Which bathroom mirror to choose
Three criteria decide: the size in relation to the vanity, the presence of LED lighting, and technical features like anti-fog. The shape comes after; it dictates nothing other than the style.
Installation height: center of the mirror at 135 cm from the finished floor.
Width: equal to or less than that of the vanity, never greater.
Space above the sink: 20 to 30 cm between the top of the sink and the bottom of the mirror.
Standard diameter of a round mirror: 60 to 80 cm.
A mirror wider than the vanity visually unbalances the entire room. The rule is simple: same width for an aligned look, or 10 to 20 cm less on each side for a lighter look. Never beyond that.
LED mirror, backlit, or separate lighting
Mirror lighting is not decorative; it determines what you see. Lighting coming from the ceiling casts shadows under the eyes and chin, exactly where you need to see.
| Solution |
Result |
Power supply |
| Integrated LED mirror |
Light strip on the front, illuminates the face directly without cast shadows |
Electrical connection required |
| Backlit mirror |
Light halo behind the mirror, soft ambiance, accent lighting |
Electrical connection required |
| Simple mirror with wall lamp |
Wall lamp placed above or on either side |
Separate light point to be planned |
Backlighting alone is not enough for shaving or applying makeup: it creates an ambiance, not functional lighting. For these uses, you need frontal light, either integrated into the mirror or via two wall lamps placed on either side at face level.
Light temperature changes everything
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Neutral white, 4000 K: the most accurate for makeup, it does not distort skin tones.
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Warm white, 2700 to 3000 K: pleasant for ambiance, but it yellows the complexion and distorts the rendering.
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Cool white, 6000 K and above: clinical, it hardens features and tires the eyes.
Anti-fog, anti-shatter, integrated socket
Three technical features distinguish a bathroom mirror from a simple wall mirror. They are not visible in a photo, yet they are what change daily use.
Anti-fog relies on a heating element glued to the back of the mirror. It keeps the surface a few degrees above the ambient air, which prevents condensation from forming. It is triggered manually or automatically depending on the model and consumes very little.
Anti-shatter is a film applied to the back of the glass. In case of breakage, the pieces remain attached to the film instead of falling. It is a safety feature that matters in a bathroom, where one is barefoot.
Integrated socket, present on our medicine cabinets, eliminates the need for a wall outlet near the water source. It allows you to plug in a shaver or toothbrush without an extension cord lying on the countertop.
Simple mirror or medicine cabinet
The medicine cabinet is a mirror combined with a closed storage volume. It solves the problem of a cluttered countertop, at the cost of extra thickness on the wall.
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Simple mirror: 2 to 5 cm thick, no clearance constraints, the choice when storage exists elsewhere.
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Medicine cabinet: 12 to 16 cm thick, adjustable shelves, side-opening doors. Check the door swing before installing.
In a small bathroom without a tall unit, the medicine cabinet is often the only closed storage available. It holds what should not remain in sight and completely clears the vanity top.
Shapes and dimensions
The shape should be chosen based on the room's geometry, not fashion. A round mirror softens a very square bathroom; a rectangle reinforces an already graphic line.
| Shape |
Common dimensions |
Effect |
| Round |
60 to 80 cm in diameter |
Softens angles, matches a round sink |
| Oval |
50 to 70 cm wide |
Visually elongates, occupies less width at the same height |
| Organic |
Approximately 80 cm |
Irregular contour, a statement piece that stands on its own |
The frame counts as much as the shape. A recessed aluminum frame creates a fine shadow that detaches the mirror from the wall. A frameless model disappears and lets the shape speak for itself. A matte black or gold metal frame asserts the piece as a decorative element.
Installing a bathroom mirror
Installation requires two precautions: the right mounting system according to the weight, and clean drilling if the wall is tiled.
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Locate electrical conduits before drilling, especially above a water source.
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Mark the center at 135 cm from the finished floor, then mark the fixing points.
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Drill with a ceramic bit using rotation only on tile, never percussion. Masking tape prevents the drill bit from slipping.
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Use anchors according to the support, and provide fixings adapted to the weight: an 80 cm mirror with a frame easily weighs 10 kg.
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Connect the power supply on an LED model, outside of protection zones, to a junction box.
Never glue a bathroom mirror
Mirror adhesives hold in a dry room. In a bathroom, steam and temperature variations eventually loosen the mastic, and the mirror falls without warning. Always use mechanical fixing, brackets or a rail, even if the manufacturer provides adhesive pads.
Maintaining a bathroom mirror
A mirror should be cleaned with a slightly damp microfiber cloth, then wiped dry. That is all; anything else does more harm than good.
- Avoid ammonia-based products on the edges: they attack the silvering and create irreversible black spots.
- Never spray directly onto the mirror; the product seeps through the edges. Spray onto the cloth.
- On an LED model, cut the power before cleaning around the light strip.
Black spots on the edge of the mirror, often mistaken for dirt, are actually oxidized silvering. They do not go away and signal that water has seeped under the glass. This is irreversible, hence the importance of never letting water stagnate on the edge.
Frequently asked questions
Which bathroom mirror to choose?
Start with the width of your vanity; the mirror must never exceed it. Then choose according to the available lighting: an LED mirror if you do not have a wall lamp, a simple mirror if frontal lighting already exists. Anti-fog is justified in a poorly ventilated room.
At what height should a bathroom mirror be installed?
Center of the mirror at 135 cm from the finished floor, with 20 to 30 cm between the top of the sink and the bottom of the mirror. This height suits the majority of heights. Adjust by a few centimeters according to the height of the main occupants.
Which mirrors are anti-fog?
Models equipped with a heating element glued to the back, which keeps the surface a few degrees above the ambient air. It prevents condensation from forming, is triggered manually or automatically, and consumes very little.
Which mirrors have LED lighting?
Two systems exist. Integrated LED, with a strip on the front that illuminates the face without cast shadows. And backlit, with a halo behind the mirror that creates an ambiance but is not enough for shaving or applying makeup.
How to install a bathroom mirror?
Locate conduits, mark the center at 135 cm, drill with a ceramic bit using rotation only on tile, use anchors according to the weight, then connect the power supply outside of protection zones. Always use mechanical fixing, never glue.
How to maintain a bathroom mirror?
Slightly damp microfiber cloth, then wipe dry. Avoid ammonia which attacks the silvering on the edges, and never spray directly onto the mirror; the product seeps through the edges and causes irreversible black spots.
What are the prices of bathroom mirrors?
From €110 for a round mirror with an ABS frame to €350 for an anti-shatter LED model with an aluminum frame. Medicine cabinets with an integrated socket are between €218 and €315 depending on the number of doors and the width.
Should I get a mirror or a medicine cabinet?
A simple mirror if closed storage already exists elsewhere; it is only 2 to 5 cm thick. A medicine cabinet if the countertop is cluttered: it offers adjustable shelves for 12 to 16 cm of thickness, and sometimes an integrated socket.
The mirror is part of a set. Browse the entire range to harmonize the finishes.
