by Rachelle Everett
Mirror, Mirror, on the wall, which one is the fairest of them all? With so many options to pick from when buying a bathroom wall mirror, framed or unframed, traditional or contemporary, what design ideas can be used to help narrow the search? These are some simple things to remember when picking that perfect mirror for the bathroom.
When picking a bathroom wall mirror for a vanity keep in mind that the mirror, vanity, and lighting should match each other to help keep fluency throughout the bathroom. A mirror should never exceed beyond the vanity, however if the mirror has vanity lighting on the sides they can extend slightly further. For a double vanity you can use two mirrors or one large mirror for both vanities.
He reproduced himself with so much humble objectivity, with the unquestioning, matter of fact interest of a dog who sees himself in a mirror and thinks: there’s another dog.
—Rainer Maria Rilke (1875–1926)
The mirror can be a big piece of the room and can be used to help create a few illusions. For small bathrooms choosing a large mirror can make the room feel larger because it is reflecting back the other side of the room. A mirror can also be used to bring the outside in, by placing the mirror either across from a window or a picture of a nature scene. For objects with special meaning place a mirror so that it reflects that object and places more significance on it.
Vanity lighting is an important part of the bathroom and can highlight the bathroom wall mirror that is chosen. Many people like recessed lighting for the soft effects it gives but also tends to cause shadowing as well. Consider adding additional vanity lights to counter this effect. For dark bathrooms have the vanity lights reflecting onto the mirror for added light. Some lights can clip onto the mirror itself for a seamless look in the bathroom.
Some vanities have no storage underneath them but with its clean look alternative storage is a must have. A recessed medicine cabinet provides space for everyday items and enhances the vanity itself. Also linen cabinets can be placed in the room taking up little space, but can be enhanced with plug-ins inside the cabinets to hide any bulky equipment in the bathroom, keeping the bathroom neat and clutter free.
You never look at the backside of a mirror because when you do, it’ll affect your future because you’re looking at yourself backwards. No, you’re looking at your inner self and you don’t recognize it because you’ve never seen it before.
—Gus Van Sant, U. S. screenwriter and director, and Dan Yost. Bob Hughes (Matt Dillon)
Modern style in the bathroom tends to be clean lines with the focus being on accessories in the bathroom such as curtains, shower curtains, shower hooks, and a couple of carefully placed knick knacks. For a modern look pick a bathroom wall mirror that has no frame or a simple frame preferably metal. Traditional style bathrooms have a richer bolder look and to balance this with the mirror choose a framed mirror, generally wood, and pick a frame that has an intricate design that is pleasing to the eye. An oval mirror may be perfect for a traditional style vanity especially if the bathroom already has arches in it.
When the time to purchase finally arrives, take a couple of steps to help keep the cost down and still get everything needed for a new bathroom. Make a list of everything needed and how many of each item, for example tile is generally sold individually. Shop around town sometimes the place thought to have the best deals isn't the best place to go for some things. Look for sales and discontinued items to save some money and check out online discount stores, perhaps finding a discount faucet for your new vanity at an unbelievable price.