“Life is like a mirror. Smile at it and it smiles back at you." Anon
I am a huge fan of luxury statement mirrors. They are a fast, effective way to transform any room – but they really make a difference in the bathroom. It's easy to make the mistake of choosing your mirror last, almost as an afterthought. However, ideally they should feature in the room plan right from the start, in order to complement and enhance the colour scheme and design. Of course, it’s never too late to make changes – but this is not a job that should be rushed. There are lots of different elements to consider when choosing the right luxury bathroom mirrors for a home. So, do take plenty of time to think hard about size, shape, colour, location, material and style.
Twice as nice: I love how Bathroom Eleven has used our Modena Mirror to create a striking mirror wall that simply oozes glamour and glitz. Modena measures 650mm by 900mm and is priced at £415
Specialist selections for statement mirrors
The perfect statement mirrors effortlessly blend function and form. That’s especially important for the bathroom environment. The mirror needs to help your client look good, while looking super stylish itself. That means there is absolutely no substitute for specialist products.
First and foremost, you must make sure that the luxury bathroom mirrors you are considering are suitable for the room they’ll be residing in. It’s very important to realise that bathroom mirrors can be hung in any other room of the house. However, the reverse doesn’t apply. Bathroom mirrors have special features to withstand humid environments. And models with lights must meet special electrical regulations.
Our Docklands Round Mirror, 600mm diameter, £185, shown here in brushed brass, is the ideal complement to the other metallic elements of this super stylish setting by Ribble Valley Bathrooms
There are other issues to consider, too. Have the statement mirrors you like been specially treated with suitable backing, in order to withstand excess moisture? If not, there’s a risk that water will find its way between the mirror and the backing. The result? Unsightly splits, and black marks known as silvering. So, ensure all glass edges have been treated with copper sulphate, to help protect it from this sort of damage and “mirror rot”. Pay close attention to frames, too. If they’re made from wood, they’ll need to be specially treated so they don’t split. Humid bathroom conditions can cause metal frames to rust too. Avoid iron and steel, although stainless steel, nickel, brass and aluminium are all suitable alternatives. And, if you’re choosing a mirror with integrated lights, make sure it has an IP44 rating.
Location, location, location
Go big, go bold: Spaces by Design shows that sometimes size does matter, matching our Ravenna Light Mirror, 1400mm x 700mm, £690, to a modern ‘his and hers’ basin installation
“Smile in the mirror,” Japanese multi-media artist, singer, song writer and peace activist Yoko Ono recommends. “Do that every morning and you’ll start to see a big difference in your life.” I like this advice a lot. But to do it properly, you’ll need to make sure you site all bathroom mirrors in the best possible place. If the bathroom is big enough, a wall of statement mirrors ensures maximum visibility. If your client is after something a little more understated and/or traditional, a mirror above the basin is a tried-and-tested option. But luxury bathroom mirrors do much more than show you how you look. They can be used to maximise light, give the illusion of space, and create interesting reflections. The right mirror can be considered a valid piece of art. So don’t just do the obvious – think beyond the basin!
An ideal fit: Tapflow Bathrooms has found the perfect position for our Docklands Rectangular Mirror (800mm by 1000mm, £340), hung here in a landscape installation to suit the space available
In many bathrooms, the area above the toilet is dead, neglected space. Why not fill this with a mirror instead? It’s a clever way to add instant light and space, especially to a small bathroom, en-suite or cloakroom. But one of my favourite locations for luxury bathroom mirrors is above a feature bath. This is a great combination, for so many reasons, both pretty and practical. Choosing the right style to complement the tub is vital, of course. But size really matters, too. The bigger the mirror, the bigger the impact. Introducing some lighting to the mix elevates everything to another level. Just picture a luxurious evening soak, with all the main lights switched off, and just the gentle glow of an illuminated mirror. Bathing bliss!
Multitasking statement mirrors
Let there be light: Our LED backlit Astoria Mirror 140 Black, 1400mm x 700mm, £735, looks fabulous sited above this contemporary statement bath: simply brilliant from LoveYourBathroom!
Modern luxury bathroom mirrors do much more than simply provide a reflection. As already mentioned, they can multitask as lighting providers. LED backlit mirrors aren’t just practical; they create a warm, inviting ambiance. They are very energy efficient too. And some statement mirrors even include demister pads. These are ideal as they help to prevent the build-up of steam and condensation, to make sure the mirror is always crystal clear.
Shape and style
An ideal fit: Drench has found the perfect position for our Docklands Hexagonal Mirror in brushed brass, 50cm by 75cm, £215. The shape is so unusual, this mirror creates the perfect statement piece wherever you locate it
Perhaps the last key elements to discuss are size and shape. Statement mirrors can be round, oval, rectangular or square, from small to big via everything in between. The available space – and your client’s personal taste – will of course dictate what sort of luxury bathroom mirrors they'll want to buy. Rectangular models are enduringly popular. But I often recommend a round mirror, to create a softer, more relaxed look. I think circular options very work well with curved basins, too. They also leave more wall space exposed if there is feature wallpaper to showcase.
Frameless mirrors work well in contemporary bathroom settings, and complement an uncluttered, minimalist look. Simple frames are timeless and versatile, whereas elaborate frames suit classic/traditional and old-school glamorous bathroom settings.
Our bathroom mirrors are so fabulous, they can feature anywhere! I love how The Gate Hotel London has used our Brushed Brass Docklands Round Mirror, 600mm diameter, £185, in its open-plan living space
It’s difficult to generalise about the optimal mirror size. A good rule of thumb is to buy a mirror that’s approximately two-thirds the size of the furniture or fixture below. But bending (or breaking) the rules can often produce a result that is unique, unexpected and progressive. Practical restrictions have their place, of course. But don’t be afraid to indulge your client’s individual tastes and style.
We’ve been transforming bathrooms for more than 25 years. For more in-depth advice about bathroom mirror options, call 020 8599 8080 or email: info@originsliving.uk
