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bathroom mirror over vanity dilemma

last year

Hi my client is redoing her bathroom and has a large vanity with one sink that is not centered. She wants to take out the builder grade mirror and put in a decorative framed mirror. I think it would look weird to only have one mirror over the sink and empty space at the other end. Trying to decide if she should do two mirrors or a larger decorative rectangle mirror that would be center over the vanity instead of the sink.

Featured Answer

PRO

Diana Bier Interiors, LLC

last year

If you're not redoing the entire wall, taking down that mirror is going to be quite a project. It's probably put up with adhesive, and pulling it down could require a whole new sheetrock wall to be necessary.

I recently was in a similar situation and decided to replace the sink, counter top, faucet and light fixture. That made a much bigger difference to the look of the bathroom than taking down the mirror.

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Comments (18)

Julie Pip
Original Author
last year
Thanks Diana! I'll see if the client would be willing to leave it. She is updating the countertop, etc.
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I prefer two mirrors as well because I think it gives a more balanced look and it provides defined spaces, his and hers in our case. Your statement about wanting to make it so that 3 people can use it is what has me curious though, is this a what if type scenario or is a 3rd person actually going to be in there all the time? The reason I ask is because DH and I used to make choices based on the what if's a lot. We'd spend the money or compromise on what we really wanted only to never have those "what if's" materialize. We bought a crew cab truck so if we needed to we could tote people but never once did anyone sit back there. We turned a room (that could have been my craft room) in to a guest room and in 10 years it's only been used a handful of times and an air mattress would have worked just as well. So if you want the big mirror because it will actually be used in the context you're planning for, great...then there's a need and that would be the more functional choice for your situation, but if you're just thinking well maybe 3 people might need it, then don't focus on that and do what is more practical for your every day living. KWIM? (And Ida is right, about the two lights)
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Oh wow, this is the exact thing my husband and I have been discussing. I have an existing humongous mirror above about a 7’ plus double vanity. We are remodeling the master bath. It also has a vaulted ceiling. So just imagine the last photo caligirl5 posted but with the mirror all the way up that angled ceiling! So, this mirror would be custom and cost an arm and a leg today. It is from the early 70’s but in great shape. I’m leaning towards keeping it. It is just not seen anymore. I think that’s a good thing btw. It always comes back in style right??? I can do medicine cabs on the two ends. I say if you have the storage space for the clutter, keep the big mirror. You just helped me to decide. Thank you!
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This is a shared wall with another bathroom that has a recessed medicine cabinet that is 24” wide (in the exact spot where my mirror needs to be). Recessed of course fits between studs. And the framing in the wall may have been altered for it to fit. What you need to know is the stud distance center to center. Or the exact size of the cavity between the studs. Because what is billed as a 24" medicine cabinet may be sized to fit in the recess between 24" OC framing. The actual space between the studs would be approximately 22.5" If that is the case, then a 24" surface mount medicine cabinet would work. Signature Hardware Trossman 24" x 36" Framed 1 Door Medicine Cabinet But they lucked out with getting a recessed medicine cabinet! Yes, they did. But you can have a surface mount medicine cabinet which would be very much in tune with your old house. Two of my vintage ones: If all else failed, I would make a custom vintage style one. Would need to keep in mind how far the sconces project light from the wall & possibly add mounting blocks behind them to get them farther away from the wall.
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kandrewspa
last year
It depends on the age of the bathroom, but it is possible that a new vanity would be higher than the existing one. When you say she's replacing the top do you mean just the top, or also the vanity? If the vanity is one of the older lower ones I would recommend replacing it too unless it's a bathroom used by children where the lower height is an advantage. Even then, children are only going to get taller. My point is that if the vanity gets higher the mirror will definitely have to come down. I think a full size mirror that is framed would look best. You can always get a big mirror cut to the right size from a glass shop and frame it in molding from a big box store. There are many sizes and profiles available so you can get something that will fit the style of the remodeled bathroom. Of course Diana is right, the one there now is probably glued on.
Julie Pip thanked kandrewspa
Sammie J
last year
If she is removing the countertop, I'd center the sink, and then get a more decorative mirror over the sink. However, as has been mentioned, you might have to re-sheetrock, as the adhesive behind mirrors can be very damaging when you take the mirror down.
Julie Pip thanked Sammie J
Rhonda Schechter
last year
Sammie J. If you move the sink you need to move the plumbing.
Julie Pip thanked Rhonda Schechter
everdebz
last year
?

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Julie Pip thanked everdebz
everdebz
last year
last modified: last year
Maybe 2 rounds, as wide as the sink to look 'neat and trim' -

Dyconn Faucet Edison Round Tri-Color LED Wall Mounted Bathroom Mirror (24" Dia) · More Info

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Julie Pip thanked everdebz
PRO
Kathleen E. Hill
last year
I’ve dealt with this before. I ended up leaving the mirror and framing it. They make special frames for those mirrors.
Julie Pip thanked Kathleen E. Hill
Julie Pip
Original Author
last year
Thank you for the additional comments. She is leaving the vanity just updating the top of it. The vanity is in really great shape so will save on cost. I like the idea of leaving the mirror and framing it or doing two round. I think I'd rather see her leave the mirror and invest in adding some lighting. She has no overhead lighting only the light above the vanity and it feels very dated.
Julie Pip
Original Author
last year
Kathleen - can you tell me where to get the frames for the mirrors? I assume the frame gets adhered right over the mirror? I've not done one yet. Thanks!
PRO
Kathleen E. Hill
last year
I did it a long time ago. There are 2 companies Mirrormate Frames and Framemymirror. Both are same. Yes adhere frame to existing mirror. You can also DIY it if you’re ambitious.
Julie Pip
Original Author
last year
Kathleen thank you
shirlpp
last year
This is in your ideabook @Julie Pip and is a good idea also.

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I hope your client is painting that vanity.
Julie Pip
Original Author
last year
shirlpp yes I really like the design above. She is not painting the vanity but is putting anew quartz top on it.
shirlpp
last year
Oh my....That vanity looks builder grade as well and would benefit from being painted with hardware added to it.
PRO
Design Directives, LLC
last year
Unless you are going to redo the walls, we might suggest leaving the mirror. Below are some designs of ours which might aid you more in your dilemma.
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Julie Pip thanked Design Directives, LLC
sajmarin
last year
Pendant lighting on the left and decorative mirror over the sink
PRO
lisedv
last year
How about framing the existing mirror? I recently did it for my client and had the underside painted so that it had a finished look with the reflection in the mirror..

Here's an example of a similar vanity as your client's and the "how to do it" link.

https://www.hgtv.com/design/rooms/bathrooms/how-to-frame-a-plate-glass-wall-mirror

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