Designing your bathroom is about more than cabinet hardware, lighting and faucets. It's also about the biggest design element in the room: Your mirror. Choosing the perfect mirror is part science and part art - but if you know what you're looking for, you'll be able to pull off a spectacular design feat in one of the most-trafficked rooms in your home.

Bathroom Mirror Basics

Bathroom mirrors are available in several sizes, shapes and styles. Knowing how to balance those features with your design theme and your personal style can make a tremendous difference in the room's ambiance - and it all starts with zeroing in on the right size.

Size Rules for Bathroom Mirrors

Always choose a mirror that's sized properly for the vanity you'll use it with. Standard bathroom mirrors are 24 inches, 30 inches and 36 inches, but they're available in all kinds of variations. You can match your mirror's width to your vanity's width or choose something that's about 6 inches smaller - but anything smaller than that may be too small for its purpose. Picking a mirror that's wider than your vanity almost always results in a clunky, awkward look, and most bathrooms aren't large enough to make up for a size faux-pas.

Bathroom mirror height is another matter, though; it's okay to choose a ceiling-high mirror if that meets your design needs. Regardless of the height you choose, center it between the ceiling and the top of the vanity, directly above the sink.

The Right Mirror Shapes for Bathrooms

Most bathrooms have rectangular mirrors, but you can always buck tradition and choose something unique. It's your space, so outfit it with an eclectic mirror that reflects your appearance and your personal style. There are several interesting, out-of-the-ordinary shapes for bathroom mirrors, including:

• Circular. Circular mirrors are modern and chic, and because they're unusual, they'll become the bathroom's main decorative element.

• Oval. Like round mirrors, oval mirrors are unusual - and they're a great complement to contemporary design.

• Square. Modern and edgy square mirrors look great side-by-side or when they're surrounded by lights.

• Arched. Arched mirrors lend classical elegance and, in some cases, a modern edge. They're available with top and bottom arches, too.

• Geometric. Retro and trendy, geometric mirrors can be the perfect touch in a cozy bathroom or a spacious one.

• Specialty shapes. Specialty mirrors aren't one-size-fits-all, but there are designs for every style. When you need to add a fresh, fun twist to your lavatory, mirrors in unusual and eclectic shapes are the way to go.

Framed or Frameless? Choosing the Right Look

Framed mirrors add an element of elegance to any bathroom, but many mirrors - including those with unique shapes - look spectacular without them. A good rule of thumb: The mirror frame you choose should match your cabinets or hardware. You can choose between mirrors framed in wood, aluminum and several other materials, or you can pick a frameless mirror if it's a better fit for your space.

Beveled vs. Flat Mirrors

Beveled bathroom mirrors don't need frames - they feature cut, polished edges that give them a framed look on their own. The glass on a beveled mirror is thinner around the edges, and it always looks best if there's at least an inch of space between the mirror and the top of the vanity.

Flat bathroom mirrors can hang with or without a frame. The edges are the same thickness as the rest of the mirror (standard mirrors are 0.25 inches thick). Like beveled mirrors, they're available in a wide range of sizes, shapes and styles.

LED Lighted Mirrors With Extra Features

Mirrors with built-in lighting are increasingly popular. So are mirrors with extra features, like digital clock displays, magnifiers, built-in defoggers and audio systems. These types of mirrors can add dramatic style to a luxury bathroom.

Browse Bathroom Mirrors at Build.com Now

Create your perfect bathroom, whether it's a spa-like haven or an ultra-modern space built for function and style, by choosing a bathroom mirror from Build.com's extensive selection today. You'll find something for every style in our hand-picked collection of mirrors and other bathroom accessories.

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