It is unlikely that in the wrong time you can find a bathroom, devoid of this item of the interior. A bathroom mirror is the same familiar thing as a kitchen slab. Now this item of the interior in the bathroom plays not only a practical, but also a design role, being an important part of the overall picture. A properly selected mirror can emphasize the designer’s idea, making it even more expressive. If mistakes were made when choosing a mirror, it can ruin the entire design plan, becoming a “dark spot” on the wall.
Content
Thanks to modern glass processing technologies today, you can order a mirror for a bathroom of any configuration and size. And how to choose a mirror for a bathroom, we will tell further.
Choose a mirror in the bathroom. What to pay attention to
The first criterion should be paid attention to when choosing a bathroom mirror is the size of the room. A huge mirror in a close bathroom of a standard five -story building will not look very neat. Yes, and it is unlikely that you can use it for its intended purpose - small dimensions of the room simply will not allow you to see yourself in full growth. Therefore, for small apartments, the most successful choice will be a small mirror of the correct shape. Happy owners of large apartments or private houses may not constrain themselves in choosing. Now the trend is large mirrors that can close most of the wall above the washbasin.
Decide with the size of the mirror. If it is supposed to be a correct rectangular shape, then it should not be wider than the washbasin, but even a little already. In case of improper shape, the dimensions are not of great importance and they can be neglected.
Stylistics and functionality. Naturally, the mirror should correspond to the overall style of the bathroom. With its form, color, it should supplement the design decisions, and not enter into dissonance with them. For example, for a bathroom in a classic style, oval mirrors are suitable in massive frames trimmed for bronze, and for the Modern style or minimalism the most suitable options will be large mirrors without Ram with LED lighting. In terms of functionality, modern mirrors can “boast” additional functions. There are models with a special heating system, which will not allow the mirror to pipe. Mirrors with built-in monitors, Wi-Fi receivers and telephony functions are no longer surprising.
Product quality. With the apparent simplicity of this interior item, you can buy a poor -quality product. The bathroom mirror should be moisture -resistant. Such models differ in a silver coating at its base. The surface of the mirror should be without chips, cracks, scratches. Pay attention to the wrong side. The coating should look integral, otherwise during operation it will be guaranteed to be destroyed. The bulge of the amalgamic coating is also a marriage. The mirror fasteners, especially the frameless, should be reliable to withstand its weight. A large sheet of glass hanging on a wall with a poor mount can become a source of danger.
Classification of mirrors for the bathroom
To decide on the choice of mirror for installation, it is necessary to understand their classification.
According to the size of the surface, the mirror is divided into:
- Cosmetic - small mirrors intended exclusively for cosmetic procedures in the bathroom. As a rule, they have a standard shape.
- Panoramic - large mirrors, which, in addition to cosmetic function, are a design detail of the interior, the purpose of which in most cases is the expansion of space. Typically, such mirrors occupy the entire wall above the washbasin and do not have a frame.
The form distinguishes:
- Rectangular.
- Oval.
- Round mirrors with backlighting in the bathroom.
- Figure.
The latter are quite popular among designers. Thanks to the unusual forms that have modern mirrors, you can give the room a rather attractive appearance, as well as use the game of light in the formation of the overall picture in the bathroom.
Recently, colored mirrors have been very popular. They can be selected under the color of tiles or other finishes. They are made by tinting the surface of the mirror using a special film.
According to the options for making a mirror for the bathroom, you can divide into the following conditional groups:
Combined mirrors. They are an integral part of the piece of furniture, for example, the dressing room. Typically, such mirrors have purely cosmetic value, however, the furniture itself can be part of the design idea. Furniture is especially popular, the facades of which are made with mirrors. It looks like one large mirror, but it has great functionality.
Separate ones. These mirrors are not part of any piece of furniture and are installed separately. Usually they have a large size and are designed to expand the space of the bathroom.
Bathroom mirrors with backlighting
The backlight mirrors gained their distribution for a long time. In most cases, lighting does not carry any functional load, but is only a decorative thing. However, in some models, lamps are installed in such a way as to direct the light flow into the face of a person. In this case, light will allow cosmetic procedures. For this, the bathroom mirror is best suited with an increase and backlight.
There are 3 main options for backlighting:
- Mirrors using external lamps. There are a large number of options for combining lighting devices with mirror surfaces. Small lamps above the visor of the mirror or cut directly into glass, small sconces on its sides - all these options are relevant for most design solutions. Directed single spots have sufficient functionality. They can change the direction of light depending on the purpose, illuminating either the person’s face or another corner of the bathroom.
- Mirror using internal backlight. Such models are much more expensive, which is associated with the complexity of their manufacture. As a rule, such products are made in the form of cabinets, where the mirror performs the function of the illuminated door. As a light source, the LED lighting of the mirror in the bathroom is used, which is characterized by a soft glow.
- Mirror with decorative backlight. Typically, light in such mirrors carries only a decorative load. Install lamps both on the back of the glass and directly inside it.
The choice of mirror with backlight should be based on what goals are pursued in this case. If it serves only as a decor, it is better to buy models with a soft decorative glow, they can not only make the bathroom interior more attractive, but also help relax, taking the bathroom. If the mirror is intended for applying or removing makeup, then a bright directed light is needed to see all the details. In case of lack of area in the bathroom, it is better to choose a mirror-lush in a bathroom with backlight.
Do -it -yourself Bathroom Mirror
To save money, you can make a mirror with your own backlight. All that is needed is a little imagination and a minimum of materials.
The simplest option is a mirror with a frame. Absolutely any lamp can be attached to it. If the frame is wide, small -sized spotlights can be easily cut into it, for example, MR10. To do this, through the through holes are made in it into which the lamps are inserted. A wiring is installed along the perimeter of the frame that will feed the bulbs. This option will allow you to arrange directed light.
For decorative backlight, it is more advisable to use LED ribbons. Low energy consumption, a long service life - make this option not only beautiful, but also economical.
Work order:
- It is necessary to take a mirror without a frame, glue it around the perimeter with an LED ribbon, which is then connected to a special power source. The fact is that most of the tapes have an operating voltage of 12V and it is impossible to connect them to an ordinary outlet. The power source should be included with the tape, if this is not, then you will have to buy it separately.
- After that, hidden wiring is installed behind the mirror, which is displayed on the switch next to the washbasin. Now, if desired, you can easily turn on the backlight.
- As a rule, built -in mirrors with illumination are installed at the stage of repair of the bathroom. However, if it is decided to install this interior part in the already renovated room, this can be done in several ways:
- installation of a mirror with backlight on the bracket,
- installing a mirror to a level with cable tiles.
The first option is a little easier, however, the second looks much more spectacular. For its implementation, however, you will have to remove the tile at the place of installation of the mirror. It is easy to do this, however, when working, patience and accuracy are necessary. To do this, with the help of a hammer and a chisel, only a whole tile is neatly lost. The resulting area is cleaned from the remains of tile glue and grout for seams. Then, according to the size of the released area, it is necessary to order a mirror in a glass workshop and install LED backlight from the reverse side. It is installed using plastic corners in which the LED tape is started. After connecting the tape, the mirror is attached to the wall with liquid nails.