an equally large bathroom mirror sitting above, whereas a compact bathroom suits a smaller option, or even something different like a round or oval mirror.
There are plenty of different styles of mirror available. From the conventional rectangular shapes with LED lights right through to traditionally-styled mirrors that suit a period-style bathroom. The best bathroom mirrors tie your space together. Some will have modern amenities like LEDs or even clocks built into them. Others may be shaped differently. Finding a framed mirror that is minimal to match your modern and clean space is always a great way to update your space too!
Changing a bathroom mirror is far cheaper than replacing, say, a toilet or sink. And the style and design of the mirror goes a long way in enhancing the rest of the bathroom’s look and ambience.
1. Keep Your Room’s Style in Mind
Bathroom mirrors are available in a multitude of styles, colours and shapes. Using a different shape for your bathroom mirror can ensure a stunning focal point, as long as the design enhances the rest of the space, and there’s a link between existing hues and textures.
First and foremost, you have to keep in mind what kind of aesthetic you’re going for in your bathroom redesign.
Not every mirror you find is going to work for every bathroom space. If your room is more traditional, find something larger that might call to mind the timeless tradition you like.
Modern? Maybe choose a frameless mirror with a bunch of cool technical features! Or something unusually shaped.
Whatever you choose will tie your room together and be the focal point of your day-to-day life. Mirrors may seem like simple things, but they can be tricky to choose.
Simple is usually the best choice. Subtle finishes like chrome or brushed aluminium are also popular choices in modern days, which can also be a terrific compromise between full frames and unframed mirrors.
2. Wall of Mirrors or Single Mirror
Going for the wow-factor? Maybe it’s time to make your entire bathroom your mirror!
Mirrors built into walls are a great modern decision some homeowners go for. These mirrors are elegant and definitely a statement piece. But they’re not for everyone.
Fortunate enough to have a wide vanity in your bathroom, especially one with multiple sinks? Then don’t discount the benefit of multiple mirrors. Opting for several tall, skinny mirrors can also help to give a bathroom a more vertical look, emphasising the height of the space.
On the other hand, using a single large mirror opens up the room by reflecting more of the opposite walls.
Of course multiple mirrors can still work with only one sink. In fact, centring a mirror on the sink and then adding a second mirror symmetrical to the first can make the entire composition look more balanced, compared to just one singular mirror.
Many people don’t want to see every single one of their features in the morning. It is all right to choose a single mirror that rests above your sink. Single mirrors will work for most homes and can be found everywhere.
Don’t be afraid to be bold. But sometimes it’s best to stick with traditional styles.
In addition to having a beautiful mirror in your bathroom, it must also be practical. Do you share your bathroom with a partner and kiddies, resulting in a need for plenty of mirror space? Are you and your spouse always blocking each other’s way (one is shaving, the other’s brushing teeth while preparing for work in the mornings? Perhaps two separate mirrors can work wonders for your morning routine?
3. Bathroom Mirror Size Really Matters
Size is important for any mirror. You don’t want a monstrous mirror taking up your entire tiny guest bathroom.
So be sure to measure your space several times. Keep in mind all of the negative space you have that you might want to feature art. Or maybe new light fixtures.
When choosing the best bathroom mirror for your bathrooms you want a piece that doesn’t take up your limited wall space. Maybe look at mirrors that double up on use! Medicine cabinet combos are a very popular choice that homeowners in flats have been using for years.These mirrors are great features that can be useful for all sorts of spaces.
Think about your mirror’s size in relation to the rest of the space, especially the vanity unit. Although there are exceptions, a mirror generally shouldn’t be wider than the vanity itself.
In terms of height, a mirror only needs to reach about 30cm above and below the eyeline of the user. Of course the more height you can get, the better, as this will ensure extra viewing angles and give the bathroom a more open feeling. Try to span at least 1.2 – 2m above the floor.
To help you determine the perfect mirror height, measure from the base of the sink up to the lighting. Determine if you want a gap between the top of the mirror and the lights or if you want them flush. To avoid water spots, consider placing the mirror about 15cm above the vanity.
4. Lighting and Mirrors Work Together
Like LED mirrors, finding the right kind of lighting to accentuate your mirror is always a good idea.
Framing your mirror with sconces can add a touch of timeless style to your bathroom. Smaller spaces work great with lighted sconces and small mirrors. Find light features that match your room’s all over style.
It is recommended to choose a mirror that is 60 to 70 percent the width of your sink. This gives your sconces plenty of room to frame your mirror.
Lighting is an important part of any bathroom. Don’t skimp on it! Luckily, mirrors and lighting go great together and can become great features in your bathroom.
5. Unique Styles: Modern and Fun
When it comes to modern updates, finding mirrors with LEDs installed will help lighten up your space. And these mirrors also come equipped with extra features like clocks.
Some styles even come with de-misting features which make them great for that person in your life who loves taking the hottest shower possible in the morning. With hundreds of choices and truly efficient lighting, LED mirrors can make any spice bright, welcoming and modern.
6. Frameless or Traditional?
While it’s true that framed mirrors add another dimension of style, they are also bulkier. They can also take up more surface area, which can be an issue if you’re pressed for space. And don’t forget that unframed mirrors are currently the trend due to their clean and minimalistic look.
Fortunately, should you purchase an unframed piece and change your mind down the road, frames can be bought and added separately to form a custom design for that bathroom style-up project!
Frameless mirrors are great space savers. They’re unique and modern. They also tend to be cheaper so that can be great for those working with strict budgets.
This style of mirror works well for modern homes. Or homes with more minimalist features.
Framed mirrors are more traditional. They can become statement pieces that draw the eye of any guest.
Sometimes you can find a great piece at an antique store. With some customisation of this piece, you can transport your room to another level. Just remember, because of their inherent uniqueness these mirrors are more expensive and can be larger. Which might not work for every space. Simple frames may be a good middle ground. Find a frame that is smaller, with one or two unique design features. These mirrors will draw the eye but not be ostentatious. And can still lend a modern feel to your space.
7. Go Oblong, circle or curved
Oblong mirrors are beautiful, unique and on trend. If your bathroom has a pedestal sink, consider an oblong or round mirror! This shape leads to more wall space. Which means you can add some great lighting or even decorations that match the rest of your bathroom’s style.
Curved mirrors are beautiful pieces that lend a certain zen to any space. Find ones with simple frames like we mentioned above, and you’ll be well on your way to a beautiful, peaceful room.
Speaking of shapes, just because rectangular mirrors are the norm doesn’t mean you’re forced to follow suit. A round mirror can be a great way to bring some curves into an otherwise straight-lined room, ensuring a soft touch and relaxed mood.
A round mirror can also be a great companion piece for a pedestal basin, as the curved lines between the two can ensure a visual link. In addition, circular designs leave more negative space around the ‘corners’ than rectangular ones, if you’re doing anything possible to avoid a cramped look.
Obviously that bathroom mirror needs to enhance a practical layout, but consider where windows are located. If the mirror can reflect a window, that will mean additional natural lighting for the bathroom, which can bring out the best in every other design feature you include in the space. You may feel limited by outlets or wall sconces, but luckily a mirror can be custom cut to ensure perfect dimensions for your bathroom space.
Even the simplest of home décor stores can provide a selection of bathroom mirrors with great additional features.
- Storage: Vanity cabinets with mirrored fronts are available in both traditional and modern styles. Even though a mounted box vanity cabinet is usually traditional in style, modern designs are often created with sunken cabinets that are completely invisible when closed. Both are ideal options if you require a little more storage space for those endless amounts of bathroom goodies.
- Lighting: Mirrors with built-in lighting are perfect for cosmetic reasons, with the lights ensuring extra glow so you can see what you will really look like when out and about. Remember that these need to be hardwired into the bathroom, for which a licensed electrician is definitely recommended.
Remember, when picking your new mirrors, that you find a piece that will coordinate well with the rest of your bathroom’s aesthetic. In the end, the choice comes down to your personal style and your bathroom’s space.