Here's another inspiration photo with the makeup mirrors on the same wall as the larger mirrors. Which side (mirror) would you be more likely to use? The one on the right or the one on the left? Does it matter if you are left-handed or right-handed? I will have just one sink on the vanity but can place the makeup mirror to the left or right on the same wall as the larger electric lighted mirror. No other wall lights are planned.

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What is the layout of your bathroom?

I had one in a previous house and loved it. It was mounted on the side wall. Extremely handy for putting up makeup, plus could use it in combination with main mirror to check the back of my hair.

I don’t have one (yet) but when I travel, I appreciate them on a side wall so they’re closer to my face to apply makeup.

cpartist: The bathroom is in the planning stages. It is likely that the vanity will be on a wall by itself and may be against a sidewall on the right-hand side. Here's a rendering of the "vanity wall" except that I plan to have a vanity with legs that sit on the floor, LED lights will be integrated into the mirrors, and there will be a backsplash between the countertop and bottom of the mirror. I'm using FloorPlanner software for the drawings and can't always get it to draw exactly what I want.

Here's another vote to have the makeup mirror on the side wall. I'm short, and if a mirror in a hotel is on a back wall, it's too far away for me. I have a makeup mirror that's in the door of the medicine cabinet that's on the side wall of my bathroom;

I had one in a previous home - mounted on the side wall. You need to get up close to the mirror - I think that would be difficult with it mounted on the back wall.

Why does a "secondary" bath need a make up mirror? It probably doesn't ......especially if the other major mirror is lit. Provide a nice hand held magnifier mirror. You don't need TWO hands for most make up application : )

I'd skip it, unless your own master bath.

Usually I agree with Jan Moyer, but if this bath is used by guests or extra space for family the mirror is appreciated and does’t take up much space.

If you want to see the back of your head (to check your hairstyle, apply hair color) you need to put it on the side wall. A handheld mirror will not be useful if you need two hands to work on your hair.

I travel for business and stay at many hotels. A makeup mirror is highly appreciated, so have one for your guests, too - if you can.

I guess I am fairly low maintenance - given I have trimmed the get gorgeous thing to about ten minutes max . Can almost do it blindfolded except for eye make up: )

I like them sitting on the counter since if you have a make up area you usually sit to apply make up. I sure do not expect to have one in a hotel or B&B

@Jan Moyer - I’m not surprised you are low maintenance. As a hairdresser’s daughter I have always put a mirror opposite the main bathroom one so I can see the back of my hair. Trained from a young age, I guess.

I prefer it on the side wall if there is no stool at a counter where you can sit the makeup mirror. At camp the guest bathroom has it hung on the left wall, at home there is a bench with a counter top mirror in the guest bath.

I have ours on the side wall - super easy access but can also fold it up and get it out of the way! Love it!

I have mine on the side wall. That way the full-sized mirror in front is unobstructed.

I bought a standing one that plugs in b/c I was so tired of changing batteries. It's pretty unobtrusive.

She's talking about hard wired : ) permanent install. No batteries

The bathroom is used by my young adult son who would use the magnifying mirror for shaving. The mirror would be on an articulating arm, so it can be pulled forward if it is against the back wall. Whether it is on the side wall or back wall, I still want to avoid having the magnifying mirror block the larger mirror -- so need to plan ahead.

In this inspiration photo below, the magnifying mirror is on the side wall but still blocks the primary mirror, and there is no place to hang towels.

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If I put the magnifying mirror on the side wall, would it look too cluttered to hang a hand towel there as well?

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Based on your comments, I'd make sure the mirror is on the sidewall so you have plenty of room to look closely into it. Here is my bathroom vanity. Obviously not your style but you can see I hung the mirror on the left side closer to the front edge of the vanity. I hung the towel bar behind it. I like it where it is because it gives me a perfect view of my not perfect face.

cpartist, can you tell me the height of your hand towel bars? I read that the magnifying mirror (about 8-inch height) is typically centered at 58 inches from the finished floor (or at eye level for the user) if intended to be used while standing. My son is taller than average -- his eye level is at 69 inches. Your makeup mirror would be too low for him.

I read that the vanity (including countertop) is typically at 36 inches from the finished floor, and the hand towel bar is typically centered at 48 inches from the finished floor. That would place the magnifying mirror above the hand towel bar.

In my downstairs bathroom (remodeled in 2015) the hand towel bar was set (by the GC's relative) at 54 inches from the finished floor. I feel like I'm getting too picky about these things, but if I don't say what I want, some random person working on the job will make a decision for me.

I know it’s quite a bit since this post but did a search and this one came up where did you end up putting it how far away from the vanity mirror and how high up?

This IS an old one! I opted to go the adjacent wall (mirror in front, makeup mirror on the right) as my vanity mirror is oversized (also love that). I’m also tall -5’10” so ensured the placement was taller for me - I didn’t want to have to slouch to use it. The mirror also pulls out and adjusts which works well. Honestly such a personal choice! Thanks for asking - are you getting ready to install one?? LOVE mine!

Yes but I’m a shortie. Thanks so much for responding

Then you do the same - but lower!! lol

@jmobg1 - I’m short too. When we were installing mine on the side wall near my vanity, I had to direct my tall husband as to where the bracket should go so I could pull the arm out and have the mirror near my head. (There is a full wall mirror in front of the vanity.)

That’s exactly what I did today fingers crossed it will be fine when vanity mirror and cabinets go in. Thanks so much!and mirror

Sorry for typo 😊

I'm the OP, and (2 years later, long story) the mirror has not been installed yet. I am planning to have the mirror installed on the side wall, which will be to the left of the vanity. The mirror needs to be mounted to a stud, either close to the corner or 16 inches farther away. (See attached Houzz photos.)

Instead of a 42"x42" vanity mirror, I am planning for a 42" W by 36" H vanity mirror over a single-sink 54" wide vanity. The hand towel bar that I purchased is a 9" rectangular bar, as in the 2nd Houzz photo attached. A medicine cabinet is currently in that space. It will be removed and dry-walled over.

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Great thanks so much!