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Large mirrors in small bathrooms


Small bathroom mirror ideas – 11 small bathroom mirror looks

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(Image credit: Chris Snook)

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Looking for small bathroom mirror ideas? Then you must know that when it comes to designing a small bathroom, choosing the right mirror is a key decision. 

Not only can bathroom mirrors work to reflect light, enabling light to bounce around the room and make your space feel bigger and brighter, but bathroom mirrors are also a great way to pack in extra storage to your space. 

These small bathroom ideas are essential for making sure your space doesn't feel cramped or dark. So from two in one mirror cabinets, to shelves with sliding mirrors and even mirrored floor to ceiling paneling, we've found some of the best small bathroom mirrors to brighten and broaden even the tiniest of space.

Small bathroom mirror ideas to reflect upon

Debbie Drake, Design Director at Dunelm explains, 'Bathrooms can often be one of the smallest rooms in the home, and so creating space is essential to a relaxing and tranquil place for you to take a soak in the tub or get ready for the day ahead.' 

'Even a small bathroom mirror can open up a space significantly. Finding the right mirror can create the illusion of extra space and more light, as well as sprucing up your bathroom décor. Perhaps adding a decorative mosaic mirror or a bathroom mirror with lights to add texture and depth to your bathroom is all you need to revamp your existing room.'

From space-saving mirrored cabinets to mirrored panels, we round up some of the best small bathroom mirror ideas.

1. Choose a sliding mirror to maximise space and storage

(Image credit: Ikea)

Small bathrooms can mean that storage is minimal. Open shelving is a great way to visually open up a small room and make a space feel bigger. 

This clever Enhet mirrored cabinet from Ikea  allows for plenty of room to store and display your lotions and potions. 

The mirror slides from side to side so you can hide away or display as you wish, whilst taking up minimal visual and physical space.

2. Go 2 in 1 with a mirrored tall boy 

(Image credit: Ikea)

A tall, narrow freestanding cabinet as a bathroom storage idea is great way to maximise space in a small bathroom. 

Make it work twice as hard but choosing a design that's mirrored, this means you get the benefit of a full length mirror without taking up any extra room at all. 

This is especially handy if your basin is positioned beneath a window, leaving no room for a traditional vanity mirror. This vibrant bathroom tile idea adds a bold pop of color.

3. Choose a floor to ceiling mirrored panel 

(Image credit: Drummonds)

If a big mirror just isn't enough for you, a mirrored wall panel is your best bet. These large panels can be attached to your wall, just like a shower panel, and they will instantly make your room feel so much bigger and brighter. 

With such a large mirrored surface, remember to consider what the mirror will reflect – you ideally want it to reflect something beautiful - like wallpaper or houseplants – as the reflected area will be very much on view. 

'A clever way to optimise a small space is to use height to your advantage. Having a tall mirror will help enhance a small bathroom as it will reflect more natural light, making the room seem more spacious,' says Trinity Owhe, Design Expert at Victorian Plumbing .

4. Turn a long mirror sideways to create to elongate your room 

(Image credit: The Albion Bath Company)

It's the oldest trick in the book, but horizontal lines really can work to make a space feel wider. If you've got a tall mirror, give it a unique spin by turning it sideways. 

You may be able to see less of your body, but if your room feels more open and airy, we'll take it. How cute is this mini freestanding bath too?!

5. Upcycle a large traditional mirror and prop it on your shelf 

(Image credit: Fired Earth)

If your small bathroom won't get too steamy - you can use any mirror for your space. Add elegance at minimal cost by upcycling a preloved traditional mirror like this, and let it be the focal point of your whole space. 

An oversized design looks perfect propped up on a shelf - we recommend attaching to the wall with brackets - just to be on the safe side.

6. Position your mirror opposite the window to bounce natural light around the room 

(Image credit: Katie Lee)

If you can't decide where's best to position your mirror (and basin) remember to think about natural light. Mirrors are a great tool for helping to lighten and brighten a space, and that's particularly the case if positioned directly opposite a window.  

This big mirror sits directly opposite the window and helps to lighten the whole room – preventing the dark bathroom from appearing cold or gloomy. 

‘As a general rule, it’s best for your bathroom mirror to be the same width, or smaller, than the bathroom vanity it sits above,' says Trinity Owhe, Design Expert at Victorian Plumbing.

7. Choose a bathroom mirror with secret shelving 

(Image credit: Beaumonde)

Keep things simple while still fitting in a small bathroom storage idea to your mirror by choosing a design with open shelving squeezed in at the back. 

Without the faff of cupboards or handles, this Umbra black bathroom mirror shelf unit from Beaumonde  allows you to position your essentials directly behind the mirror so you can grab them and stow them away quickly.

8. Match your mirror to your sanitaryware with a shaker style cabinet 

(Image credit: Ikea)

If you're desperate for extra storage and your low on floor space, choose a large two door mirrored cabinet.  

This bathroom cabinet idea is ideal for storing away everything you need all in one place. Tie your scheme together by matching up your vanity unit to your cabinet - shown here in a soft grey shaker style finish. 

Grey bathrooms are a calm and simple palette for any small space. 

9. Soften a small streamlined space with a round mirror

(Image credit: Chris Snook)

We often try to pack in as much as possible to our small bathrooms, and that can mean lots of angular lines and sharp edges. While this can look modern and cool, it can also look a tad clinical. 

Soften the overall look by choosing a big round mirror, this creates a more organic feel for a calmer space, no matter how small. 

10. Keep it simple with a large, basic mirror 

(Image credit: Soak)

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best. If your mirror is in the center of your small bathroom, it might be worth sacrificing the extra storage for a simple mirror idea that sits flush to your wall.

This will inevitably free up some space in your room, making it feel more airy and breathable. 

'A simple frame for a small space will help keep things open and avoid a tight or cluttered feel,’ says Trinity Owhe, Design Expert at Victorian Plumbing. 

11. Use a mirror to brighten a darker corner 

(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)

If your small bathroom is awkward in shapes with an alcove like this, it can mean you have dark and underused areas. 

By positioning your vanity (and therefore, usually) your mirror there too, you can brighten up the space and give it a clear purpose.

This neat vintage design looks cute and elegant in this nook of the bathroom.

Where do you hang a mirror in a small bathroom?

The best place to hand a mirror in a small bathroom depends entirely on the layout of your bathroom. 

The most common place to hang a bathroom mirror is above the vanity unit, as this allows you to look in the mirror while brushing your teeth. If hanging a large mirror, it can be tricky to determine which is the perfect height but we have a guide to how to hang a mirror with ease to help with that. 

As a general rule, you should be able to see at least your head and shoulders in a bathroom mirror, with some space above and below. We'd recommend going for as big a mirror as you space can take to maximise its light reflecting qualities.  

How do you update a plain bathroom mirror?

If you have a plain bathroom mirror with a wooden frame, the simplest way to update this is by painting it. 

You should choose a specialist wood paint as this will sit perfectly on top of the grain without being too absorbed into it. You should apply two coats, and then apply a waterproof sealant. This will ensure your frame is protected from bathroom splashes. As for the color, you can choose any shade you like. 

Light and neutral colors are ideal for making your space feel brighter and lighter, but bold colors will add a touch of fun - so this really comes down to personal taste.  

After joining Real Homes as content producer in 2016, Amelia has taken on several different roles and is now content editor. She specializes in style and decorating features and loves nothing more than finding the most beautiful new furniture, fabrics and accessories and sharing them with our readers. As a newbie London renter, Amelia’s loving exploring the big city and mooching around vintage markets to kit out her new home. 

13 Beautiful Mirrored Bathrooms

Large or small, mirrors are a focal point of any bathroom's decor. Even in small bathroom spaces, a large mirror can be used successfully. Mirrors reflect light, giving the impression of a larger space, and they make dark bathrooms bright and cheery. Mirrors can also be used to hide elements like a deep countertop cabinet or add a decorative flair to the room, similar to a piece of wall art.

The 11 Best Bathroom Mirrors of 2023

What mirror should be in a small bathroom?

Arranging a small bathroom is not an easy task even for an experienced designer. However, there is a way to transform the bathroom in a completely new design. The solution is simple - use the right mirror!

For centuries, mirrors were thought to be magical objects through which it was possible to establish contact with other dimensions. And although today mirrors are no longer ascribed to fantastic significance, they are still able to delight with the magical ability to enlarge even the smallest spaces. In the field of interior design, this is an amazing force! nine0005

Photo: Vabo

Mirrors are a reliable way to optically enlarge a private interior. At the same time, it is important to understand which mirrors to use for a small bathroom, and which ones are best avoided. Recently, large frameless mirrors have enjoyed a good reputation.

Mirror Wall

Full Wall Mirror Panel attached to a dry substrate with a special adhesive containing natural silicone. Simple large-size models look good in both modern and stylized interiors. If we want the mirror in the bathroom to have a decorative function, we should choose models finished with a bevel, polished or decorated with stained glass elements. nine0003

Mirror - unframed

For people who like extravagance or original solutions, a "mirror wall" (a panel that covers the entire wall) might be a good idea. The mirror can also be placed on the wall in the form of a strip, for example, in front of the door - then we will get an illusion effect. When choosing such solutions, it is important that the ceiling lamp in the bathroom is warm, slightly subdued. On the sides of the mirror it is worth placing bright sconces or LED strip.

Two large mirrors

Another no less interesting option is the arrangement of a small bathroom with two large mirrors. You can hang them at the junction of two perpendicular walls or opposite each other, thanks to this treatment, even the smallest bathroom will seem at least twice as big! If the bathroom is very small and you have a problem with what to do with toiletries, then a good solution is to replace one glass cabinet with a mirrored front.

YAMAMAR Design Architects. photo by Bruce Damonte. nine0003

Mirror and murals

It is also a good idea to combine a large frameless mirror with murals. This solution does not have to fill the entire wall, you can stick it over the tiles in the form of panels, and the mirror tile will reflect the image. This arrangement really looks amazing! A small bathroom takes on character, and its space seems visually larger. Important - the wall painting must be laminated, and if we want to protect it from moisture, it is worth using special glazing. nine0003

Falken Reynolds. photo by Ema Peter Photography.

Mirror lighting

Mirror lighting is not only an option for aesthetes. It is worth choosing mirrors with warm LED lighting, halogen lights are ideal for ceiling lighting, although they are not suitable for mirror lighting. Mainly because their strong light causes shadows on the face that can interfere with toileting activities.

photo: Architects EAT. photo James Coombe.

It is now common practice to provide specular lighting upon special request of the customer. When choosing a mirror, you should consider the shape of the sink, faucet, tub, etc.

Jennifer Ott Design. photo by Patrick Wong of Atelier Wong.

If your bathroom has thin, streamlined lines - you can choose a round mirror. However, if we have rectangular fixtures, let's decide on a rectangular mirror shape. It is important not to forget that harmony and consistency of style is very important in small interiors. nine0003

What size is the bathroom mirror?

The bathroom mirror must be the right size. This is especially important in small spaces. By following the appropriate rules, we will avoid confusion. This parameter must be adapted to the size of the bathroom. Contrary to appearances, a small mirror in a small room will not work. It is better to choose a large model that will visually enlarge the room. In this case, a frameless mirror would be perfect.

Photo: tesa tape

How thick is the bathroom mirror?

This parameter is set as the average of four measurements taken at the center of each side of the mirror. Most often, mirrors have a thickness of 1 to 10 mm. What we choose depends largely on our individual tastes. However, we must remember that the thicker it is, the more we will pay for it.

What is the width of the bathroom mirror?

The width must match the height of the mirror so that we keep the correct proportions and the mirror will look nice. nine0005

Photo: Cersanit

Photo: Opoczno -

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