Latest Designer Bathroom Ideas and How To Guides for your Home

Mirror, mirror on the wall. Who’s the fairest of them all? With a designer illuminated mirror in your bathroom, the response to that question just might be, “me”. Illuminated mirrors range in style from basic, backlit mirrors to standalone illuminated mirrors with LED lighting.

When choosing a bathroom mirror, pick one that will complement the décor and hardware – mixer taps, towel rails, and shower accessories – already in your bathroom. There are several designer options available, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find one that fits.

Backlit illuminated mirrors come with multiple squares of light edging the mirror or with a frame of light. These types of mirrors, which come in a variety of sizes, usually come with a pull cord and would work well in a bathroom with a simple, modern décor.

The vertical Lelia Demista illuminated mirror has a single halogen lamp and glass shade at the top of the mirror and is fitted with a Demista heating pad to keep its image clear. The Felix Demista illuminated mirror offers a landscape option, and it has two halogen lamps and glass shades up top. Both have a pull cord.

The Aztec illuminated mirror looks more like a flat-screen TV than your typical bathroom mirror. It sits on a shelf, landscape style, and has bevelled edges. It will stay steam-free, and its LED illumination – tiny lights on the left and right – has a life span of 50,000 hours.

An illuminated mirror serves as a focal point in your bathroom, so be sure to choose one that you won’t tire of looking at over time.

Illuminated bathroom mirrors add a chic finishing touch to any bathroom. Since bathrooms are often lacking in natural light, mirrors can actually make the room appear larger and brighter. Of course, the bathroom mirror is where we preen ourselves and therefore we want to ensure that we can see as clearly as possible whether it is night or day. It therefore makes sense, as well as looking elegant, to combine mirrors with inset lighting.

Lamps are actually situated behind the mirrors. On a standard mirror there is silvering behind the glass but this is sandblasted on an illuminated mirror which actually allows the light to shine through the frosted glass at the front.

You will also have a choice to make when selecting an illuminated mirror regarding whether your priority is the standard of the colour rendering provided by the actual mirror or the lamp life contained within the lights. You will also need to consider the size, shape and style of mirror which is best suited to your overall bathroom theme.

One option is to choose an illuminated bathroom mirror with halogen lamps which provides high colour rendering which will give a natural image similar to looking in the mirror in daylight. The halogen lamp life is approximately 2000 hours.

Another option is fluorescent lamps which can last for up to 10,000 hours. However, fluorescent light has, in the past, been considered rather unflattering to the complexion although advances have been made.

The choice you make will depend on your personal preference, budget and style but one thing is for sure – an illuminated mirror will finish off your bathroom to perfection.

A proper bathroom simply must have a mirror. A stylish bathroom simply must have an illuminated mirror. The designs range from classic – with lamps and glass shades – to the more modern, infinity illuminated mirrors.

To decide which illuminated mirror will work best in your bathroom, consider the shower accessories, towel rails and other hardware already present. Then, pick an illuminated mirror that will complement. There are several designer options from which to choose, including:

The Rachel Bathroom Illuminated Mirror – This landscape mirror has a halogen light and glass shade on each side. Its rounded corners and chrome pull cord complete the look.

The Odyssey Infinity Illuminated Mirror – This vertical mirror in a chrome frame creates a three-dimensional effect when lit. The warm glow it provides will cast a lovely light on anyone who looks in it.

The Infinity Horizontal Illuminated Mirror – Blue lights create the three-dimensional effect in this mirror, which is also available in a vertical version. Both have a centred pull cord.

The Inca LED Illuminated Mirror – This vertical mirror has LED – with a life span of 50,000 hours – set into the top and bottom for a stark, modern look. It has an on-off sensor switch and will remain clear when there is steam present.

It is important to choose an illuminated mirror carefully, as it is one of the fixtures in your home that you will be looking at every day.

Along with all other bathroom accessories or bathroom furniture, the bathroom mirror comes in a multitude of styles and designs from which to choose.

An illuminated bathroom mirror will either have lights attached to the top, or have a cabinet that opens with another mirror on the inside, around which there will be lights. There are even some that are framed by LED lights and in the right bathroom supporting the right theme and style, they can look very attractive.

Another variation of bathroom mirrors is the bathroom mirror cabinet. These mirrors are a dual combination, consisting of a mirror and a medicine cabinet all built into one functional piece of bathroom furniture. These mirrors are very useful in bathrooms with little space and they not only provide a bathroom mirror, but also an alternative storage facility. The bathroom mirror cabinet proves to be very popular in one-bedroom room apartments or small houses with smaller family bathroom suites.  Bathroom mirrors that are flush to the wall, without a cabinet are also an option. If you are looking to purchase a bathroom mirror from this category then this is when the options open up.

There are many ideas to choose from including; wood framed mirrors, ceramic framed mirrors with complicated designs, stone framed mirrors, or square, oval or round mirrors. 

Yet whatever your taste or style, make sure you choose the bathroom mirror that is suited to the ambience of your bathroom. Usually the bathroom mirror can become the feature focal point of your bathroom so ensure that it is in keeping with your theme.

Along with your bath and shower unit, perhaps nothing adds more glamour and glitz, along with functionality, than a bathroom mirror.

Depending on the overall design of your bathroom, the mirror can enhance and give your washing area a sense of light and space. However, choosing the correct type of bathroom mirror is not always easy. They vary greatly in price and you should be sure of your budget before buying one.

It is important, regardless of how much you are paying, to make sure that the mirror is thoroughly sealed to its casing. If this is not the case, damp resulting from steam condensation will insinuate itself and cause it to come loose from the fitting.

However, once you have decided on the style of mirror that is right for your bathroom, actually mounting it on the wall is not as easy as you might suppose.

If you intend to fix the bathroom mirror directly to the wall, be sure to buy suitable mastic. This will help prevent the mirror from becoming tarnished when the glue is laid on the wall.

Check that you have some sort of support along the bottom of the mirror. This makes it a good deal easier to frame. In fact, such is the importance of correctly setting your mirror flat on the wall; it could well prove beneficial to use a professional fitter. Remember, if you chip or crack the mirror, then you have essentially lost your money.

Finally, be careful of the size you select. Many a bathroom has been ruined by either too large or too small a mirror.

The bathroom mirror is far more than a utilitarian object for shaving or putting on make-up. Although functional, you should never forget it forms one of the focal points of your bathroom and should be treated with all the care and consideration you would lavish on a new bath, sink or shower unit.

Framing your mirror can add style and imagination to your bathroom. It is of paramount importance that before buying your frame you should carefully consider exactly what you would like the room to express. Remember, how you choose to decorate will reflect your personality.

If you have decided on a traditional bathroom, the ideal frame for your mirror is likely to be an antique. These need not cost a fortune, just have a search around markets, house clearances, even car boot sales.

Do not be put off by first appearances; good quality frames can easily be stripped of flaking paint. In fact, you will often find the price considerably lower than you would pay for a freshly painted frame. Wood staining is an ideal way to restore the lustre of an old frame.

For a more contemporary look, metal frames offer numerous advantages. They are easy to clean, come in a wide variety of styles and can be painted in virtually any colour. They also offer clean lines, while being of any shape or size.

If your budget is restricted, try visiting an art and craft shop. Very often you can find very reasonably priced self-assembly frames.

It may seem like a simple task, but knowing where and how to hang your bathroom mirror will be vital in ensuring you get the most out of it and the most out of your bathroom.

If you are lucky enough to have plenty of natural light in your bathroom, it is recommended to get the mirror as close to the window as you can. It is a well known fact that fluorescent bulbs and other indoor lighting devices don’t give off the right strength of light and when you are applying make-up, or the mirror is being used for shaving, you will need a good light source.

Of course, the majority of bathroom mirrors will hang over the basin, but if you do find that there is not enough natural light in that area, it is worthwhile hanging a second mirror closer to the window. Also highly recommended for any small bathroom is to fit a second larger mirror, which will be a great way to give the perception of extra space.

Although hanging a bathroom mirror seems fairly straightforward, not doing it correctly can result in a small catastrophe. No matter what the size of your mirror it is always best to use strong wall plugs that will allow fixing screws to be fitted into the wall as securely as possible.

If you are faced with a larger mirror that you want to hang on a hollow stud-work wall, it will be necessary to use specially designed plugs that will open up on the inside of the wall to allow secure fixing.

Bathroom accessories will give that finishing touch to your room and can be as varied as the many bath and basin taps that are on offer. Towel rings are perhaps the most common accessories to find and they come in a range of styles to match either modern or traditional bathrooms.

Other popular wall-mounted accessories include soap dishes, towel rails, clothes hooks and, of course, a bathroom mirror. Glass shelves are always a popular choice for modern bathrooms, but if you are going for a more traditional setting, hanging storage baskets will add an authentic touch and are also easy to come by.

If your bathroom does not have a shower cubicle, there is a wide range of sleek and attractive shower curtains available for over the bath showers that will also match any design. And if you have a flat-rim bath, another option worth considering is a glass screen that will look a lot more appealing. These are simple to install and will be also be easy to keep clean.

Perhaps not as necessary as the items above, but still offering plenty of style, are glass tumbler holders which sit above the basin. As many designer makes can be bought for as little as £10, this can be a cost-effective way of adding a real touch of class to your bathroom. Some versions come with two glass-holders in one, with space for holding toothbrushes and toothpaste, and will look a lot more appealing than a regular toothbrush holder standing on the basin.

A lot of people just want to have a refreshing shower after their busy day, and equipping their bathroom with chic and modern bath accessories will surely add to the invigorating feel, in addition to the contemporary look that they bring.

Mirrors are one of the most useful and fabulous accessories in the bathroom because they are needed for grooming as well as for making the place look great and inviting. So, if you’re thinking of accessorising the bathroom using designer mirrors, it is important to consider technology has advanced and that there is now a wide selection of mirrors that you can choose from. It is a great idea to go online and browse, compare prices, make your choice, and order the bathroom mirror then and there because you’ll avoid the hassle of visiting shops and waiting for protracted delivery. Online bath accessories will also allow you the opportunity to mix and match decorative fixtures to let your personality be reflected in your comfort zone, the bath.

There are stylish bathroom accessory collections that you can choose from, depending on your taste and design preferences, like soap dishes, towel rings, robe hooks, bars, tumbler holders, dispensers, and many other accessories that suit your needs and lifestyle. These wide arrays of bathroom accessories are best used to offset the mirror. There are even choices of luxurious mirrors, which are complimented by towel bars, rove hooks, and holders, which together provide an absolutely regal effect.

It is best to start making the bathroom a truly relaxing place with a modern touch simply by adding chic bath accessories that complete the soothing and refreshing ambience of the place.

Roper Rhodes, a top designer and manufacturer of bathroom furniture, offers a wide range of elegant, functional, and high quality bathroom accessories to its customers. Their line of products includes cabinets and mirrors, along with floor units and worktops. Two of their best products are sleekly designed cabinets, which are called Ixus Frosted Door Corner Cabinets and Sensor Vision Bathroom Cabinets.

A bathroom will never be complete without a mirror and a cabinet. Having both of these essential bathroom accessories is quite an advantage especially when it comes in one compact and useful form. The Ixus Frosted Door Corner Cabinet delivers this and more. It is a stainless steel mirror cabinet with a wooden inner frame. It is sleekly designed to save bathroom wall space as it measures only 650mm in height, 300mm in width, and 185mm in depth. Additionally, it has a single (laminated) frosted glass door and three shelves where medicine and other bathroom essentials can be stored.

The Sensor Vision Bathroom Cabinet comes in three different finishes, including walnut, real wood veneer oak, and white. It measures 690mm in height, 500mm in width, and 150mm in depth. Likewise, it has three adjustable shelves and a soft closing double-sided mirror door, which is made of 6mm laminated safety glass. The design of this cabinet uniquely and innovatively incorporates a shaver socket along with 28 LED lights, which are operated via a no-touch infrared switch. Stunningly, these lights have a life expectancy of roughly 60,000 hours of uninterrupted use.

These cabinets from Roper Rhodes are very complementary to any bathroom. It does not only look beautiful, but it also saves space and serves a very important purpose.