Category Archives: Bathroom inspiration

Why opt for a bathroom mirror with a built-in wireless Bluetooth speaker?

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There is a lot of scope for customisation with the illuminated mirrors that we offer for bathrooms. We can make you an illuminated bathroom mirror with the lights arranged in a dotted formation, while you can also specify what dimensions you desire for the mirror to enable it to fit “just right” in your space.

What you might not have realised, though, is that we can even equip your new mirror with a wireless Bluetooth speaker.

Would this add-on prove something of a gimmick? Not necessarily in your case! Here are several reasons why you could reap significant benefits from it.

Bluetooth is a mainstream, widely adopted connectivity standard

You probably already use Bluetooth quite a lot to connect your smartphone, iPad or even laptop to wireless accessories, including headphones or earphones.

So, once your Bluetooth-compatible mirror has been installed, you shouldn’t struggle to set it up with your device. You will also be able to play audio from online platforms that you may already be accustomed to using, such as Spotify and Audible.

You can enjoy listening to music while washing yourself

For many of us, bathing or showering can be a soothing experience. Unfortunately, though, we have to emphasise the “can be” part.

Washing oneself can be such a routine process, you might do it without a lot of conscious thought. This situation, in turn, can leave your mind with something of a vacuum it desperately needs to fill.

Have you often found yourself fraught with worry while in the bath or shower? If so, you could pleasantly distract yourself by playing music out of a Bluetooth speaker affixed to the mirror.

Why not catch up on your ‘to read’ pile of books as well?

What if you usually like to read but often lack enough free time to do so? If this sounds like a present dilemma of yours, you could consider consuming more of your books in audio form. That way, you would be able to “read” (we should really say “listen to”) them at times when you are typically too busy with other things.

Those “other things” could include bathing and showering, as any audiobooks that you own on platforms like Amazon’s Audible and Apple Books could be played via the Bluetooth speaker.

Even ‘water-resistant’ phones aren’t always safe in the bathroom

At this point, you might be wondering: “Couldn’t I just do all of these things with my phone?” After all, many smartphones are now water resistant as standard. Nonetheless, it’s important to pay close attention to the term “water resistant”, as it does not mean exactly the same thing as “waterproof”.

There will be specific circumstances in which a water-resistant smartphone model can withstand water damage — and those circumstances may be more limited than you imagine.

Conversely, a bathroom mirror — even one with Bluetooth connectivity — is specially designed to be used in the bathroom.

To learn more about how an illuminated bathroom mirror could enrich your bathroom routine, please reach out to us today.

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.

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.

On-trend organically shaped pebble mirrors.

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This year we are seeing a growing love of beautiful imperfection and refreshing authenticity in bathroom design and styling. Gone are the days of symmetrical spaces with perfectly shaped objects. Instead, we are moving to a place of comfort and injecting a sense of serenity and harmony into the room. This trend is very much inspired by the social directions of mindfulness, quality of life and enhancing the home environment.

Bespoke Illuminated mirror with walnut frame

Embracing the forms seen in the natural world, with many flowing lines and curves, one of the ways in which we see this styling trend taking shape in the bathroom is through pebble shaped, organic looking mirrors.

By their very function, bathrooms can sometimes appear a little sterile, so organic-shaped mirrors help create a striking focal point, and bring an understated and elegant, free-flowing asymmetrical design quality to the interior.

How to style with an organic shaped mirror:

Before embarking on any bathroom styling project, it is important to think about the bathroom interior design holistically, as there are many pebble shaped mirrors options, all providing a slightly different aesthetic. It is therefore a good idea to consider how you want your bathroom identity to look, before investing in a pebble style mirror.

Stripped back simplicity:

Frameless organic shaped mirrors softly finish off a pared back, effortless Scandinavian, or Minimalist bathroom. Combine with simple fixtures and fittings, clean lines, and subtle colour palettes. This look is unfussy, simple, and structured with a soft elegance and knowingly understated style. Less is more here, both in terms of colour and design.

Sculptural and stylish:

Acrylic edge-lit pebble mirror

Pebble shaped mirrors with acrylic edges offer a contemporary style which provides a sculptural, modern, and minimal style. They can be paired perfectly with sleek materials such as granite and marble and help create a break in the straight lines of the rest of the bathroom. Combine natural materials with high end finishes to complete the look. – Think polished concrete, floor to ceiling marble, and dark, statement furniture.

Introduce a pop of colour through the mirror frame edge, and thread the same hue through the rest of the room. – Be sure to repeat it at least three times within the bathroom to help balance and subliminally tie everything together visually for a harmonious design.

Go Boho

Mirrors with natural, timber edged frames work well for a warmer, bohemian styled bathroom. Pair with other nature inspired elements such as stoneware or bamboo for a tranquil scheme. Add an earthy colour palette of Olive green, Terracotta and Clay for a Bohemian vibe, or stick to calming off-whites and Greige for a Japandi theme. This trend works particularly well for eco-friendly or sustainable styling in bathrooms

Enhance with elegance:

Frosted edge-lit pebble mirror

Organic bathroom mirrors with frosted edging add a little sense of luxury to a naturally styled bathroom. They subtly finish off the mirror to create a refined frame that doesn’t draw attention too strongly and instead finishes off the room with elegance.

Having an illuminated frosted edge also makes a great contemporary alternative to heavier, metal frames.

Top tips for styling bathrooms with organic shaped mirrors:

  • Avoid combining this mirror type with harsh geometric prints, in favour of natural, organic shapes. Think about natural elements; the irregularity of mountains, rivers and seascapes and be inspired by these. Geometrics with hard lines are unlikely to sit well with a pebble shape. Instead, pair the soft, flowing lines of the mirror with accessories that have the same design principles such as asymmetrical, wavy curves. This will help coordinate the scheme and pull it all together.
  • Enhance the feeling of nature by hanging the organic styled mirror opposite a window to reflect the outside back into the room. Seeing greenery from the outdoors will highlight the natural elements in the room and help elevate well-being too. Mirrors are also a great way to bounce and reflect daylight back into the bathroom, too which can really help brighten the space.
  • Pair an irregular edged mirror with rounded or oval shaped basin and rounded taps. Friendly, soft, and understated design with rounded corners will tie the whole interior style together. Just one or two angled or hard lined objects are enough to cause a discord within an interior scheme, so favour softer lines to match your organic scheme.
  • Select mirrors with lighting already built in to draw attention and really add impact to a wall, as well as offering a practical lighting solution, too.
  • For a sleek and understated appeal, select a subtle, slimline mirror to finish off the bathroom.

How to wow with Worn Gold

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There has been a welcomed resurgence lately of the use of warm metals such as Copper, Bronze, and Gold, particularly within a bathroom environment. More recently, this trend has embraced the aesthetic of a little imperfection, to create understated and effortless style and opulence, through the appearance of Worn Gold.

This sense of glamour and luxury was previously mainly seen in boutique hotels, but you only have to look online to see that it has become a big trend within our homes – because who doesn’t want a hint of splendour?

Using Gold in the bathroom doesn’t necessarily mean that it will result in a traditional aesthetic; you can style a Worn Gold bathroom with classic, glamorous looks as well as an edgier, more modern industrial chic, through just a few tweaks to fixtures and fittings selections.

The main thing to remember is that Worn Gold has the effect of a patina to it which gives it the more rustic, lived-in look. This is key to creating a bathroom that exudes effortless warmth and sophistication.

So, if you’re looking for ways to re-style your bathroom from drab to fab with a Worn Gold vibe, here are our top tips to get the look. >>

Consider your colour palette

When planning your Worn gold bathroom, try to create a mood board that encompasses the styling and colour palette that you’d like to achieve. A few things to consider are whether you want Gold to be the main colour, or perhaps a highlight within the scheme.

Here are a few of our favourite Old Gold palette combinations for inspiration:

Dusky rose and olive green are soft and understated colours that create a light and natural combination. Add worn gold fixtures and fittings to this palette to style a premium look and feel. 

For a more industrial take on the trend, adding deep, saturated colours such as navy or charcoal will complement the gold in the room and make it pop.

Alternatively, fresh white and stoneware such as white/neutral marble and granite can give a more subtle backdrop to Worn Gold.

Be bold with brassware

Brushed brass or gold effect taps, and shower heads are a sure-fire way of pulling in a hint of refined luxury to elevate your bathroom and create a worn gold bathroom scheme.

Updating other fixtures and fittings such as furniture door and drawer handles to tie in, will help create a coordinated, seamless aesthetic that easily hangs together, and is a great way to ensure that any existing cabinets align with your new look.

Top Tip! >> Leave the super-shiny, highly polished brassware for another scheme, and instead look for brushed and matte finishes for a raw aesthetic.

Add wow factor to your walls and floors

The right wall and floor coverings can help ground an interior scheme. Since they affect the largest expanse of space in a bathroom, they are one of the key decisions to make when it comes to directing the interior design.

If you enjoy pattern, add a feminine flourish to your worn gold scheme by selecting an opulent wallpaper in a bold print. Enlarged botanicals with metallic gold in are a great way to thread the colour palette through the room and will create a vibrant, maximalist scheme.

Top tip >> When selecting a bolder print, it’s important to consider whether you want to create a feature wall or if it’s a design you’d like to envelope the whole room with. Busy prints are best used in small doses, whereas less detailed designs can more easily be used in the whole room, regardless of print size.

In contrast, abstract and geometric designs can offer interest in a sleek and modern scheme.

Top tip >> When wallpapering a bathroom, use decorators varnish to seal it and make it splash-proof, or better still, choose one that’s suitable for scrubbing/wiping down.

To wholly embrace the worn look and feel, consider selecting Worn gold bathroom tiles like these by Crown. To get the maximum realistic patina effect of this tile, it is worth covering a large expanse of space.

Aged-gold effect travertine tiles are a good option for a worn looking floor, or for smaller budgets, a similar look can also be achieved with lino.

Illuminate the room  

When considering lighting for your Worn Gold bathroom, continue the brushed or worn brass effect through to your lighting selections.

Where space allows, brushed metal wall sconces make a great style statement. Team with white gloss shades for an elegant, Scandi style.

For an industrial style bathroom, worn gold metal wall lights paired with charcoal and other darker hues can provide an edgier, more modern feel.

Top tip >> To enhance the golden glow, choose warm white lighting instead of cooler, blue light which can leave a space feeling more clinical and less welcoming.

Fabulous finishing touches

An effective way of instantly enhancing a Worn Gold styled bathroom is with a few finishing flourishes such as mirrors and accessories.

Neutral towels with texture such as waffle weaves and seer sucker styles work well with worn gold and will contrast nicely.

Darker colours pair nicely with Gold and can really add drama to a space.

Brushed brass bathroom accessories are a great way to continue the theme and finish it all off. It is well worth paying attention to small details such as the pump and any other brassware on the accessories, to ensure that the scheme ties in tonally and that the metals all sit well together.

Mirrors with matte gold or brushed gold edges can really level up a bathroom, amplify a scheme and are often the key ingredient in grounding and combining an aesthetic.

For a stronger reference to the gold scheme, select mirrors with larger frames where the gold effect is more prominent, and for more subtle, modern takes on the look, choose mirrors with thinner gold frames to pull the interior together in an understated and elegant way.