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BATHROOM MIRROR BUYING GUIDE
Your bathroom mirror is the focal point of your bathroom vanity, offering a clear view of yourself and the room around you. When it comes to modernizing your interior design, choosing the right bathroom mirror is an essential step. You need the right mirror shape and size for your bathroom design.
In this bathroom mirror buying guide, we’ll detail the perfect mirror styles for different bathrooms. You’ll learn which aspects of mirrors are most important when making your selection. Consider these factors as you navigate the reflective world of decorative mirrors.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE PERFECT MIRROR FOR YOUR BATHROOM: WHERE TO BEGIN
When starting the search for your bathroom mirror, you must consider what’s important to you regarding home decor and design. Each mirror will reflect different design aesthetics, from minimalist mirror styles to industrial-style freestanding floor mirrors. Consider these factors as you shop our wide collection of bathroom wall mirrors.
Mirror Size
It might seem obvious, but the size of your mirror is vital when curating the perfect bathroom in your home. Large mirrors are best suited for spacious bathrooms with plenty of wall space. On the other hand, small mirrors are great accents for narrow vanities and smaller bathrooms.
Mirror Style and Shape
Your mirror’s style adds personality to your space. Think about the design elements you want to incorporate into your bathroom. From glamorous LED mirrors to modern frameless mirrors, you have a wide variety of options at Vintage Tub & Bath.
Mirror shape also matters. Square mirrors make a bathroom with rectangular vanities and sink designs more cohesive, while round mirrors accent curved sinks and bathroom decor without sharp edges. You can also opt for oval mirrors, which save wall space.
Reflectiveness and Glass Quality
High-quality bathroom mirrors will be reflective and clear without distorting the shape or thickness of the items or people in their field of view. Look for mirrors that are extremely flat and that are copper-free for high-reflectivity. The surface should be completely even to avoid minor distortions. You want an accurate view of yourself when you use your bathroom mirror for grooming and hygiene purposes.
Installation Type
Wall-mounted mirrors attach to the wall and hang above your bathroom sink and vanity. Freestanding mirrors can be set up anywhere in your bathroom, and they’re easy to move if you ever want to adjust your bathroom layout and decor.
Many homeowners choose wall-mounted mirrors for a cohesive, modern, organized look and feel. However, freestanding mirrors that lean against the wall can add personality, charm, and uniqueness to your bathroom. You can even have both.
MEASURING FOR YOUR MIRROR
This section of our mirror buying guide is all about measurements. Make sure you gather accurate measurements before you purchase a bathroom wall mirror. There needs to be plenty of space on the wall, and the mirror you choose should be proportionate to your bathroom furniture. Different shapes may require slightly different measurements.
Here are some basic criteria for your bathroom wall mirror placement:
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4 to 10 inches above the vanity
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At least 2/3 the height of the vanity
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A margin of 4 inches or less than the vanity’s width
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Wider than the sink
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Proportional to the placement of any light fixtures
Following these tips in our mirror buying guide will keep your bathroom wall mirror from overwhelming the room or looking unbalanced compared to your other fixtures. Keep in mind that the lighting in your bathroom may limit the mirror height you can get away with.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to measuring (in inches) for your new mirror:
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Measure and record the height of your vanity
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Measure and record the width of your vanity (including the sink)
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Measure and record the width of just the sink
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Measure and record the available wall space above the vanity
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Calculate what 2/3 of your vanity’s height is
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Subtract 4 inches from your vanity’s width
Use the last two measurements to determine the minimum height and width of your new mirror. These proportions will give your bathroom vanity the most balanced look without distracting from other decor.
TYPES OF MIRRORS
Many people use mirrors for beauty and aesthetics in addition to functionality. There are numerous types of mirrors to choose from, giving you flexibility and versatility when designing your bathroom. From your choice of frame materials to creative mirror shapes and different mirror materials, you can customize the look you create for your space using our mirror buying guide.
Mirrors by Frame Type
Bathroom mirrors can either be framed or frameless. In this mirror buying guide, we’ll detail both types to give you a better idea of what you’re looking for.
Framed Mirrors
As the name suggests, framed mirrors have a metal or wooden frame around the perimeter. Most mirror frames will be decorated with a certain finish, giving it some shine and perhaps adding color to the mirror.
Frameless Mirrors
Frameless mirrors are perfect for a minimalist modern bathroom design. They only feature reflective glass, with no frame around the perimeter. These vanity mirrors keep the viewer’s eye on the other focal points of the bathroom, including the vanity itself and your chosen wall decor.
MIRRORS BY SHAPE
The three most common mirror shapes are oval, round, and square.
Oval Mirrors
Oval mirrors are more oblong and elongated than round mirrors, which are often perfectly circular. These are narrower and tend to take up less wall space than round mirrors. They can add an air of antiquity and traditionalism to your bathroom space since oval mirrors were a quintessential element of bathroom design in the early 1900s.
Round Mirrors
Round mirrors are more modern than oval mirrors and contribute a softer balance for your bathroom vanity and sink. If you have rounded bathroom sink edges, a round mirror can accent this shape perfectly.
Square Mirrors
Square mirrors work best with other angular fixtures, like rectangular bathroom sinks. You can also opt for rectangular mirrors, which have more height than width. Square and rectangular mirrors are versatile and can fit in with almost any bathroom design.
MIRRORS BY MATERIAL
There are a surprising number of materials used to make different mirror styles. The material you choose should fit cohesively with your other bathroom decor and the visual textures your bathroom features.
However, you have flexibility with this if you want your mirror to be the central focus of your bathroom vanity setup. A mirror material that stands out from the rest of your decor can add a unique charm to your bathroom all on its own.
Copper Mirrors
Copper mirrors feature a rustic aesthetic and are great for “controlled ruggedness” in bathroom spaces. They’re eclectic and bring a unique texture to any bathroom, thanks to the natural properties of solid copper. Over time, your copper mirror may change color as it reacts with oxygen, making this a transformative mirror material for your bathroom.
Glass Mirrors
Glass mirrors are the gold standard in bathroom design. They’re clear and reflect natural light, brightening any bathroom space they adorn. Minimalist decor pairs extremely well with frameless glass mirrors, thanks to the lack of distracting frame materials.
Metal Mirrors
Metal mirrors offer a contemporary look. These frames also fit well with industrial-style decor, featuring shiny metal that holds up over time. Metal mirror frames are also easy to clean and won’t tarnish easily if taken care of properly.
Solid Wood Mirrors
Solid wood mirrors bring a vintage look to your bathroom. Depending on the type of wood you go with, you can either add a light and airy feel to your vanity or solidify your antique aesthetic with a dark-stained wooden mirror frame.
Terrazzo Mirrors
Terrazzo mirrors are unique in that they incorporate multiple visuals into one set pattern. Terrazzo blends flakes and chips of several materials, like granite and marble, into one composite setting to offer a one-of-a-kind look. If you want to add texture to your bathroom, a terrazzo mirror might be the way to go.
LED MIRRORS
Thanks to the powerful bulbs present either on the mirror’s surface or its back edges, LED mirrors brighten any bathroom. Many modern glam bathroom designs feature LED mirrors because they add an air of luxury and pampering to the space.
Homeowners may choose LED mirrors for functional reasons as well. Maybe you don’t get much natural light in your bathroom, so you need an illuminating mirror as you get ready for the day. You can also opt for an LED mirror simply for the ambiance it provides to your space.
ANTI-FOG MIRRORS
Has a hot shower or steaming bath ever fogged up your bathroom mirror? This is an annoying problem that many homeowners face while getting ready in the morning or winding down for the evening.
Anti-fog mirrors come with built-in heating elements that clear moisture and humidity from the mirror’s surface, preventing that dreaded fog from taking over. This is a great choice if your bathroom’s ventilation doesn’t prevent fog from building up on your current mirror.
FINISH AND MATERIAL OPTIONS
Your mirror’s finish contributes to your bathroom’s overall aesthetic. The frame finish can be shiny, polished, matte, or anything in between.
Our current mirror finish options include:
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Antique brushed silver
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Antique silver
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Black
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Brown copper
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Brushed nickel
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Brushed silver
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Chrome
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Glass
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Gold leaf
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Gold leaf/black
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Gray
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Gray terrazzo
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Light oak
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Matte black
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Matte black/brushed silver
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Medium copper
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Satin nickel
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Silver
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Stainless steel
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Walnut
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Walnut veneer
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White
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White terrazzo
As you can see, you have a multitude of finishes to choose from for your mirror. Perhaps you’ll pick a multi-colored frame or go with a simple solid finish. No matter what you choose, your bathroom will come together wonderfully.
When choosing the perfect mirror finish, consider your overall bathroom decor. What general style are you aiming for? What colors do you plan to incorporate? Choose the finish that best accents your other bathroom fixtures.
PRICE
Our high-quality mirrors range in price from $96 to $1,825. Whether you’re looking for a high-end luxury mirror or an affordable option with LED lights, we’re here to deliver. We cater to different budgets and price points so you can find the perfect mirror for your bathroom.
Some factors that affect price include the mirror’s size, materials, and finish. Larger mirrors typically cost more than smaller mirrors. However, smaller mirrors with luxurious finishes and high-quality glass can quickly become expensive, too.
We have a range of affordable options with anti-fog features and LED lights, among other desirable mirror features. Find your perfect bathroom mirror at Vintage Tub & Bath.
ACCENT YOUR BATHROOM WITH THE PERFECT MIRROR FROM VINTAGE TUB & BATH
The details of your bathroom renovation matter. Our mirror buying guide is here to make choosing the perfect mirror easier.
Pick out the perfect mirror from Vintage Tub & Bath using our mirror buying guide to accent your space and create a luxurious bathing and showering oasis for you and your family. Speak with one of our bathroom mirror specialists to start your mirror search with expertise today.
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