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

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 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 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.