In this article, we will discuss what type of mirror is commonly used in bathrooms. Bathroom mirrors are considered the most important mirror in your home. The placement, style, and size of the mirror are usually a matter of preference. Aside from that, you also need to consider the material and quality of the mirror, taking into consideration the moist, damp, and humid conditions of the bathroom.
What type of mirror is used in bathrooms? The common types of mirrors used in bathrooms are wall mirrors, full-length mirrors, pivot mirrors, floor mirrors, decorative mirrors, and lighted mirrors. These mirrors are ideal for classic to modern designs.
Are there specific qualities that bathroom mirrors should have? What are the common glass types for bathroom mirrors? Can I use framed mirrors for my bathroom? These are some of the questions that we will talk about in this article. If you want to know more about bathroom mirrors and how to choose the right one for your bathroom, you can check out the rest of the article below.
Different Types of Bathroom Mirrors
There are many bathroom mirrors, but the ones that are commonly used are the full-length, pivot, wall, decorative, lighted, and floor mirrors. Below are the common types of bathroom mirrors that you can choose from
Decorative Mirrors
These small wall-mounted mirrors are available in various shapes and sizes and can also include eye-catching design elements. They can be shaped like the sun, a flower, or geometric patterns. These types of bathroom mirrors also have interesting frames that add a glamorous touch to your space. Decorative bathroom mirrors are usually small, so you can create a mosaic or arrange them into artful patterns.
Wall Mirrors
These mirrors are mounted directly on a wall and are available in various sizes and shapes to fit and match your décor. You can choose between frameless mirrors or the framed ones that provide a touch of color that blends or stands out from your furniture. Wall bathroom mirrors can be easily installed or require professional installation depending on their size.
Floor Mirror
These bathroom mirrors have an independent frame and do not need any installation being unfolding and placing them on an area in your bathroom. Floor mirrors can be angled to make the ceiling look higher. They usually have ornate and classic designs, which are ideal for a traditional bathroom. Floor bathroom mirrors are versatile and easy to move.
Full-Length Mirror
These types of mirrors create space and provide more light into the bathroom. If you have a dual vanity, you can install full-length mirrors horizontally to add a reflective surface to the design without sacrificing style. You can also have the option to mount the full-length mirrors vertically to create the illusion of space. Full-length bathroom mirrors are best installed as part of the bathroom door or shower door.
Pivot Mirror
This type of mirror is wall-mounted and is a great addition to the bathroom vanity. It is designed with a flexible mount, which provides the option of pulling the mirror away from the wall and angling it in various directions. Pivot mirrors are ideal for makeup and hairstyling. Some are two-sided, with a traditional surface on one side and a magnified surface on the other side. You can also choose pivot mirrors with built-in LED lights.
Lighted Mirror
These mirrors are equipped with technology. Lighted mirrors can brighten up your bathroom and mimic natural light, creating the ideal lighting condition for makeup application. These mirrors are ideal for bathrooms that do not have windows because they can brighten up space.
We have also shared this article that talks about how to choose a bathroom mirror. Check out the article and learn the various thing that you need to consider when choosing a mirror for your bathroom.
What Mirrors are Ideal for Bathrooms?
Bathroom mirrors should be moisture resistant to prevent getting damaged from the moist and damp environment of the bathroom. Also, it should brighten and enlarge the room, especially if you have a small bathroom.
Moisture Resistant
Mirror frames made from metal or wood are not water-resistant and should be avoided in bathrooms. It is ideal to have frameless bevel-edged mirrors that are moisture-resistant so that they can last longer and are not susceptible to damage from the bathroom’s moistness and humidity. If you opt for framed mirrors, make sure that they are moisture-resistant.
Brightens and Creates More Space
Mirrors provide the illusion of light and additional space. For small bathrooms, choose a mirror that covers the whole wall space above the sink area. You can also get the illusion of additional space by installing multiple mirrors. It will not only enhance the decoration but will also make the room look bigger. You can also install lighting around the mirror to create the illusion of additional light, ideal for a bathroom that lacks natural lighting.
You can also check out this article that explains where bathroom mirrors should be placed. Create the best bathroom space by placing your mirror in an area that will provide more function and aesthetics.
What are the Common Mirror Glass Types for Bathrooms?
There are three common mirror glass types for bathrooms: plane, concave, and convex mirror. You can choose the type of glass according to your needs and preferences. Below is a short description of each type of mirror glass to give you more ideas.
Plane Mirror
These mirrors are flat and reflect images in their normal proportions, reversed from left to right. It is considered the most common type of glass for bathroom and bedroom mirrors.
Concave Mirror
These are spherical mirrors that curve inward like a spoon. Because of their shape, concave mirrors create the illusion of largeness and are usually used in bathrooms and bedrooms.
Convex Mirror
These mirrors are also called spherical mirrors. On the other hand, unlike concave mirrors, convex mirrors bulge out and distort the reflected image, making it smaller.
Regular Mirror Vs. Bathroom Mirror
Bathroom mirrors should be made from tempered glass or also known as toughened glass. It is a special type of glass designed with safety considerations. Tempered glass differs from regular glass because it will break into small rounded shards rather than sharply pointed pieces when struck with a strong force.
Compared to regular glass, tempered glass undergoes special chemical treatments before molding it into the desired shape. Aside from tempered glass, bathroom mirrors are also made from laminated glass. However, regular mirrors may or may not be made from both materials, which means that they are more breakable and dangerous.
The use of regular mirrors in the bathroom can be dangerous because you might accidentally break it while cleaning or break on its own due to the changes in temperature and pressure build-up when taking a hot bath. Moreover, regular glass can easily fog and get greasy, which needs a lot of maintenance. Bathroom mirrors are more expensive than regular mirrors. The craftsmanship, quality, and thickness of the mirror influence the price.
Related Questions
How Big Should a Bathroom Mirror Be?
It all depends on your preference. If you want a small mirror, you can consider having two or more identical mirrors of the same size and display them as you see fit. For large mirrors, make sure that it is proportioned to your bathroom and blend in with your other decorations.
You can also check out this article that discusses if a bathroom mirror should be wider than the sink. We have shared tips and information to find the right size of mirror that will complement the width of your sink.
How Can I Update my Bathroom Mirror?
If you decide to update your bathroom mirror, there are many DIY tutorials and videos you watch online. You can transform the look of your bathroom mirror by changing the frame. There are different framing materials that you can choose from. Choose a material according to your preferences and the style of your bathroom.
Another thing that you can do is to add lights to the bathroom mirror. There are adhesive LED lights that you can stick into the mirror to provide more light and make the bathroom brighter.
✅ Video – Framing Bathroom Mirrors
Pete B: East Texas Homesteading shared the video below on YouTube. It demonstrates an easy way to transform bathroom mirrors by adding frames into them. You can use spray paint or any paint that you like when painting the frame. Check out the video below for the instructions.
Can I Use a Regular Mirror in the Bathroom?
Yes, you can use a regular mirror in the bathroom. On the other hand, this will depend on bathroom use and how much steam is created during daily use. For bathroom mirrors, quality counts for a great deal. Take note that bathrooms with showers will be humid and can develop steam, which can damage a regular mirror that is not moisture resistant. Hence, it will deteriorate faster.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed the different types of mirrors used in bathrooms. We have found out that there are many choices to consider. When choosing a type of mirror to install in your bathroom, you need to consider the quality of the mirror and your preferences.
Check out different types of bathroom mirrors and compare their features and price so that you can get the best deals. Consider the style of your bathroom and the available space where you will install the mirror. Thank you for reading!