Do you need a mirror above a sink in the bathroom?

[Madblondedog]

Planning our new shower room.

Visually the best layout would lead to the sink being under the window so obviously no mirror above the sink. Is this a massive no-no?

What we would do is have a tall mirrored cabinet to the side of the sink so there would still be a mirror in there, just not above the sink

[movingonup2015]

watching with interest as I have just had to swap the sink and the toilet around so now I have no mirror above my sink :-(

I have a window above the sink so nowhere to put one either....

[Madblondedog]

It wouldn't bother me, and we're not refurbishing to sell but I am trying to think of long term resale value

[Haggisfish]

As long as dh could see himself somewhere to shave, it would be ok.

[AnyoneButAndre]

As long as there's a useable one immediately to the side I think that's fine. It might make doing your evening makeup in the dark a bit weird though - think carefully about the lighting.

[ingeniousidiot]

If you're a man and you wet shave, then yes.

[Crikeyblimey]

In our old house the washbasin was under the window. I just bought a nice round mirror on a 'stick' stand (which swivelled over to a magnifying mirror). This lived on the window ledge for dh to shave with. I know some hate the thought of a mirror in a window, fore risk and all that but it was a north facing room and was never an issue for me. You could always have the mirror live elsewhere and only move it for shaving.

[Crikeyblimey]

Fire not fore!

[Madblondedog]

What a bad person, I hadn't thought of DP shaving! He does often do it in the shower so I think as long as he has access to a mirror (so the mirrored cabinet) he should be OK?!

I like the idea of a mirror on the windowsill or a swivel one. I hadn't even considered that option!

[stardusty5]

Our sink is below the window, and i've just got a little vanity mirror on the windowsill.

[BrandNewAndImproved]

My sink is under my window. The mirror is to the right so if your stood at the sink your also by the mirror.

Would it help if you put a shelf and an electric shaver plug under the mirror?

[IguanaTail]

I need a mirror when I'm flossing

[ivykaty44]

My house was built 77 years ago with the link under the window so no mirror above link. We do have a ledge were a big round mirror on a stem with magnification could sit. We don't though as it gets steamed up and is better in the bedroom.

What we have is a mirror over the radiator which doesn't get steamed up due to the heat rising and dp uses this mirror to shave. It is five foot long and even with a meter long towel rail placed under with towels on it still doesn't get steamed up.

You can buy heated, lit mirrors

[FinallyHere]

The shaving mirrors on a flexible 'stem' are brilliant. Since you are refurbishing, you could get one with an electricity supply. Brilliant for shaving and/or precision make up.

Just don't worry that your pores are suddenly so much larger....its the magnification.

[Madblondedog]

I'm so pleased I asked this, such a stupid idea not to think of alternative kinds of mirrors. I am looking at a mirrored cabinet to the side of the sink so you would still have plenty of mirror space.

I tend to do my make up in the bedroom anyway as I like to sit on the floor to do it.

[BumWad]

We swapped the toilet and sink around in our new bathroom as it bugged me having a window in front of the sink. I have a very naice led mirror cabinet now and it is so much better. This is for my main bathroom

[Gobbolinothewitchscat]

Not according to my builder. Yes according to me!

He had our loft extension en suite set up so the sunk was under the window. Reason being that stopped the toilet being opposite the door. We moved the sink as I think you need a decent mirror. Don't mind having the loo opposite the for as there's plenty of room

[WidowWadman]

We've got the sink under a window and it doesn't bother me. My husband uses a free standing shaving mirror which is on the window sill and I do my make up elsewhere anyway

[Madblondedog]

This is for our loft extension so we do have free reign but the sink would just look better under the window, its that or have the toilet in the middle of the wall sticking out which I think looks odd

Pleased some people think its OK as long as there is an alternative mirror. The builders can put us a window sill in for a mirror to sit on

[AnthonyPandy]

May I use this opportunity to post this?

[overthemill]

i think you do. our current house has basin under under window and its really hard having to peer into a shaving mirror. it literally means I never look at my face anymore. the only wall space for a mirror would mean leaning over the toilet to peer at that. never again

[Hiahia]

It think it can be great.

fix one of those mirrors RudyMentary put a picture of on a side in the window recess - when needed it comes close to our face, when not, it's discreetly tucked in.
Add a larger mirrored cabinet or simple mirror to the side wall for when you need to check the 'bigger picture'.

I actually find that mirrors above basin, if the basin is quite deep, can be very annoying as you have to bend forward so much over the basin and taps when you need to do a detailed inspection! ah!

this is a cabinet we used in previous houses - pricey but was brilliant and doesn't take much space at all: www.heals.com/coffee-bamboo-arena-revolve.html (actually ours was narrower/squarer but can't find on the website right now)

[Chasingsquirrels]

Our downstairs loo and en suite both have sinks under with windows. En suite has a mirror to the side, loo has a mirror on the adjoining wall, v close to sink. I have never thought I needed a mirror above the sink.