Horizontal or Vertical Mirror
#1
05-21-15, 06:05 AM
Horizontal or Vertical Mirror
Hello all,
I am getting to the final stages of a bath reno. I have the vanity in a 3 sided "alcove" formed by two exterior walls on the left and back, and the wet wall of the shower on the right. The vanity stretches across the full space - 51" wide. I have a clear run of wall from the top of the vanity up to the ceiling at 8'.
I am trying to decide to run a mirror the full width - the 51" wall to wall, and put a vanity light bar above that, or to go with a taller, narrower mirror and a vanity light on each side. Of course, contractor waiting on a decision so he can pull the wires, hopefully yesterday.
Any thoughts? Would one or the other create a "roomier" feel?
thanks!
I am getting to the final stages of a bath reno. I have the vanity in a 3 sided "alcove" formed by two exterior walls on the left and back, and the wet wall of the shower on the right. The vanity stretches across the full space - 51" wide. I have a clear run of wall from the top of the vanity up to the ceiling at 8'.
I am trying to decide to run a mirror the full width - the 51" wall to wall, and put a vanity light bar above that, or to go with a taller, narrower mirror and a vanity light on each side. Of course, contractor waiting on a decision so he can pull the wires, hopefully yesterday.
Any thoughts? Would one or the other create a "roomier" feel?
thanks!
#3
05-21-15, 06:23 AM
You might also ask your wife or a female friend. While I figured out long ago I was best off not looking in the mirror, my wife like a lot of women spends a lot of time in front of the mirror. I suspect they'd prefer the longways mirror.
#4
05-21-15, 09:31 AM
Member
Marksr, I'm with you. It's bad enough just to see my upper reflection but to see the whole butt naked thing is a pretty sad 
site. I'll never understand what women see in men. I'll grant you there are few men I might call attractive or at least pleasing to look at. But on the whole who wants to look at guys?
site. I'll never understand what women see in men. I'll grant you there are few men I might call attractive or at least pleasing to look at. But on the whole who wants to look at guys?
#5
05-21-15, 10:21 AM
Group Moderator
The trouble you often run into with a full length mirror is that the mirror will be perfectly square, whereas your opening may not be. So if you do get a full width mirror you will want to check the walls to see that they are perfectly plumb and parallel, and that your countertop is perfectly level. You can certainly order the mirror a bit narrower than the space and avoid those issues altogether but you may have a bit of a taper showing along the edge of the mirror if anything is out of whack.
#7
05-21-15, 11:48 AM
Member
Unless giants reside in the home, any portion of mirror taller than say 75" -80" will be useless. So going vertical doesn't have much advantage. Flanking with matching sconces will take up more room than you think. Resulting in a much smaller mirror than desired. The traditional wide mirror with over top light will make the room feel bigger.
#8
05-22-15, 02:13 PM
Czizzi,
Your comment about underestimating the space required for the side lamps was spot on. I mocked up with cardboard and it became apparent that it would feel to cramped. The wires have been pulled for a top-of-mirror lamp.
Your comment about underestimating the space required for the side lamps was spot on. I mocked up with cardboard and it became apparent that it would feel to cramped. The wires have been pulled for a top-of-mirror lamp.
#9
05-22-15, 02:45 PM
Member
Have him also mount a secured box or at least a cross block so that you can hang a heavier light should you find one you like that requires extra support. Last bath I remodeled, the light was very heavy and when I removed the old light, all that was there was a electrical cord coming out of the wall. I did not feel comfortable hanging the light on drywall, so I mounted a fan box securely so I could leave with good conscience that the light was secured well.
