Ditch Your Builder-Grade Bathroom Mirror for One of Our Stylish Favorites (2024)

A bathroom mirror may feel like a minor upgrade, but it can drastically improve your bathroom. Swapping out your builder-grade mirror also adds a personalized touch, no major expense or hours of work required.

Understanding the proper spacing of all your bathroom fixtures before you begin shopping will guarantee your mirror looks custom-designed for your space.

"Consider the spacing between the faucet and the lighting above or to the side of the mirror," Annie Kersey, interior designer at Purple Cherry Architects, says. "Ideally, there should be two to three inches of space from the edge of the mirror to the lights," she says.

We recommend also paying attention to the frame material and mounting type, so you have the proper tools and mounting hardware handy before you purchase a new mirror. The frame material will also indicate the mirror's weight, so you'll know if you need extra installation help.

Our Top Picks

What We Like

  • Versatile

  • Easy to clean

  • Pairs with other Linden collection hardware

What We Don't Like

  • Vertical orientation only

This rectangular option from Pottery Barn is our top pick because it has a slim frame, clean lines, and is endlessly versatile. To accommodate different bathroom layouts and decor schemes, it comes in three finishes: classic chrome, vintage-inspired tumbled brass, and modish matte black.

While the Linden is designed for vertical orientation only, you could hang two next to each other in a bathroom with double vanities. Since the design is so understated, it matches well with various decor styles, especially rustic or modern. You'll want to look elsewhere if you need storage, however.

This mirror has a high-strength MDF (medium-density fiberboard) backing, so it is better able to resist warping over time. It calls for cleat-style mounting and comes with all the necessary hardware.

Cleaning it is easy, too. Simply wipe it down with a soft, dampened sponge or towel to remove dust, fingerprints, and other stains.

You can also finish your bathroom design with other pieces from the Linden collection, like a faucet, towel bar, shelf, or sconce.

Dimensions: 23 x 37 inches | Weight: 25.5 pounds | Shape: Rectangle | Mount Type: Cleat | Orientation: Vertical

What We Like

  • Tempered glass

  • Lightweight

  • Large enough for wide vanities

What We Don’t Like

  • Only one finish available

A bathroom mirror can be a quick and lower-priced DIY project, which is why we love the Dumos Black Metal Framed Vanity Rectangle Mirror. The mirror has a minimalist design that would blend well into mid-century or industrial decor, and we love that it has all the hardware required for hanging it. It also weighs only 10 pounds, so you shouldn’t need to anchor it in a wall stud.

This mirror is available in three sizes and can be hung vertically or horizontally giving you flexibility if you have a larger vanity. Plus, the glass is tempered, so it will not splinter into little pieces, if it does break, making this a safe option for a child’s bathroom or a high-traffic guest bathroom.

Dimensions: 30 x 22, 30 x 40, or 36 x 24 inches | Weight: 10.5 pounds | Shape: Rectangle | Mount Type: Cleats | Orientation: Vertical or horizontal

What We Like

  • Backlit

  • Three light color settings

  • Minimalist

What We Don’t Like

  • Must be hardwired

If you want a lighted mirror that’s still minimalist in appearance, we love All Modern’s Keiko Oval Wall Mirror. It has three light color settings, so you can view your clothes or makeup in different lighting. We also love that this mirror is backlit which creates a more diffused light compared to the harsher lighting that sometimes occurs with wall fixtures or front-lit mirrors.

The only real downside to this mirror is that it must be hardwired into your home’s existing electrical system. We recommend having this done by a professional unless you’re well-versed in electrical work.

Dimensions: 36 x 24 x 1.25 inches | Weight: Not listed | Shape: Capsule | Mount Type: Brackets | Orientation: Vertical or horizontal

What We Like

  • Protective rubber frame

  • Easy to hang

  • Distortion-free reflection

What We Don’t Like

  • Not the most stylish option

If you’re trying to update a small powder bath or a child’s bathroom, this round mirror from Better Bevel is a durable option. It has a rubber frame, which won’t scratch or scuff your walls like a typical wooden or plastic mirror frame. It’s also very easy to hang with a cleat-hanging system at the top of the mirror.

The ¼-inch thick glass is distortion-free and the silver backing is designed for high-humidity environments like a bathroom.

Although this mirror doesn’t have any other features that make it particularly stylish, you can choose from five frame colors (black, gray, matte gold, sage green, or white). It’s also a lightweight option, so hanging it with the included hardware should be a simple process for two people.

Dimensions: 30 x 30 x 0.75 inches | Weight: 16 pounds | Shape: Round | Mount Type: Cleats | Orientation: Not applicable

What We Like

  • Fog-free finish

  • Modern design

  • Deep-set glass

What We Don't Like

  • Collects more debris than other styles

The Edmonia Metal Wall Mirror has a sturdy metal frame in your choice of matte black or distressed gold. We like how the banded perimeter and deep-set glass create a three-dimensional effect.

However, this effect causes it to collect more dust, hair, and debris on the frame than other options. We recommend wiping it down frequently with a damp cloth to remedy this.

This mirror is available in two sizes, so you could easily purchase two smaller mirrors for a double sink vanity or purchase the larger size and hang it horizontally. The mirror is also coated in a fog-free finish, so you hopefully won’t have to worry about a foggy mirror after a hot shower. All of the hanging hardware needed for installation is also included.

Dimensions: 32 x 20 or 60 x 22 inches | Weight: Not listed | Shape: Oval | Mount Type: Bracket | Orientation: Vertical or horizontal

What We Like

  • Easy to hang

  • Frameless

  • Polished edges

What We Don’t Like

  • Not best for larger vanities

The Wrought Studio Amoriah frameless mirror is a great option for smaller bathrooms like a powder bath where you have limited wall space for a larger mirror. The beveled edge is a contemporary and minimalist way to add interest to an otherwise pretty standard mirror design. The edges of the mirror are also polished making it even more sleek than some frameless designs that have raw edges.

This mirror also has an easy-to-hang design with cleats that slide into each other and keep the mirror from wobbling while you clean it. If you like the design of this mirror but have a larger bathroom, it’s also available in various rectangular dimensions.

Dimensions: 30 x 30 x 0.25 inches | Weight: 17 pounds | Shape: Square | Mount Type: Cleats | Orientation: Not applicable

What We Like

  • Unique shape

  • Moisture-resistant

  • Warranty available

What We Don't Like

  • May be too large for small bathrooms

If you want to veer from traditional shapes, try this arched mirror from Glass Warehouse. Sometimes referred to as a Norman window, this style has a semi-circle on top and a squared-off bottom. It's available in three sizes with slightly different proportions.

While it may be too large for a small bathroom, it looks great in pairs over double vanities.

You can also pick from four frame finishes, including white, black, satin brass, and pale pink. The frame is crafted from rust-resistant steel, and the backing is moisture-resistant MDF.

You also have the option of purchasing an up-to 5-year warranty for $32 to protect the mirror, which covers repairs and malfunctions, among other things. This warranty might be worth purchasing given the mirror’s higher price point.

Dimensions: 30 x 20 inches, 32 x 30 inches, or 38 x 22 inches | Weight: 23 pounds | Shape: Arch | Mount Type: Brackets | Orientation: Vertical

What We Like

  • Can also be used as floor mirror

  • Versatile orientation

  • Durable

What We Don't Like

  • Heavy

The NeuType Oversized Bathroom Mirror comes in five sizes, each of which can hang horizontally or vertically. Most sizes will cover the width of double sinks in the horizontal position, but if you have tall ceilings, you could get two and hang them vertically. If you're looking for a floor mirror, this mirror can also be used as one in your bedroom or walk-in closet.

It has a rust-resistant aluminum alloy frame and is available in a black, gold, or silver finish. Due to the large size, it's heavier than most other bathroom mirrors, so we recommend having a helper nearby for installation.

Dimensions: 30 x 69 inches, 31 x 51 inches, 35 x 59 inches, 31 x 71 inches, 24 x 71 inches, 32 x 69 inches, or 39 x 59 inches | Weight: 29.5 to 41 pounds | Shape: Rectangle | Mount Type: Floating | Orientation: Horizontal or vertical

What We Like

  • Pairs with other West Elm hardware

  • Great for a bathroom with multiple users

  • Hardware adds interest

What We Don't Like

  • Only one size available

West Elm's Pivot Wall Mirror can be tilted up and down to get a better view from various angles making it a great choice for bathrooms that have multiple users of different heights. Keep in mind that the tilting mechanism means this mirror can only be hung vertically.

This rectangular bathroom mirror has a high-quality metal frame and is available in five finishes. We also like that you can pair it with matching fixtures and accessories from West Elm, like a towel holder, soap dispenser, or trash bin. Additionally, we love that the tilting hardware adds interest to this mirror compared to a regular flush-mounted rectangular mirror.

Dimensions: 35 x 23 x 4 inches | Weight: 22 pounds | Shape: Rectangle | Mount Type: Bracket | Orientation: Vertical

What We Like

  • Three lighting temperatures

  • Can be grounded or plugged into outlet

  • Frameless

What We Don’t Like

  • Heavy

Extra bathroom lighting is always a plus, which is why we love the Keonjinn Round LED Mirror. It has a front light that illuminates the outer edge of the mirror making it easier to apply makeup or shave. The light can also be adjusted between three colors and three brightness levels.

We love the frameless design of this mirror which makes it compatible with pretty much any bathroom since you don’t have to worry about matching hardware colors. Additionally, it has an anti-fog function which helps to keep the mirror fog-free after you take a steamy shower.

You can opt to leave this mirror as a plug-in fixture, or you can ground it to your existing electrical wires. We recommend hiring a professional electrician if you choose the latter route unless you’re experienced in working with electrical fixtures.

This mirror weighs over 20 pounds, so we also recommend installing it with someone else’s help. With all the features and functions packed into this mirror, we think it’s a great choice for small and large bathrooms.

Dimensions: 24, 28, 32, 36, 40 inches round | Weight: 22 pounds | Shape: Round | Mount Type: Not listed | Orientation: Not applicable

What We Like

  • Reversible door

  • Sleek design

  • Side mirror included

What We Don’t Like

  • More complicated installation

The extra storage that a medicine cabinet offers can be valuable in smaller bathrooms, which is why we love the sleek design of the Kohler Verdera Rectangular Aluminum Medicine Cabinet. Its fully mirrored exterior and interior add a luxe finish to a typically utilitarian bathroom fixture. We also love that the interior shelves are adjustable, so you can easily fit your most-reached items like skincare and toothbrushes.

There’s also an extra smaller mirror with a magnifying side that flips out from the door and is height adjustable for various users. This cabinet is available in larger sizes too, so you can play it above a larger vanity; however, we'd still recommend purchasing two for a wide double vanity.

The cabinet can be installed flush against the wall or recessed, but you'll definitely want someone present to help you hold it in place while you screw in the brackets.

Dimensions: 20 x 26 x 4.75 inches | Weight: 30.8 pounds | Shape: Rectangular | Mount Type: Brackets | Orientation: Vertical

Final Verdict

Our best overall mirror, the Pottery Barn Linden Mirror is a versatile design that can blend into almost any interior design type from modern to farmhouse. If you’re looking for a simple mirror that’s also lower in price, our best budget pick, the Dumos Black Metal Framed Vanity Rectangle Mirror, is very similar in style to the Pottery Barn mirror but has a wider frame and rounded edges.

How to Choose the Best Bathroom Mirror

The Size of Your Vanity Determines the Size of Your Mirror

You should choose a size that complements your vanity: not so small that it looks awkward but not too big that it takes over the wall. Mirrors make a room look large, which is helpful in a smaller powder bath, so keep in mind that a too-small mirror won't be helpful to you or your space’s design.

Just as Kersey suggested, you’ll want to have some spacing around the sides of your mirror for bathroom light fixtures and below it for your sink. "I like keeping the mirror higher than the spout height [of the sink] to help eliminate some splatter," says Kersey, so you'll want a mirror size that allows for the most useful placement as well.

Our best for double sinks pick, the NeuType Oversize Rectangle Bathroom Mirror, is best for larger bathrooms and can even be used as a full-length mirror. While it may not fit in a smaller bathroom, it will help fill a wall in a larger primary bathroom.

"Bathroom mirrors should be hung at eye level," says Kersey. "I usually start the mirror 6 inches above the bathroom countertop height." If you're installing it on a wall with sconces, she suggests lining them up at the same eye-level height.

Play Around With Unique Mirror Shapes

You can find mirrors in geometric shapes such as square, rectangle, and round, but you can also find them in abstract shapes. We stuck to offering several popular geometric shapes in our list. We also love the unique capsule shape of our best splurge pick, the All Modern Keiko Oval Wall Mirror.

The best mirror shape for your bathroom depends on personal preference. Round mirrors are a bit softer and tend to look more stylish, while angular mirrors create a sleek, modern aesthetic.

If you have double vanities, you can either use one long rectangular mirror to create the illusion of more space or install two identical mirrors side by side, like our best overall pick, the Pottery Barn Linden Mirror, to create distinct zones for each sink.

Prioritize a Convenient Mount Type

The mounting hardware you use to install a bathroom mirror is largely dependent on the size and weight of the mirror. While most mirrors come with all of the hardware you need to install them, we recommend you have a power drill and a hammer nearby for the actual installation. To help clarify some of the mounting options offered within our list, we’ve defined them for you.

  • Bracket: This is one of the most popular mount types you’ll see on mirrors. A bracket is an existing hole or metal slot on the back of a mirror that works with a nail or most picture hanging hooks. If you’re installing a particularly large and heavy mirror with brackets, we recommend using drywall anchors or nailing directly into a stud behind your wall to ensure it can handle the weight of the mirror.
  • Cleat: Also called a French cleat, this type of mount looks like a small lip that juts upside down on the back of a mirror. Its corresponding wall part is screwed into a wall in the opposite direction (with the open part facing upward) and then the mirror can be hung from the lip. Many of our mirrors on this list have cleat installation options, including our best square pick, the Wrought Studio Amoriah Beveled Frameless Bathroom Mirror.
  • Floating: Sometimes, online manufacturers and retailers do not specify the type of mechanism that comes with a mirror to hang it and will simply list the mount type as “floating.” In this case, all installation hardware will be hidden behind the fixture, thus creating the illusion of a floating object. it’s safe to assume that a similar bracket or cleat will be provided to make this installation easy.

Other Standout Features We Love

Built-In Storage

If you're short on space in your bathroom, you should look for a mirror with storage, whether located behind the mirror or, in a more modern interpretation, on or around it. Medicine cabinets abound, and many are quite stylish, like our best medicine cabinet pick, the Kohler Verdera Medicine Cabinet. It’s fully mirrored for a chic finish and has adjustable shelves.

Attached Lighting

Many frameless bathroom mirrors are also now available with built-in lighting to make tasks like applying makeup or shaving your face much easier. These mirrors also often have adjustable settings for different light warmths and brightnesses, like our best LED mirror, the Keonjinn Round LED Mirror.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was written by Emma Phelps, an associate editor who covers bedding and baths for The Spruce. Phelps has been a member of the team since 2022 and specializes in home design and improvement topics. Although her current rented apartment does not allow for interior upgrades, Phelps loves the versatility of a medicine cabinet in a small bathroom. She also thinks you can never go wrong with a frameless mirror as it matches any fixture color.

Our Experts:

  • Annie Kersey, an interior designer at Purple Cherry Architects
Ditch Your Builder-Grade Bathroom Mirror for One of Our Stylish Favorites (2024)
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