Copyright (c) 2009 Julia Ritzenthaler

If you are working on remodeling your bathroom, the mirror might not be the first decorative item on your list of things to buy. However, simply changing out the mirror can have a fabulous effect on the look of your entire bathroom. In fact, the mirror above your sink is one of the strongest items that you can buy for the bathroom. This is because the vanity mirror is the very first thing most people look at when they enter a bathroom.

Mirrors are an easy way to add personality and style to your bathroom design in a simple step. Before you decided on a new mirror or mirrors for the room, make sure you know what style you are trying to achieve. For a contemporary look, square and round mirrors are great. Not only do they fit they style, but they work particularly well over a vanity. A nice touch in a man’s bathroom can be acheived with square mirrors or even leather styles.

For your overall design to work perfectly; the style of the mirrors, vanity, and lighting should all complement one another, but necessarily match exactly. Mirrors are very versatile, so you are sure to find something that will fit into your design nicely. For a classic look, try traditional styles like oval and ruond mirrors. Look for this style in classic shapes like rectangular. Contemporary mirrors are generally defined as sleek and trim with a touch of modern simplicity. These mirrors often have clean lines and are casual with dramatic stains or light-woods. They can be found with a round or square shape and are sometimes frameless that protrude from the outer ends of the vanity.

If you have a large bathroom to work with, then there are many additional types of mirrors you might consider. You can look into larger mirrors, and you can also add multiple mirrors, like transitional mirrors or even a nice full length style.

A very important factor when choosing the perfect bathroom vanity mirror is the size of your vanity. Your bathroom vanity size will ultimately establish the mirror size. For a traditional look, the mirror should not protrude beyond the exterior edge of the vanity. If you have a double sink vanity and wish to have a contemporary theme, an unframed large single mirror that protrudes from the exterior edge of the vanity will keep things clean-lined. A single oval or round mirror over each sink will create a nice classic look. To add personality, think about selecting two different mirrors to install over the individual bowls—this conveys personal style for each side of the bath vanity. If you choose to go with different mirrors, try to have them coordinate in color and theme as much as possible.

Before you start shopping for your new bathroom mirrors, you should first carefully measure the space. The width of the sink and counter also should be considered in your measurements. You should then measure the space between the top of the sink that touches the wall and the bottom end of the lighting on the wall.