Illuminated Mirrors Blog

For What Reasons Might You Consider Purchasing An Edge-lit Bathroom Mirror?

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There may have been a time when the lighting on a bathroom mirror would have seemed almost an afterthought for many people looking to invest in such a product.

But of course, times change! Many of today’s homeowners and interior designers rightly recognise a bathroom mirror as a visual and practical centrepiece of this extremely important part of a home.

However, when you are contemplating the possibilities for the lighting on your next bathroom mirror, you might not initially be sure why an edge-lit mirror should be a serious consideration – or even what an “edge-lit” mirror is.

So, in our latest blog article, we will seek to answer many of the questions you are likely to have about the merits of edge-lit mirrors for the bathroom.

So, what is an edge-lit mirror?

As the term suggests, a mirror being “edge-lit” typically means it is adorned with lights around the edge of the unit. Our 360° edge-lit bathroom mirrors here at Illuminated Mirrors, for example, incorporate an LED light border around the perimeter of the front of the mirror.

A few reasons why an edge-lit bathroom mirror may be the right choice for you

The following are just some of the reasons why you might think about the edge-lit option for the lighting on your next bathroom mirror:

  • The “frame” that it provides for your viewing area. The “light border” on this type of mirror can serve as a visually powerful “frame”. An attractive glow is created on the wall, which helps draw the eye to the stunning mirror as soon as someone walks into the bathroom.
  • The sleek and contemporary style. There’s something effortlessly modern-looking about an edge-lit mirror. Indeed, our own finely crafted units at Illuminated Mirrors embody a particular sense of refinement and sophistication.
  • The clear and consistent light. With lighting emanating from the edges of your bathroom mirror, you will be able to more easily see your face from all angles. This will assist you with such tasks as shaving and the application of makeup and skincare products.
  • The easy access to warm and cool light – whatever you need at any given time. You might desire warm (3,000°K) or daylight/cool (5,000°K) light temperatures – regardless, both are available within one 360° edge-lit mirror when you purchase yours from Illuminated Mirrors.
  • The aesthetic and design versatility of our edge-lit mirrors. Whatever your visual and functional preferences and needs may be, we can create an edge-lit mirror that satisfies your very greatest expectations. The options that we present encompass the likes of acrylic edge-lit mirrors with 8.5mm frames, as well as both glowing acrylic edge and frosted edge-lit varieties.

You could be just an email away from discovering that you can have the lighting on your bathroom mirror that you have always dreamed of, befitting the escapist haven so many homeowners wish this part of their abode to be.

Simply contact us now for an in-depth discussion about the possibilities for your edge-lit bathroom mirror – or consult our edge-lit mirrors buying guide for further information and advice.

5 Excellent Reasons To Choose a Backlit Mirror For Your Bathroom

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A backlit mirror is very much what the term sounds like: a mirror with lights mounted on the back, and which illuminate the mirror’s surface, while providing a soft surrounding glow.

These mirrors have gained in popularity lately as options for bathrooms, but they are far from a “here today, gone tomorrow” trend. Quite the opposite – they exude a timeless sophistication, while also offering many potential practical benefits.

Below, then, we have set out just some of the possible advantages of having a backlit mirror installed in your bathroom.

It provides a soft, even glow

We referenced it above, and it is certainly one of the great benefits of a bathroom backlit mirror; a wonderful diffuse glow can be provided from where the lights are fitted. In the case of our backlit mirrors at Illuminated Mirrors, dual-white (CCT) LED lights are incorporated on the reverse of the mirror’s edges.

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The glow helps provide a refined and relaxing atmosphere in the bathroom, which is – after all – a space within your home where you will wish to feel especially contented.

You can choose from a variety of styles for your backlit mirror

Many people particularly associate backlit mirrors with a more “contemporary” look, and it is true that they tend to be sleek and modern in their aesthetic.

However, it is possible to specify a backlit mirror in any of a broad range of styles and sizes – including both framed and frameless options – to cater to whatever “vibe” is desired.

LED lighting in backlit mirrors can deliver energy savings

Choosing a backlit mirror that uses LED lighting will enable you to benefit from greater energy efficiency compared to traditional light bulbs. As a consequence of this, you can also count on the mirror illumination lasting for a while.

And of course, it’s all good for reducing your home’s carbon footprint and better protecting the only planet Earth we have. 

A backlit mirror can even have a shaver socket incorporated into it

Yes, that’s right: on the bottom-right edge of our own backlit mirrors’ frames here at Illuminated Mirrors, near the infrared sensor, a shaver socket is built in. This feature can be used to charge an electric shaver or toothbrush, delivering even greater day-to-day convenience.

The potential option to switch between warm and cold lighting

Dual White Lighting is incorporated as standard in our backlit mirror options at Illuminated Mirrors. This enables the user to easily alternate between warm and cold lighting.

The warmer 3,000K light is the more flattering of the two, which makes it perfect for selfies. If, on the other hand, you need a more practical light giving truer colour in the reflection, you can activate the colder 5,000K option with the press of a button. This can be an excellent light setting for applying makeup, as what you see in your reflection will be what others see when you are out in public.

Please note that not all backlit mirror options on the market will offer this feature, which could be one more reason to source your next bathroom mirror from Illuminated Mirrors.

Would you like to learn more about what that backlit mirror could look like, and the other options we can present as part of our bespoke service? If so, please don’t hesitate to contact our experts today.

Could An Ultra Slimline Mirror Be The Right Choice For Your Bathroom?

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We are great believers here at Illuminated Mirrors in the notion that a bathroom mirror is never “just” a bathroom mirror. After all, even some of the smallest and easiest-to-miss details and features of a light mirror for the bathroom can make a significant difference to how the given mirror looks in the space, and the support it provides to the user’s lifestyle.

You may be reading this because you are in the market for a new bathroom mirror as a resident, or perhaps an interior designer attempting to realise someone else’s dream bathroom space. Regardless, you might have given a lot of thought to the all-round aesthetic of whatever mirror you specify, as well as its dimensions, and whether to opt for landscape or portrait orientation.

But why might you prioritise ordering an ultra slim light mirror for a bathroom? Below, we have set out some of the potential reasons:

  • A slim bathroom mirror can be great for saving space. In bathrooms that are particularly small and narrow, a mirror in “standard” thickness may easily overwhelm the rest of the room. You might be eager to introduce a sense of light and depth to the bathroom with your chosen mirror, but you may not want it to look bulky or inelegant.
  • A slimline bathroom mirror often looks great. In an age in which our smartphones and tablet computers seem to be constantly shedding the pounds while piling on ever-increasing slickness and sophistication, today’s super-slimline bathroom mirrors also get in on this spirit. If you desire a sleek, contemporary look for your bathroom, you might be convinced that an ultra-slim mirror would be the ultimate choice.
  • A slim bathroom mirror can pack in considerable functionality. We’ve come a long way from the days when a slim bathroom mirror was automatically a basic mirror as far as its features were concerned. Our own ultra slim bar LED mirrors at Illuminated Mirrors can incorporate elements like built-in demister pads, sensor switches, and up-to-the-minute lighting technology, to help provide the most convenient experiences.
  • A slimline bathroom mirror can be expertly engineered for the utmost durability. Not so long ago, an obvious argument against investing in an ultra-slim bathroom mirror might have been its susceptibility to breakage. Today’s leading ultra-slim bathroom mirrors, however – made from robust materials such as aluminium, and engineered to the most exacting standards – can be just as tough as the thicker models on the market.

What are the possibilities when you turn to us for a slim bathroom mirror?

Whether you are seeking to specify a mirror for your own bathroom or someone else’s – the latter as an interior designer or contractor – you can expect all the options from our team at Illuminated Mirrors.

That might mean ordering an ultra-slim backlit mirror boasting such features as touch sensor on/off operation and LED temperature control. Or perhaps you are most drawn to our ultra slim dot mirrors with their classic point lights in various styles, or 360° edge-lit mirrors, which incorporate lights carefully positioned around the mirror’s edge to create a clean, even light?

Even super-slim non-illuminated mirrors can be ordered from our team, their overall depth of just 18mm belying their sheer refinement. So, even if you aren’t specifically in the market for a light mirror for your bathroom, we can present exciting options.

Our commitment to an all-round bespoke design service means you can have the very greatest confidence in our team realising the ultimate bathroom mirror for your needs. So, please don’t wait to reach out to us to discuss in greater detail how we could serve your highest expectations when it comes to this imperative element of your bathroom.

Have You Considered What Shape Your Next Bathroom Mirror Should Be?

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If you are among the many people contemplating the merits of illuminated mirrors for their homes right now, you might imagine that the shape you choose for your mirror can’t possibly be that important.

After all, a stunning-looking reflective centrepiece of your room is a stunning-looking reflective centrepiece of your room, whatever its shape… right?

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Asymmetrical mirrors are a growing trend in interior design

As specialists in beautifully handcrafted bathroom mirrors here at Illuminated Mirrors, we beg to differ! Just like such aspects as the dimensions of your mirror, its frame, and whether it is portrait or landscape orientation, the shape of your mirror will impact profoundly on how it fits in with the broader visual scheme of your bathroom, and even how it is used.

Is it essentially just a case of choosing between a square or round mirror?

As you will see when you browse our comprehensive bespoke gallery, illuminated mirrors for the bathroom can come in nearly any shape imaginable, embracing all manner of interesting detailing.

From large rectangular landscape-orientation mirrors and rounded edge-lit mirrors, right through to oval, trapezium-shaped, and even pill-shaped units, the possibilities are practically endless. So, it isn’t only the most obvious square or round shapes that you can choose from for your next bathroom mirror.

Furthermore, it isn’t necessarily the case that a straight-edged, rectangular space can “only” ever have a straight-edged, rectangular mirror. Indeed, the look of a space that already has a lot of hard angles might be nicely softened and balanced out by a rounded mirror.

But on the other hand, a rectangular or square mirror can make a strong statement of its own – something that you might desire, given the tendency for a mirror to be the aesthetic focal point of the room in which it is hung.

So, in what bathroom settings might certain mirror shapes make sense?

Below are just some of the especially popular shapes for illuminated mirrors that you might consider for your bathroom:

  • Square mirrors

The sleek, symmetrical, and angular nature of square mirrors might make them a likely choice for those who wish to achieve a modern, contemporary aesthetic in their bathroom. However, mirrors in this shape also have a certain understated, timeless appeal.

  • Round mirrors

There is a certain simplicity to a rounded mirror that can make it a head-turning and striking choice of mirror for a broad range of interior spaces. Given the tendency for round mirrors to draw the eye, you might be especially likely to have yours placed above a table or countertop to help make it an even more powerful focal point.

  • Geometric mirrors

Mirrors in geometric shapes – such as hexagonal, octagonal, or pentagonal shapes – aren’t as commonly sighted as the aforementioned types. However, they can certainly enhance a bathroom’s appeal as a modern and contemporary space. They tend to work best in especially “busy” and high-profile spots, such as immediately above a bathroom sink.

Talk to us about what you need from a bathroom mirror

Whatever shape you might have in mind for your next bathroom mirror, or even if you’re still attempting to decide, we would be delighted to discuss your expectations and requirements from your next mirror, and how our skilled team can help fulfil them.

Please feel free to reach out to Illuminated Mirrors’ experts, as a first step on the way to making your dream bathroom mirror a reality.

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A Guide To Choosing The Right Size For Your Bathroom Mirror

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It might be tempting for many observers to imagine that the “right” dimensions for a bathroom mirror would simply be whatever dimensions fill the available space, while still allowing the mirror to be used for whatever practical purposes it was bought for.

If, however, you are in the market for made-to-measure bathroom mirrors and lights like those we are proud to design, manufacture, and supply here at Illuminated Mirrors, you will wish to spend a bit more time thinking about your custom mirror’s size.

Our bespoke bathroom mirrors can be produced in any size up to a maximum of 2.5 metres x 3.4 metres. So, you don’t have to settle for whatever “standard” dimensions a given bathroom mirror may be immediately available in.

This, though, will necessitate you thinking carefully about factors such as:

How large your bathroom space is

It might seem an “obvious” starting point, but it is an important one, nonetheless; grab a measuring tape, and work out the dimensions of the wall where you intend to have your bathroom mirror mounted. You won’t necessarily be trying to use up all the space, but it will give you a sense of what you have available to play with.

While you still have your measuring tape in hand, be sure to note your vanity unit’s width, too. A commonly cited “rule of thumb” is that a bathroom mirror should be wider than the sink it is positioned above, but should not exceed the width of the vanity unit.

So, aiming for your mirror to be a few inches narrower than the vanity unit is probably a good formula. This will help ensure a balanced look in your bathroom, preventing the mirror from visually overpowering the space’s other furniture, fittings, and décor.

The visual connection between the mirror and other elements

There are, though, some other factors to consider. If, for instance, you are planning to have lights fitted on either side of your bathroom mirror, it would probably be logical to choose a thinner mirror than you may have otherwise done.

Make sure, too, that your mirror isn’t of a size that blocks or interferes with any light sources or fixtures already present. Remember that the larger a mirror is, the greater the amount of light it will reflect, thereby helping to make the space seem brighter and more spacious.

A mirror height that makes both aesthetic and practical sense

As with every other aspect of choosing a bathroom mirror, it is not just what instinctively “looks right” that you will need to account for when deciding on the ideal height for your mirror. So, again, a certain formula for deciding is a good idea.

That formula generally equates to choosing a mirror that is a few feet tall, preferably one foot above and below the eyeline of the typical person who will be using it.

Given that bathroom vanities tend to be around 32 inches to 36 inches tall, and mirrors are normally positioned approximately five to 10 inches above the taps, this would suggest that a bathroom mirror should be placed about 40 inches above the floor.

If your bathroom has an especially high ceiling, this might naturally alter your calculation for how tall your mirror should be, as you may wish to play to the proportions of the space.

As you can see, there is a lot to think about when it comes to deciding on the optimal dimensions for a bathroom mirror!

Our own expertise in the creation of impressive bathroom mirrors and lights here at Illuminated Mirrors can help ensure you get the right results from this crucial element of your home. So, please feel free to contact us for an in-depth discussion of your preferences and needs.