From tiny powder room bathrooms to luxury master bathrooms, almost every bathroom has a mirror. A bathroom mirror is an essential element that serves both a decorative and functional purpose. Grooming, applying makeup, and styling hair are all daily activities dependent upon your bathroom mirror being correctly positioned. We have looked into the process and come up with detailed steps to help you get the job done right.
Hanging a bathroom mirror is a project that only requires a beginner level skill set. Additionally, it requires just a short amount of time set aside for completion, usually under two hours. To hang your bathroom mirror, follow these steps.
- Gather your materials
- Decide on location
- Find the center of your mirror
- Mark mirror position on the wall
- Install hangers on your mirror
- Measure from hangers to top of the mirror
- Transfer measurement to the wall
- Install hooks on the wall
- Hang your mirror
Hanging your bathroom mirror can be completed in a day, but the rewards are very satisfying. These simple steps will get the job done, so keep reading as we go in-depth on each step.
Gather Your Materials
Having the right materials for the job is essential when you’re hanging your mirror. You want the mirror to be securely attached to the wall with no fear of it slipping off. Collect your materials before you begin work.
- Mirror hangers – rated for the appropriate weight
- Wall hooks – rated for the appropriate weight
- Drywall anchors – rated for the appropriate weight
- Bathroom scale to weigh your mirror
- Screwdriver
- Drill
- Drill bits
- Level
- Measuring tape
- Stud finder
- Painter’s tape
- Pencil
- Bumpers – if desired
Decide On Location
You probably already know where you want to hang your mirror, but if not, you will need to decide. Typically, bathroom mirrors are hung over the bathroom vanity. If you have a single vanity with one sink, you should center your mirror over the sink. With a double vanity, your mirror can be centered between the two sinks. If possible, choose a place that has studs positioned behind your drywall. Studs can be found using a stud finder. You should also be aware of any plumbing or electrical that could be in the way when installing screws.
Click here for this stud finder on Amazon.
Find The Center Of Your Mirror
Measure the top of your mirror and find the center. You can also measure the vanity if you plan on centering your mirror. Use a pencil mark or a piece of painter’s tape to mark the center.
Click here to get painter’s tape on Amazon.
Mark Mirror Position On The Wall
Hold your mirror up against the wall, and maneuver it into position. You can use your center mark to help line everything up. You will want to hang your mirror at eye level. Once you have your mirror situated as you want it, use a pencil or tape to place a mark on the wall. Place your mark at the center of the top of your mirror.
For some helpful information on mirror positioning, visit this article!
Install Hangers On Your Mirror
Your mirror may have come with hangers already in place. If this is the case, you can skip this step. If not, you will need to install your hangers using a screwdriver. Turn your mirror face down. Make each side of your mirror frame, where you will place the hangers. Use a level to ensure that your hangers are installed evenly, and secure them using a screwdriver.
Measure From Hangers To Top Of The Mirror
This step is important to make sure that your wall hooks are properly placed. Slip your mounting hooks onto the mirror hangers, and lay them flat against the mirror frame, just as if the mirror were hung on them. Measure from the screw holes on the hooks to the top of the mirror.
Transfer Measurement To The Wall
Now you will take that measurement and transfer it to the wall. Find the center mark on the wall that you made earlier, and measure down. Mark that spot. This will be the level at which you will install your wall hooks.
Install Hooks On The Wall
It’s time to install the hooks on which you will hang your mirror! This involves two steps.
Click here for these hooks on Amazon.
Measure and Mark
With your mirror still face down, measure the distance between each hanger. The most efficient way to do this is to place painter’s tape on a level and measure with that. Mark the distance between each hanger on your painter’s tape. Now, center your level on the wall, with the second mark you made as the center. Make sure that it is level and mark where your hooks should be installed.
Click here for this 48″ level on Amazon.
Install
If you have a stud, then your hooks can be installed right away. However, it is usually tough to find studs placed just right. Usually, you will have to use drywall anchors to secure your screws. These can be purchased at most home improvement stores or online. Be sure that you weigh your mirror to ensure that you are buying hardware that will hold it up. Following the directions on the package, install your drywall anchors in the wall. Then, position your hooks and screw them into the anchors.
Click here to see these heavy-duty drywall anchors on Amazon.
Hang Your Mirror
You’ve done the hard part and are at the finish line! Hook each of your hangers onto the corresponding hook, and step back to appreciate your hard work! Sometimes, mirrors can scratch the drywall underneath them. If this concerns you, you can purchase bumpers to place on the back of your mirror. These provide a barrier between the mirror and the wall, preventing scratches.
Click here to get these bumpers on Amazon.
Can I Use Wire To Hang My Mirror?
Yes! This technique is best used if you have a stud to screw into. The reasoning behind this is that the entire weight of your mirror will be on one hook. To hang your mirror with wire, you will connect the two hangers with a sturdy wire. Install a single hook at the center of your vanity, and hang your mirror!
How Do I Hang A Frameless Mirror?
Frameless mirrors are installed in a very different way than framed mirrors are. To install a frameless mirror, you have two options – clips and adhesive. We will discuss each of these.
Installing With Clips
- Place your mirror against the wall.
- Use a level to make sure that the mirror is straight.
- Mark the corners of your mirror.
- Take the mirror down.
- Use a level to draw a line between the corner marks. Be sure that these are level.
- Use a stud finder to find any studs along the top and bottom edges.
- Evenly mark holes for the clips across the bottom edge.
- Try to place the mirror clips over the studs. If no stud is available, install a drywall anchor.
- Using a level, mark corresponding holes across the top edge of the mirror.
- Install the mirror clips.
- Take the top clips apart.
- Set the mirror in place.
- Reconnect the top mirror clips and tighten all of the clips securely.
Click here to find mirror clips on Amazon.
Installing With Adhesive
- Thoroughly clean and dry the area in which the mirror will be installed.
- Place your mirror against the wall.
- Use a level to make sure that the mirror is straight.
- Mark the corners of your mirror.
- Take the mirror down.
- Use a level to draw lines between the corner marks. This will be the mirror outline. Be sure that they are level.
- Mark lines approximately 1 inch inside this outline. These will be your glue lines.
- Use a primer to coat inside the glue line. Let it dry. This will help to ensure that your adhesive sticks well.
- Install a wooden brace just underneath the bottom line. This will support your mirror while the glue dries.
- Apply adhesive, such as Locktite, to the inside of your glue line. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Carefully press your mirror into the glue, setting it on the temporary brace.
- Use a paint roller to firmly press the entire mirror to the wall.
- When the adhesive dries, remove the temporary wooden support.
Click here to find Locktite on Amazon.
Where should a mirror be placed in a bathroom?
Most homeowners place their mirrors above the vanity or sink. This is the most convenient placement for a mirror. However, some bathrooms will not accommodate a mirror over the vanity. Mirrors can be placed on shelves or elsewhere on the wall.
How do you hang a bathroom mirror without drilling?
If you are hesitant to drill a hole in your wall, you have a few different options. However, keep in mind that your mirror may not be able to be hung using these methods. Sometimes a mirror is just too heavy to be hung without screws.
Mounting Tape
Heavy-duty mounting tape will work for framed and frameless mirrors, as long as they are light enough.
Click here for this double-sided mounting tape on Amazon.
Adhesive Hooks
This is an easy option if you are hanging a mirror that has a frame. Especially if your frame already has hangers attached.
Click here for these heavy-duty adhesive hooks on Amazon.
Adhesive
Mirrors can be glued to the wall following the steps outlined above for frameless mirrors. However, keep in mind that if you wish to remove the mirror, it will take out a large chunk of drywall with it.
How do you attach a bathroom mirror to tile?
You can attach mirrors to the tile using any of the following methods:
- Hooks that are held in place with screws. You will need carbide or diamond-tip bits to drill through the tile.
- Adhesive
- Adhesive Hooks
- Mounting Tape
Summary
Whether you are hanging a framed mirror or a frameless one, its addition will be a huge asset to your bathroom. The steps included here will have you enjoying your new bathroom mirror in no time.