Create an ideabook for your next remodeling project!
Browse more than 1,000,000 photos from top designers and save your favorites
15 Ways a Mirror Can Light Up Your Morning
Reflect a Chic Look With (If Not In) Your Bathroom Mirror
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design is collected, not decorated, and that homes should always be as comfortable and functional as they are chic. In addition to writing for Houzz, I work as the Head Copywriter for Layla Grayce and Zinc Door.
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design... More »
A mirror tends to be one of those bathroom givens, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it doesn’t deserve extra thought. Bathroom mirrors can do much more than provide a spot to check your reflection: They can enhance the space, be a design element themselves, pull the room together, and much more.
Plus, it’s not just the mirror itself you should consider, but also the benefits of the right presentation. Before you go out and pick up the first mirror you see, consider a few of the following thoughts. Even if you’re not so pleased with the bedhead staring back at you at 6 a.m., at least you’ll be happy with the mirror!
Plus, it’s not just the mirror itself you should consider, but also the benefits of the right presentation. Before you go out and pick up the first mirror you see, consider a few of the following thoughts. Even if you’re not so pleased with the bedhead staring back at you at 6 a.m., at least you’ll be happy with the mirror!
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Use mirrors to designate different areas. If space allows for it, set up a vanity separate from the sink, and use mirrors to help designate different areas. You’ll appreciate having these separate spots, especially if you share the bathroom. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Frame a smaller section of a larger mirror. Instead of hanging a smaller framed mirror, mirror the entire backsplash of your vanity and then frame a smaller section. The larger mirror will amplify your space, and the frame is a chic addition that adds visual interest. Note: a Lucite Philippe Stark Ghost Chair is a great complement to this look; it almost fades away, letting the eye focus on the vanity. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Flank your mirror with side lighting. Install fixtures on both sides of your mirror versus overhead. Side-lit mirrors provide even lighting on your face, whereas overhead lighting can create shadows. |
Consider a recessed mirror. This option is great for giving the vanity added dimension, as well as providing a ledge for chic accessories (or, in the everyday world, toothbrushes!).
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Repurpose traditional cupboards for the medicine cabinet. There is no rule that says every medicine cabinet must follow the same staid style. Instead, refinish kitchen cupboards with a mirrored face for above the vanity. Great for storage, even better for the overall aesthetic.
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Put your mirror on a track. This is a clever idea, and actually the first I’ve seen it. By putting your mirror on a track, you can use it off to the side while someone else is occupying the sink. When small spaces are shared, solutions like this will definitely make for smoother mornings.
by Kerrie L. Kelly
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Reflect elements of the bathroom. Frame your mirror in a material used elsewhere in the bathroom to create a harmony within the space. The tiling on this mirror can be seen on the side of the bath, connecting the two elements.
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Break the rules. Who said you must have a mirror above the sink? If your sink falls in the center of your bathroom, a mirror above it may be interruptive to the flow of the space. Instead, hang a full-length mirror on the wall that’s appropriately lit. Perfect for wardrobe changes.
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Make up for small space above the sink. This is another reason to put a full-length mirror in your bathroom. Sometimes the space above the sink simply does not allow for a large mirror. Make up for it with a full-length mirror; try a large-scale freestanding one like this for added glamour. |
by Celia James
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Choose mirrored storage units. Again, similar to the previous idea, if your mirror above the sink is small, sneak mirrors into the space in creative ways. When you mirror storage units, it will make the space look bigger and offer great storage. Plus, it’s a classic piece; you’ll use it forever.
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Don’t forget the shaving mirror. If your mirror doesn’t stretch across the entire countertop, add a shaving mirror to the space where a larger mirror is lacking. That small of an addition immediately makes that area functional.
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Mount light fixtures directly on the mirror. This requires installing wires and mounting blocks in the wall behind the mirror and carefully cutting into the mirror itself, but the result is a seamless.
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Sneak storage in between your mirrors. If you’re not feeling the medicine cabinet look but are still vying for storage, designate an area in between your double vanity mirrors for a built-in. Best of both worlds. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| When in doubt, go floor to ceiling. It’s chic, sophisticated, and will magnify the entire space.
More: Browse bathroom mirrors |
Ideabook updated on May 30, 2011.
What are you working on?
News From Our Partners
Latest Ideabooks
People found the photos in this ideabook after searching for:
For the illusion of space, use of the floor to ceiling mirrors are tempting BUT I wonder if maintenance might be a nightmare. :)
http://brightboldbeautiful.blogspot.com/2010/12/best-of-2010-mirrors-and-chandeliers.html
Jacobs Design, Inc.
http://www.jerryjacobsdesign.com