Mirrors play a big role in any bathroom but often not much time or attention is given to choosing the right one. BIG mistake! Choosing the right mirror for your space can completely elevate the entire look and feel of your bathroom. Today I’m sharing seven simple bathroom mirror ideas to make your space shine! (affiliate links included in post; full disclosure statement available {here})
1. Ditch that Basic Builder’s Mirror
The only thing more boring than builder’s beige walls is a basic builder’s bathroom mirror that’s nothing but a cheap slab of mirror glued to the wall. Our house was 4 for 4 with those babies in our bathrooms when we moved in! One simple solution is pretty obvious – rip it off the wall and and replace it with a mirror with more personality. And it doesn’t always mean you have to spend a ton of money. Can you believe that Brittany of Addison’s Wonderland found this gorgeous mirror for over her daughter’s vanity at HomeGoods?
Her whole bathroom is truly a stunner – you can see more of {here}. Also, check out some of my favorite round mirror options that would work in a bathroom here (click each image to shop it):
2. Add Storage Space With a Medicine Cabinet
Since small bathrooms are often short on storage, consider using a medicine cabinet mirror with shelving for all of your toiletries inside. Medicine cabinet mirrors used to be universally ugly but now there are some really beautiful ones. I not only love this one that we installed in our powder room (you can take a full tour of it {here}), but since it’s recessed into the wall you’d never know that it opened up to reveal hidden storage inside:
Powder Room Sources: Annapakshi Indian Damask Wall Stencil (11.25″ x 15.5″) | Pedestal Sink | Sconces (Polished Nickel)
That exact medicine cabinet mirror is no longer available but here are some other beautiful options:
Medicine Cabinet Sources: 1. White wood medicine cabinet | 2. Matte black edged medicine cabinet | 3. Curved edge medicine cabinet | 4. Beveled frame medicine cabinet | 5. Classic white medicine cabinet | 6. Wood grain framed medicine cabinet
You can use this trick with double vanities too! I don’t think anyone would ever guess that these simple framed mirrors are recessed medicine cabinets (medicine cabinets found {here}, vanity found {here}):
3. Frame It Out
Another simple bathroom mirror idea (especially if you’re on a tight budget!) is to leave your mirror in place but frame it with decorative molding. You can buy a custom mirror frame kit from sources such as MirrorMate {here}. It’s also a project that you could do yourself – simply buy decorative molding from the hardware store, make 45 degree cuts on the ends for the four pieces to fit together (if you don’t own a miter saw, you can use a miter box), glue the four pieces together on a level surface, and then glue the frame to the edges of the mirror with Liquid Nails.
It’s a project that I always meant to knock out for this mirror in our guest bathroom but never got around to before we moved:
Guest Bathroom Sources: Vanity faucet | Faucet handles | Chrome towel ring | White towels under vanity | Chrome towel bar | Chrome toilet paper holder | Gray vanity (similar) | Brass and pearl vanity knobs | Wallpaper – no longer available | Brass flush mount light | Black marble toilet tray (similar) | Toilet seat with night light
4. Mix Your Metal Finishes
There’s definitely no rule that you have to choose just one metal finish for the mirror, lighting, faucets, and other plumbing in your bathroom. Consider mixing it up! In our primary bathroom we mixed age brass light fixtures and {these gold edged mirrors} with brushed nickel faucets:
Sources: Wood & rattan double vanity | Vanity knobs | Bathroom faucets – brushed nickel | Vanity lights | Vanity mirrors – gold | Woven seagrass tray on vanity | Cross base planter | Marble stacking dishes | Soap & lotion sink set with tray | Toothbrush holder | Bamboo toothbrushes | Gray & white striped towels | Robe hooks – golden champagne
I wrote an entire post with tips on mixing metals in your bathroom that you can find {here}.
5. Add Interest With Textures
There are a LOT of hard surfaces in bathrooms so I love adding textural elements to warm things up. A textured mirror such as {this arched rope mirror} is a simple bathroom mirror idea that would be a beautiful addition to your space:
I also love the texture of rattan mirrors such as {this beautiful Lanai mirror}.
6. Free Up Countertop Space With a Mirror + Shelf Combo
If you’re short on countertop space in your bathroom, a mirror + shelf combo can give you that little bit of extra space that makes all the difference! {This mirror} that comes in antique brass and chrome options is a favorite:
7. Give the Illusion of Height With an Elongated Mirror
If you have low bathroom ceilings and want to create the illusion of more height, using an elongated mirror like {this pill-shaped mirror} or an oval mirror over a bathroom sink can do the trick:
Which bathroom mirror idea do you love the most?
Linda says
Beautiful bathrooms, but I have always wondered about the idea of wallpaper in a bathroom where there can be so much moisture from showers, etc. Its also the reason I haven’t hung any artwork. Do you have any wisdom about these potential issues with today’s products?
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Linda! There’s a varnish made by PolyVine that you can brush on to wallpaper to seal it so that it stands up well to moisture. I’ll be talking about it more in an upcoming post! I’ve never had an issue with wallpaper peeling in the bathroom as long as it’s one where you have a good enough exhaust fan that your walls aren’t actually getting damp (and your family is good about using it until the moisture is gone after showering!).
Garden, Home and Party says
Kris,
Your inspiration-filled post is timed perfectly—we’re moving into our new (to us) home this week. Both bathrooms are smallish and while they’ve been recently remodeled, they’re short of space. I’m having to re-think storage and use. I can use all the ideas I can find and you always deliver! 🙂
xo,
Karen
Kris Jarrett says
I bet you’ll have those bathrooms looking gorgeous in no time Karen!
Kris Jarrett says
Paula, I love how you think! Cleaning bathrooms is pretty high on my list of things that I hate doing so having less to clean is always a good thing!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Susanna – I’m so glad that you enjoyed the post!
Elisabeth Anderson says
I am replacing my bathroom sink with a new one from Joss & Main. It is 20″ wide. I think it will really jazz up my dated bathroom.