Posted on: May 21, 2007
Mirror, Mirror
One big mirror isn’t the only, or best, look for a modern bathroom. Here are some simple, elegant ideas to increase the style of your reflection
By Kelly Edwards
CTW Features
Image courtesy Kohler
Sinks, toilets, tubs and showers are always top priority in bathrooms, but with so much money invested in fixture necessities, many smaller accessories get short shrift. Mirrors, while a definite necessity, are often subjugated to one long, unadorned piece of glass.
Turning this primping staple from afterthought to centerpiece, however, is a matter of addressing you bathroom’s limitations.
The right mirror can give the illusion of more space, add more storage and possibly even put more money in your wallet if you are planning to sell. Bethany Souza, HGTV’s “Design to Sell” real estate expert, spends most of her time staging homes and says, “Your bathroom is the top selling point of any house. Homebuyers become more interested when the bathrooms and kitchens are updated. The more attention to detail and work that is done for them, the better.”
A large modern mirror reflects much-needed light in shadowy, small bathrooms to brighten dead spaces. It also creates a “reflective window,” increasing the illusion of additional visual space by repeating the actual space. Mirrors in geometric shapes add more than modernity: Using two oval mirrors above side-by-side sinks instead of one long mirror adds definition to the space and elongates the wall.
If changing out the mirror isn’t an option, there are a variety of solutions to change the look minus the hassle of ripping it off the wall. Ali Azhar, a designer on HGTV’s “Design on a Dime,” Chicago, urges homeowners to craft a new frame around an existing piece of glass. “To change the look of a bland and boring mirror, attach molding around the edges to make it more substantial and to make more of a statement. If you are handy with a chop saw, add forty-five degree angles to the corners to give it more of a finished look,” he says.
Acid etching allows homeowners to create modern, geometric designs directly onto the mirror itself by applying an acid wash to the glass, and using a knife to etch a pattern. Kits can be found at your local craft store.
Another great option is turning one mirror into two. Azhar is a big fan of exotic wood and loves turning knotty treasures into dual pleasures. “To make a modern his and her mirror, use exotic wood to build out a center panel that will create a division between both sides. This will also give you a place to put a lighting element. You can add a modern or decorative sconce to the center of the wood to brighten up the space and reflect the light at the same time.”
Whether you are working around an existing mirror or replacing it all together, paying attention to detail is most important. The perfect mirror can make any room look twice as big and reflect great design.