How to choose a mirror?

A mirror is such an attribute, without which the existence of a bathroom is simply impossible. Thanks to him, we do daily hygiene processes - washing, brushing, washing hands, combing hair and various cosmetic procedures. How to choose a mirror and not make a mistake in your decision? It seems to many that choosing a mirror is very simple: I came to the store, chose what I liked, and that’s all. We assure you that this is not so. To choose such an accessory you need to approach with special responsibility: take into account the type, shape, material, existing dimensions and other existing features of this design. We will consider all these points in today's article.

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How to choose a universal mirror in your case?

So, it's time to get to know more about the main criteria for choosing a mirror. Thanks to them, you can choose not only a beautiful, but also a practical accessory that will tastefully complement the interior of your bathroom, while remaining multifunctional.

Wall

Such a mirror is hung on the wall, and it performs only one purpose - reflection. This is the most common type of mirror, which is inexpensive, quickly mounted and can be outweighed from place to place.

With frame

We want to note right away that this type of construction will cost you a lot of money, but the end result is worth the cost. Framing will give the mirror a complete look, high cost and chic.

Frameless

It is much cheaper than everyone else, but a little more expensive than the wall. Suitable for a bathroom decorated in the style of Hi-tech, Modern or Minimalism.

Combined

Very comfortable and multifunctional mirror. It can store various bath accessories, cosmetics, hygiene products and even household chemicals (if space permits). Due to its versatility, such a model will cost you a lot. We recommend choosing a joint mirror for a small bathroom.

Important! If you opt for such a mirror model, then the question of which mirror to choose in the bathroom will not bother you anymore, because this is one of the most versatile options for a reflective installation.

With a shelf

Such an additionally mounted stand will allow you to comfortably spread out your toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet soap, shampoos, creams, and shaving machines.

With cupboard

This design is a bit similar to the combined mirror, but it has one significant difference - all the necessary bath and bath accessories will be hidden from prying eyes inside the cabinet behind the door. The mirror in such a miniature cabinet can be additionally illuminated around the perimeter or with several small lamps.

With a pedestal

Yes, such a mirror exists. You simply did not know about its existence. It is quite large and you can store in it not only detergents and cleaners, but also towels, bathrobes and slippers on the lower shelf of the cabinet.

Built-in mirror

This design is mounted directly into the wall. These models are presented in a wide range of design solutions and are most often custom made.

Important! The built-in mirror is expensive, it takes a long time to install and does not provide for moving from place to place.

Corner

If you stay on the corner mirror, then save the space of your bathroom. Such a product can be equipped with a pedestal and sink or be built-in.

Cosmetic

It can be of two types: single or double. The latter option is equipped with a rotating mirror with two sides, one of which will show you the real image, and the other - an enlarged image. This model provides for a change in the angle of inclination of the mirror and can sometimes be attached to the wall.

Important! A cosmetic mirror can only be used as an addition to the main mirror.

What shape to choose a mirror?

To make the new product fit perfectly into your existing environment, consider these tips:

• Rectangular The most popular option for a mirror, which is mounted vertically or horizontally.
• Square. Such a product will make the room more proportional, and also well suited for a narrow and rectangular bathroom.
• Round. Able to visually increase a small area of ​​a room.
• Oval. An oval mirror is installed, as well as a rectangular one - horizontally and vertically. Unlike a rectangular design, due to the rounded corners, it gives the interior of the room more harmony.
• Curly. A distinctive feature is the original form, which can be in the form of a heart, wave, butterfly, moon and other options. Such a mirror will serve you not only for its intended purpose, but also as a decorative element that can effectively decorate any room.

Important! If you want something more original, then you can use the following option: take a mirror tile, break it into fragments, of which you put a mirror of any shape.

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Hanging method

To choose the right mirror, you need to consider how to install it. Here are the options:

• Vertical. Able to visually increase the height of the wall. A vertically mounted mirror is usually used for low bathrooms.
• Horizontal This method of hanging visually expand any room, especially a small bathroom.
• Symmetrical Most often it is a round or square product. Such a reflective attribute can only be attached in one position.

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What is a mirror made of?

How to choose a mirror in the bathroom according to the material of manufacture? Now we will examine in detail this very difficult question.

Amalgam layer

If for mirrors in the hallway you can hang the most ordinary mirror, then for the bathroom it is advisable to choose a model that would withstand moisture. Now we will take a closer look at each of these protective layers:

• Silver layer. Mirrors with such coatings are more able to reflect the image, are moisture resistant, more durable, but are expensive.
• Aluminum coating. Such mirrors are an order of magnitude cheaper than the previous version, but reflective qualities are much lower, unlike products with a silver coating.
• Amalgam coating of gold, nickel and chrome. Mirrors with such a coating have the highest operational properties, but for many people they are simply unavailable because of their highest price.

Frame

When purchasing a mirror, pay attention to what the frame is made of. It, like the base, must be moisture resistant. So, we will consider the main manufacturing materials:

• Wooden. It is considered the most beautiful, expensive and versatile frame for mirrors. Do not forget to treat it with a special varnish composition, which will greatly increase resistance to wet environments.
• Stainless or chrome plated. This type of framing fights well with moisture, but not every interior is suitable for it.
• Plastic It responds well to moisture, has various shapes and colors, but is categorically not suitable for round and oval mirrors (curvature is possible).The view of the plastic frame is not as status as the previous expensive options.
• Glass and stone. We combined these two materials for a reason - they are less common than other mirror frames, but are still used.

The basis

This indicator is especially important if you are going to hang a mirror with a cabinet in the bathroom:

• Chipboard. This is the cheapest material that has reduced moisture resistance, as a result of which the appearance of the product may deteriorate.
• MDF. A cabinet or cabinet made of such a material is much more resistant to moisture.

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Interior style and mirror design

There are many styles of room decoration, and for each of them its own rules regarding the choice of form, material, general design. Consider a couple of the most popular options.

Classical

Mirror with an elegant frame, decorated in various styles - Baroque, Classic and Rococo:

• Various curvilinear shapes and decorations (fine carving, curls) may be present on the frame.
• Such a classic frame looks quite massive, so it’s more suitable for large rooms.
• In this version of the mirror there is no backlight provided.
• The shape of the product may be rectangular, square or oval.

Modern

Such mirrors can be with a modest frame or without it at all. But in a modern design, the mirror can be equipped with lighting and other useful functions. The shape can be very different - from a rectangle to a heart. Oval and round models of modern mirrors are especially popular.

Important! Mirrors with color or white patterns and rhinestones look very impressive, but such products are more expensive than others.

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Size is important

How to choose a mirror in the bathroom and not lose the right size? The size of the mirror depends on the size of the bathroom. For small rooms, you need to choose a small mirror, and for spacious rooms - a large model showing a person in full growth.

Standard sizes for a rectangular mirror:

• 100x30 cm - shows a figure in full growth.
• 35x55 - reflects the figure to the waist.

You can focus on the following basic recommendations:

• A rectangular or square mirror should not be smaller than a washstand (for other shapes, the width can be any).
• The average height of the reflective product should be equal to half human height.

Important! The mirror should be mounted at a distance of 10-15 cm from the ceiling, from the walls - 3-5 cm, from the lower edge of the mirror to the floor - 80-85 cm, and from the upper edge - 170-220 cm.

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Lighting

To illuminate the space near the mirror, use the backlight, which in addition to its intended purpose, visually increases the area of ​​the bathroom.

So, we will consider the main types of backlighting:

• Inner. Usually this type of backlight is equipped with LEDs that are mounted directly in the mirror itself (light around the entire perimeter or in individual sections of the structure).

Important! The built-in backlight is quite expensive and is most often used in a mirror with a closet.

• External. It consists of spotlights, sconces and spots, which are best installed on the two upper and lower sides of the mirror.
• Decorative. Such illumination gives the reflective product a beautiful appearance, but does not bear any functional significance. By placement, decorative lighting is both internal and external.

Important! In small rooms they place a mirror opposite the light source, and in spacious rooms it is better to hang a mirror with backlight. We advise you to think in advance about the mirror lighting system before buying it.

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Equipment

Now we will talk about how modern mirrors can be equipped:

• The reflective surface can be equipped with a magnifying mirror, which greatly facilitates the application of makeup and makes shaving comfortable, and most importantly - safe. In such products, various additional functions are also provided: glass heating, a socket for an electric shaver and a hairdryer, a clock, an mp3 player, a radio and a temperature sensor.
• The most “advanced” models are equipped with a hidden LCD-monitor, with which you can watch movies and television programs from a computer or DVD player.

Important! If you want to buy a product equipped with electrical appliances, then pay attention to its safety and especially to insulation. In order to protect the mirror from foreign objects and liquids, it is necessary to give preference to a product with protection against IP44.

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Anti-fog glass

How to choose a mirror so that it does not fog up? In this case, you need to choose a model with anti-fog glass with a heating function. This moment is very important for the bathroom, since this particular room has increased humidity due to evaporation.

The principle of operation of such a system is quite simple - the whole point is in reflective foil, which is attached to the back of the product and connected to a light source. If you bought a product without it, then do not rush to get upset; you can make such a special foil with your own hands. This technique works like this: when you turn on the light, the foil is heated, which prevents the surface from fogging with strong evaporation.

Important! If you want to make a fog-free mirror yourself, then use one of the most famous options: electric floor heating, electric film floor or infrared film floor.

This heated reflective film has several advantages:

• Ease of use.
• Interesting design.
• Easy installation.
• High safety and hygiene.
• Affordable pricing.

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How to choose a quality mirror in the store?

• Have a good look at the reflective surface of the product - it should be smooth and clean with no air bubbles and various spots.
• Check the clarity of the reaction to the visible image: in front of the mirror, move your hand with a pencil to the right and left. If the display of the movement of the object does not ripple, lag and distort the image, then you have a high-quality mirror.
• The edge of the product must be well processed (polished), since a poorly processed edge carries cracks, chips and other very unpleasant consequences.
• You need to consider such a product only near the window with direct sunlight.
• The reverse side is no less important than the front - it should be without damage with a smooth and not a rough coating.
• Do not buy dimensional models made of thin glass, because due to the heavy load of its own weight it can “sag” and you will get a distorted picture.
• Pay attention to the quality of the fasteners - they should be as reliable as possible, preferably made of high-quality stainless steel (if “liquid nails” are not used).
• Do not save on the quality of such a bathroom accessory: a cheap mirror will last less, but a product of a trusted brand will please you and your generation for many more years.
• Do not forget to ask the seller for a quality certificate to verify that the coating does not contain harmful metals, such as lead, which can harm your health.

Important! On a high-quality mirror, the reverse side should have a rich green tint, but the product of poor quality is purple. But the product with a blue tint tolerates moisture well.

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Stock footage

We really hope that this article helped you choose the most important attribute of the bathroom. We paid maximum attention to the important and sensitive issue regarding which mirror to choose in the bathroom. Now we have no doubt that by listening to our useful recommendations, you will make the right, and most importantly, quality acquisition.