10 Statement-Making Mirror Styles for the Bath

Framed in carved wood, warm brass or Venetian detailing, these bathroom mirrors are lovely to wake up to

Laura Gaskill October 2, 2016

Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Get The Simple List, my short & sweet weekly email: https://www.lauragaskill.com/thesimplelist/

Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More

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Why settle for a standard-issue mirror when the alternatives are so beautiful? Swapping out a plain wall mirror or medicine cabinet in favor of something with more presence is a budget-friendly way to make over the bathroom or powder room without investing in a full remodel. From chunky and rustic to intricate and refined, these 10 mirrors can make your bathroom the fairest of all.

DD Ford Construction

1. Carved wood. An uncommon carved wood mirror found at an antiques shop makes a stunning focal point in this bathroom. Of course, yours doesn’t need to be antique to make an impact — any mirror with a substantial carved wood frame will do wonders to warm up the bath. As long as the room has proper ventilation, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about steam damaging a wooden mirror frame, but if you’re concerned (or if it’s a pricey antique), stick with the powder room, where there’s less moisture.

Tip: If your mirror is quite wide, try hanging a pendant or a pair of pendants from the ceiling instead of the usual wall sconces to save space. Clear or tinted glass (rather than an opaque fixture) is best if it will hang in front of the mirror.

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Henrietta Southam

2. Driftwood. Organic, beachy and statement-making, a great big driftwood mirror is sure to become the focal point of the room. Look for one that is about three-quarters as wide as the vanity, with a nice thick frame. It’s best if it looks a bit wild.

Driftwood 2.0: Coastal Chic

LQ SHOP

3. Venetian. Elegant and refined, a Venetian mirror makes an especially lovely choice for a small bathroom, where a mirror with an oversize frame may overwhelm the space. And remember, a bit of contrast is a good thing — pairing the curving shape of a Venetian mirror with crisp, modern fixtures creates a welcome balance.

Mirror: Anthropologie

Studio McGee

4. Bright brass. Bright, warm metal finishes like gold and brass look fresh and modern in a slim-framed mirror like the one shown here. Combine a brass mirror with a concrete sink and a low-profile faucet in black or brass for an of-the-moment look that also has staying power.

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CM Natural Designs

5. Antique brass. Less trendy than bright brass, mirrors with an antique brass finish are warm and timeless yet still current. Instead of going matchy-matchy, consider mixing things up with black fixtures, such as the oil-rubbed bronze faucets shown here.

Studio McGee

6. Tilted. Metal-framed tilted mirrors that look as though they could have been pulled from an old-time apothecary are satisfyingly simple. Work them into a traditional, modern or industrial look — this unfussy style goes with just about anything.

Mirrors: Restoration Hardware

Cara Woodhouse Interiors LLC

7. Sunburst. Cheerful and shiny, a sunburst mirror would make a fun choice for a powder room. Depending on the style of sunburst you choose, this look can read midcentury (like the one shown here), elegantly Art Deco or traditional-with-a-twist.

Mirror: Jonathan Adler

Carolyn Reyes

8. Nailhead. A shapely mirror frame accented with nailhead trim is an undeniably glamorous choice for the bathroom. Select a frame that really fills the space above the vanity (but does not extend beyond the edges) for a bold look.

True Design Studios

9. Nautically inspired. Simple round mirrors hung from rope bring to mind a ship’s portholes. A nice choice for a crisp, modern space or any home near the sea, these round mirrors look equally smart as a single or in a pair above a double sink.

Make a Custom Nautical Mirror for $30

Lindsay von Hagel

10. Mismatched cluster. Want a creative, economical way to fill up a large wall space over a double-width vanity? Try hanging a collection of small mirrors as you might hang a salon-style art wall. Aim for a mix of frame shapes and finishes for an eclectic look, and fill in any awkward gaps with tiny mirrors.

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