How to Use Mirrors to Make a Small Bathroom Look Bigger

A mirror makes a small bathroom look bigger by reflecting light and extending what you see. When you look at a mirror, your eye reads the reflected room as space beyond the wall, which makes the bathroom feel deeper than it is.
Two things make the effect stronger:

• Light: a mirror that catches daylight or well-placed artificial light bounces it around the room, brightening corners that would otherwise feel closed in.
• A clear reflection: a mirror that reflects open floor, tiles or a window adds to the sense of space. One that reflects clutter makes the room feel busier.

Mirrors don't change the room's real size, so they work best alongside other space-saving choices, such as a wall-hung basin that shows more floor, light-coloured tiles and a tidy vanity top.

In most bathrooms, a mirror slightly narrower than the vanity looks balanced. A common guide is a mirror around 50 to 150 mm narrower than the vanity below it.

In a small bathroom, it can pay to break that rule. A mirror that takes up more of the wall, such as one that runs the full width of the vanity or extends higher towards the ceiling, reflects more light and creates a bigger sense of space. A small mirror in a small room can look like an afterthought and does little to open the room up.

Before you buy, tape the mirror's outline on the wall to check how it looks. Make sure it clears your tapware, any wall lights, and the door or shower screen as they open.

The shape changes both how much the mirror reflects and how it feels in the room.

• Rectangular mirrors: give the most reflective area for the wall space they use. A wide or tall rectangle is the most effective shape for making a room feel bigger.
• Round mirrors: soften the straight lines of tiles and cabinetry. A round mirror reflects less width than a rectangle of similar size, so choose a generous diameter.
• Arched and pill-shaped mirrors: their tall, rounded shapes draw the eye upward, which helps a bathroom feel taller.

The frame matters too. A thick frame adds visual weight and makes a mirror feel smaller. Frameless mirrors or slim framed mirrors keep the look light. If you love a framed mirror, a thin metal frame in brushed brass or matte black can tie in with your tapware without crowding the wall.

Place the mirror where it reflects light and open space. A few placement ideas work especially well in small bathrooms:

• Near a window: a mirror on a wall beside or opposite a window bounces daylight further into the room.
• Facing the door: a mirror that reflects the view as you walk in makes the room feel deeper from the first step.
• Full width above the vanity: a mirror running wall to wall above the vanity creates a long, uninterrupted reflection that widens a narrow bathroom.
• Away from clutter: avoid a mirror that mainly reflects the toilet, towels or a busy shelf. Angle or position it to reflect tiles, a window or open floor instead.

These are styling guidelines rather than rules, so check how each position looks in your own bathroom's light before you commit.

The right mirror features can add light, reduce clutter and keep the room feeling open.

LED and backlit mirrors. An LED bathroom mirror adds light without bulky wall fittings, which helps in a small room with limited wall space. Light from the sides or around the mirror is generally more flattering for grooming than a single overhead light.

Heated demister mirrors. A heated or demister mirror helps keep the glass clear of fog after a hot shower, so the mirror stays usable and reflective. Browse our Thermogroup heated mirrors.

Mirror cabinets. A mirror cabinet or shaving cabinet gives you a mirror and hidden storage in one, keeping the vanity top clear. Because a cabinet projects from the wall, check it won't clash with your tapware or feel bulky in a narrow room.

When you're ready to find the right size and shape, browse our full range of bathroom mirrors, or shop the look below.