How to Correctly Hang a Bathroom Wall Mirror

Every bathroom needs to have a mirror, but it's important that it's installed correctly. Discover just how easy it is to do yourself!

As we know all too well, having a bathroom mirror is an absolute necessity; after all how else are you going to apply your make-up or sort out those annoying cowlicks in the morning? However, the mirror doesn’t just magically appear there all by itself. You need to hire someone to hang the mirror for you, or learn how to hang a bathroom mirror yourself.

How to Hang a Bathroom Wall Mirror

Hanging mirrors in the bathroom correctly isn’t all that difficult a job to tackle yourself, even if you have a fancy illuminated mirror or one with a de-mister pad. We'll guide you through the steps you need to take to ensure your mirror is secure and looking good.

Step 1. Assess the wall

The first thing you need to do is decide exactly where you’re going to mount your mirror. Once you’ve made your decision, check the wall is suitable to support the mirror and ensure that there are no pipes concealed behind the wall. If you’re unsure if there may be pipework lurking out of sight, invest in a pipe finder for peace of mind.

Step 2. Prepare the mirror

Remove your mirror from its packaging and have a quick check at this point to make sure that there are no cracks present. If you’ve gone for a de-mister pad bathroom mirror it’s a good idea to disconnect it before progressing.

Step 3. Make your mark

Now you need to bring the mirror up to the wall and make sure that it is in a sensible place. Be aware of the different splash zones here if fitting an illuminated bathroom mirror or one with a de-mister function as these particular mirrors may need to be placed higher up the wall if they are being fitted above your basin.

Use a spirit level to check that everything is straight and then take a pencil and mark out the holes which will be drilled. Place the mirror somewhere safe before you begin drilling.

Tip: It’s a good idea to have someone else to help you hold the mirror when placing it against the wall in order to avoid any mishaps. This is especially important if you’re installing a large mirror (also note that larger mirrors may require a different installation method such as brackets).

Step 4. Drill the holes

Before proceeding to actually drill any holes there are a few things which you need to do beforehand to avoid any disasters. The first is to select the right drill bit for the type of wall you’re using. Besides this you should also use some masking tape to mark how far up the drill bit a wall plug will go. This will allow you to drill to the correct depth. Finally, make sure you grab some eye protection like safety glasses or goggles in case of any flying debris.

With all these precautions taken, carefully drill the holes needed. Insert the wall plugs into the holes and proceed to step five.

Step 5. Fitting the mirror

You should now be able to reconnect your de-mister pad or any other electrical components if you have them (always refer to the product manual regarding any electric elements).

Make sure any wiring is safe and isn’t obstructed in any way before carefully screwing the mirror onto the wall. Getting someone to hold the mirror in position at this stage is vital. Apply a bead of silicone sealant on each side of the mirror frame where it meets the wall for a secure installation. To finish, peel off any protective film, stand back and admire your gorgeous new mirror!

How to Hang a Bathroom Mirror Over Tiles

If you want to hang up a mirror on a tiled wall in your bathroom, then the process is just slightly different than other types of wall. To avoid damaging or cracking any of your tiles, you’ll need to use specific equipment, take it slow and plan according to which type of tiles you have, ceramic or porcelain. 

Step 1. Check the wall

As well as deciding where you want to put your mirror and checking for pipes in the wall, you need to take into account the differences between ceramic and porcelain tiles. Ceramic tiles are generally a little easier to drill through, and you can use a specific ceramic tile drill bit, usually a tungsten carbide tipped drill bit. However, porcelain tiles are much tougher to drill through, so it’s better to use a diamond tipped drill bit for those. 

Step 2. Get the mirror ready

Make sure you take your mirror out of its packaging before you continue, and check that it isn’t damaged or cracked. If it’s a demisting or LED mirror, then make sure you check the product’s specific instructions from the manufacturer before mounting it.

Step 3. Mark for guidance

You’ll want to make sure you’re absolutely certain on where your mirror is going to be before you start drilling. The best way to do that is to hold the mirror against the wall and double check your placement, using a spirit level to make sure it’ll be straight. If your mirror is heavy or otherwise awkward to hold up, get another person to help you out with this step!

Remember that mirrors with electrical components, like demisters and LED lighting, may need to be higher up to avoid splashing from your basin. You should also keep in mind the potential splash zones from baths and showers, depending on where you’re putting your mirror.

Once you’ve checked the placement, mark the spots where you’ll be drilling into the tiles. You can use a pencil for this, but marker pens or tile markers are often a better option. Using two pieces of masking tape to create a cross over your mark will help out with keeping your drill steady and reduce the risk of it skidding later on.

Step 4. Start drilling

Using the correct drill bit for your tiles, you can now start drilling. Make sure you’re wearing eye protection (either safety glasses or goggles) and remember to drill slowly to avoid damaging the tiles. Keeping a container of water nearby and dipping the drill bit in it every so often can also reduce the chance of overheating, which can wear out the drill bit. 

If you have porcelain tiles and are using a diamond tipped drill bit, then you may need to switch to a tungsten carbide tipped drill bit to continue drilling through the wall behind your tiles. Make sure you double check the wall’s material and which drill bits are suitable for it. Once your holes are drilled, you can insert the wall plugs.

Tip: If your drill has a ‘hammer action’ option, make sure that it’s turned off while you’re drilling through tile. Both ceramic and porcelain are too brittle for the harsh impact and vibrations, so you may cause damage to the tile and increase the risk of the drill skidding.

Step 5. Mount the mirror

Now, it’s time to finish up and get the mirror on the wall. Reconnect any electrical components (always following the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific mirror) and hold the mirror up to the wall. It’s best to have another person help you here, as you’ll need to screw the mirror onto the wall. Use a dab of silicone sealant on either side of the mirror frame to keep it secure.

Now, you can remove any protective film and enjoy your new mirror!

Where to Place Your Bathroom Mirror

Now that you’ve learned how to put a mirror on the wall, it’s time to consider where you actually want to position your bathroom mirror. The classic position is over the sink, but don’t let that limit you! There are plenty of different places where you could put your bathroom mirror, so choose what works best and looks right to you.

Over the Sink

When you think of a bathroom mirror, the setup you’re likely imagining is hanging your mirror over your basin. It doesn’t just look stylish, but it’s also practical for getting ready, shaving and putting on makeup. Just make sure that your mirror is positioned at an appropriate height for the people in your household to be able to see themselves while using the sink!

In the Corner

A great way to save space in your bathroom is to get a corner mirror, especially if it has a cabinet like the Croydex Mirror Cabinet. It’ll give you some extra storage in your bathroom and also makes use of the awkward corner space in the room, as well as creating a stylish, modern look.

Between Two Wall Lights

Putting your mirror between two wall lights is great for making sure that you’ve got the perfect lighting for getting ready in the morning. This style looks especially elegant with an arched mirror like the Gatsby Arched Mirror, and can also be combined with the ‘over the sink’ look to double up on the sophistication.

Near House Plants

Generally, you want to reflect positive imagery in your bathroom, rather than reflecting something like your toilet. One option for a reflection that’s full of life is positioning some house plants by your mirror. The leafy greenery can add some vibrancy to your bathroom, and then the reflection from the mirror highlights it!

Above a Shelf

It can be useful to position your mirror above a shelf, which you can then store bathroom essentials on like skincare and toothpaste. But if you’ve got that storage handled with a vanity unit elsewhere in the bathroom, then you may just want to utilise a shelf under your mirror for some extra decor. Some ornaments and candles that match your aesthetic can really boost the room’s style!

By a Window

One of the best positions for a mirror in a smaller bathroom is somewhere it can reflect the natural light and view from a window. This makes your space feel brighter and larger, and can generally be a mood boost if your mirror reflects some nice scenery from outdoors. If you have space, a larger mirror that can reflect as much of the window’s light as possible, like the Venice Rectangular Mirror, can maximise the impact of this smart placement.

Reflecting Artwork

If you’ve got some beautiful art hanging up in your bathroom, then a great idea is to place your mirror where it can reflect the artwork. You could think of it like having all the aesthetic benefits of a second piece of art on your wall, while also having the functionality of a mirror! A mirror that has a hanging strap style like the Heritage Amberley Illuminated Mirror also mimics the classic look of wall hung artwork, adding to the style cohesion in your room.

Over the Bath

Another option for hanging mirrors in the bathroom is considering the wall space above your bathtub. If you’ve got an LED mirror like the hib. Theme LED Ambient Mirror, then the extra lighting can add some stylish atmosphere to bathtime. It also uses up wall space that would likely be left empty otherwise!

You’re Ready to Hang Your Mirror in the Perfect Place

Now that you know how to put a mirror on the wall, whether that’s a tiled wall or not, and how to choose the best placement for your mirror, you’re all set! We have a wide range of bathroom mirrors for you to browse through, but we also have guides for some more specific options, like smaller sizes for cloakrooms and heated mirrors that won’t get foggy!