Category Archives: News

Which is best for a bathroom mirror – a landscape or portrait orientation?

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If you have been giving serious thought lately to having a new large bathroom mirror installed in your home – whether or not it is also illuminated – you will probably already appreciate how big a visual difference the shape, size, and orientation of a mirror can make.

Choosing between landscape and portrait orientation for your large bathroom mirror might initially seem like a question of how you can make the most of your available wall space, and nothing more than that.

However, as we will explore further in this article, there will be a number of other aspects to consider when making your choice.

What do we mean by ‘landscape’ and ‘portrait’ orientation?

You might be more accustomed to hearing the terms “portrait” and “landscape” in your local art gallery than when you are comparing your options for a large bathroom mirror. So, before we go further, let’s be clear about the respective definitions:

Landscape backlit bathroom mirror
  • Landscape orientation, also often referred to as “horizontal” orientation, entails the mirror or image being wider than it is tall. As the name implies, in the world of art and photography, this orientation is associated with landscape images, panoramic views, and other horizontal subjects.
Portrait edge-lit bathroom mirror
  • Portrait orientation is also known as “vertical” orientation, whereby the mirror or image is positioned in such a way that the height exceeds the width. Most of us associate this orientation with – of course – portraits of human beings. Unsurprisingly, then, this is a common orientation for home mirrors.

Why might you favour a landscape bathroom mirror?

One relatively obvious reason to invest in a landscape mirror for your bathroom is the expansive view such a mirror can provide – not only of you, but also of your bathroom.

Unsurprisingly, then, when it comes to bathroom mirrors, landscape orientation is strongly associated with a sense of opulence. If you’re especially proud of your bathroom’s design and fittings, a large bathroom mirror in landscape orientation can be great for showing it all off – literally “reflecting” the impressive interior scheme back at you.

A landscape mirror can be an excellent choice for making the space in which it is hung feel wider, or for complementing a bathroom that is already wide.

Alternatively, a portrait mirror may seem a better choice for your bathroom

As you might imagine, a portrait or vertical mirror can be effective at making a room feel longer or taller. And, of course, it can work well in a tall room because of how it makes the most of the space available.

A large bathroom mirror in portrait orientation can also make sense due to the “portrait” that it captures of the viewer, encompassing their face and upper body. So, if you expect to spend a lot of time in front of your bathroom mirror perfecting your beauty routine or examining your physique, you may be especially drawn to the idea of a portrait mirror.

Naturally, there is much more than the orientation of your bathroom mirror that you will need to think about if you are seeking to choose the perfect one for your space. This is why we place such a strong emphasis on the bespoke nature of our service here at Illuminated Mirrors – because we really do recognise that no given set of needs is the same as the next.

Enquire to our team today to discover more about our made-to-order service, which can ensure you benefit from your dream illuminated bathroom mirror.

Why would you choose an asymmetrical mirror for your bathroom?

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There is inevitably a broad range of practical, functional, and aesthetic factors that are likely to guide your decision-making if you are on the lookout for a lighted bathroom mirror.

However, you might not have given much thought to the shape of your next bathroom mirror, even if this oversight was simply due to a belief that “all mirrors are rectangular”.

So, what are some of the reasons why you might be drawn towards the notion of an asymmetrical mirror for this crucial part of your home?

An asymmetrical mirror could help you feel closer to nature

The fact that asymmetrical mirrors are also sometimes referred to as “organic” mirrors should give you a clue of this aspect of their appeal.

Slim Bathroom Pebble Mirrors
https://www.illuminated-mirrors.uk.com/bathroom-mirrors/shaped-mirrors/organic.html

As we are all aware, the natural world is full of irregular and sometimes unpredictable shapes, encompassing often wavy and sweeping lines. And of course, our own pebble mirrors resemble exactly that – a pebble, of the kind you might find down on the beach.

In recent years, there has been much discussion about many architects’ and interior designers’ ever-greater embrace of biophilic design (this term referring to design that brings elements of the natural world into buildings).

Bearing this trend in mind, you might consider an asymmetrical bathroom mirror as a subtle way to make you and other members of your household feel that little bit more embedded in nature.

It can be a statement piece, offsetting the rectangular parts of your bathroom design

We’re going to be bold here, and presume that you probably don’t have a pebble-shaped bathroom! So, an asymmetrical mirror in your bathroom could provide a point of head-turning interest for anyone and everyone who sees it.

Inspired by nature
Mirrors; Inspired by nature.

After all, a lighted bathroom mirror does typically serve as a focal point of this space (both aesthetically and in terms of how it is used on a day-to-day basis for such tasks as toothbrushing and shaving). So, you can probably see how an asymmetrical mirror could offset those straight, rectangular lines of your bathroom in interesting ways.

Having said all this, not all elements of contrast that might be introduced into an interior space will necessarily be pleasing to the eye. It is still important to consider whether your own bathroom would be suited to an asymmetrical mirror, or whether the interests of visual harmony would be best served by an alternative shape, such as an oval, arched, or rectangular mirror.

It can come equipped with all manner of convenience-boosting features

If you have paid little attention to the idea of purchasing an asymmetrical lighted bathroom mirror due to a perception that it couldn’t possibly incorporate all the features you would wish it to have, it might be time to think again!

Fabulous Frames
Create a unique feature in your bathroom or en-suite

As our own range of organic-shaped mirrors at Illuminated Mirrors demonstrates, an asymmetrical mirror in your property could incorporate the likes of RGB colour-change mood lighting, a shaver socket, and/or a heated demister pad to prevent the mirror from fogging up.

If you are unsure whether an asymmetrical design could be the right choice for your lighted bathroom mirror, or if you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Illuminated Mirrors’ experts today. We take pride in our highly bespoke service, which can help ensure the final mirror that we provide to you satisfies your very highest expectations.

5 benefits of adding a full-length mirror to your bathroom

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Full Length mirrors available for every room in the house

You might have long thought that a full-length mirror should be reserved strictly for your bedroom or living room. However, erecting this kind of mirror in your bathroom, of all places, can bring surprising benefits — including…

  1. A less ‘cramped’ feeling in the room

Your bathroom may be on the small side if you live alone or have simply had to settle for a relatively compact home due to budgetary restrictions.

The good news is that a large mirror placed in this room will reflect many parts of it, making it seem bigger than it actually is.

2. Better use of light

We have mentioned a full-length mirror’s ability to reflect many things at once — and those things include light. What light, exactly? Of course, you can see this as a reference to your bathroom’s overhead lighting, as well as sunlight streaming in through the window.

Keep in mind, though, that we offer full-length mirrors incorporating their own electric lights. So, adding such a mirror with light to your bathroom can make it feel even more spacious.

3. Added visual interest

The aesthetic appeal of your full-length mirror doesn’t just have to be down to the mirror’s intrinsic design, such as whether or not it comes with a frame. You can arrange for our team here at Illuminated Mirrors to provide you with a full-length mirror with dimmable and remote controlled RGB backlighting built in.

It will ultimately be up to you exactly what colours and patterns the lights show — especially as you can choose from presets and programs to create the look that you seek.

4. A complete, at-a-glance view of your body

You might get dressed in your bathroom if you live with other people. Having a full-length mirror nearby when you are slipping into your attire can enable you to quickly see how it looks on you.

The bathroom might also be the place where you keep the scales, since you can more accurately tell your body’s weight if you step on the scales with your clothes off.

Just before or after you weigh yourself, you would be able to see your figure in a full-length mirror. How is your physique? Are those gym sessions paying off? These are questions you can expect to answer more easily when a full-length mirror is there to help you out.

5. Crisp, clear music for you to enjoy in the morning

Yes, surprised though you might be to read this, a full-length mirror can even play music. The bespoke add-ons that we offer for full-length mirrors include our X-Audio feature, where you can wirelessly connect a smartphone or tablet to your mirror via Bluetooth.

Then, you can have high-fidelity music play from inducer speakers integrated with the mirror. Imagine how relaxing it would be to listen to this music as you soak or get dressed in the bathroom!

On your request, we can install a full-length mirror with light in your bathroom. To ask us any questions about our supply-and-installation services, please email [email protected] today.

How to create a spa-like atmosphere in your home

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Amid the hustle and bustle of modern life, it is important that we all take the time to relax and unwind.

One of the best ways to do this is by visiting a spa. However, if you find making time for this challenging, there are ways to create a spa-like atmosphere in your own home without breaking the bank.

From spa pools to our own Hollywood mirrors here at Illuminated Mirrors, here are some of the ways you can recreate the spa experience in your own home.

Aura lighting system

Invest in scented candles and diffusers

The use of scented candles is an easy way to give your home a spa-like atmosphere. Even the smallest candle can help replicate much of the calming atmosphere found in spas. Furthermore, these candles can be easily bought both online and in stores in a variety of different relaxing scents.

Another option is a diffuser. This device diffuses essential oils and spreads their scent throughout the home. Essential oils have a range of health benefits, including helping to relieve stress and headaches. A high-quality diffuser can be a great way to bring the spa experience to your home every day.

Buy a spa pool

Spa pools come in many different shapes, sizes, and designs. Such a pool would offer an excellent way for you to experience the relaxation of a spa without having to leave the house.

Spa pools may once have been prohibitively expensive for many people, but nowadays, it is easier to find the perfect spa pool for one’s house at an affordable price. Whether you introduce an indoor or outdoor spa pool to your home, it will almost certainly help make you feel more relaxed on a day-to-day basis.

If you don’t wish to install a spa pool, you can still enjoy a relaxing bath by adding a few cups of Epsom salt.

Add some ambient colour with our Aura Spa Mode lighting

Lighting can play a big role in creating a relaxing atmosphere, as demonstrated by our own Aura Spa Mode Hollywood mirrors.

These mirrors offer a full spectrum of ambient colour backlighting, with no fewer than five settings that you can take advantage of, depending on your mood at the time. You might set your mirror to show one of 16 static colours, for example, or you could put it on the Fade setting, which gradually fades through each colour in the spectrum.

With the press of a button, you can create an instant spa-like atmosphere in your home.

Play spa-like music

One of the most immediately recognisable elements of a spa is the relaxing music playing in the background. Such zen music can help put your mind at ease and eliminate any unwanted noises during your experience.

You can easily recreate this at home by finding relaxing music or the white noise of nature on a music app and plugging it into a Bluetooth speaker. Indeed, you can specify an illuminated bathroom mirror from us that incorporates such Bluetooth capability.

Whether you’re relaxing in a spa pool or performing your own spa treatments, adding spa-like music is a simple touch that can significantly enhance the relaxing atmosphere.

Conclusion: a spa-like atmosphere in your home can be within reach!

Creating a spa-like feel in your home isn’t as difficult or as expensive a process as you might imagine it to be. Indeed, our own feature-packed illuminated mirrors can play their own role in making it a reality for you.

To find out more about our range of Hollywood mirrors and related products and features, please feel free to reach out to the Illuminated Mirrors team today.

How one of our illuminated mirrors could help your child to brush their teeth effectively.

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If you have only recently become a parent, you need to know how to look after your child’s teeth. It will be necessary to start regularly brushing them as soon as the first milk tooth breaks through, which tends to happen when your baby reaches about six months of age.

Make sure you brush at least twice daily — for roughly two minutes at a time — with fluoride toothpaste. You should be the one who does the brushing until the child is aged at least seven, by which point, the child ought to be able to take over.

However, as your child grows, you might want to think about replacing the bathroom mirror with one manufactured to a bespoke design of your choice. Here are some good reasons why…

The mirror can add to the bathroom’s lighting

Should a child who is ready to brush their own teeth do so in front of a mirror? Yes — as that way, they will be able to clearly see how they are positioning their toothbrush and performing the strokes. Consequently, it will be easier for your beloved to rectify any faults in their technique.

Obviously, though, the “clearly” part of the equation will depend on your beloved’s face, hand and brush in the mirror all remaining well-lit enough to be seen fully. Why settle for just overhead lighting in the bathroom when the mirror can produce some of its own illumination?

You can ask us to make you a bathroom mirror with lights arranged in dots or instead running along the mirror’s back or edge. In short, you can decide how the mirror will be illuminated.

Your child can more easily time their brushing

As acknowledged earlier in this article, it is recommended that each tooth brushing session for your child lasts about two minutes. So, when your child transitions to brushing their teeth, you might want to keep watch to make sure the two-minute rule continues to be observed.

Nonetheless, you could make things easier for your little one by setting them the goal of brushing for as long as their favourite two-minute song plays in the background. We can give you a bespoke mirror equipped with a Bluetooth speaker from which the music would play.  

In fact, beyond using it for timing the brushing, you can use your illuminated mirror’s audio Bluetooth capabilities to simply make the bedtime or morning routine more fun in general. So, you might use it to play an entire album or playlist of music, an audiobook, or a story.

Aura Spa Mode could further keep your kid engaged

Our colour-changing Aura Spa Mode mirrors incorporate RGB LED under-mirror lighting. This underlighting doesn’t merely serve as nice mood lighting when relaxing in the bath, as these colourful lights can also be a sweetener to keep your child engaged when brushing in front of the mirror (which, let’s face it, is no easy feat).

Indeed, the colour change mirrors in our range even give you the ability to choose from a number of colours. So, when it’s time for your child to brush their teeth, you could set your mirror lighting to whatever hue your child most likes while they’re getting ready for school or bedtime.

The mirror could even recharge an electric toothbrush

Are you considering introducing your child to an electric toothbrush? If so, the respected dental brand Oral-B advises that you resist doing so until your child is at least three years old. Only a manual toothbrush should be used on kids below that age.

Once your child has reached that age, though, an electric toothbrush can make the brushing process appreciably easier — and prove better at removing plaque.

If we put together a bespoke mirror for you, we can even include a 240-volt socket suitable for use in recharging an electric toothbrush as and when necessary.

You can trust us to make you a bathroom mirror with lights, a power socket, Bluetooth connectivity, and many more features besides. To learn more about what we can do to help enhance your child’s bathroom routine with the perfect illuminated mirror, please contact us.