Selecting the right size for your light up mirror is crucial for the design and function of your bathroom. A mirror that’s too big or small can throw off the look of the space, make the room feel awkward, or diminish the impact of your lighting. Additionally, the wrong size can impact your daily routine, from putting on makeup to shaving or styling hair. It’s more than just about what looks good; it’s about what works for you and helps you to be efficient and comfortable.
The ideal size of a light up mirror should be slightly narrower than your vanity—typically around 70% to 80% of the vanity’s width. The height of the mirror should be tailored to the user’s specific needs and the bathroom’s overall dimensions, ensuring a good balance of functionality, light distribution, and aesthetics.
Let’s dive into how to choose the perfect size for your light up mirror and explore other critical factors to consider when upgrading your bathroom space.
How Wide Should Your LED Bathroom Mirror Be Compared to Your Vanity?
Width is arguably the most crucial dimension to get right. A mirror that is too wide can overwhelm the vanity, while a mirror that is too narrow can make the space feel unbalanced and reduce its functionality.
Matching the mirror’s width to the vanity is a good rule of thumb. The mirror should be at least 70% as wide as the vanity (not including the sink) and not more than 80%.
For example, if your vanity is 60 inches wide, your mirror should ideally be between 42 and 48 inches wide. This gives the vanity enough visual space around the mirror while also ensuring that the mirror is large enough for everyday tasks such as grooming or applying makeup. Additionally, it allows room for wall lighting if you plan to add sconces or other fixtures on either side of the mirror.
The mirror is an essential visual element in any bathroom. It provides symmetry, reflects light, and makes the space appear larger than it is. A well-selected mirror reflects light and enhances the space. With the right lighting, you can make your bathroom feel even larger! Conversely, a mirror that is too wide for the space may crowd the walls, whereas one that is too narrow will fail to provide enough visual balance.
How Tall Should Your Light Up Mirror Be?
The height of your mirror plays a significant role in comfort as well as light distribution. A mirror that is too short will inhibit visibility. A mirror that is too tall could overpower the area.
The height of your mirror should be based on the height of the users and your ceiling. Typically, the top of the mirror should line up with the eye level of the tallest person using it, or slightly above. This makes it comfortable for everyone to use the mirror and maximizes the benefit of the light.
For an 8-foot ceiling, 30 to 36 inches in height is typically enough space for a mirror. This does a good job of reflecting your image and provides plenty of space for tasks like brushing your teeth or combing your hair, but it also keeps the mirror in proportion with the rest of the room. In rooms with higher ceilings, you could opt for a taller mirror to help create a sense of height and space. In rooms with lower ceilings, you want to shy away from a tall mirror and the feeling of the walls closing in on you.
The height of the mirror also affects how light is distributed. A taller mirror reflects more light from the ceiling and wall fixtures, which can help brighten the room. This is especially important if your bathroom doesn’t have a window because a well-placed mirror can help bounce the light you do have around the room, making the space feel larger and more inviting.
What Lighting Options Work Best With Light Up Mirror?
Of all the factors that make a bathroom usable and beautiful, lighting is the most important. Great lighting doesn’t just help you see better when using your light up mirror; it also makes the entire bathroom look better.
To get the most from your mirror, consider adding extra lighting on both sides of the mirror or above the mirror to make sure your entire face is evenly lit. Or, select an LED vanity mirror with the lights built-in to ensure consistent, shadow-free light.
Side lighting is particularly significant for activities like applying makeup or shaving. It removes shadows from your face. Wall sconces or light bars on either side of the vanity mirror provide balanced, flattering light that makes it easy to see fine details. If you want a more seamless look, consider a mirror with the lighting built-in. LED mirrors often come with dimming features or color temperature adjustment options to fine-tune the brightness to your exact preference.
The color temperature of the lighting is also crucial. For task lighting, a cooler temperature (around 6000K, similar to daylight) is good because it’s clear, crisp light and helps you see details. On the flip side, if you want to create a more relaxing, spa-like atmosphere in the bathroom, look for warmer lighting (around 3000K). Many LED mirrors now come with adjustable color temperature settings, so you can switch back and forth, depending on your mood and the task at hand.
Choosing the Right Type of Light Up Mirror: All the Styles at Your Disposal
When it comes to mirrors, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of styles to choose from. Certain styles offer unique benefits, depending on the look and feel you’re trying to achieve in your bathroom.
LED light up vanity mirror come in a variety of styles, including frameless, recessed, and mirrors with built-in storage. The style you choose depends on your bathroom design and your personal preference.
A frameless LED wall mirror with lights is a favorite choice for modern or minimalist bathrooms. They give you a clean, sleek look that helps the mirror blend into the space, making the bathroom feel larger. This is especially helpful if you have a smaller bathroom. A mirror that stretches to the edges will reflect more light and help avoid visual clutter.
Another great option is a recessed light up mirror. These mirrors are built into the wall, creating a flush, streamlined look. This style is especially helpful in a smaller bathroom because the illuminated mirrors don’t stick out, taking up less space and giving you more room in your bathroom.
If you need more storage, consider mirrors with built-in shelves or cabinets. These light up bathroom mirrors are stylish and functional, offering a place to store toiletries, make-up, and other bathroom essentials. They’re especially helpful in a smaller bathroom where you can use all the space you can get, and they help reduce clutter by keeping everything organized and out of sight.
What Are Light Up Mirror Functions?
These new mirrors are much more than just a place to see your reflection. They have all kinds of advanced features to help you look and feel great.
In addition to superb lighting, LED illuminated bathroom mirrors often come with anti-fog capability, waterproofing, touch controls, dimming, defogging, Bluetooth, time and temperature display, and even recreational add-ons such as body sensors. These features make LED mirrors another excellent choice for your modern bathroom.
One of the key benefits of LED mirrors is that they’re energy efficient. LED lighting uses a fraction of the energy of traditional incandescent bulbs, saving you money on your electric bill and reducing your impact on the environment. LED light bulbs also last a long time, sometimes tens of thousands of hours before needing to be replaced.
Another popular feature of LED light up makeup mirrors is anti-fog technology. This is especially useful in bathrooms where steam from the shower can quickly fog up a standard mirror. With an LED smart bathroom mirrors equipped with anti-fog capabilities, you’ll have a clear reflection even in steamy conditions. This is particularly convenient for someone who wants to use their mirror immediately after a shower because you don’t have to wipe the mirror off before it’s useful.
Bluetooth is another fun feature you may find on some of the high-end LED wall mirrors. It allows you to connect your smartphone (or other devices) to the mirror’s built-in speakers. Now you can rock out, catch up on your favorite podcast, or even take a phone call while you’re getting ready for your day. It’s stylish, convenient, and just a little bit fun.
Are Light Up Mirrors Safe?
Safety matters when it comes to anything electrical and a bathroom. Bathrooms are typically a wet or high-humidity environment, so safety is always a concern. The good news is that as a group, LED mirrors are safe.
Quality light up mirrors typically come with waterproof and anti-fog capabilities built-in and meet international safety standards. As with most LED products, LED wall mirrors with led lights run on low-voltage power, which decreases your risk of electrical shock. This is good silly-basic safety stuff.
Moreover, shatter-resistant glass is a vital aspect of many LED lighted bathroom vanity mirrors, providing an added layer of safety to guard against accidental impacts or bumps. This aspect is particularly important for households with children who have a higher risk of knocking things around.
It is important to follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions for putting the mirror up on the wall as well as making sure the wiring is connected correctly and safely to a power source. When it comes to bathroom fixtures, always get a professional to help if you don’t know what you’re doing. Better safe than sorry.
How to Clean Light Up mirrors?
Leaving grime and dust on your mirrors (LED or otherwise) is bad for them. Over time, the grime can cause problems with the glass. If you’re not sure what to do, use a damp cloth to dust your mirrors at a minimum, then dry them off with a microfiber towel or a second, dry cloth.
When cleaning a light up mirror, use a soft, lint-free cloth and a mild cleaning solution. Stay away from abrasive cleaners that can scratch the surface. More importantly, make sure that no water or cleaning solution runs into the electrical components of the mirror.
Begin by dusting the LED light up wall mirror with a dry, soft cloth to get rid of any loose dirt or particles. Next, dampen the cloth with a mixture of water and a very mild soap or glass cleaner. Wipe the mirror gently in a circular motion, staying away from the LED lights and power sources. Once you’ve cleaned the surface, use a dry cloth to ensure you’re not leaving any moisture behind that could create streaks.
Learn More: How to Clean LED Mirrors Correctly? A Comprehensive Guide.
Summary
Choosing the right size, style, and lighting makes all the difference when it comes to maximizing the usability and beauty of your LED bathroom touch light mirror. By choosing a mirror that is proportionate to your vanity, has the right lighting, and includes modern features like anti-fog capability and Bluetooth, you can create a bathroom that looks great and works great too.
Whether you’re remodeling a bathroom, building a new home, or just updating a powder room, an LED mirror is a smart upgrade to your home that will enhance your day-to-day routine.
