Mirrors are one of those subtle design elements that can profoundly impact the overall aesthetic of a space. However, when it comes to selecting the perfect mirror, there are specific principles we prefer to adhere to.
Over the years, Shea and the design team have accumulated considerable expertise in mirror selection for their clients. Today, we’ll guide you through their process of choosing the appropriate style, shape, size, and grade. Here are some key considerations when selecting a mirror for a given space.
01. Size
We follow a few general rules of thumb when determining the size of a mirror.
Over a Piece of Furniture: When choosing a mirror to hang above a piece of furniture, we prefer the mirror to be slightly smaller than the furniture below it. This allows for “breathing room,” much like when displaying artwork. If the mirror completely covers the furniture piece beneath it, it can overwhelm the entire visual, negatively dwarfing the furniture. However, if the mirror is a few inches shorter than the furniture, it’s easier to layer a lamp and other decorative items on top of the piece, creating a balanced vignette.
On a Wall: Hanging a mirror on a wall is an excellent way to make your room feel more expansive, but you don’t want the mirror to dominate the entire wall. If we’re hanging a mirror on a narrow wall, we like to leave a few inches of wall space on either side of the mirror to create visual balance.
In a Bathroom: Choosing the right-sized mirror for a bathroom is largely dependent on the surrounding elements. If you’re undertaking a new build and selecting your lighting, plumbing, and electrical fixtures, you have the flexibility to customise the layout. In this scenario, you can decide whether to opt for one large mirror or two smaller mirrors. Conversely, if you’re remodelling, you’ll likely need to work around existing electrical wiring and sink placement.
Typically, if we have two sinks, we install two mirrors with wall sconces positioned on either side. We prefer the mirrors to at least cover the length of the sink. Therefore, if the sinks are closely spaced, opting for one longer mirror is sometimes a more reliable choice.
In a new build, we aim to vary the layout of bathrooms throughout the home to achieve a more bespoke look and feel. For example, if we use two smaller mirrors with side sconces in one bathroom, we might choose one long mirror with an overhead light in another.
Shop McGee & Co. Mirrors:
- Jillian Round Faux Shagreen Mirror
- Josephine Mirror
- Willson Wall Mirror
- Allegheny Wall Mirror
- Giada Wall Mirror
- Gareth Woven Mirror
- Jacob Rectangular Mirror
02. Shape
When it comes to selecting the appropriate mirror shape for a space, there are a few considerations we account for.
Over a Piece of Furniture: We enjoy being creative with mirror shapes when placing them above furniture, often opting for more unconventional forms. If we have a dresser with soft, rounded edges, we tend to contrast it with a square-shaped mirror. Conversely, if the furniture piece has sharper edges, an arch or circular mirror can provide the perfect contrast.
In a Bathroom or Powder Room: In a bathroom or powder room, the primary consideration is the surrounding lighting. If the electrical wiring in a renovation is set up for two side sconces, we’ll likely choose a circular-shaped mirror rather than a square one. If the wiring is for an overhead light, we typically opt for a square-shaped mirror. While we have used a circular mirror with an overhead sconce in the past when the space demanded it, it can be more challenging to achieve the right balance and ensure functional effectiveness.
Shop McGee & Co. Mirrors:
- Ballard Mirror
- Hawley Decagon Mirror
- Rye Wall Mirror
- Ludwig Wall Mirror
- Laila Rectangle Mirror
- Shagreen Rectangle Mirror
- Hogan Oval Mirror
03. Style
Choosing the right style for your mirror is significantly influenced by the surrounding elements. As we gravitate towards transitional looks, we aim to create a mixture of styles within each vignette. Here are a few points to note.
There’s a distinction between bathroom-grade and non-bathroom-grade mirrors (a topic we’ll address later), but in terms of style, bathroom-grade mirrors are typically more streamlined. Additionally, by the time you’ve incorporated lighting, plumbing, and all the other components that constitute a bathroom, a highly detailed mirror can sometimes appear visually distracting. For both these reasons, we tend to keep mirror styles simple in many of our bathroom designs. However, we still enjoy playing with style balance by using the mirror to complement or contrast modern or traditional elements within the space.
When it comes to mirror finishes, we tend to view a mirror as a standalone element. This means that even if we decide not to mix metals for lighting, plumbing, and hardware, we may still choose a contrasting finish for the mirror.
Mixing styles with your mirror positioned above a piece of furniture offers even more creative freedom, and we love to experiment with balancing traditional and modern aesthetics. For example, if we have a more traditional dresser style, we might choose a modern-looking mirror, and vice versa. If you’re selecting a mirror for your wall, observe your space and try to gauge what it might be missing. If the room features many rounded silhouettes, perhaps a rectangular mirror is needed. If you have numerous streamlined pieces, selecting something with more detail might introduce greater interest and dimension.
Shop McGee & Co. Mirrors:
- Truman Mirror
- Tommy Wall Mirror
- Giles Wall Mirror
- Ivana Mirror
- Jace Inset Rectangle Mirror
- Krissa Wall Mirror
- Nolie Wall Mirror
04. Grade
Last but certainly not least, selecting the right mirror involves understanding its grade requirements. While a mirror above a piece of furniture or on a wall doesn’t necessarily have specific functional demands, a bathroom mirror is an entirely different matter. Given that bathrooms involve a significant amount of humidity, the mirror in your bathroom must meet certain requirements to prevent mould and other undesirable issues. When viewing a mirror online, you should be able to determine if it is bathroom-grade. Here are a few indicators to look for:
- No. 01 | Mention of “Bath Rated”: Look for explicit labelling indicating it’s suitable for bathroom use.
- No. 02 | Shatterproof: This ensures safety in case of accidental breakage.
- No. 03 | Plated, not painted: Plated finishes are generally more resistant to moisture and corrosion than painted ones.
- No. 04 | Easy hanging method: A secure and straightforward hanging mechanism is important for bathroom environments.
There are, however, always exceptions to this rule. In powder bathrooms (guest toilets without a shower or bath), for instance, we will sometimes choose mirrors with more intricate detail that are not “bath rated,” as they do not contend with as much moisture as full bathrooms do.