10 Tips on How to Choose the Right Mirror

Think Outside the Box (or Rectangle)

Alt text: A modern bathroom vanity with a green cabinet and brass fixtures, featuring a white vase with yellow flowers, under a wall-mounted arched mirror casting shadows in the sunlight.

While rectangular mirrors may be commonplace, they’re not required. Whether you choose a classic arch shape, a circle mirror, or a truly unique style, there are plenty of options to help you express your unique design sensibility. Metal mirrors with graceful curves can add some warmth and gentle elegance to the room, while sharper geometric shapes can fit in with bolder designs.

Match the Mirror to the Room’s Aesthetic

A modern bathroom with double sinks set in a wooden vanity, two mirrors above, and white subway tiles on the wall. Brass sconces are mounted on either side of the mirrors. There's a plant in the corner and a small stool with a book on it.

If your bathroom has a distinctive style, choose a bathroom mirror above the vanity to match. In this Art Deco-inspired space, the visually compelling contour shape of the mirrors fits well with the style of the reeded vanity, sconces, and the eccentric arrangement of tiles on the wall. With the addition of some large plants for a bit of natural light and color, the overall effect is one of timeless fashion and chic sensibility.

Warm Up the Room With Wood Elements

A close-up of smooth wooden cabinet fronts with a modern curvy handle, reflecting a minimalist aesthetic.

Wood on wood can create a calming, spa-like atmosphere. The simple grain of the pill-shape wood bathroom mirror above the sinks here adds a touch of grace to the design and creates a sense of warmth and comfort, perfect for a relaxing space. When paired with reflective chrome fixtures for a subtle contrast, the space exudes thoughtful luxury.

Create a Striking Centerpiece for the Room

Alt text: A stylish bathroom with a blue herringbone tile backsplash, marble wall, and an oval mirror above a wooden vanity with a marble countertop. Two sconce lights flank the mirror, and plush towels hang on either side of the vanity.

Functionality and style can partner in your bathroom mirror choice, turning the vanity into a visual centerpiece for the entire space. Modern sinks, like the one here with detailed metal legs, pair well with pivot metal mirrors or thin framed metal mirrors, creating a timeless look.

Shed Some Light on Your Daily Routine

A modern bathroom mirror with LED lights on a tiled wall above a white sink, with a vase of flowers to the left.

Adding vertical lights to a minimalist rectangular mirror can create a simple look that also provides additional light for your morning and evening routines. Paired with an elegant bowl sink and simple matte black faucet, this black-framed mirror with lighting feels like a modern artistic statement, while the flowers on the small countertop add a gentle touch of warmth.

Glamorous Gold Frames

A close-up of a luxurious bathroom vanity with a gold-framed mirror, decorative studs on the wall, and a hint of a sink with a gold faucet.

Touches of gold can make even the simplest design feel a little more upscale, whether in light fixtures, faucets, or the bathroom mirror. The gold accents in the design above add a gleam to the room, and the shine of these surfaces makes the space feel more expansive by giving off additional reflected light. Even round corner metal mirrors can have this effect, creating a glossy and opulent feel.

Create Contrast With Other Geometric Shapes

Elegant and symmetrical bathroom interior with dual marble-top vanities, brass fixtures, round mirrors, white cabinetry, and a geometrically patterned floor.

In a room of clean lines and sharp edges, the curves of a round or arched mirror can add a softness to the design. Paired here with tall, rectangular linen cabinets and a cube pattern in the tile, round metal mirrors along with curved sconces provide a pleasing visual contrast while still maintaining a cohesive design.

Add Side Mirrors to Boost Function and Style

Elegant bathroom interior featuring a marble floor, a wooden vanity with curved doors, two sinks, rectangular mirrors above each sink, sconces on the wall, large vase with flowering branches, and minimalistic artwork on the right wall.

Sometimes a single mirror just isn’t enough for your daily routine. Paneled, triptych mirrors provide extra reflective surfaces for closer details while prepping or grooming for the day. When determining how to choose a mirror for a wall, consider the functionality and your daily needs for the best result.

Bathroom Mirror FAQs

What size should a bathroom mirror be?

The size of your mirror will depend on the size of your bathroom, as well as the size of your vanity. Generally, the mirror should not be wider than the vanity itself, usually around 70% to 80% of the vanity’s width. However, some homeowners decide to install a wall-to-wall mirror for a more dramatic statement.

Should my bathroom mirror have a frame?

Some mirrors are unframed panes of glass, while others have distinctive frames with decorative details. Framing your bathroom mirror can allow you to make a design statement, while choosing to go without a frame can allow other elements of the bathroom to stand out.

Does my bathroom mirror have to be over the sink?

No, your mirror can be anywhere in the bathroom. While having a mirror over the sink is convenient, some homeowners choose to install additional mirrors in the bathroom, such as a full-length mirror.