19 Bathroom Mirror Ideas for Upgrading Your Vanity

A decorative bathroom mirror enhances the vibe of a bathroom and works a little magic at the same time, giving the illusion of a brighter or larger space. Upgrade your bathroom’s style by swapping out your current mirror for something new.
Gold and black backsplash bathroom mirror idea
Photo: istockphoto.com

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The bathroom mirror can make or break the aesthetic of the room. Decorative bathroom mirrors are an important aesthetic feature in the primary ensuite, guest bathroom, or half bathroom. Mirrors can be functional too—offering storage space for bathroom products, potted plants, and more. When placed strategically, mirrors reflect light into dark corners, and enlarge the appearance of a bathroom.

Since the average person spends about 416 days of their life in the bathroom, choosing the right mirror is important, because you’re going to see it…a lot. From simple and elegant to technologically advanced, there are many mirror ideas out there. Here are 19 of our favorite unique bathroom mirrors. 

1. Swivel Mirror

Penelope swivel mirror from Magnolia
Photo: Magnolia

Offering a twist on a traditional oval mirror idea, the Penelope Wood and Brass Swivel Mirror mounts to the wall at the top and bottom, but the design enables users to modify its placement. Gently holding the frame, you can pivot this fancy bathroom mirror left to right. Natural light changes by the minute; the pivoting nature of this mirror helps you to catch the best light at any time of day. 

Designed with mango wood with an etched floral motif at its corners, this mirror adds sophistication to bathrooms with limited wall space.

2. Smart Mirror

Oren Ellis 60" smart bathroom mirror in a dimmed bathroom
Photo: Wayfair

Time is precious, and mornings often benefit from multitasking as much as possible. The Oren Ellis 60-inch Smart Mirror maximizes efficiency, giving you direct WiFi access to your calendar, news updates, traffic reports, weather, and more. This mirror is IP65 waterproof, has dimmable LED lighting, has a built-in scale and skin health monitor, is preloaded with apps like ESPN, Spotfiy, and YouTube. Oh, and integrated speakers and smart TV too, of course. With a setup like this, you may never leave the loo again.

3. Custom Cut-Out Mirror

bathroom mirror ideas custom cutout mirror
Photo: Susie Hersker; Design Directives, LLC; Photographer: Dino Tonn

Installing a custom cut-out mirror takes your bathroom vanity to a whole new level. Though it is possible to DIY a fancy bathroom mirror, it takes a bit of skill and the right tools, especially if you’re adding curved lines to the design. It may be preferred to bring your bathroom mirror designs to a professional mirror cutter to create a bespoke frameless mirror for your space. Large, frameless cut-out mirrors are generally supported by the backsplash, and secured to the wall with strong mirror adhesive.

4. Arch Mirror

bathroom mirror ideas arch mirror
Photo: Wayfair

Add a touch of class without going too ornate with an arch mirror secured over the bathroom sink. The Birch Lane Rosario Arch Metal Mirror is 36 inches tall by 18.25 inches wide, making one slender enough for many small half baths or a pair for use over double vanity sinks. Though unimposing, the gold bathroom mirror weighs approximately 16 pounds, so it’s best secured by mounting the mirror to a stud in the wall. 

5. Framed Mirror

Shadowboxed mirror over a small bathroom vanity.
Photo: Ohoh for BobVila.com

When you think of a mirror frame, you may think of something decorative, rather than something functional—but bathroom mirror frames can be both. Transform a simple mirror with a shadow box-inspired frame, and use the deep frame as a little bonus shelf. This small bathroom mirror transformation doesn’t take long, and can elevate the look of a bathroom for the price of your time and materials. 

6. Long and Narrow

Long and narrow mirror over a simple wood bathroom vanity.
Photo: Skylar Morgan Furniture

Typical design advice for an ideal mirror size is that a bathroom mirror should be 4 to 6 inches narrower than the width of the vanity. Selecting a long and narrow mirror may break the traditional rule regarding size, but when design rules are broken well, the results can be stunning—just like this framed bathroom mirror idea. 

A narrow mirror is not only practical for a smaller bathroom, but also creates a long, vertical line, making the ceilings appear higher. Contemporary style like this often looks very chic in some minimalist homes, and can elevate the appearance of a small bathroom.

7. Modern Medicine Cabinet

Kohler frameless mirrored medicine cabinets over a double vanity.
Photo: Amazon

Medicine cabinets have been around a long time with good reason. Behind the mirror, they offer a handy place to store all the little necessities in the bathroom, including medication, face wash, contact solution, makeup brushes, and more. 

Modern, minimalist medicine cabinets, like this beveled door mirrored medicine cabinet from Kohler, offer practicality to a bathroom vanity. The small bathroom mirror is 20 inches tall by 16 inches wide by 5 inches deep, and the adjustable glass shelves accommodate sizes from large bottles to razor blade refills. Install the medicine cabinet in the wall cavity to give it a cleaner finished look.

8. Frame Bathroom Windows

bathroom mirror ideas frame bathroom windows
Photo: SEK Architects; Interior Design by Marla Mueller; Photo by Peter Rymwid

If you are fortunate enough to have larger windows in the bathroom, think outside the box when it comes to your decorative bathroom mirror. Hanging mirrors opposite windows does brighten a room, but depending on your layout, you may want to embrace a more unique bathroom mirror idea.

Use frameless mirrors, large or small, like tiles, and stick them to the wall with mounting adhesive. Depending on the style of your bathroom, you may opt to add trim to frame the mirrors’ perimeter. 

9. Backlit LED Mirror

ANTEN backlit LED mirror in a dark, modern bathroom.
Photo: Amazon

Bring some drama to your bathroom mirror, by selecting a backlit option, or better yet, one that’s frontlit and backlit. These cool bathroom mirrors are an excellent option, as the LED lights illuminate your entire face with clear, even light—no more shadows!

A ANTEN’s mirror has a clean, modern appearance, but when the light comes on, it flips the atmosphere in the bathroom, especially if it’s not competing with a natural light source. With three color modes, adjustable brightness, and anti-fog settings available through smart touch functionality, this mirror does much more than simply reflect. To properly install the mirror (and hide the plug), we recommend having an electrician set it up. 

10. Cross-Corner Mirror

Large bathroom mirror with industrial-style steel frame that crosses at the corners.
Photo: SandAndIronHome via Etsy

Though you can hang these decorative bathroom mirrors horizontally, positioning them vertically gives the impression the walls and ceilings are higher than they appear. Frames that spill out over the corners add a flourish of design aesthetic that’s visually appealing, but not overwhelmingly ornate. Matching the color of the frame to other bathroom features, like cabinet hardware, light fixtures, or planters helps create a cohesive, compelling aesthetic.

11. Corner Vanity Mirrors

Two bathroom vanity mirrors facing each other over a corner vanity.
Photo: iStock

Corner vanities often beg the question: Which wall will have the mirror? The real question should be, who says you can only choose one wall? Here’s a vanity mirror idea: Instead of adding one bathroom mirror, double down and add two. This design suggestion works for both L-shaped vanities and triangle vanities. 

Dual mirrors reflect different aspects of the bathroom, making the room appear much bigger, and offer greater reflection of natural light, bringing in more brightness than one mirror. With this setup, you should be able to see yourself in both mirrors at the same time. If the corner’s angle is less than 90 degrees, make sure to space the mirrors away from the corner. If you mount frameless mirrors directly where walls meet at an acute angle, it can produce three or more images of the person in front of it, and may give your bathroom more of a funhouse feel than a charming aesthetic.

12. Coastal Mirror

Blue bathroom with white vanity and round mirror with braided frame.
Photo: Jessica Glynn via Lisa Michael Interiors

Coastal design is all about evoking the soft tones, natural light, and aesthetics of the shore. It’s peaceful and serene without being kitschy. This cool bathroom mirror feeds into this design aesthetic, with neutral or light colors, materials that remind us of the beach or ocean, and a round shape that brings softness to a room.

13. Shelf Mirror

Horizontal bathroom mirror with metal frame and a shelf in front of the mirror.
Photo: Wayfair

There is always usable space that can be found in a bathroom. Instead of cluttering up your countertop, install a bathroom mirror with a built-in shelf. We like this Gracie Oaks metal wall mirror for its design and functionality. 

The rounded black corners and minimalist iron shelf guard looks great, and the slender rail ensures whatever you store there doesn’t tumble down by accident. At 16 inches tall by 35.75 inches wide and 6.5 inches deep, the mirror is wide enough to see a face and still use the shelf for small planters and personal care items.

14. Half-Moon Mirror

Half moon-shaped bathroom mirror over a wood vanity.
Photo: Model Line Design via Etsy

Most often bathroom mirrors are squares, rectangles, ovals, or circles. When it comes to bathroom mirror ideas, you’re not limited to the typical. You can choose something a bit more unique, like this thin-framed half-circle mirror from Etsy seller ModelLineDesign

This half-moon shape takes the hard straight line of a quadrilateral and the soft arc of a circle, creating a shape which ties nicely into bathrooms that have both right angles and softer shapes. The bigger the size, the heavier the mirror, which is why these particular half-moon bathroom mirrors attach to the wall with durable French cleats.

15. Distressed Farmhouse Mirror

Rustic wood-framed horizontal bathroom mirror over a bathroom vanity.
Photo: MullerDesignsCA via Etsy

Whether it’s for your family cabin or a rustic-style home, a farmhouse mirror makes a water closet feel a bit more cozy. Plus, thick, wood-framed farmhouse mirrors look amazing in a bathroom with a freestanding tub, mismatched textures, and timber shelves. 

MullerDesignsCA makes decorative bathroom mirrors with big frames to suit this aesthetic.This distressed farmhouse bathroom mirror can fit in with the other elements of the room, but not be matchy-matchy. Customers can select from a range of sizes and colors, to get just the right look for their bathroom. The construction is reinforced for a secure hold, and German-made hardware supports the weight of the mirror. 

16. Barn Door Mirror

Mirror hanging on a black barn door track.
Photo: Wayfair

Carry a design element from other areas of your home into the bathroom for a more cohesive style throughout. For instance, the barn door you have to your laundry room translates well in a bathroom too. Except instead of being a door, it’s a mirror.

This Laurel Foundry Modern Farmhouse Barn Door Mirror is functional artwork for your bathroom. The wood-framed mirror comes in 10 finishes and four different size options to suit varying requirements. It comes with a 72-inch track, which can be sized down by a handy DIYer. This bathroom mirror idea can be used for style, to roll over a window for privacy, or to cover an inset medicine cabinet.

17. Large Recessed Medicine Cabinet

Large recessed medicine cabinet with metal frame, over bathroom vanity with two bowl sinks.
Photo: Wayfair

A clean, modern look does not pair well with cluttered countertops. Hygiene product lovers and makeup enthusiasts need a place to organize their supplies. This Glass Warehouse oversized recessed medicine cabinet mirror is enormous, measuring 32 inches tall, 48 inches wide, and 5 inches deep. As this bathroom mirror has three soft-close doors and four adjustable glass shelves, the only real additional shelving you’ll need in the bathroom is space for linens.

18. Round Frontlit Mirror

A bathroom mirror is a focal point in many bathrooms, and it’s hard to go wrong with a round mirror—especially one that makes a statement. Orren Ellis’ round frontlit mirror makes it so much easier to see as you’re shaving or applying makeup; we also love that the lights are dimmable and the mirror is equipped with an antifog function. We’re tempted to leave the mirror illuminated at bedtime, too—wouldn’t it make a cool night light?

19. Unconventional Mirror Hanging

Unconventional mirror hanging; half moon shaped mirror over a white vanity.
Photo: iStock

Before you secure your mirror to the wall, experiment a little with the positioning. Though a mirror may be built to hang in a certain direction, there’s nothing to stop you from rotating the mirror, mounting it on an angle, or adding your own lighting or frame to make it your own. 

When implementing some unique bathroom mirror ideas, keep a sense of balance in place. For example, a half-moon mirror hung vertically adds some visual weight to one side of the bathroom vanity. Adding some decor detail—lanterns, a hanging plant, or a small sculpture—makes the mirror feel balanced and not off-kilter.

 
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Kat Hodgins Avatar

Kat Hodgins

Contributing Writer

Kat Hodgins is a lifelong DIYer and hands-on learner. She has been contributing to BobVila.com since 2020, covering DIY projects and home goods.


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