What Is the Perfect Size Mirror for a 30-Inch Vanity?

Although there are technically no rules when it comes to designing a bathroom, there are certainly different design recommendations when it comes to sizing and shapes that will make it look more polished.

With a 30-inch bathroom vanity, you should be looking for a mirror that is approximately 25-28 inches wide. Bathroom designers and home design experts agree that this is the perfect size to complement your vanity without being too big or too small.

The good news is that while it's best to keep the ratio of a bathroom mirror a few inches less than your vanity, there is plenty you can do with the color, style, and shape to make it your own.

Why is a 25-28 inch mirror the best for a 30-inch bathroom vanity?

Most home design experts will say that any mirror that is placed over a piece of furniture in your home, like a bathroom vanity or bureau, should be a few inches narrower than what it is hung above.

Here are the reasons why you want a mirror that is not quite as wide as your 30-inch vanity:

Create contrast

By choosing a bathroom mirror that is even just a few inches smaller than your bathroom vanity, you will create contrast in the space that is pleasing to the eye.

25-28 inches is considered the sweet spot with a vanity that is 30 inches because it is only slightly smaller than the vanity, just enough that you notice that it's smaller without being noticeably so.

If you were to choose a mirror that is significantly smaller than the vanity, say 20-24 inches or even smaller, you would most likely be dissatisfied with the outcome. It would create contrast, but almost too much. With such a big difference in size, the two things would look like they don't go together.

Not overpowering

There is such a thing as too big, especially when it comes to bathroom mirrors. A mirror that is the same size or even bigger than your vanity will oftentimes overpower the bathroom and dwarf the vanity, neither of which you want.

It sounds nice to have a large mirror in your bathroom, especially if you will be using it to get ready in the morning.

But as tempting as it might be to install wall-to-wall mirrors over your vanity, don't do it. You can still find a large mirror that meets your needs while staying within the size recommendation for your specific vanity.

Save money

Mirrors are very expensive. When you're in the market for a new bathroom mirror, you'd be surprised at the prices. Very large mirrors can run over $1,000 depending on the style, shape, and brand.

Although you can still easily spend a pretty penny on a 25-28 inch mirror, it will certainly be a big less expensive than a large mirror that overpowers your vanity. Shop sales and even second-hand stores to find a mirror that you like on sale.

How should you center a bathroom mirror?

While this seems like it should be a simple question, it can be difficult to decide how to center your bathroom mirror. With the rise of custom bathrooms that are made for small or difficult spaces or bathrooms with multiple sinks, there are important considerations to make before hanging a mirror.

Here are some general tips for centering your bathroom mirror in different common situations:

Double sinks

When you have double sinks, you have a few options when it comes to hanging mirrors.

If you are choosing to do two individual mirrors, you want to center each mirror over the sink. This will be the most aesthetically pleasing look and makes the most sense for two people using the sinks at the same time.

If you are doing one large mirror over a large vanity with double sinks, you will want to center the mirror over the vanity regardless of sink placement.

Single sink

With a standard bathroom vanity that has a single sink, most of the time you want to hang the mirror so that it is centered above the vanity. Usually, sinks are centered in the vanity, so everything should line up perfectly.

Off-center sink

With some unique bathroom designs, you may have a vanity with a sink that is off-center or has to be off to one side of the wall due to plumbing or construction constraints.

These situations are usually best handled on a case-by-case basis and you may want to hold the mirror up in a few different positions to see what looks best in your space.

Should a bathroom light fixture be the same size as the mirror?

Another important measurement to take into consideration when designing your bathroom is the light fixture above the vanity. The light fixture, mirror, and vanity all play an important role as the focal point of your bathroom so it's important that all the pieces fit well together for the best look.

So in most cases, the light fixture should be the smallest item of the three. This creates the best contrast and most cohesive overall look. You can play with the light fixture measurements a little bit more than the mirror and vanity. If you find a light that you really love that is a bit over or under-sized, you most likely won't notice.