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motupeg

Replacing mirrors and second guessing myself

5 years ago

Hi everyone,

I have two mirrors in the master bathroom to be replaced. I need help with size and type of mirror. One of the mirrors has the grey filming around the edges that is caused by humidity. I can't frame the mirror due to the scallop edges on the top of both mirrors. (I am attaching the pictures of the mirrors)

We are selling next spring and our realtor said to replace them. I am in Silicon Valley and people often want a home or townhouse that is 'move in ready'. The townhouse was built in 2008.

The mirrors are over 48" vanities. The mirror above the vanity next to the toilet covers the entire wall and has a cut out for the electrical outlet. (To replace it is close to $700.) I would like to replace it with a smaller mirror.

To have a mirror to the right of the outlet and centered on the sink, it needs to be 42" wide. I have read two schools of thought here. One is the mirror can be 4 to 6 inches shorter than the vanity and the other is that the mirror needs to be 1 to 2 inches shorter than the vanity.

If I go with a 42" mirror, what type of mirror should I get? It was recommended to me by a friend to just get a plain mirror as we will be selling the home. I was thinking of beveled which to me gives the mirror some character as it would look framed. This type of mirror is beveled on 3 sides according to a local glass company as it is installed with a J? bar. Should the mirror sit on the granite ledge or be above it several inches as is seen in more modern styles.

I read that the mirror should be 3 inches below the light fixture (Lamp shade) and the current is


about 60 tall. The sink tops, tub surround and floor are all granite.

Does anyone have an opinion?

Thank you in advance.

Comments (22)

  • 5 years ago

    Mirrors do visually expand the space, so I'd keep them large and simple. You could use a beveled edge mirror the same size that you have over the alcove sink, and on the toilet side, use a mirror that runs straight up from the vanity back splash side to a few inches below your light fixture. Both without frames. Have the electrical outlet moved. Honestly though, I don't think anyone is going to buy or not buy based on your mirror. I'd put your budget into a new light fixture instead. Someone may like the wavy design.

    motupeg thanked calidesign
  • 5 years ago

    Instead of replacing the mirrors you could add wood molding around the perimeter of both and paint it the same color as the other molding/trim in the room. This would hide the wavy edges and give the mirror a more formal look. It is an inexpensive change.

  • 5 years ago

    Perhaps the glass company could cut it off at the end of the vanity and reinstall it with the j bar. But my guess is that the realtor is suggesting you just get a framed mirror like you can purchase at various price points at home stores. Perhaps you could get clarification from them since your main concern seems to be what will help the resell.

    motupeg thanked Mary Stone
  • 5 years ago

    I would buy a framed mirror.

    Vista Brushed Nickel Beveled Bathroom Wall Mirror - 40.25 x 28.25 in. · More Info


    motupeg thanked houssaon
  • 5 years ago

    Put a new, simple or framed, mirror over the entire vanity. Do not put a mirror over the toilet…no man needs to watch himself pee. Put a shallow storage cabinet over the toilet unless you think you will constantly be knocking things into the toilet. In that case, a glassed and framed piece of art might be more interesting.

    motupeg thanked felizlady
  • 5 years ago

    I’m in Silicon Valley and, given the current real estate market, I’m surprised that the agent is asking you to spend any money at all on this. With sales going for hundreds of thousands over asking price, let the new owners deal with this. If your agent pushes back, get a new agent.

  • 5 years ago

    Thank you Ikloes, you gave me a new and valuable piece of information.

  • 5 years ago

    Felix, you are funny, but so true! If I get a mirror, a smaller one it would be with a picture.

  • 5 years ago

    Mary, I will check with him.

  • 5 years ago

    Yes, a possibility but the damage is on the bottom and right side. I will check on the framed mirror.

  • 5 years ago

    That was for Mary.

  • 5 years ago

    Freda, the waves on top are different heights up to 3”, and the space for a frame at the bottom is an inch. I looked at this and couldn’t think of how to make it work.

  • 5 years ago

    Cal design, you are the bronze fixtures are a bit harsh, but all the bathroom lights have them, along with the chandelier and railing on the stairs. I’ll ask about a smaller size mirror.

  • 5 years ago

    Yes, the bronze fixtures...

  • 5 years ago

    Check out pivot mirrors❣️They come in all sizes and shapes: oval, square, rectangle. I purchased 2 Minka Lavery pivot mirrors for my 2 small bathrooms that I love❣️Find a shape you like and cut out some paper of the mirror shape and tape it to the area you want the mirror, to see how it would look.

    motupeg thanked kculbers
  • 5 years ago

    Not sure why you think more storage is needed. Since your plan is to sale the property, I would not not be overly concerned with adding more storage. Hide the excess products/items in another area during open houses and walk throughs and let the new owners deal with that if it s a problem for them.

  • 5 years ago

    Is there room over the toilet? Maybe you could put one of those moveable storage shelves in the coordinating finish as the light fixture or sink faucet to add extra towel storage. But sometimes this emphasizes the lack of storage in the room..

  • 5 years ago

    If I were you, I would have the mirrors removed and the drywall repaired and painted. Then purchase mirrors that are sized properly for your sinks. Mirror in front of toilet area plus the scalloped edges are off-putting. You may have to pay the $700 to get it done right with electrical outlet +ground fault breaker. Pay attention to your sales person. You don't want to lose thousands if a small amount of $ will solve the problem. Don't worry about shelving. Maybe you should go to some open houses to see what kind of condition your competition is in. You should try to be better.

    motupeg thanked ashtonchic
  • 5 years ago

    Another thing to think about is that removing the mirror may cause additional damage to the wall behid it and/or disclose wholes or missing sheetrock. This will require additional repair work (more money). Just think about how much money you are willing to invest to resolve this issue.

    motupeg thanked FREDA HICKS
  • 5 years ago

    @motuoeg, most homes are being sold “as is” in this market. Please don’t waste your money.

    motupeg thanked lkloes
  • 5 years ago

    A hot real estate market has different rules (as in “There are none.”) Talk to other realtors and find out if your price will change significantly higher if you go through this mirror-replacement headache. People getting out-bid on houses for months will not care about your mirrors. Declutter, reduce furniture as much as possible, trim and mulch the garden and put up a For Sale sign. Many, many markets are like that now, so reconsider the whole project and talk to three more realtors.

    motupeg thanked RedRyder