8 Bathroom Mirror Ideas: Expert picks and tips
A mirror is one of the most vital parts of a bathroom. You use it for shaving, applying skin care products, flossing, and even makeup. They also add some zest to your bathroom decoration.
A good mirror is not only pleasing to the eye but also functional. So, we have pitched some great ideas to help you make an informed decision.
Eight Bathroom Mirror Ideas
Here are eight bathroom mirror ideas for different kinds of bathrooms.
Cabinet Mirrors
Cabinet mirrors. The name is self-explanatory. These are just medicine cabinets like those you would find in a standard apartment bathroom, but the panes/doors are made of mirrored glass.
As a result, they are pretty good for placing in smaller bathrooms where you don’t have much space for placing cabinets. A cabinet mirror helps you capitalize on the little space you have.
You can use it to store your makeup kit safely and do your makeup. Cabinet mirrors are efficient at that. So, if that is your use case, cabinet mirrors are perfect for you.
You may also want to look at other methods of maximizing your space as well.
Since the very design philosophy of cabinet mirrors is based on “Function over form,” they are not very stylish or beautiful. They don’t look ugly or bad, but if you desire stylish mirrors that add to the looks of your bathroom, cabinet mirrors are not the correct choice.
LED Mirrors
Lighted mirrors or Hollywood mirrors are really popular among people who do a lot of makeup. Traditional lighted mirrors have big bulbs on their perimeter that cast light on your entire body while eliminating shadows. However, they do not suit bathrooms as they are designed for dressing rooms.
That’s where LED mirrors come in. These mirrors are less bulky than traditional Hollywood mirrors. That’s because they have LED lights behind the glass. This does mean that the glass is thicker, but it also means you get a lighted mirror in a smart form factor.
These mirrors are usually frameless and don’t have many style or design features, often coming in simple rectangle shapes. They look sleek and let you apply makeup without using additional sources of light. So, if you are a makeup enthusiast and do it in your bathroom, lighted mirrors are perfect for you.
Brands like Lumina Pro, IKEA, and Lumi Design have a lot of affordable options for LED mirrors. So, you can order the most suitable and affordable (yet high-quality) mirrors for your bathroom.
Frameless Mirrors
Frameless mirrors are a nice fit in almost any bathroom. Because they are frameless, they don’t have any designs, patterns, or coloring that can clash with the rest of your bathroom.
People spend a lot of time and money perfecting their bathroom coloring and design because it is a place where you do a lot of stuff. Showering, doing makeup, and skin care are all things that people typically do in their bathrooms.
So, the interior decor is important to them. Unfortunately, mirrors are something that is hard to match with the rest of the theme. The only real option is to get a custom mirror made which can be extremely expensive.
In this case, frameless mirrors are great because they fit with everything. So, if you are having trouble finding the perfect mirror for your bathroom, try going frameless.
Pivoting Mirrors
Pivoting mirrors are a special type of mirror that can pivot on an axis. The movement is vertical rather than horizontal. So you can angle them to look at your lower body, or if you are tall, you can angle them up to look at your upper body and face.
Unlike cabinet mirrors, you are not limited to just “function.” Pivoting mirrors come in stylish finishes. You can get them in wooden, plastic, or even metal frames.
They are well-suited for narrow bathrooms where you don’t have a lot of room to back up and look at your lower body. They are also helpful if you have children because you can simply pivot the mirror down to let them see their reflection.
Just make sure not to get a cheap pivoting mirror as their axles are fragile and prone to breaking.
Wall Mirror
Wall mirrors are exactly what their name suggests; an entire wall is made of mirrors. Wall mirrors are also known as “Floor-to-Ceiling” mirrors. They look good in most settings regardless of bathroom size and design.
You can check out your entire self on a wall mirror without having to pivot it or move back. Plus they make the space look larger.
However, there is one caveat. They are almost always custom-made. You can buy mirror tiles that cover your walls, but some of the tiles will need to be cut down in certain shapes and sizes to fit your particular wall.
You can do that yourself if you have the tools and know-how, otherwise, you will have to shell out money for a contractor. That’s going to cost you extra. So, be mindful about that.
If you are interested in doing it yourself, then here’s a good article to get you started on your DIY project.
Wraparound Mirror
A wraparound mirror is similar to a wall mirror in that it is also placed on a wall. The difference is that instead of just one flat surface, this mirror covers multiple sides of a wall.
Unlike wall mirrors, you don’t need to cover the entire wall. They also come in different tile shapes or you can buy them ready-made. Their major draw is that they give the illusion of extra space.
This can be helpful for people who don’t like tight spaces but have to use a small bathroom.
Suspended Mirror
A suspended mirror is a type of mirror that hangs from the roof of the bathroom instead of on a wall. Suspended mirrors are useful when your bathroom walls don’t have space for a mirror.
For example, in small apartments, a window may be blocking the perfect place for a mirror in the bathroom. Nobody wants to block a window because they are required for ventilation. So, the solution is to use a suspended mirror.
Suspended mirrors have a few caveats though. Since they are suspended, an air current such as one created by your window or exhaust fan will make it move and swing. So, it is not ideal for doing sensitive things like makeup.
The swinging also makes it prone to damage because it bumps into walls and gets cracked. So, you have to be careful when using one.
Framed Mirrors
Finally, we have the classic framed mirrors. Framed mirrors look elegant and stylish. You can get a variety of designs and finishes that either match or contrast with your bathroom. They are the perfect complement to a luxurious bathroom.
They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. For example, you can get round, oval, rectangular, and even stadium-shaped framed mirrors. As for frame design, you can get wooden frames, metallic frames, and even plastic frames if you like.
Wood and metal frames have the most premium finish and are better suited for high-end bathrooms.
Framed mirrors have one problem though. Since they are usually premade, you can have trouble finding the exact design and color that goes well with your bathroom. You might have to make a compromise on that or go frameless.
On the bright side, there are tons of brands that make framed mirrors in various shapes and designs. If you are in North America, then you can check out Amazon, Lumina Pro, and Walmart. So, it is highly likely that you will find the perfect mirror. Even, if you don’t, you can get a custom one made for a slightly higher cost.
Conclusion
Everyone’s bathroom has different requirements. Depending on the space and shape of the bathroom, certain mirrors can enhance its looks and function.
We discussed eight bathroom mirror ideas for all kinds of bathroom sizes. They differed in their designs, type of mounting, and extra functions. We also covered the benefits and shortcomings of each type of mirror. Now, you can make the best decision about what kind of mirror you need to buy for your bathroom.
