Mirror: what size to choose and at what height to hang it?

The correct height does not depend on the mirror but on the person looking into it and the furniture placed beneath. There is no French standard for dwellings: the values that follow are practical guidelines, those that installers and kitchen fitters apply, and they adjust to the height of the occupants. Remember one rule: the centre of the mirror should be at eye level of the main user.

Bathroom mirror height: the centre at eye level

For an adult, the eyes are on average between 155 and 170 cm from the floor. Placing the centre of the mirror between 160 and 165 cm therefore suits most households. If the mirror is tall (100 cm and above), the centre can drop to 150 cm without inconvenience, since the upper part remains useful for taller people. In a bathroom shared by people of very different heights, a vertical mirror 80 to 120 cm high solves the problem: everyone finds their reflection.

Above a vanity unit, the reasoning starts from the worktop. A washbasin worktop is most often between 85 and 90 cm from the floor. Leave 15 to 20 cm between the worktop and the bottom of the mirror to clear the tap and avoid splashes, which places the bottom of the mirror at around 100 to 110 cm. An 80 cm high mirror positioned at this height covers 100-110 cm to 180-190 cm from the floor: an adult's eyes, at 160-165 cm, fall within the glass, even if the centre of the mirror is lower, at around 140 to 150 cm. With a 60 cm high mirror, the glass stops between 160 and 170 cm: prefer 70 cm and above if one of the users is taller than 1.75 m. If a wall light is to be placed above, keep 10 to 15 cm between the top of the mirror and the lighting.

Mirror height above a console table, sideboard or mantelpiece

The same gap of 15 to 25 cm between the top and the bottom of the mirror applies in the hallway or living room. The lower the furniture, the larger the gap can be: above a console table 75 to 85 cm high, a mirror whose bottom is at 100 cm leaves room for a lamp or vase without blocking the reflection. Above a fireplace, whose mantelpiece often sits between 100 and 120 cm, the mirror is hung 10 to 15 cm from the mantelpiece and one accepts that its centre exceeds 165 cm: it then serves more to reflect light than to look at oneself.

Full-length mirror: at what height to fix a vertical mirror

To see yourself full-length, it is not necessary to buy a two-metre mirror. The law of reflection means that a mirror half your height is sufficient, provided it is well positioned: the top edge at eye level or slightly above, the bottom edge halfway between the floor and your eyes. For a person 1.80 m tall, a 90 cm high mirror whose bottom edge is at approximately 80 cm from the floor shows the entire body. In practice, one chooses slightly larger (110 to 160 cm) to avoid having to stand at a precise point, and the bottom edge is fixed between 20 and 60 cm from the floor. Floor-standing models that lean against the wall, such as the Tess mirror by Zuiver, 165 x 38.5 cm, bypass the question: placed on the floor and slightly tilted, they return a full-length reflection without drilling.

Find wall-mounted models, from small bathroom formats to large living room mirrors, in the wall mirrors.

The 160 to 165 cm benchmark applies to a standing adult. For a child, a person of short stature or a seated person, the rule does not change, only the measurement changes: the mirror glass must cover the eye level of each user.

Bathroom mirror shared by adults and children

Above a vanity unit, the bottom of the mirror does not go below 100 cm from the floor, since the worktop is at 85 or 90 cm. A child whose eyes are lower than the bottom of the glass cannot see themselves, regardless of the size of the mirror. Three solutions can be combined: a step stool in front of the basin, a tall vertical mirror that serves adults of all heights, and an adjustable table mirror for smaller children. The oval Walls mirror by House Doctor, 100 x 50 cm, fixed with the bottom at 105 cm, covers 105 to 205 cm from the floor. The Flip by Normann Copenhagen, a pivoting table mirror 34.5 cm high, sits on the worktop and tilts towards a face positioned lower down.

Mirror height for a wheelchair user

In establishments open to the public, the decree of 20 April 2017 (article 12) requires that the mirror of an accessible washbasin be usable by a wheelchair user, without specifying a precise height. This text does not apply to private housing, but its logic can be transposed. Manufacturers of sanitary equipment adopt a practical benchmark: bottom of the glass at a maximum of 105 cm from the floor when the mirror is not tiltable. With a vanity worktop at 85 cm, this benchmark leaves 15 to 20 cm between the worktop and the mirror. With a worktop at 90 cm, limit the gap to 15 cm.

Placed on the floor, a full-length mirror reflects a seated person as well as a standing person. The Tess by Zuiver, 165 x 38.5 cm, features in the freestanding mirrors.

Once the height is fixed, the size is deduced from the furniture and the room. The mirror must dialogue with its surroundings: neither wider than the console it overhangs, nor lost on a large bare wall. The dimensions below are practical benchmarks, to be cross-referenced with the actual dimensions of your furniture.

Mirror dimensions: the rule in relation to furniture

The width of the mirror aligns with that of the furniture placed below. Two options work: the same width, for a monolithic ensemble, or two-thirds to three-quarters of the furniture's width, to let the sides breathe. A mirror wider than the furniture unbalances the composition, unless it occupies the entire wall of a bathroom. For a round mirror, note the diameter: 50 to 60 cm above a single basin, 80 to 110 cm above a console or sideboard measuring 120 to 160 cm.

Bathroom mirror dimensions: single or double basin

Above a single basin measuring 60 to 80 cm, a mirror 50 to 80 cm wide and 60 to 80 cm high covers the need. Above a double-basin unit measuring 120 to 140 cm, either one large horizontal mirror 100 to 140 cm wide, or two identical mirrors of 50 to 60 cm centred on each basin. The Halo bevelled mirror, 100 x 60 cm, illustrates the first case; two Walls round mirrors, 50 cm illustrate the second. The magnifying mirror remains a complement: the Tesia by Nordal measures 39 x 27 cm and flips over for x3 magnification.

Bathroom, hallway, bedroom, living room mirror size: benchmarks

In the hallway, a mirror serves to check yourself before going out and to add depth to an often narrow space: a round one measuring 70 to 90 cm or a vertical one 40 to 50 cm wide by 120 to 160 cm high. In the bedroom, a full-length mirror is essential, wall-mounted or freestanding, 40 to 60 cm wide and 150 to 190 cm high for the freestanding model. In the living room, it plays the role of a painting: 80 to 120 cm above a sideboard, up to 150 cm for a free wall. In a corridor, a horizontal format 100 to 150 cm wide, centred at eye level, visually widens the passage.

Very large mirror: when a large format enlarges the room

A very large mirror, from 120 cm wide or high, visually doubles the room on one condition: reflecting something worthwhile, a window, a pendant light, a bookcase, and not a bare wall or a door. Placed on the floor against the wall of a living room or bedroom, it requires no drilling and can be moved at will. The Walls oval mirror, 150 cm and the large oak standing mirror by Hübsch, 188 cm fulfil this role. Large formats can be found in the mirrors.

Shape changes the perception of a room as much as size does. A simple rule: a mirror with curves softens geometric decor, whilst a rectangular mirror structures a wall already full of curves.

The round mirror

The round is the easiest shape to position: it has no direction, centres on any piece of furniture and softens the lines of basins and consoles. Between 50 and 80 cm in diameter, it suits the bathroom and hallway; between 90 and 110 cm, it becomes the centrepiece of a living room. The Circum by AYTM in smoked glass, 110 cm brings a warm tint to the reflection. All diameters are gathered in the round mirrors.

The oval mirror

The oval combines the softness of the round and the height of a vertical: it is the ideal shape for a full-length mirror in a bedroom or a hallway mirror on a narrow wall. A 50 x 100 cm oval is sufficient above a console; 70 x 150 cm resting on the floor provides a full-length reflection. Models can be found in the oval mirrors.

The rectangular mirror

Vertical, it serves to see oneself full-length; horizontal, it widens a corridor or hangs above a long sideboard. Its sharp angles suit understated interiors and pair with wooden or metal frames. The Arcs L mirror by HAY, 72.5 x 133.5 cm rounds the corners for greater softness. Find vertical and horizontal formats in the rectangular mirrors.

Organic shapes

Without angles or symmetry, organic mirrors hang alone on a plain wall, where their silhouette acts as a picture. They tolerate competition from other frames poorly. The Pond by Ferm Living, 63.5 x 110 cm is the best-known example. Free-form silhouettes sit alongside rounds and ovals in the wall mirrors.

The frame gives the style and affects the total thickness of the mirror: from 1.5 cm for a slim metal frame (Ferm Living Pond) to 3.5 cm for a coloured glass frame (HAY Arcs), according to the manufacturers' specifications. A mirror with a shelf, such as the oak model by Hübsch, reaches 23 cm in depth and requires reinforced fixing.

Brass and gold metal

Brass warms up a white bathroom and pairs with gold-toned taps. A slim frame, like that of the Moebe round brass mirror, 50 cm, almost disappears; a wide gold metal frame, like the Mas by Bloomingville, 63 x 80 cm, is visible from afar. Unlacquered brass develops a patina over time: it's a choice, not a defect. The gold mirrors collection brings together both families.

Wood and oak

Natural oak softens a hallway or bedroom and combines effortlessly with Scandinavian furniture. It dislikes stagnant moisture: in a bathroom, reserve it for ventilated spaces and keep it away from the shower. The Hübsch oak mirror with shelf, 55 x 120 cm adds a 23 cm deep shelf in the hallway.

Black metal and steel

Black metal draws a graphic line, like a glass partition, and withstands moisture without flinching when lacquered. It structures full-length mirrors, such as the Adorn by Ferm Living, 45 x 159 cm. Steel, iron and brass frames are brought together in the metal mirrors.

Frameless or bevelled

A frameless mirror blends into the wall and remains the simplest choice in a bathroom. The bevel, this angled band of a few centimetres around the edge, catches the light and draws a frame without adding one. The Ruby by Broste Copenhagen, 60 x 120 cm combines a bevel with a black-tinted edge. Frameless models can be found in the glass mirrors.

Three families, three uses. The wall mirror is fixed and frees up floor space: it's the solution for the bathroom and hallway. The freestanding mirror or mirror leaning against the wall, 150 to 190 cm high, gives a full-length reflection without drilling and can be moved: it suits renters and bedrooms. The table mirror, 25 to 35 cm high, sits on a dressing table, chest of drawers or bathroom shelf.

Two points of attention for freestanding models. Firstly, stability: a mirror tilted against a wall rests on two points, it's best to attach it discreetly to the wall when children are present. Secondly, the angle: a few degrees are enough for a flattering reflection; beyond that, the mirror shortens the silhouette. The Flip by Normann Copenhagen, 28 x 34.5 cm, and the Smize by Hübsch, 29 x 30 cm, represent the family of table mirrors. Freestanding and table models are brought together in the freestanding mirrors.

Installing a mirror above a basin always follows the same order: size first, height second, lighting last. The six steps below follow the guide's reference points in the order they are used.

1. Measure four dimensions. The height of the vanity top, the width of the vanity unit, the height of the tap spout and the eye level of each user.
2. Choose the size of the mirror. The width of the mirror is equal to that of the unit or between two-thirds and three-quarters of this width. The height of the mirror must allow the glass to cover the eyes of the shortest and tallest user.
3. Calculate the position of the bottom of the mirror. Add 15 to 20 cm to the height of the top, up to 25 cm if the tap is high. With a top at 88 cm, the bottom of the mirror is 105 cm from the floor.
4. Mark on the wall. Mark the vertical axis of the basin, not that of the wall, then a horizontal line with a spirit level. Measure on the back of the mirror the distance between the fixings and the bottom edge, and transfer this distance to the wall.
5. Drill and use wall plugs according to the surface. Wall plugs differ for plasterboard, brick and concrete. Allow for at least two fixings for a mirror over 60 cm. On a tiled wall, drill without hammer action using a tile drill bit.
6. Hang, check the level, then install the lighting. A wall light is fixed 10 to 15 cm above the top of the mirror.

Worked example: the Mas mirror by Bloomingville, 63 x 80 cm, hung vertically with the bottom at 105 cm, covers from 105 to 185 cm from the floor. The wall light is then positioned between 195 and 200 cm. Lighting suited to this use is brought together in the bathroom wall lights.

A 4 m² bathroom with an 80 cm vanity unit

The worktop is at 88 cm. The bottom of the mirror is fixed at 105 cm: an 80 cm tall mirror then covers 105 to 185 cm from the floor, which encompasses the eye level of most adults; allow 60 to 80 cm in width. An 80 cm round mirror is suitable. A 100 x 60 cm rectangle positioned horizontally gains width for two people, but its glass stops at 165 cm from the floor: it is suitable if users are under 1.75 m tall. The Halo mirror by The Cool Republic meets this requirement.

A 1.20 m wide entrance hall with console table

The console table measures 100 x 80 cm high. A 70 to 80 cm round mirror, bottom at 100 cm from the floor, leaves room for a lamp on the console table and enlarges the passageway. The Walls by House Doctor in 80 cm is suitable, with a discreet grey frame. Matching console tables are in the console tables.

A rented bedroom, no drilling allowed

The mirror stands on the floor, leaning against the dressing room wall at a slight angle. A model 150 to 170 cm tall and 40 to 55 cm wide provides a full-length reflection for the whole family. The Tess by Zuiver, 165 cm fits these requirements. Other freestanding models can be found in the freestanding mirrors.

A small cloakroom with wall-hung basin at 85 cm

The top of the wall-hung basin sits 85 cm from the floor and the basin measures 70 cm wide. The bottom of the mirror fixes between 100 and 105 cm. A mirror 60 to 65 cm wide and 80 cm high stays within the width of the basin and covers the eye level of an adult. The Mas mirror by Bloomingville, 63 x 80 cm, positioned with the bottom at 100 cm, covers 100 to 180 cm from the floor. A wall light is placed 10 to 15 cm higher, between 190 and 195 cm.

A family bathroom with 140 cm double basin

Two options exist above a 140 cm double basin unit: one large horizontal mirror or two identical mirrors. The Halo bevelled mirror, 100 x 60 cm, positioned horizontally with the bottom at 105 cm, covers 105 to 165 cm from the floor. This format works if the eyes of the tallest user remain below 165 cm. In a family with very different heights, two vertical mirrors cover a higher range: two Walls oval mirrors, 100 x 50 cm, bottom at 105 cm, cover 105 to 205 cm.

When installing two mirrors, centre each mirror on the axis of its basin, not on the unit. On a 140 cm unit whose basins are centred on each half, the axes sit at 35 and 105 cm from the left edge. Two mirrors 50 cm wide then leave 20 cm between them and 10 cm on each side. Softened vertical formats can be found in the oval mirrors.

A mirror is cleaned with a slightly damp microfibre cloth, then a dry cloth, avoiding liquid running down the edges: it's through the edge that moisture attacks the silvering and creates black spots, what is called a foxed mirror. Ammonia-based products and abrasive sponges should be avoided on brass, wood or lacquered frames; a soft cloth is sufficient, as the Nordal and Orchid Edition product sheets remind us.

A foxed mirror cannot be restored: damaged silvering cannot be repaired at home. You can mask the spots with a wider frame, embrace the patina, or replace the glass at a mirror maker's whilst keeping the frame. Conversely, deliberately ageing a mirror is a workshop job; publishers offer mass-produced aged mirrors, safer than a homemade acid treatment.

For installation, a minimum of two wall fixings for a mirror over 60 cm, with plugs suited to the surface (plasterboard, brick, concrete). Wall mounting with mirror adhesive is possible on a sound, flat wall, but it makes removal destructive: reserve it for small frameless mirrors. In a bathroom, opt for a mirror with a lacquered metal frame or frameless, and installation that keeps the bottom of the mirror away from splashes from the basin. All formats are in the mirrors.

Replacing a mirror without touching the tiles rests on a simple idea: the new mirror must cover everything the old one hid, i.e. the holes, glue marks and sometimes an area of untiled wall. The sequence unfolds in five steps.

1. Identify the fixing of the old mirror. Visible brackets or screws indicate a screwed mirror. The absence of any visible fixing most often indicates a glued mirror.
2. Take the measurements of the old mirror. Note its width, height, the distance between its lower edge and the worktop, then the spacing of the holes once the mirror is removed.
3. Choose a model larger in both dimensions. A rectangular mirror that is wider and taller covers the old footprint. A round mirror only covers a former rectangle if its diameter exceeds the diagonal of that rectangle: 100 cm for a former mirror of 60 × 80 cm.
4. Remove the old mirror. A screwed mirror is unscrewed by two people. A glued mirror cannot be removed without breaking: cover the glass with adhesive tape, wear gloves and goggles, or entrust the removal to a glazier when the glass is large.
5. Fix the new mirror. Reuse the old holes if their spacing matches the fastenings of the new mirror. Otherwise, drill new holes without percussion, preferably in a tile joint, simpler to repair than a tile. The old holes remain hidden by the mirror.

Check two measurements before buying. The bottom of the new mirror must remain 15 to 20 cm above the washbasin worktop. The width of the new mirror must remain equal to or less than that of the washbasin unit. If the old footprint exceeds these limits, a horizontal rectangular mirror covers more width without descending towards the worktop. Horizontal and vertical formats can be found in the rectangular mirrors.

What orders placed on The Cool Republic between January and September 2026 in the Mirrors collection show. Shares are counted by number of orders, not quantities, so that a large purchase doesn't weigh more than another.

What sells most in 2026

• Colours: brown (30%), transparent (21%), gold (13%).
• Materials: glass (40%), steel (10%), brass (8%).
• Shapes: rectangular (42%), organic (25%), round (21%).

The most requested brands

By share of orders: HKliving (23%), The Cool Republic (18%), House Doctor (11%), Ferm Living (8%).

The most ordered models since January

• 80x60cm aged rectangular mirror, HKliving
• 50x40cm aged rectangular mirror, HKliving
• Arch brushed brass mirror, HKliving
• Walls 150cm oval mirror, House Doctor
• Sorella 120x26cm rubber wood mirror, The Cool Republic

• Hanging the mirror too high: centre at 175 cm or higher means people under 1.70 m tall only see their forehead.
• Positioning the bottom of the mirror less than 10 cm from the basin surface: permanent splashes and tap obscuring the reflection.
• Choosing a mirror wider than the console or vanity unit it hangs above.
• Buying a 2 m mirror for a full-length view when a 110 to 160 cm model, properly positioned, is sufficient.
• Installing a raw oak frame or an IP20 illuminated mirror in the shower zone.
• Fixing a large framed mirror with mastic: removal tears off the wall and the frame.
• Placing a large mirror facing a bare wall or door: it doubles the emptiness instead of doubling the light.