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janel5000

Guidance needed. -Big Vanity Mirror vs 2 little vanity mirrors

29 days ago

I would really appreciate some design advice regarding a bathroom alcove. My goal is to create an elegant, classic bathroom in a New England style home but I have limitations since my dual sinks (21 in) are only 3 inches from the wall and have a 23 3/4 space in between. The vanity is 68 inches wall to wall. Fixtures are chrome. Ceiling height is 99 inches. Will 1 - 60x40 mirror look dated in a few years? Thank you in advance. I really appreciate it!


Comments (18)

  • 29 days ago
    last modified: 29 days ago

    not a pro, I like more mirror than less so would do one large framed mirror with a light above each sink since there is not room for sconces

    janel5000 thanked la_la Girl
  • 29 days ago

    I appreciate it!


  • 29 days ago

    I am not a pro, but we just did one large mirror with a cutout for the electric plug with a mirror plate. The mirror company will do that for you.I agree. The mirror company will cutout for the light switch and will put in a mirrored plate on the electric plug.

    janel5000 thanked motupeg
  • 29 days ago

    Sorry for the typo, my IPad loses the screen as I type.

    janel5000 thanked motupeg
  • 29 days ago

    I would fill the space with no framed edge... custom fit to the wall.

    single mirrors centered over each sink if you want individual mirrors. You already have a 4" backsplash included in your countertop, so a pretty tile is out.

    IF possible, a sconce light between the two would be a great option, either embedded into the mirror or between two separate framed mirrors. the are between the sinks would be a nice spot for a vanity tray or tall vase for a plant or flowers.

    janel5000 thanked Lyn Nielson
  • 29 days ago

    1 full size mirror, especially in an alcove like that.

    janel5000 thanked millworkman
  • PRO
    29 days ago

    One mirror wall to wall and IMO no frame

    janel5000 thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
  • 29 days ago

    Thank you all for your guidance. I REALLY APPRECIATE your thoughts!


  • 29 days ago

    I did full wall to wall to ceiling mirrors in a recent build and floated sconces thru them in 2 different baths - fwiw I don’t love that look with vanity lights at the top as the fixtures can seem to float a bit awkwardly unless scaled very nicely (just my opinion)


    - the look is very clean and finished, takes a bit of coordination between electrical and custom mirror folks but often worth it

    janel5000 thanked la_la Girl
  • PRO
    29 days ago
    last modified: 29 days ago

    Classic New England Style Gets an Update

    Before

    BOW Granite State · More Info


    After

    BOW Granite State · More Info


    https://www.houzz.com/magazine/bathroom-of-the-week-classic-new-england-style-gets-an-update-stsetivw-vs~178193928

    janel5000 thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
  • PRO
    janel5000 thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
  • 29 days ago

    With only 3 inches from the wall to the sink edge on either side, you really don't have room for sconces so you could either do 2 separate mirrors with a fixture over each or a wall to wall frameless with a long light bar over the top, which would be my choice.

    janel5000 thanked katinparadise
  • 29 days ago

    area is small. too make most impact get custom frameless mirror cut to cover entire wall. one large linear vanity light on top ( into mirror). outlets can be places on both walls at each end

    janel5000 thanked marhop
  • 29 days ago

    My vanity is very much the same with the sinks located very close to the outer edges of the vanity. Because of that, I couldn't center individual mirrors over the sinks unless the mirrors were very slender and I didn't mind a large gap between. Therefore, I chose one large mirror.

    janel5000 thanked melindas1977
  • PRO
    29 days ago

    For this alcove, I would lean toward one larger mirror rather than two small ones.


    With a 68-inch wall-to-wall vanity, a 60-inch mirror would leave about 4 inches on each side, which usually feels intentional rather than oversized. Because the sinks are only 3 inches from the side walls and the gap between them is limited, two separate mirrors may start to feel cramped and can make the wall look busier.


    A single large framed mirror can still feel classic in a New England-style bathroom if the frame is simple: polished nickel, chrome, soft silver, or a restrained painted frame would all work with your chrome fixtures. I would avoid a very trendy heavy black frame if your goal is timeless.


    For lighting, since side sconces may be difficult with your sink placement, consider either a clean linear bath light above the mirror or two well-proportioned lights above the sink zones. I would look for 3000K, CRI 90+, damp-rated fixtures so skin tone and bathroom finishes read naturally.


    From a production/QC point of view, also check the mirror backing, hanging hardware, frame moisture resistance and whether the glass has a clean safety backing. Those details matter more in a bathroom than people expect.

    janel5000 thanked yuoutech
  • 29 days ago

    Question for you - if your sinks are only 3" from the side walls, do they meet the code requirement that the center of sink must be no less than 15" from side wall? The minimum distance between the center (drain) of double sinks is 30" - just thought that you might want to double check how far the drain is from the side wall.




    janel5000 thanked dani_m08
  • 28 days ago

    Thank you VERY much. I believe the first 21 inch sink starts 3 inches away from the wall, then there is roughly a 24 inch space between the next 21 inch sink and then another 3 inches to the wall. The plumber didn't flag it. Thank you again for your kindness. I really appreciate it!