Mirrors are such an essential part of bathrooms that we simply expect them to be there whenever we enter a typical Western-style bath. However, we don’t always realise just how much mirrors and other reflective surfaces affect the usability and aesthetic appeal of these spaces.
It’s not uncommon for people renovating their homes to miss valuable opportunities to fine-tune the look and feel of these most intimate rooms by picking the more interesting mirrors or tiles with just the right sheen. Thoughtful placement of reflective elements can transform even the smallest baths by creating a dynamic interplay of space, light, and sophistication within these rooms.
Before you embark on your next bathroom renovations in Auckland, talk to professionals like the team at TJ’s Kitchens and Bathrooms. Getting expert advice on small but critical details like the choice of mirrors and the shininess of your tiles and fixtures can make your new bathroom even better than you thought possible. Paying attention to your mirrors and fixtures’ reflectivity can do the following:
If you have a window, bathroom mirrors can reflect loads of natural light, making your bathroom appear brighter and more welcoming. If you’re lucky to have a large window that directly faces the sun, bathroom mirrors may help distribute mould-suppressing UV rays throughout the space. Even if your bathroom doesn’t have windows, a well-positioned mirror will still amplify whatever ambient light is available, reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day and creating a more pleasant ambience.
Mirrors, of course, can reflect more than just natural light. They can also boost whatever artificial lighting you have installed in both the bathroom and adjacent spaces, allowing you to use fewer lighting fixtures to achieve a given level of lighting. With more mirrors and reflective tiles, you can even get away with using lower-wattage bulbs. Since households typically use bathrooms several times a day, simply choosing more mirrors and reflective surfaces may even lead to significant energy savings over time.
Mirrors can make small spaces feel much larger than they are, especially if they occupy a sizable part of the wall. Reflecting light and bathroom elements lets mirrors offer an impression of additional depth and width that is particularly welcome in compact bathrooms. This illusion can be strengthened even further by using wall tiles that can be polished to a mirror-like gleam.
Mirrors play a key functional role in the bathroom, which includes aiding in everyday activities such as shaving, applying makeup, or styling hair. A well-placed mirror can make these tasks much easier, especially when your bathroom also has good lighting. For larger households, double or whole-wall mirrors over the vanity can enhance the bathroom’s practicality, ensuring more than one person is able to use the bathroom for certain activities.
Mirrors aren’t just about pure function either. Whenever we use the bathroom, chances are that we glance at ourselves in the mirror even if we aren’t brushing our teeth, checking our skin, or shaving. This underlines just how important these fixtures are to the entire experience of using a bathroom. If you have a bit more room in your budget, you can choose ornate or oversized mirrors to act as a focal point to effectively set the theme and “personality” that you want for your bath or powder room.
Decking your bath in reflective surfaces can give it a sparkle that suggests a cleaner, more luxurious environment. This doesn’t always have to be achieved through bathroom mirrors alone and can be done by choosing wall and floor tiles that have more reflectivity in them. When carefully chosen, these surfaces introduce a fresh and dynamic look, even when employed in more minimalist designs.
Shinier tiles and bigger mirrors can enhance the existing décor by visually repeating various elements throughout your bathroom. This repetition can lead to a better sense of harmony and symmetry throughout the space. You can further deepen this effect by installing tiles with a distinct motif or by doubling other features, such as identical mirrors above double vanities. Shinier tiles and fixtures can add yet another layer of lustre that brings everything together.
Being more deliberate in your choices of mirrors and other reflective fixtures allows you to make your bathroom even more aesthetically rewarding. Far from simply giving you a way to check your face, these surfaces can collectively improve your bathroom’s functionality and give it a luxurious feel. Whether you are renovating a large master bathroom or a small powder room, TJ’s Kitchens and Bathrooms will give you the know-how that will make your bathroom shine.