When renovating a bathroom, choosing the mirror is quite often an afterthought and it shouldn’t be. We not only spend countless hours in front of this mirror but choosing the right mirror for your bathroom can compliment both its design and layout.
Let’s look at some of the mirrors available and what needs to be considered when choosing your bathroom mirror.
Size
The size of your vanity will generally dictate the size of your bathroom mirror. As a rule of thumb, the mirror should be no wider than your vanity and most often slightly more narrow and centred to sit perfectly above the vanity. Smaller sized mirrors add character to the bathroom whereas larger mirrors will create the appearance of space and reflect more light.
It is quite common for double bowl vanities to incorporate double mirrors fitted directly over each bowl although, some homeowners prefer the look of a single large mirror. Double mirrors are not limited to double bowl vanities only, large vanities with a single bowl that is positioned to either the left or right of the vanity can look great with double mirrors. On this note however, if the single bowl is positioned directly in the centre of a large vanity, a single mirror centred above the bowl or a large single mirror set above the entire vanity is best.
Style & Shape
There is no limit to the style of mirrors, from framed, frameless, beveled edged, rectangular, round, oval, you name it and it can be found. Framed mirrors should blend in with the colour scheme of the bathroom, either matching the tiles, vanity or tapware. Custom mirrors are extremely popular as they can be made to perfectly suit the design and layout of each individual bathroom. There are no hard and fast rules with mirror shapes however, large rectangular mirrors tend to suit modern style bathrooms, oval mirrors suit more traditional style bathrooms and round mirrors are the perfect compliment for minimalist and edgy styled bathrooms.
Consider what it is you want to achieve with your mirror. A different shaped mirror such as a round mirror will create a focal point in your bathroom whereas, a large rectangular mirror will blend in with the decor and create the appearance of more space and light.
Placement
The ideal placement for the mirror is directly above the sink or if using a large mirror, centred over the entire vanity. When determining the height of the mirror, consideration should be given to what the mirror will reflect, such as light and bathroom features. Although, it is important to ensure that the mirror is placed at a height that everyone in the household can use. Placing a mirror higher to suit the aesthetics of a room is useless if the shortest person in the household can barely catch a glimpse of themselves in its reflection. A mirror set too low will suffer constant splash from the sink and require extra cleaning.
Functional Mirrors
Backlit mirrors are extremely popular and serve as both a functional and decorative piece. The LED technology creates an even spread of light that aids shaving and makeup application. These mirrors can also be found with a demister function to always ensure a clear reflection. These mirrors are not only functional but create a beautiful lighting feature within the bathroom. In fact lighting is an important factor in the bathroom that is quite often overlooked. See our article Lighting Options for your Bathroom to read some great advice for your bathroom lighting.
Mirrored shaving cabinets have come a long way from the bulky units we remember from years ago. Shaving cabinets provide much valued extra storage for bathroom toiletries. They can be purchased as a matching set with the vanity or be custom made to suit your bathroom. Many shaving cabinets come with decorative shelving and undercabinet lighting to serve as both a decorative and functional piece. Mirrored shaving cabinets that are without decorative shelving can be recessed into the wall cavity, hiding the bulk of the cabinet and appear to be a mirror only creating a streamlined finish that adds to the ever important appearance of space. See our article Be Smart with your Bathroom Mirror when Renovating for more tips.
Whatever your bathroom layout or design rest assured that the perfect mirror is available to you.
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