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By Lori Keong and Elizabeth Stamp
Every modern bathroom can benefit from an eye-catching mirror that will serve as the focal point of the space; and if you’re looking for stylish bathroom mirror ideas, you’re in the right place. We’ve got no shortage of recommendations for finding something just right for your next makeover or remodel, no matter what you’re looking for. Not only can a mirror create the illusion of more square footage and make a small space feel larger, but it can also enhance a bathroom’s design, playing off the existing light fixtures, backsplash, or faucet materials.
For Cathie Hong—the principal designer at Cathie Hong Interiors, based in Northern California—bathrooms and powder rooms are some of her favorite spaces in the home to decorate. “We especially love the effect [mirrors] have when we’ve tiled or wallpapered all the walls in the bathroom, as the reflection of the repeated materials creates more depth.” Below, we’ve tapped Hong and several other designers for their tips and decor ideas, from minimal oval mirrors to antique vanity mirrors that will heighten the charm of your bathroom sanctuary.
Mirrors can serve as both a practical and decorative element in the bathroom. Knowing this, Ginger Curtis—the CEO and founder of AD PRO Directory firm Urbanology Designs in Dallas, Texas—says that selecting the right one “should be guided by a balance of aesthetics, functionality, and a commitment to enhancing the overall design of the space.”
Ultimately, Curtis recommends thinking about which mirrors will align with your taste, bathroom decor, and budget, but will also suit the bathroom’s size and layout. Ideally, your mirror should be a size that doesn’t overpower the proportions of your space. “Subtlety often speaks volumes in design,” she adds.
From there, Curtis says materials are just as important, since that glam antique brass mirror you’re eyeing might not be primed to weather the realities of your steamy bathroom post-shower. She suggests opting for a mirror that is easy to clean and capable of withstanding the humidity and wear and tear that is common in bathrooms. “Prioritize practicality and think about features like fog resistance, adjustable angles, or built-in lighting, if they meet your needs,” she explains.
Storage space is another important consideration, which might vary depending on which bathroom you’re outfitting. “In guest or ancillary bathrooms, storage is typically less critical, so we’re able to specify decorative mirrors instead of medicine cabinets,” says Devon Wegman, the founder and design director of AD PRO Directory firm Devon Grace Interiors in Chicago.
“You can have the most beautiful mirror, but if the scale is off, it will miss the mark,” says Victoria Holly, principal and founder of Victoria Holly Interiors in Los Angeles. Her rule of thumb is to aim for a bathroom mirror that is 25% to 45% narrower than the vanity below it.
As far as shape goes, Wegman says she usually aims to pull in details that are represented throughout the rest of the home. For example, a gently curving mirror can reflect arched elements seen throughout the rest of the home. Or if you want to lean into current trends, Hong notes that “arch and pill shape mirrors are having their moment.”
From there, Curtis says that you’ll want to thoughtfully position the mirror to optimize natural light and accentuate the room’s best features. That’s usually right above the sink or countertop, so you can spot-check your hair and teeth while you wash your hands. A bathroom with double vanities might require adding in two mirrors or a full-length mirror that can run the length of a wall.
Here are several specific bathroom mirror ideas that you might want to consider.
Instead of reaching for any old mirror off the internet, consider something with a little more history and weathered charm, like the beveled antique mirror pictured in this farmhouse bathroom. The long wood frame makes good use of the high ceilings and captures the viewer in the glass like a portrait.
A worn antique mirror heightens the natural, weatherbeaten details of the stone sink beneath it in a bathroom by Hernandez Greene.
Gold mirrors have a way of dialing up the sophistication in any space, and this bathroom makes the most of one with an unusual shape and antique details to play off the existing gold accents.
A brass mirror adds elegant ornamentation to this richly hued bathroom by Urbanology Designs.
For a more eclectic powder room, a painted antique mirror like this one lends plenty of boho charm to the vibrant wallpaper it hangs on. Just make sure that yours aligns with your color scheme without looking too clashy.
An antique mirror lends pizzazz to a powder room by Katie Ridder in Millbrook, New York.
And if you want something that will complement your wallpaper and fixtures without stealing any of their shine, consider a clear lucite mirror. The edges on this one blend into the wall. Of the style, Holly explains: “We adored the idea of a clear lucite mirror that contributed to highlighting the glamorous navy and gold wallpaper further and tied in with the brass fixtures.”
Working with the off-center placement of the sink and the rose gold fixtures, the team at Victoria Holly Interiors opted for a rectangular mirror with gold accents and centered it with the plumbing instead of the wall.
Lean into the existing curves of your space with an arched mirror with plenty of character—like this one that commands attention above a bathtub in a New York apartment.
An antique arched mirror makes a statement at a loft in Manhattan by Ashe Leandro.
A classic round mirror is one of the most complementary shapes for a space where you want to embrace curves and soften sharp angles. Here, one was pulled in to fill the wall space between a window and sink area. “In an effort to avoid selecting something that felt short and squat, we chose a large mirror instead and balanced it out with sconces on either side to help fill the wall space,” explains Wegman.
A large round mirror sandwiched between a built-in window and a wide sink area reflects the rounded shower details opposite it in this project by Devon Grace Interiors.
Make your mirror the focal point of the room by choosing a sculptural mirror frame. The eye-catching statement piece will also double as art—a great solution if you don’t want to subject your actual art to a bathroom’s humid environment.
An 18th-century mirror stuns in a modern bathroom by Thad Hayes Inc. in Boston.
Rectangular shapes are ideal for outfitting contemporary, streamlined spaces. Take this minimalist, frameless mirror, which blends into the powder-gray bathroom wall behind it, accentuating the modern lines around it.
A sleek rectangular option in a project by Elizabeth Roberts
Hong says that adequate storage that’s accessible and practical but still aesthetically pleasing is a problem her team is frequently trying to solve with builds. “One of our favorite ways to do this is to design custom medicine-cabinet mirrors that blend seamlessly with the other millwork in the bathroom,” she notes—like this wide custom cabinet her team installed, which extends beyond the sink area with open shelving.
A custom medicine cabinet from Strong Cabinetry blends open and closed storage in this serene powder room by Cathie Hong.
A pair of mirrors are ideal for installing over double sinks, or even over a long bathroom vanity with just one sink. Two of the same style or design encourages symmetry, though you could always opt for a mix-and-match design like the one pictured here for a playful touch.
At a Connecticut house devised by India Mahdavi, complementary mirrors by the designer hang above a custom-made double vanity.
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