How High to Hang a Wall-Mounted Vanity Mirror

Key takeaways

• For most people, aim to place the mirror centre about 145–155 cm from the finished floor, so that the middle of the glass sits comfortably around average eye level.
• Leave around 10–20 cm between the top of the basin or splashback and the bottom of the mirror to avoid water splashes while keeping the reflection usable.
• Allow at least 15–25 cm between the top of the mirror and the ceiling or cornice; if the ceiling is low, prioritise eye level over perfectly filling the wall.
• When hanging a mirror with integrated lighting, such as an illuminated 70 x 50 cm model, double‑check the cable exit and mounting points before fixing the final height.
• For double vanities, match the mirror height and spacing to the basin centres rather than the overall wall width, so each user has a comfortable viewing area.

Why mirror height matters more than you think

The height of a wall-mounted vanity mirror affects how pleasant, practical and visually balanced your bathroom feels every single day. Unlike a decorative picture, you interact with a bathroom mirror at close range and often in a hurry, so even a small misplacement can be annoying. If the reflection cuts off your forehead or only shows your chest, you notice immediately.

Height also changes how the room looks. A mirror that is too low can make a ceiling feel heavy and oppressive, while one that is too high may leave an awkward strip of wall between the basin and glass. Correct placement helps to connect the vanity, tap and tiles into a single, cohesive feature wall instead of three unrelated elements.

There is a safety and durability aspect as well. Placing the mirror too close to taps, splashbacks or an undermounted basin can expose it to constant splashes and cleaning chemicals, which may damage edges and backing over time. Too close to a sloping ceiling or shallow bulkhead and it becomes harder to secure fixings safely. Getting the numbers right from the start saves patching holes, re-tiling or replacing the mirror earlier than you planned.

Eye-level guidelines for most homes

Most height decisions start from eye level. In many UK homes, a comfortable central viewing height for a bathroom mirror will be around 145–155 cm from the finished floor to the centre of the reflective surface. This works well for adults of roughly 160–185 cm in height and is a sensible baseline for guests, tenants or households with mixed heights.

Think in terms of a viewing band. Ideally, the mirror should allow a clear view from just below shoulder height up to a little above the top of the head for the shortest and tallest regular users. Rather than trying to match one person’s exact eye line, you aim for overlap so nobody feels the mirror is only half usable.

If you are unsure, a simple trick is to stand against the wall where the mirror will go and lightly mark your eye level with a bit of masking tape. Have the tallest and shortest regular users do the same. The mid‑point between those two marks is a strong candidate for the vertical centre of the mirror. You can then adjust slightly to suit tap clearance, tiles and any wall lights.

How far above the basin should the mirror start?

The second key measurement is the gap between the top of your basin or splashback and the bottom edge of the mirror. For most layouts, a 10–20 cm gap gives a good balance between practicality and protection. Any less and you risk splashes hitting the glass constantly; any more and you start to lose connection between the basin and mirror, which can look disjointed.

If you have a taller than average vanity or a countertop vessel basin, it is often better to reduce this gap slightly rather than push the mirror centre far above eye level. For example, if your vessel basin rim is already at 95 cm from the floor, a 7–10 cm gap below the mirror might be enough, especially if the users are relatively tall.

Where a low upstand or narrow splashback runs behind the tap, try to measure from the highest continuous surface that is likely to get splashed. In some cases that will be the top of the tiles rather than the basin rim. Keeping the mirror a few centimetres clear of that line helps with cleaning, as you are not constantly catching the edge of the frame or glass when wiping down.

Clearance below ceilings, cornices and tiles

Once you know approximate eye level and the gap above the basin, you can check how the mirror will sit in relation to the ceiling or any horizontal features such as picture rails, cornices and tile borders. As a rule of thumb, aim for at least 15–25 cm between the top of the mirror and the underside of the ceiling or cornice. This avoids a cramped look and gives space for steam to dissipate, which can be helpful with illuminated mirrors that include anti-fog pads.

If your walls are fully tiled, you have two main choices. You can either align the top or bottom of the mirror with a grout line to create a neat, built-in appearance, or you can treat the mirror as an independent element and place it purely based on user comfort. In small bathrooms, aligning with a grout line often looks more intentional, but do not sacrifice eye level just to hit the tile grid if it makes the mirror awkward to use.

Low ceilings are where compromises come into play. If there is not enough space to maintain a standard viewing band, prioritise keeping the mirror centre at a sensible height, even if that means a slightly smaller mirror or a reduced gap above the basin. With sloped ceilings, which we will cover later, it can be better to leave an irregular space above the mirror rather than trying to force exact symmetry.

Simple numeric rules you can rely on

To make planning easier, you can follow a small set of numeric guidelines and adjust them for your specific room:

• Basin top height (including any integrated splashback): typically 80–90 cm from the floor for standard vanities; 90–100 cm for taller counters or vessel basins.
• Gap between basin or splashback and mirror bottom: aim for 10–20 cm; reduce to around 7–10 cm for very tall vanities or tall users.
• Mirror centre height: usually 145–155 cm from the floor, based on the average of main users’ eye levels.
• Clearance to ceiling: aim for 15–25 cm from the top of the mirror to the ceiling or any bulkhead.

As long as you stay broadly within those ranges, your mirror will feel comfortable for most adults and sit well within the overall wall space. The exact mirror size you choose will then determine whether you bias slightly upwards or downwards. If you pick a taller mirror, the centre becomes more critical; with a shorter mirror, the gap above the basin might take priority.

Worked examples for common vanity sizes

Example 1: 600 mm single vanity with standard basin

Imagine a 600 mm-wide vanity with a basin top at 85 cm from the floor. You choose a simple rectangular mirror 70 cm tall. You would like a 15 cm gap between the basin and the mirror.

Start by adding the basin height and the desired gap: 85 cm + 15 cm = 100 cm. That is your mirror bottom. Add the mirror height of 70 cm to find the top: 100 cm + 70 cm = 170 cm. The mirror centre is halfway between bottom and top, at 135 cm. That is a little on the low side for many adults, so you might instead raise the mirror by 5–10 cm, accepting a slightly larger gap above or below. For instance, if you move the whole mirror up by 10 cm, the centre becomes 145 cm, the bottom 110 cm, and the gap above the basin 25 cm, which still looks good in most rooms.

Example 2: 750 mm vanity with tall users

Now consider a 750 mm-wide vanity with a counter top at 90 cm and tall users whose eye levels sit around 165–170 cm. You pick a 60 cm-high mirror. If you set the centre at 155 cm for comfort, then the top of the mirror is 185 cm and the bottom is 125 cm. That bottom edge is 35 cm above the counter, which may feel a little floaty. You could reduce the gap by either lowering the mirror slightly or choosing a taller mirror so that the bottom edge drops closer to the vanity while keeping the centre high enough for tall users.

This is where illuminated mirrors can help, because vertical proportions are clearer once you know the exact glass size. A model like a 70 x 50 cm illuminated bathroom mirror with anti-fog and dimmable lighting can give you more height while keeping the overall footprint compact. When planning, always use the glass size rather than packaging dimensions.

Single versus double vanity layouts

For a single vanity, you can normally centre the mirror directly over the basin or over the vanity unit itself, depending on how the tap is positioned. For double vanities, the question is whether to use one wide mirror or two separate mirrors. The hanging height rules remain the same, but spacing changes how the room feels.

With one wide mirror, treat it like a large single mirror and centre it over the combined vanity. Users will naturally stand in front of their taps, so make sure the main viewing band—the area between about 140 and 170 cm from the floor—reaches across both basins. This usually means choosing a mirror at least as wide as the distance between the outer edges of the taps.

With two mirrors, centre each mirror on its basin rather than trying to centre both mirrors on the entire vanity run. Keep the bottom and top edges aligned, using the same height and gap on both sides. The consistent height line ties the two mirrors together visually, while basin‑centred placement ensures each user has a comfortable viewing area.

Hanging height when you have wall lights or sconces

Wall lights add another layer of constraints, especially if they sit to the sides of the mirror or above it. For side sconces, most lighting designers aim for the centre of the light fitting to be roughly at or slightly above eye level, often around 150–165 cm from the floor. This means your mirror height has to coordinate with both the lights and the basin.

If the sconces are already installed, measure from the floor up to the centre of each fitting and aim to keep the mirror’s vertical centre either aligned with or slightly below that level. Difficulties arise when the lights are set very low or very high; in those cases you may need a taller mirror so the viewing band sits in a comfortable area between the fittings.

Where there is a single light above the mirror, ensure there is enough space between the top of the mirror and the base of the light to avoid crowding. A clearance of 7–15 cm often works well. In smaller rooms, an illuminated mirror with built‑in lighting and demisting can remove the need for a separate sconce altogether, which simplifies height decisions.

Special cases: sloped ceilings, bulkheads and niches

Bathrooms under eaves, in loft conversions or beneath staircases often have sloped ceilings that cut across the wall above the vanity. In these rooms, the usual rule of keeping the mirror a set distance from the ceiling may not be practical. Instead, you prioritise a comfortable viewing height first, then choose a mirror size that fits within the available triangle of wall.

Start by marking the ideal mirror centre on the wall, based on user eye levels. Then mark the upper limit where the slope begins, checking for any structural members behind the plaster. Select a mirror height that fits between your desired centre and the slope, accepting an irregular gap above if necessary. The important point is that users can stand comfortably without hitting their head on the slope while still seeing their full face.

For bulkheads, fans or extractor housings above the vanity, treat them like a partial ceiling. Keep at least 10–15 cm clearance between the top of the mirror and the bottom of the obstruction. In deep nichés, where the mirror sits between two side walls, exact centring is often more important visually than absolute gaps to the ceiling, so measure carefully from both sides and mark out the mirror outline with tape before drilling.

Adjusting for very tall or short users

Households rarely contain only average-height adults. When you have a mix of very tall and shorter users, you need to adjust your mirror height strategy. The simplest approach is to base the centre of the mirror on the main adult users, then choose a mirror tall enough that the top and bottom extend well beyond that centre line. That way, taller people can still see the top of their head and shorter people can see more than just their shoulders.

In a family bathroom used by children, you have two main options. You can either mount the main mirror at adult height and provide a foldable step for younger children, or you can bring the mirror a little lower than perfect adult height and rely on a slightly taller mirror so that adults still enjoy a full reflection. For multi‑generational homes, the second approach tends to feel most inclusive.

If one user is particularly tall, err on the side of pushing the mirror slightly higher rather than lower, within reason. It is easier for a shorter person to look a little upwards than it is for someone very tall to stoop every day. This is one reason frameless or minimal‑frame mirrors are popular; they maximise usable glass height within a given wall space.

Should the mirror be centred on the wall or aligned to the basin?

One of the most common questions is whether to centre the mirror on the entire wall or strictly over the basin. The answer depends on how your vanity sits within the room. If the vanity runs wall‑to‑wall and the basin is central, then centring the mirror on the wall and on the basin are the same thing, so you simply line everything up together.

However, if the vanity is offset on a larger wall, it usually looks better to centre the mirror on the vanity or basin rather than the room. This keeps the functional area—storage, tap, bowl and mirror—as a cohesive cluster rather than leaving the mirror floating somewhere between two unrelated elements. The surrounding empty wall can then be used for artwork or shelving if needed.

With floating vanities, there is more visible floor and wall below the cabinet, so the mirror alignment becomes even more important. In these cases, always reference the vanity top and basin, not the skirting or the floor, when deciding where the mirror should start.

Visualising height with simple layout ‘diagrams’

If you find it hard to picture the final effect, you can sketch a quick side-on and front-on diagram on paper or even directly on the wall with painter’s tape. From the side view, you would draw a vertical line for the wall, then mark the floor, vanity top (for example at 85 cm), mirror bottom (say at 100 cm), mirror top (at 170 cm) and ceiling (at 240 cm). This helps you see the relative gaps without guessing.

From the front, draw a rectangle to represent the vanity width, then a second rectangle above it for the mirror. Mark the centre of each rectangle. The more those centres line up, the more balanced the arrangement will feel. You can also mark the expected tap position and any sconces, adjusting the mirror box upwards or downwards until the layout looks harmonious.

Many people find that after they tape out a proposed mirror size and height on the wall, they slightly adjust the placement. Doing this before you drill avoids unnecessary holes and makes you more confident about the final measurements.

Choosing a mirror that fits your planned height

Once you have a clear idea of the ideal centre and starting height, you can select a mirror that fits those numbers instead of trying to force a random size into your space. If you like the clean look of an illuminated mirror, it helps to know the vertical dimension of the actual glass, not just the lit border. That way you can be sure the light will sit where you need it in relation to your eyes.

For example, a 70 x 50 cm illuminated bathroom mirror with demisting and touch control can be mounted either vertically or horizontally. Hung vertically over a narrow vanity, the 70 cm height gives a generous viewing band without overwhelming the wall. Hung horizontally over a wider counter, the 50 cm height makes it easier to keep the bottom edge at a comfortable distance above the basin while leaving room for wall lights above if you want them.

When your layout is tight between a deep vanity and a low ceiling, a slightly shorter but wider illuminated mirror can be the better choice. You still gain good side‑to‑side coverage for tasks like shaving or applying makeup, but you are not forced to mount the glass uncomfortably close to either the tap or the ceiling line.

If you are torn between two mirror sizes, it is often safer to choose the slightly smaller height. A modestly sized mirror hung at the right level almost always feels better than an over‑tall mirror squeezed into the last few centimetres beneath the ceiling.

Conclusion

Working out how high to hang a wall-mounted vanity mirror is less about guesswork and more about three simple things: eye level, the gap above the basin and clearance to the ceiling. By measuring your users’ eye heights, deciding on a comfortable viewing band and then fitting your mirror dimensions into that vertical space, you can almost always arrive at a position that feels natural.

Once you know the ideal centre height and gap above the basin, it becomes much easier to choose a mirror that actually suits your room, whether that is a simple frameless panel or a modern illuminated design with integrated anti‑fog and dimmable lighting. Spending a few extra minutes on these measurements before you drill will reward you with a mirror that feels ‘right’ every time you step up to the basin.