Mirror size is defined by measured width and measured height taken at the maximum external edges of mirror glass or frame, and correct mirror sizing improves visual balance, functional visibility, and light distribution across interior spaces. Common mirror sizes range from 300 × 400 mm, 400 × 600 mm, 500 × 700 mm, 600 × 800 mm, 700 × 900 mm, 800 × 1000 mm, 1000 × 1200 mm, to 1600 × 900 mm, covering compact walls, standard elevations, and wide installations. Mirror size selection follows proportional alignment with wall span or supporting elements, mirror height selection supports natural sightlines, and mirror placement aligns with average user eye level to maintain viewing comfort.
What Does “Mirror Size” Mean and Why Is It Important?
Mirror size defines the width and height of a bathroom mirror in proportion to basin width, vanity dimensions, wall span, and average adult eye level, and correct sizing determines visual proportion, grooming accuracy, light distribution, and spatial balance in residential bathrooms. Correct sizing improves usability and maintains dimensional harmony.
Mirror size functions as a proportional control within bathroom layouts. Width alignment follows basin or vanity width, with a common tolerance range of 20–50 millimetres on each side to preserve horizontal symmetry. Height selection ranges between 600 millimetres and 900 millimetres, covering facial visibility for standing users across standard adult height distributions used in residential planning.
Reflective surface area influences lighting efficiency. Larger reflective areas distribute artificial light from ceiling-mounted and wall-mounted luminaires more evenly across facial zones, reducing shadow density during grooming activities. Smaller reflective areas limit light spread and reduce task clarity.
Dimensional accuracy affects perceived room scale. Wider formats extend horizontal sightlines and increase perceived wall width. Taller formats emphasise vertical space and increase perceived ceiling height. These spatial effects remain critical in residential bathrooms averaging 2.3–2.7 square metres, where proportional precision directly supports comfort, usability, and visual balance.
What Are the Standard Mirror Sizes Available?
Standard mirror sizes vary by mirror types, bathroom application, vanity width, mounting method, and wall span, and standard sizing ensures proportional alignment, functional visibility, and consistent light distribution across residential bathrooms. The common sizes are 300 × 400 mm, 350 × 450 mm, 400 × 600 mm, 450 × 600 mm, 500 × 700 mm, 500 × 800 mm, 600 × 800 mm, 600 × 900 mm, 700 × 900 mm, 800 × 1000 mm, 900 × 1100 mm, 1000 × 1200 mm, 1200 × 800 mm, 1400 × 900 mm, and 1600 × 900 mm, covering cloakrooms, single vanities, and double-basin bathroom layouts.
| Mirror Type | Common Width Range | Common Height Range | Best Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact Wall Mirrors | 300–400 mm (12–16 in) | 400–600 mm (16–24 in) | Small Walls, Narrow spaces, Utility areas |
| Small Mirrors | 450–500 mm (18–20 in) | 600–800 mm (24–32 in) | Bedrooms, Dressing corners, Secondary walls |
| Medium Mirrors | 600–700 mm (24–28 in) | 800–900 mm (32–36 in) | Bedrooms, Hallways, Living areas |
| Large Mirrors | 800–1000 mm (32–40 in) | 1000–1200 mm (40–48 in) | Feature walls, Bedrooms, Living spaces |
| Extra-Wide Mirrors | 1200–1600 mm (48–63 in) | 800–900 mm (32–36 in) | Shared spaces, Feature installations, wide walls |
| Tall / Full-Height Mirrors | 400–600 mm (16–24 in) | 1200–1800 mm (48–71 in) | Dressing areas, Bedrooms, Entryways |
| Round / Oval Mirrors | 500–900 mm (20–35 in) | 500–900 mm (20–35 in) | Decorative walls, Accent spaces, Feature zones |
Compact Wall Mirrors
Compact wall mirrors suit cloakrooms, WC rooms, and wall-mounted basins under 450 mm wide and preserve wall space while maintaining facial visibility. These sizes support restricted wall spans.
The compact wall mirror sizes are given below:
- 300 × 400 mm
- 350 × 450 mm
- 400 × 600 mm
Small Bathroom Mirrors
Small bathroom mirrors align with basins measuring 450–500 mm in width and support guest bathrooms and secondary en-suites with limited wall area. These sizes balance facial coverage and spatial efficiency.
The small bathroom mirror sizes are given below:
- 450 × 600 mm
- 500 × 700 mm
- 500 × 800 mm
Medium Bathroom Mirrors
Medium bathroom mirrors align with vanity units between 600–800 mm wide and represent the most common residential configuration for single basins. These sizes support proportional balance and grooming accuracy.
The medium bathroom mirror sizes are given below:
- 600 × 800 mm
- 600 × 900 mm
- 700 × 900 mm
Large Bathroom Mirrors
Large bathroom mirrors suit wide single vanities and increase reflective surface area for improved light dispersion and facial illumination. These sizes suit primary bathrooms with larger wall spans.
The large bathroom mirror sizes are given below:
- 800 × 1000 mm
- 900 × 1100 mm
- 1000 × 1200 mm
Extra-Wide Vanity Mirrors
Extra-wide vanity mirrors align with double vanity units and twin-basin layouts and maintain horizontal symmetry across extended wall spans. These sizes improve lighting uniformity across shared grooming zones.
The extra-wide vanity mirror sizes are given below:
- 1200 × 800 mm
- 1400 × 900 mm
- 1600 × 900 mm
How Do You Calculate the Perfect Mirror Size for Your Space?
The perfect mirror size is calculated by matching mirror width to 70–100% of basin or vanity width, setting mirror height between 600–900 mm for facial coverage, and positioning the mirror centre at average adult eye level to ensure proportional balance, grooming visibility, and efficient light distribution. Dimensional accuracy prevents visual imbalance.
Calculate Mirror Width
Mirror width equals 70–100% of basin or vanity width to maintain horizontal alignment and visual symmetry. This ratio supports proportional balance across common residential layouts.
The mirror width calculation rules are given below:
- 400 mm basin → 280–400 mm mirror width
- 600 mm vanity → 420–600 mm mirror width
- 800 mm vanity → 560–800 mm mirror width
- 1200 mm double vanity → 840–1200 mm mirror width
Calculate Mirror Height
Mirror height ranges between 600–900 mm to cover facial visibility for standing users across standard adult height distributions. Height selection balances usability and wall coverage.
The mirror height selection ranges are given below:
- Compact bathrooms: 600–700 mm
- Standard bathrooms: 700–800 mm
- Large bathrooms: 800–900 mm
Calculate Vertical Position
Mirror vertical position aligns mirror centre at 1500–1600 mm above finished floor level to match average adult eye height. Correct placement improves grooming accuracy and lighting effectiveness.
The vertical positioning reference points are given below:
- Bottom edge above basin: 100–150 mm
- Mirror centre height: 1500–1600 mm
- Top clearance to ceiling: ≥100 mm
Calculate Size for Round and Oval Mirrors
Round and oval mirror size equals 60–80% of basin width to maintain visual balance without extending beyond fixture edges. Diameter control prevents horizontal overreach.
The round and oval mirror diameter ranges are given below:
- 450 mm basin → 300–360 mm diameter
- 600 mm basin → 360–480 mm diameter
- 800 mm basin → 480–640 mm diameter
Calculate Size for Double Vanities
Double vanity mirror size equals total vanity width minus 40–100 mm to preserve side margins and installation tolerance. This calculation supports symmetry across twin basins.
The double vanity mirror size rules are given below:
- 1200 mm vanity → 1100–1200 mm mirror
- 1400 mm vanity → 1300–1400 mm mirror
- 1600 mm vanity → 1500–1600 mm mirror
What Size Mirror Should You Choose for Your Bathroom?
Bathroom mirror size selection depends on basin or vanity width, wall span, and average adult eye level, and the correct size equals 70–100% of vanity width with a typical height of 600–900 mm to deliver proportional balance, grooming visibility, and efficient light distribution. Size selection follows fixture dimensions and mounting constraints.
Cloakrooms and WC Bathrooms
Cloakroom and WC mirror sizes align with compact basins under 450 mm wide, with common sizes ranging from 300 × 400 mm to 450 × 600 mm to preserve wall space and maintain facial visibility. Compact sizing supports restricted wall spans and reduced depth clearances.
Guest Bathrooms and Small En-suites
Guest bathroom and small en-suite mirror sizes align with basins and vanities between 450–600 mm wide, with common sizes ranging from 500 × 700 mm to 600 × 900 mm to provide balanced facial coverage and proportional harmony. These sizes support typical compact residential layouts.
Family Bathrooms With Single Vanities
Family bathroom mirror sizes align with vanities between 600–800 mm wide, with common sizes ranging from 600 × 800 mm to 800 × 1000 mm to support grooming accuracy, stable proportions, and consistent light reflection. These sizes match the most common residential bathroom configuration.
Primary Bathrooms With Wide Vanities
Wide vanity mirror sizes align with vanities between 800–1000 mm wide, with common sizes ranging from 800 × 1000 mm to 1000 × 1200 mm to increase reflective surface area and improve light dispersion. Wider formats support broader sightlines and stronger spatial balance.
Double Vanities and Twin Basins
Double vanity mirror sizes align with vanities between 1200–1600 mm wide, with common sizes ranging from 1200 × 800 mm to 1600 × 900 mm to maintain symmetry across twin basins and support shared grooming visibility. These sizes suit larger wall spans and higher lighting demand zones.
How Does Mirror Shape Affect Size Selection?
Mirror shape affects size selection by changing effective reflective width, effective reflective height, and edge alignment behaviour, and shape selection determines how mirror dimensions relate to basin width, vanity span, wall geometry, and lighting positions in bathroom layouts. Shape selection controls proportional balance and functional visibility.
Rectangular Mirrors
Rectangular mirrors support predictable sizing because straight edges align with vanity width, with common widths between 400–1600 mm and common heights between 600–1200 mm for full facial coverage and horizontal symmetry. Rectangular geometry supports straightforward centring under luminaires.
Round Mirrors
Round mirrors rely on diameter as the controlling dimension, with common diameters between 500–900 mm and an effective width equal to diameter, which reduces lateral coverage compared with rectangular mirrors at similar height. Diameter selection prevents overhang beyond basin edges.
Oval Mirrors
Oval mirrors increase perceived vertical emphasis while limiting lateral span, with common sizes between 500 × 700 mm and 700 × 900 mm and a narrower effective width than rectangular formats of equal height. Oval geometry suits narrower wall sections.
Arched Mirrors
Arched mirrors increase perceived height and suit taller wall spans, with common sizes between 600 × 800 mm and 1000 × 1200 mm and reduced usable upper width near the arch apex. Arch geometry requires clearance planning under lighting fittings.
Capsule Mirrors
Capsule mirrors combine vertical height and softened corners, with common sizes between 500 × 800 mm and 800 × 1000 mm and stable side edges for vanity alignment. Capsule geometry suits modern bathroom layouts with limited side clearances.
Asymmetric Mirrors
Asymmetric mirrors require sizing by maximum width and maximum height, with selection based on wall span and safe edge clearance from taps, sockets, and lighting fittings. Asymmetric geometry reduces predictable centring and increases measurement importance.
What Mirror Sizes Are Best for Specific User Needs?
The best mirror sizes for specific user needs depend on user height, user posture, user count, grooming task type, and accessibility constraints, and correct sizing increases facial visibility, reduces bending posture, and supports shared use across residential bathrooms. Size selection uses measurable width and height targets matched to basin width and mounting height.
Tall Adult Users
Tall adult users benefit from mirror heights between 800–1000 mm and mirror widths between 600–900 mm to maintain full facial visibility without head cropping. Tall-user mounting targets place mirror centre height between 1550–1650 mm above finished floor level.
Short Adult Users
Short adult users benefit from mirror heights between 700–900 mm and mirror widths between 500–800 mm to maintain facial visibility without neck extension. Short-user mounting targets place mirror centre height between 1450–1550 mm above finished floor level.
Children
Children benefit from mirror heights between 600–800 mm with a lower bottom edge to support face-level visibility for toothbrushing and handwashing. Child-focused mounting places the lower edge closer to basin height while maintaining safe splash clearance.
Multi-User and Shared Bathrooms
Multi-user bathrooms benefit from mirror widths between 900–1600 mm and mirror heights between 700–900 mm to provide simultaneous visibility for two users. Wider coverage supports double basins and shared grooming zones.
Shaving, Skincare, and Makeup Tasks
Shaving, skincare, and makeup tasks benefit from mirror heights between 800–1000 mm and mirror widths between 600–1000 mm to increase facial coverage and stabilise lighting across facial planes. Larger reflective area reduces shadow concentration around cheeks and jawline.
Contact Lens and Close-Detail Tasks
Contact lens and close-detail tasks benefit from mirror sizes between 600–900 mm wide and 800–1000 mm high to provide stable head-and-shoulders coverage and consistent sightlines at short distance. Stable coverage reduces repeated head repositioning.
Seated Users and Wheelchair Users
Seated users benefit from mirrors with heights between 800–1000 mm and widths between 600–900 mm, mounted with a lower centre height to provide facial visibility in seated posture. Accessible mounting commonly reduces centre height toward 1350–1500 mm above finished floor level, depending on basin type and clearance zones.
Elderly Users and Reduced Mobility Users
Elderly users benefit from mirror heights between 800–1000 mm and widths between 600–900 mm to reduce bending and improve facial visibility during grooming. Lower mounting and larger height reduce posture strain during daily routines.
Users Sharing One Basin
One-basin shared use benefits from mirror widths between 800–1200 mm and heights between 700–900 mm to widen the reflection zone without exceeding wall span. Wider mirrors reduce shoulder overlap in reflection during simultaneous use.
Users With Double Basins
Double-basin layouts benefit from mirror widths between 1200–1600 mm and heights between 700–900 mm to maintain symmetry and provide separate reflection zones above each basin. Wider sizes support equal visual balance across twin basins.
Narrow Wall Spans and Corner Basins
Narrow wall spans benefit from mirror widths between 300–500 mm and heights between 600–800 mm to preserve side clearance from walls and fittings. Narrow formats reduce edge conflict with tiles, shelves, and sockets.
Full Upper-Body Visibility Needs
Upper-body visibility needs benefit from tall mirrors between 400 × 1200 mm and 600 × 1800 mm to expand reflection beyond facial coverage. Tall formats support dressing visibility and vertical space emphasis.
How Do Mirror Sizes Impact Bathroom Design and Aesthetics?
Mirror sizes impact bathroom design and aesthetics by controlling proportion against vanity width, changing perceived room scale through reflected sightlines, and altering lighting uniformity through reflective surface area, which directly affects visual balance, brightness distribution, and focal hierarchy in bathroom layouts. Mirror size selection shapes spatial perception and fixture harmony.
Proportion Against Vanity Width
Proportion improves when mirror width equals 70–100% of vanity width, maintaining consistent side margins and horizontal symmetry. Width under 70% reduces alignment clarity, while width over 100% creates overhang beyond basin edges and increases visual dominance.
Perceived Room Scale
Perceived room scale increases as mirror width increases, since wider reflective planes extend horizontal sightlines and reflect opposing wall surfaces. Larger reflective areas strengthen depth cues in compact bathrooms, while narrow mirrors concentrate visual attention into a smaller wall zone.
Lighting Distribution and Shadow Control
Lighting distribution improves as reflective surface area increases, since larger mirrors spread luminaire output across facial zones and reduce shadow density during grooming. Smaller mirrors concentrate shadows around the basin zone and increase contrast across the face.
Focal Hierarchy in Bathroom Elevations
Focal hierarchy strengthens when mirror size exceeds the basin zone by a controlled margin, creating a dominant visual anchor on the primary wall elevation. Larger formats emphasise contemporary aesthetics, while smaller formats support segmented elevations with more visible wall finish.
Symmetry for Single and Double Basins
Symmetry improves when mirror width matches basin spacing and reflection zones remain centred above each basin, preserving visual order and shared usability. Double-basin layouts typically use 1200–1600 mm widths or paired mirrors with equal spacing.
Vertical Emphasis and Ceiling Perception
Vertical emphasis increases when mirror height reaches 900–1200 mm or when tall formats extend beyond the vanity zone, increasing perceived ceiling height and strengthening vertical lines. Taller mirrors suit higher ceilings and uninterrupted wall spans.
What Are the Common Mistakes People Make When Choosing Mirror Sizes?
The common mistakes when choosing mirror sizes are vanity-width mismatch, incorrect mounting height, and failure to account for wall-span, lighting, and clearance constraints, and these mirror size errors reduce grooming visibility, disrupt proportional balance, and create installation conflicts in bathroom layouts. Mirror size selection performs best with measured vanity width, measured mirror dimensions, and mapped obstructions.
Vanity-Width Mismatch
Vanity-width mismatch occurs when mirror width falls outside 70–100% of vanity width, which breaks horizontal proportion and creates edge overhang beyond basin lines. A 600 mm vanity aligns with 420–600 mm mirror width, while a 1200 mm double vanity aligns with 840–1200 mm mirror width.
Mirror Width Under-Selection
Mirror width under-selection occurs when mirror width drops below 70% of vanity width, which reduces reflection coverage across shoulders and weakens the visual anchor above the basin zone. A 800 mm vanity aligns with 560–800 mm mirror width, while a 500 mm basin aligns with 350–500 mm mirror width.
Mirror Height Under-Selection
Mirror height under-selection reduces facial coverage and increases head cropping during grooming tasks, especially for tall users and shared bathrooms. A common functional height band measures 600–900 mm, while taller coverage targets align with 800–1000 mm heights.
Incorrect Mounting Height
Incorrect mounting height shifts the reflection zone away from average adult eye level and increases neck extension or bending posture during daily grooming. A common planning target places mirror centre at 1500–1600 mm above finished floor level, with a bottom edge clearance of 100–150 mm above basin rim height.
Wall Span and Side Margin Neglect
Wall span and side margin neglect causes mirror edges to conflict with tile returns, shelving, sockets, and adjacent walls, reducing symmetry and installation tolerance. A practical margin range measures 20–50 mm per side on constrained walls, while wider walls support larger margins for centring accuracy.
Lighting Placement Misalignment
Lighting placement misalignment occurs when mirror width and mirror height fail to coordinate with luminaire spacing, increasing facial shadow zones and uneven brightness distribution. Narrow mirrors concentrate reflected light into a smaller area, while larger reflective surfaces support more uniform illumination across facial planes.
Frame Size and Projection Oversight
Frame size and projection oversight occurs when selection uses glass dimensions instead of external frame dimensions, causing clearance issues with taps, cabinets, and wall lights. Accurate sizing uses maximum external width, maximum external height, and depth projection from the wall.
Double-Basin Symmetry Errors
Double-basin symmetry errors occur when mirror width fails to centre reflection zones above each basin, reducing shared usability and visual order. A 1200 mm vanity commonly aligns with 1100–1200 mm mirror width, while a 1600 mm vanity commonly aligns with 1500–1600 mm mirror width.
Shape-Based Mis-sizing
Shape-based mis-sizing occurs when curved geometry reduces effective reflective width compared with rectangular formats, creating narrow lateral coverage over the basin zone. A 700 mm round mirror provides 700 mm effective width, while a 700 × 900 mm rectangular mirror provides 700 mm effective width with additional corner coverage.
What Are the Common Mistakes People Make When Choosing Mirror Sizes?
The common mistakes when choosing mirror sizes are selecting mirror width outside 70–100% of vanity width, setting mirror height below facial-coverage requirements, and ignoring mounting height, wall-span limits, and clearance constraints, and these mirror size errors reduce grooming visibility, disrupt elevation symmetry, and create installation conflicts in residential bathrooms. Mirror size selection performs best with measured vanity width, measured mirror dimensions, and measured obstruction spacing.
Selecting Mirror Width That Exceeds Vanity Width
Mirror width that exceeds vanity width creates overhang beyond basin edges and breaks proportional alignment across the primary bathroom elevation. A 600 mm vanity pairs with 420–600 mm mirror width, while a 1000 mm vanity pairs with 700–1000 mm mirror width.
Selecting Mirror Width That Falls Below Vanity Proportion
Mirror width below 70% of vanity width reduces shoulder-to-shoulder visibility and weakens the focal point above the basin zone. A 800 mm vanity pairs with 560–800 mm mirror width, while a 500 mm basin pairs with 350–500 mm mirror width.
Choosing Mirror Height That Limits Facial Coverage
Mirror height that limits facial coverage increases head cropping and reduces grooming accuracy, especially for tall users and shared bathrooms. A functional height band measures 600–900 mm, while high-coverage selection aligns with 800–1000 mm heights.
Mounting Mirror Centre Outside Eye-Level Range
Mirror centre mounted outside 1500–1600 mm above finished floor level shifts the reflection zone away from average adult eye level and increases bending posture or neck extension. Bottom edge clearance commonly aligns with 100–150 mm above basin rim height to reduce splash and maintain sightlines.
Ignoring Wall Span and Side Margin Requirements
Wall span and side margin neglect causes mirror edges to clash with tile returns, shelves, sockets, and adjacent walls, reducing symmetry and installation tolerance. Side clearance of 20–50 mm per side supports centring accuracy on constrained walls.
Overlooking Lighting Geometry
Lighting geometry oversight occurs when mirror size does not coordinate with luminaire position, producing facial shadow zones and uneven brightness distribution. Wider reflective surfaces support more uniform light spread across facial planes, while narrow mirrors concentrate reflected light into a smaller band.
Measuring Glass Size Instead of External Size
External size errors occur when selection uses glass dimensions instead of maximum external frame dimensions, causing clearance problems with taps, cabinets, and wall lights.
Mis-sizing Mirrors for Double Basins
Double-basin mis-sizing occurs when mirror width fails to centre reflection zones above each basin, reducing shared usability and weakening symmetry. A 1200 mm vanity aligns with 1100–1200 mm mirror width, while a 1600 mm vanity aligns with 1500–1600 mm mirror width.
Applying Rectangular Sizing Rules to Round and Oval Mirrors
Round and oval mis-sizing occurs when diameter selection ignores effective reflective width, reducing lateral coverage compared with rectangular formats. A 700 mm round mirror provides 700 mm effective width, while a 700 × 900 mm rectangle provides 700 mm effective width with greater corner coverage.
How Do You Choose the Right Mirror Size?
Choosing the right mirror size starts with measuring the vanity width and available wall span. The mirror width should be 70–100% of the vanity width to maintain visual balance and avoid overpowering the space. Mirror height should fall between 600–900 mm, which provides full facial coverage for everyday grooming. Mount the mirror so its centre sits 1500–1600 mm above the finished floor level. This placement ensures comfortable eye alignment, even lighting distribution, and consistent usability across different user heights. Mirror sizing depends on measurable constraints rather than personal preference.
Measure Vanity Width
Vanity width measurement sets the primary mirror width range and prevents mirror overhang beyond basin edges. A 500 mm basin supports 350–500 mm mirror width, while a 600 mm vanity supports 420–600 mm mirror width.
Measure Wall Span Above the Vanity
Wall span measurement defines the maximum external mirror width once sockets, tile returns, shelving, and adjacent walls are excluded. Side margin planning commonly uses 20–50 mm clearance per side to maintain installation tolerance and visual symmetry.
Select Mirror Width Using a Ratio
Mirror width selection follows a 70–100% vanity-width ratio to preserve alignment and elevation symmetry. A 800 mm vanity aligns with 560–800 mm mirror width, while a 1200 mm double vanity aligns with 840–1200 mm mirror width.
Select Mirror Height Using Coverage Targets
Mirror height selection uses 600–900 mm to maintain facial visibility for standing users across common residential bathrooms. Higher coverage needs align with 800–1000 mm heights, improving head-and-shoulders visibility for tall users and shared bathrooms.
Set Mounting Height Using Eye-Level Alignment
Mounting height selection aligns the mirror centre at 1500–1600 mm above finished floor level to match average adult eye height and reduce bending posture. Bottom edge clearance of 100–150 mm above basin rim height supports splash clearance and comfortable sightlines.
Choose Shape Using Effective Reflective Coverage
Shape selection changes effective reflective width and height, requiring diameter-based sizing for round mirrors and maximum-edge sizing for asymmetric mirrors. Round mirror diameter commonly aligns with 60–80% of basin width, while rectangular mirrors follow vanity-width ratios for predictable alignment.
Confirm External Dimensions and Projection
External dimension and projection confirmation prevents conflicts with taps, cabinets, and wall lights because frame thickness and bracket projection alter clearance. Measurement uses maximum external width, maximum external height, and depth projection from wall surface.
Final Thoughts
Mirror sizing delivers optimal results when measured width, measured height, and measured placement align with wall span, supporting elements, and user sightlines, ensuring proportional balance, functional visibility, and controlled light distribution across interior spaces. Consistent use of standard size ranges, proportional width ratios, eye-level placement, and shape-aware sizing prevents common errors and sustains visual coherence across varied interior applications.
