Everything You Need to Know to Choose the Best Mirror

Mirrors aren’t just for the bathroom or the dressing room. A well placed mirror can add light and style to any room. You can use mirrors to direct a guest’s attention in a foyer or brighten up a room that might have little access to daylight. They create the illusion of extra space and help add activity and interest by giving the eye more to look at in small spaces. There’s a mirror for every space and purpose, it just takes a little creativity and understanding to find the perfect fit. Read on for a full rundown of how to fit mirrors into any room.

Before You Shop

When it comes to decorating any room, it all gets down to the proportions of the space and the items that decorate it, and mirrors are no exception to the rule. Mirrors can either be a focal point to a room’s wall decor scheme, or they can be a helpful accent. That means you have to know how much of an area you have to work with, either way. Accordingly, the very first step is to measure the space available where you would like to put a mirror. 

Measure out a map of the wall, noting the size of any furniture that will be below the mirrors, such as buffet tables, and how close the mirror will be to windows, doors, or light fixtures. Note any fixed shelving or electrical outlets that will need to be worked around when designing the wall decor.

The exact size and shape of the mirror will depend on your visual preferences, but the space will look cluttered or messy if the pieces don’t balance out against each other. When you start with a measurement of available space, it will help you determine if you want to make the mirror the focal point and arrange everything around it, or if the mirror is to be a secondary accent to add only passing interest. The layout is up to you, so it’s helpful to start out with as much information as possible before you make your choice.

How to Fit the Right Mirror Size for Your Space

Mirror size makes a huge difference, but there's no one-size-fits-all option. When you choose a size, think about:

• Where the mirror belongs. The mirror size you choose to hang above your mantel will be a lot different from the size you choose to mount on a hallway wall.
• The mirror's purpose. Are you accenting an art collection or gallery of family photos, or are you setting up a space to perfect your appearance each morning?
• How much space you have. Even small mirrors can significantly brighten a space, but do you want the mirror to be the only focal point in the room, or would you prefer to mix things up with other decorative elements?

Build.com Tip: If you want your mirror to blend into the room, choose a large one - somewhere between 25 and 31 inches on each side. The mirror will reflect more of its surroundings and be less distracting than one or more smaller mirrors will. It will also give the room the appearance of being larger than it really is.

 What You Need to Know About Mirror Size

• A single, too-small mirror will look out of place on a large wall, so if you're working with an empty canvas, go big. 

• The width of a mirror should be equal to, or alternately, about two-thirds to three-quarters of the size of the furniture below it. If you have a 6-foot buffet, for example, you want a 4-foot-wide mirror. The exception lies in the bathroom, where a mirror should be just a few inches narrower than your vanity.

• Height matters, so when working with taller mirrors, leave about a foot of reflective surface above and below your eye-level when you install the mirror.

What Type of Mirror Will Work Best in Your Space

There are shiny art pieces of all sizes and shapes to choose from, so it’s important to narrow down what type of mirror you’re looking for. What is it you intend to use the mirror for: is it an art piece or will it be used to make sure your hair is brushed before you leave the house in the morning? It’s best to have an idea of what you want to use it for before you start browsing, because the more you look around, the more ideas you’ll have! The selection can be overwhelming, so it can be helpful to have a type of mirror in mind to keep your search focused.

Accent Mirrors

The right accent mirror can add depth and light to any space. These mirrors can be large or small and are usually decorative, either with a distinct frame, shape, or bevelled or etched details. If you're using a mirror as an accent piece, size and style need to work hand-in-hand. 

Use these tips to choose the right accent mirror:

• Choose a mirror that's larger than any other decorative element on its wall if you want it to become a bold focal point.

• Pick a mirror that matches the frame styles on other art if you're adding it to a gallery wall.

Bathroom Mirrors  

Bathroom mirrors need to be large enough to fill the space above your sink. Choose a mirror that's 2 to 4 inches narrower than your vanity. Center the mirror on the wall above the vanity, with the bottom of the mirror resting against the top edge of the vanity backsplash. For large, framed mirrors, center the mirror on the wall with 6” clearance above the vanity edge. (This protects the mirror and frame from the splash of the faucet.)

If you're working with a small space, or perhaps looking to provide mirrors for a double vanity, pick a mirror design that's equal to the length of each sink basin. Get creative with shapes by choosing an arched, circular, oval, or specialty mirror, or choose a standard rectangular or square bathroom mirror. Center the mirror behind the sink, with the middle of the mirror lined up to allow at least a foot of reflective surface above and below the eye-line of the bathroom’s primary occupants. 

Build.com Tip: If you're creating an ultra-modern bathroom, choose a mirror with built-in lighting, which can also help you save space on fixtures.

Full-Length Mirrors

Designed as functional accent pieces, full-length mirrors are ideal for living rooms and master suites - as well as other rooms - and they can provide a lot of ambient light and make any space look larger. Opt for a leaning mirror if you have space to prop the mirror against the wall, or choose a cheval mirror if you'd prefer to swivel or pivot it on its frame and adjust the reflection. 

Build.com Tip: Choose a full-length mirror that's at least half the height of the tallest person using it to take full advantage of its functionality.

Jewelry Mirrors

Jewelry mirrors, which are commonly called jewelry armoires, are available in several styles - and your choice will probably depend on how much space you have. Cheval jewelry mirrors can swivel or pivot on their bases, and they're available in sizes small enough to sit atop your dresser and large enough to serve as a full-length mirror on the floor. Mounted jewelry mirrors don't require you to give up floor space, and they're available in a wide range of sizes with multiple framing options. 

Make-Up Mirrors

Perfect for up-close-and-personal views, make-up mirrors can mount to the wall on a pivoting arm or they can be free-standing for even more mobility. These cosmetic mirrors are available with features like magnification and lighting, too, so regardless of where you put them, you can see exactly what you need to see.  

Medicine Cabinets

Recessed mounted medicine cabinets tuck neatly into your bathroom wall and typically come with reversible hinges. Surface-mounted medicine cabinets are usually reversible, as well. Most feature full-overlay mirrors or decorative frames, and some include built-in lighting systems, organizational shelving, and audio systems. 

Some medicine cabinets are large enough to mount behind your sink and use as a primary mirror, while others are just the right size to mount on the wall beside your vanity. 

Choosing Between Mirror Shapes

Finding the right mirror shape for your space is essential. Aesthetics and function both play a role when you're choosing a shape, so select one that complements the room while serving its purpose (whether that's to add light, reflect the scenery outside your window, or help you put your best face forward).

Rectangular Mirrors

Rectangular mirrors draw the eye along a plane, so they can highlight the width or height of a room. They're ideal complements to traditional, contemporary, and elegant design, and they're most common in bathrooms, living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways. 

Square Mirrors

Square mirrors make great accent pieces when they're placed in a gallery or used in conjunction with framed artwork or photographs. They provide amazing contrast in cozy spaces, particularly when the room has plush furniture, or ample art in rounded frames, and can create visual balance in a room. 

Round Mirrors

Round mirrors are a blend of whimsy and elegance, and they look best in modern, contemporary rooms. If you're using a mirror as art, round is the way to go - particularly when you're decorating a room with geometric shapes and sharp angles. 

Oval Mirrors 

Simple elegance is the name of the game when it comes to oval mirrors. Oval mirrors look great above a small vanity, in a dressing room, or in a hallway or entryway. Pick one with a frame if it's going to stand alone - the frame will enhance everything the mirror reflects.

Arched Mirrors 

Arched mirrors can be exceptionally elegant, completely playful, or spectacularly simple. These mirrors, designed to add style and make your space appear larger, are functional enough to use in entryways, bedrooms, and a wide range of other spaces.

Geometric Mirrors

Often eclectic and always packed with style, geometric mirrors make excellent accent pieces and focal points. These mirrors can serve as a focal point in a foyer or entryway, a living or dining room, or a reading nook where natural light is at a premium. 

Specialty Mirrors

Specialty mirrors - those that aren't standard geometric shapes - can make amazing decorative elements in your entryway, living room, dining room, bathroom, or bedroom. These mirrors can be a central piece of your design, depending on the size you choose, and they're available with and without frames.

Beveled or Flat-Front: Which is Right for You?   

The choice is a matter of preference and use. Beveled mirrors add decorative flare with cut and polished edges that look like a built-in frame. In many cases, beveled mirrors catch and refract light where the glass is cut at an angle, which can distort the reflection and result in bands of bright color. Flat-front mirrors drop off at the edges, making them ideal candidates for frames or for setting up as-is in the bathroom or dressing room.

Choosing a Mirror Based On Your Decorative Style

Once you've zeroed in on the size and shape for your mirror, you can further narrow your choices by focusing on your decorative style. You can choose a versatile style that goes with most standard decor, like traditional, contemporary, or transitional, or you can be more specific by choosing art deco, coastal, industrial, or luxe.

Frame Materials

Framed mirrors are ready to hang as-is, and if you choose the right frame material, you'll be able to perfectly complement your existing decor. The most common mirror frames are made from metal or wood, although they're also available in a variety of other materials, from plastics to natural recyclables like glass, and in a wide range of colors.

Special Features to Look for When You Choose a Mirror

Mirrors can do more than illuminate your space, make your room appear larger, and help you get out the front door looking your best. Some mirrors are equipped with special features, including built-in lighting, SmartHome app integration, audio systems, and more.

Build.com's Tips for Choosing the Right Mirror for Any Room  

If you're working within existing decor and simply want to add a mirror, start by focusing on your decorative style. You can work out the details - like size, frame materials, and shape - as you browse. Find pieces that complement the established themes, colors, and styles already in the space.

However, if you're starting from scratch, the first thing you need to do is measure your space and settle on a size. Remember:

• Mirrors help direct eye movement, so a wide mirror will emphasize the width of a wall, and a tall mirror will emphasize the height of a room. Use this reliable trick wisely to boost a space that is too cramped or small.
• Select a mirror that's either equal in size, or two-thirds to three-fourths of the width of the furniture below it.
• Larger mirrors make better focal points, but you can achieve the same goal with a smaller mirror outfitted in a spectacular frame, too.
• A mirror that's too small for an empty wall will look lonely and out of place, so choose a big mirror, or add art and photographs to go with it.
• Big mirrors can become part of the background for your room, so choose a large, frameless mirror if you want the mirror to accentuate the space without calling attention to itself.