Choosing the wrong size mirror is one of the most common mistakes in bathroom design. Too small and the mirror looks lost on the wall, feels awkward to use, and fails to do the job it's supposed to do. Too large and it crowds the space and can feel out of proportion with everything around it.
Getting the size right before you buy saves a significant amount of frustration. Here's how to approach it.
Start with the vanity, not the wall
The most useful reference point for mirror width is the vanity unit below it, not the width of the wall. A mirror that roughly matches the width of the basin or vanity looks considered and intentional. One that's significantly narrower looks like an afterthought, and one that's wider than the vanity can feel unbalanced.
As a starting point, aim for a mirror width that is the same as the vanity or up to around 10 centimetres narrower on each side. If your vanity is 600mm wide, a mirror somewhere between 500mm and 700mm wide will typically work well.
How high should the mirror sit?
Height matters in two ways: the height of the mirror itself, and the position on the wall. For the mirror's height, a taller mirror opens up the space and reflects more light, which works well in smaller bathrooms. A shorter, wider mirror can feel more grounded and suits a more horizontal layout.
For positioning on the wall, the centre of the mirror should ideally sit at eye level for the people using it most. In a shared bathroom, somewhere between 165cm and 175cm from the floor to the centre of the mirror tends to work for most adults. If children will be using the bathroom regularly, you may want to position it slightly lower or consider a larger mirror that covers a wider vertical range.
Allow space around the mirror
A mirror that fills a wall from edge to edge can feel oppressive rather than spacious. Leaving some breathing room around the mirror, particularly on the sides, gives the design more balance.
As a rough guide, aim for at least 10 to 15 centimetres of clear wall on either side of the mirror. If you have wall lights or other fixtures near the mirror, factor those into the calculation before committing to a size.
Consider the lighting, not just the glass
An LED bathroom mirror has a lit surround or backlit panel that adds to the visual footprint of the mirror. A mirror with edge lighting will appear slightly larger than its frame dimensions, so factor that in when you're measuring up.
The lighting also affects how the mirror feels in the room. A brighter lit surround on a larger mirror can make a small bathroom feel very different to a softly backlit mirror of the same dimensions.
Measure twice, order once
Before placing an order, measure the wall space carefully, mark out the mirror dimensions on the wall with tape, and live with it for a day or two. What looks right in your head can look very different once you see it on the wall, and it's much easier to adjust the tape than to return a mirror.
Light Mirrors stocks a wide range of sizes from compact options for smaller spaces to larger mirrors suited to double vanities and open-plan bathrooms. Browse the full illuminated mirror collection to find the right dimensions for your bathroom, or explore the bespoke mirror service if you need a specific size that isn't available off the shelf.
