Category Archives: Bathroom design

5 Features You Could Have Incorporated Into Your Next Bathroom Mirror

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A bathroom mirror doesn’t have to be a basic and merely “utilitarian” item – it can “reflect” the highest aspirations you have for your interior space, in more ways than one.

For a demonstration of what we mean, you might consider some of the features we can build into an LED mirror that we hand-craft for you. Whether you are a homeowner carrying out bathroom remodelling, or a trade customer, you will hopefully be inspired by these possibilities.

CCT LEDs give you the flexibility to switch between cool and warm lighting options.

CCT LED lighting

Did you know that all our mirrors now use CCT LED strip? This enables you to achieve cool and warm lighting on a single strip, as opposed to the previous situation with our backlit mirrors, where we had to ask customers to select either warm or cool lighting.

So, at any one time, you can take advantage of the more flattering warm light (which is great for selfies), or the more practical cool light, which gives truer colour in the reflection. The latter is perfect for the application of makeup, as what you see in your reflection in the cool light will be what others see when they “check out your look” in the street.

Rigel Shaver Edge Mirror
Bathroom mirrors with integrated shaver socket

A shaver socket

Achieving an immaculate shave will be important to you in a wide range of scenarios – whether you’re looking to make the best possible impression at that job interview, or getting yourself more than presentable for your son or daughter’s wedding.

Yes, an LED mirror from us can incorporate a discreet shaver socket for your utmost convenience.

Ambient K36s Shaver
Aura ambient underlighting/downlighting

Aura underlighting

It is a feature that you might not give a great amount of thought to including in your next bathroom mirror, until you realise just how profoundly such ambient illumination can infuse this part of your home with atmosphere.

With Illuminated Mirrors, you get eight different lighting colours to choose from. This enables you to bring to your bathroom the same pleasing vibe from the “mood lighting” you might already have installed elsewhere in your house, cultivating a sophisticated, “spa-like” environment.

Leon Audio Shaver
Play your favourite playlist directly through your mirror or cabinet

Audio Bluetooth capability

Once upon a time, if someone had suggested to you that your bathroom mirror could play your favourite music while you enjoy an evening soak, or even play an audiobook, you might have thought that person was referring to something they’d seen in The Jetsons.

Times change, of course; the next LED mirror you invest in for your bathroom could easily give you such multisensory experiences via a Bluetooth-connected device.

Creative engraving

You might have a vague familiarity with crude engraving, but we aren’t referring to that here; we’re talking about high-tech laser engraving.

Nothing less than the very best, most accurate finish is acceptable when it comes to etching a pattern onto the glass of an LED mirror for our latest customer. We can even incorporate optional coloured backlighting to maximise the visual impact of your bathroom mirror’s engraved design.

If any of the potential bathroom mirror features outlined above have got you thinking about how we could realise the perfect LED mirror for you, now might be the time to email the Illuminated Mirrors team to begin the discussion. You can also call us on 07893 952 606.

Tips If You Are Looking To Upgrade Your Bathroom’s Electrics

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As the familiar saying goes, water and electricity don’t mix. This is why, when you want to switch the main light in a bathroom on or off, you would typically do so by pulling a cord rather than pressing a standard switch.

However, what if some of your bathroom’s electrics need upgrading? Perhaps an electrician has advised you that an electric shower you have long had in the space should be replaced, or you want to add a light-up bathroom mirror?

Here are some tips that can help you to avoid nasty shocks — of the electric kind or otherwise.

Keep an eye out for IP (Ingress Protection) ratings

Of course, before adding any electrical fittings to your bathroom, you need to decide exactly what those fittings should be. Any that you do choose should come with what is known as an IP rating. The initialism stands for “Ingress Protection” and, in the rating, is followed by two numbers.

These numbers refer to how effectively the product guards against the ingress of solid particles and moisture, respectively. The higher the number, the lower the chance of ingress.

For example, a product rated “IP44” has been scored “4” for its protection against both types of ingress. The score itself means that the product won’t be penetrated by either particles up to 1mm in size, or water resulting from splashes — which you can obviously get a lot of in a bathroom!

Be careful where sockets are installed

Yes, electrical sockets are legally permitted in bathrooms. However, those power outlets must be placed over three metres away from the edge of the nearest bath or shower.

There is an exception to this strict rule when it comes to having a shaver charging point in the bathroom. However, this socket would still need to be far away enough from the bath or shower to be safe from water splashes.

So, if you do want to be able to regularly recharge your shaver while in the bathroom, you might be confused about exactly where the socket could go without coming across as unsightly.

One thing that you could do is order a light-up bathroom mirror from our team here at Illuminated Mirrors. Why? We would be able to create that mirror in a custom design for you.

There are many different flourishes and features you could choose from for your mirror. For a start, you have free rein over the mirror’s size and shape. Especially crucially, you could have an electric shaver socket built into the mirror as well.

This socket will be sited on the bottom-right edge of the mirror’s frame, which will make it easily accessible — no small boon when you are in a rush to get ready in the morning.

We are happy to report that we can deliver backlit bathroom mirrors to addresses across the UK. To find out more about the custom-built mirrors we offer, please contact us today [email protected].

Why Should Bathroom Lighted Mirrors Be Created On A Bespoke Basis?

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When it comes to centrepieces for the bathroom, one could barely hope for something more stunning than an illuminated mirror.

Indeed, such is the importance of bathroom lighted mirrors – not just for their most obvious practical benefits of reflection and illumination, but also for aesthetically “completing” the given bathroom space – one could argue that they should always be made to order.

But why else does requesting a bespoke service for the creation of a bathroom illuminated mirror – such as ours here at Illuminated Mirrors – make so much sense? Below, we set out some classic reasons.

Custom mirror design by Illuminated Mirrors

Having your mirror custom-made offers a huge amount of freedom

Yes, it’s the “obvious” reason to request made-to-order bathroom lighted mirrors – the fact that you won’t be limited in any obvious way when it comes to your mirror’s “look”, all-round design, and feature set.

In practice, of course, there might be some modest restrictions when you turn to us for bathroom lighted mirrors – around 2.5m x 3.4m, for example, is the biggest you can have a single mirror panel. Even if you require a mirror larger than this, though, we can bring together multiple mirror panels in elegant ways to create the remarkable effect you desire in your space.

Otherwise, with the Illuminated Mirrors team, it is largely a case of… if you want it in your mirror, and you can imagine it, get in touch with us! We can talk you through the feasibility elements, to help ensure you really can “dream big” when it comes to bathroom lighted mirrors.

Your mirror. Your way. Reflect your style.

You can incorporate features that you might not have previously considered

It is easy to imagine that there are only so many things a mirror can possibly be. Well, you will likely be forced to think again when it comes to our bespoke service.

All our bathroom lighted mirrors, for example, use CCT LED strip, which allows for both cool and warm lighting to be provided by a single strip.

You can also ensure your next mirror incorporates the Aura underlighting that will infuse your bathroom with a “spa-like” atmosphere, there being no fewer than eight different lighting colours to pick from.

Looking away from the lighting, you might not have previously given much thought to your next bathroom mirror having audio Bluetooth capability to enable it to play your favourite music.

Indeed, with the likes of USB capability, a shaver socket, and IP44 protection also all possible with your next bathroom mirror, it really can be practically everything you want it to be.

Illuminated Mirrors, Made in Britain.

The opportunity to benefit from the best in British craftsmanship

We don’t “order in” our bathroom lighted mirrors from anywhere else – we really do handcraft them ourselves using the finest materials, right here in the UK.

So, it isn’t merely the last word in creative and design freedom, elegance, and sophistication that you can expect from us – we are also the patriotic choice! To learn more about what all of that could mean for your next bathroom mirror, please don’t hesitate to contact our team today.

Fabulous framed mirrors

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Framed mirrors are most certainly on an upward trajectory in terms of 2022 style stakes, and so if you’re looking for a way of refreshing and pulling a room together, they may well be something to consider when selecting your next mirror for the home.

Frames are able to completely alter the overall look and feel of a mirror in an instant, and can tie any mirror into any interior scheme. – Small touches such as tying your bathroom taps, bedroom furniture or dressing room details in with the material or colour used for your mirror frame can go a long way in terms of pulling a whole look together for an effortlessly coordinated scheme.

So, how do you decide which framed mirror is best for your own space?

First of all, it’s important to consider whether you want the mirror to blend into its surroundings, or whether you’d like it be a statement piece, almost like wall art, that creates a stand-out focal point in the room.

It’s also a good idea to know exactly where your mirror will be positioned in your room, because this can often dictate the size and shape of it, and therefore also the type of frame.

Mirror frames can come in all manner of materials, from wood to metal, colours (any colour under the sun), and also with varying thicknesses of frame, from minimalistic, thin styles to wider, bolder designs.

Here are a few of our favourite framed mirror styles for a little home inspiration …

Traditional elegance

Quite often more ornate, with a classic look and an air of romanticism and sophistication, traditional mirrors with moulded frames look great in period homes and classically styled interiors.

But if you’re updating a mirror, you may also be longing for modern features and functionality like LED’s or touch sensors, so with a more traditional finish it may be worth considering a fusion design. – There are many ways to get salon-standard lighting that’s perfect for hair and make-up, but with the elegance of more traditional frames.  

For example, as all of our mirrors are fully customisable, we can retro-fit lighting to traditional frames, like this Hollywood bulb framed full length mirror, which would look amazing in a glamorous, vintage styled dressing room space or bedroom. The lighting helps to keep things functional, and allows the best of both worlds with a stand out, timeless mirror design and with all the clever mod-con touches that you need as well.

Sleek and sophisticated

If you have a minimalistic bathroom, you may be wondering how to tie your mirror design into your scheme, when for your own style preferences, perhaps less is more?

By opting for a stylish, powder-coated, understated frame that just adds an edge of sophistication to a mirror, you can help draw the eye to a focal point in the room and also ensure that it ties in with the rest of the interior.

For bathrooms with brass fixtures and fittings, we’d recommend opting for a gold painted metal frame, like this one which will help to pull everything together and will ground the mirror on the wall. These bespoke twin bathroom mirrors have rounded corners to tie in to the curves of the fixtures and fittings, and are backlit for added impact.

And to complete an elegant dressing room scheme with something ever-so subtle, just a hint of brass surrounding the mirror edge can sometimes be just enough to frame the mirror and add extra elegance.

Pretty in pink

Pink or rose gold framed Hollywood style mirrors provide a bold statement in a dressing room, perfect for added drama and for pulling in highlight interior colours to create a strong synergy.

Pink framed mirrors work particularly well in green and gold dressing room spaces, and add an element of fun and flamboyancy.

Painted frames offer an option to create a subtle, harmonious look to your room by pulling in existing room shades, or alternatively you can try adding a punchy colour pop with a contrasting coloured frame

Grey painted frames are a great option for neutral schemes, and they work really well as a base for most other colours, too.

The addition of LED lights as an internal border here serves the purpose of enhancing the dressing room space above the table and provides the perfect spot for makeup application.

Illuminated illustrations

If you have something a little more bespoke in mind and would like a more illustrative, patterned design for your mirror frame, we can etch any image accurately onto a mirror, which makes a fabulous option for creating bespoke, stand-out unique framed mirror designs for businesses and homes alike.

Is there an image to show for this?

Industrial Luxe

Sometimes a simple black frame is all that is needed in order to pull an interior scheme together. From painted painted wood frames to powder-coated metal frames, available in all manner of shapes and sizes, black frames are sleek, sophisticated and very on trend for 2022 for an industrial bathroom, bedroom or dressing area with an element of luxury.

Opt for smaller, rounded mirrors above basins and tie them in to black heated towel rails, shower panels and taps for a cohesive feel.

And if you’re looking for big impact, select large, floor standing panel mirrors, edged in black for a bold statement in a walk in wardrobe or dressing area.  

Add bright LED lights around the frame for an extra glow up – ideal for hair and makeup application.

Nurturing nature

Pebble frames are big news when it comes to interiors for 2022. With their natural, organic shape, they look perfect encased by a wooden frame. Ideal for Scandi style interiors, and also cottage influenced rooms too, wooden frames are a gentle addition to complete a welcoming, homely scheme with warmth and comfort.

Print a pattern

For something a little bit different, why not consider printing onto frames? Printed frames allow you to match your mirrors visually with any of the materials within your interior, helping to pull everything together for balance and synergy. Take this marble scheme bathroom, where we have printed a marble design onto one of the edges of our backlit mirrors for a cohesive bathroom design.

Does my bathroom need a demisting mirror?

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Long, hot showers are one of life’s little luxuries. – The only real frustration can be all the steam to contend with afterwards, especially when you are in a rush to get ready for work or the school run.

The age-old technique of wiping mirrors with your hand immediately after showering often causes a buildup of smudges and smears, and de-fogging with towels can leave thread and fluff residue, which can be almost as irritating as the steam itself. – Not to mention the fact that just a couple of minutes later you are left with a fully misted up mirror again.

Post-shower condensation on your bathroom mirror can really delay you getting ready, adding time and unwanted stress to your morning routine.

Luckily as bathroom mirror specialists, we have a solution that will always keep the whole of your mirror steam-free, and your reflection crystal clear.

The majority of our mirrors contain hidden heated demister pads as standard, which gently work to clear your mirror of condensation efficiently and safely, to reveal a full and clearly illuminated reflection …

So, you may be wondering how an Illuminated Mirrors demisting mirror can help you keep your bathroom mist-free?

Our hidden demisters quickly and efficiently de-fog our mirrors

If there is one thing that we all value and would like more of, it is time, and these mirrors are ideal if you are in a rush since you can quickly see your whole reflection without the worry of condensation on the mirror immediately after showering. Our demisting mirrors enable you to get on with your beauty routines as quickly as possible, and the technology is cleverly hidden too, so no need to worry about the pads impacting your sleek and seamless bathroom design.

They have a safe and durable demister functionality

There is no need to be concerned about safety either, since our demister features have a high temperature tolerance, as well as being able to resist dust and moisture too, meaning that they provide long-lasting, high performance. The surface of the demister pad itself has a low temperature which means that it cannot overheat.

Anti-fog mirrors help elevate the bathroom design

Demisting mirrors can improve the bathroom design in terms of look and feel by providing a perfectly functioning room that always looks great (even after showering). They also add a sense of luxury from a practical perspective too because you have the benefit of a fully functional mirror immediately after bathing, providing a space to get completely ready for the day. This makes demister mirrors the perfect option for a guest bathroom too, by providing added comfort and style for visitors.

Our demister mirrors have full size de-fogging technology

Unlike many other mirrors on the market where the demisting technology only covers the central space, on our demisting mirrors, the whole of the mirror surface remains fog-free (no matter how steamy your bathroom becomes).-  If you’re selecting a large mirror for your bathroom, we think it’s important to reap the benefits of that by having the ability to see a full and detailed reflection at all times, to help streamline those post-shower beauty routines.

A demister mirror helps avoid damp

The full-size de-steaming functionality also makes our demister mirrors perfect for bathrooms with no windows or a lack of decent ventilation. They can really help bathrooms that usually remain damp for hours after having the shower switched on, by clearing the condensation quickly and effectively.

They are easier to keep clean and clear

Anything which helps keep a bathroom cleaner is a plus in our book. Investing in a mirror with built in demisters means that there is no need to wipe and re-wipe… You will spend less time leaving smears, streaks, and smudges with towels every time the mirror mists up, leading to less time spent cleaning the mirror to get rid of said smudges. – Win, win!

Demisting mirrors are economical and efficient to run

The operational costs of a demisting mirror are minimal. The little money it costs to run one easily offsets the outlay of extra cleaning and time due to smudges and smears that otherwise mount up from removing the mist.

Almost all of our mirrors come with built in demisters, and many of our cabinets have the demisting technology option, too, so there is a vast variety of choice when it comes to selecting a demister mirror to suit your bathroom.

Here’s to a fog-free bathroom!