How to choose a mirror: what to consider

A mirror is as much about what it reflects as about how it looks. These are the things worth settling before you choose one. The numbers are common rules of thumb, not fixed rules.

Browse mirrors →·See an Edit →

Size and height

Hang a wall mirror so its centre is at about eye level, commonly around 145-155 cm from the floor. A mirror above a console, sideboard or basin is commonly a little narrower than the piece below it.
For checking an outfit, a full-length mirror is about 150-180 cm tall; a floor mirror that leans needs a stable angle and a non-slip foot.

Placement and light

A mirror opposite or beside a window brings daylight further into the room; one opposite a bright light can glare at night.
Think about what it will reflect. A view, a lamp or a plant doubles well; a bin or a pile of cables does not.
In a hallway, a mirror helps with a last check on the way out; in a bathroom, check the lighting from the sides, not only from above.

The glass

Thin glass can show slight distortion. Judge the reflection from a distance, not only up close.
Antique or aged mirrors have a deliberately uneven surface; that is a look, not a defect.
Mirrors in children's rooms, near stairs or in a busy hallway should be made from safety glass or have a safety backing film.

Hanging and fixing

Mirrors can be heavy. Check the weight and use fixings suited to your wall (concrete, brick, studs or plasterboard); often two people hang it.
A leaning mirror is easier to place but can slip; ask about anti-slip feet and a wall strap.
Bathrooms and damp rooms need a mirror made for damp: look for edges and a back that are protected from moisture.

Care

Clean with a soft cloth and a glass cleaner sprayed on the cloth, not on the mirror, so liquid does not run behind the edge.

Questions worth asking the maker

What are the exact dimensions and weight? Is the glass safety glass or backed with a safety film? How is it hung, and what fixings are included? Is it suitable for a damp room? What are the delivery and return terms?

Sources and further reading

A label covers one aspect of a product, such as where the wood came from or which chemicals are in a textile, not its whole footprint. These pages explain what each covers; they are not endorsements, and Formground does not rate products.

Browse mirrors →·See an Edit →