Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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How To Update Bathroom Mirrors

The upstairs hall bathroom has pretty much been ignored for the past nine months, other than hanging a shower curtain after we moved in and occasionally cleaning the toilet. But these builder basic mirrors have been on our hit list from day one.

BathMirror 1 Before2

It took us nearly two years to get around to updating the one in our last hall bathroom by framing it out, so we weren’t about to let these go as long.

BathMirror 2 Before Closer

Sherry has been on the lookout for something with a more interesting shape (round? quatrefoil? Eminem’s face?) so framing these out wasn’t our plan this time. Instead, we glanced at whatever mirrors were around when we dropped in on thrift stores or places like HomeGoods and Ikea. We managed to find one for our bathroom pretty quickly, but this room took a bit longer – especially since we needed two matching ones. We finally found two of these at HomeGoods (update: they were $69 each). Clara gave them two thumbs up and a ringing endorsement, saying “I like it because it’s like a shiny necklace!”

BathMirror 3 New Mirror

Installing the mirrors was easier than fiddling with one of those tiny necklace claspy things that you ladies seem to have mastered (those are an enigma to me). Down came the old mirror by unscrewing the top mirror clips and carefully sliding it out of place.

BathMirro 4 Removing

The mirrors had two D-hooks on the back, so in order to hang them I did three things:

  1. I used tape to temporarily mark on the side of the mirror where my screw would need to sit on the back
  2. I measured the distance from the edge to the D-hook
  3. I measured the distance between the two D-hooks

BathMirror 5 Back Measurements

I held the first mirror in place while Sherry directed me so it was centered and not too low or too high. Then she marked the wall where my tape indicated while I continued to hold it in place. Of course, the screw was inset a bit from the edge, which is where my first measurement came in handy – allowing me to scoot my mark in to the correct spot to catch the D-ring.

BathMirror 6 Marking First

I used a yardstick/level combo to mark where the other screw needed to go. The level made sure it was at the same height as my first mark, and the yardstick helped me get it exactly where it needed to be, based on my other initial measurement.

BathMirror 7 Marking Second

Then it was just an anchor and a screw into the wall in each spot and I was all set. Well, that and I had to repeat those steps for the second mirror, making sure it was centered and at the same height from the countertop.

BathMirror 8 Screwing Wall

One thing I appreciate about the mirrors we chose is that although they look like they’re super heavy and made of metal, they’re pretty light and it’s just the paint that makes them look like that (I think they’re really made of plaster or wood).

The last step was slipping those D-hooks on the back of the mirror over the screws and our mirrors were officially “installed.” Clara was convinced the update was just for her, since her favorite pastime as of late is playing in the sink (someone is very ready for spring so we can break out her water table again).

BathMirror AFTER Clara

Although there’s plenty more to be done in this room (new lights, new faucets, non shell-shaped sinks, a new tile job down the line, perhaps an entirely tiled wall behind the mirrors someday?) the mirrors are a nice step forward.

It’s as if Clara never noticed the old mirrors were there, but now that they’re gold and necklace-y, our little magpie keeps getting distracted by her own reflection.

BathMirror AFTER Clara Close

Is anyone else updating their bathroom mirrors? Or catching their offspring enjoying their own reflection a little too much? If you scroll back two pictures does it look like a cartoony face to you? The lights are the eyes, and the mirror is the mouth. Kinda fitting for a kids room… although those lights still have to go eventually.

Comments

  1. Jill says

    Has anyone mentioned yet that you can buy levels w/ a ruler already printed on one side? I have a 2ft one & it’s invaluable.

    Reply

  2. Kristen says

    Curious what you mean by “marked down”… Is the $140 price you listed just what they list the possible retail price at with the $69 being the Homegoods price or was this actually originally listed for $140 Homegoods price with a clearance sticker for $69?

    You guys always talk about amazing sales at places like Homegoods and I’m just wondering if I’m reading this wrong since I hardly ever find good stuff in the actual clearance aisle at mine!

    Reply

  3. Ragan says

    I’m framing out the mirrors in our two hall bathrooms today (just large builder mirrors) with painted trim and liquid nails. Waiting on my second set of hands to arrive to help me make sure everything goes on nice and square. Can’t wait to see the finished product!

    Reply

  4. jen | concrete jungle dc says

    I just did this for a new listing (realtor in DC). 2 bathrooms had no mirrors and one had a bad builder grade mirror. I also switched out light fixtures. SO easy and such a great update for a little bit of money. I also did it in my condo.

    Reply

  5. Kelsey says

    I’m redoing our guest bath with simple updates. I just finished painting the vanity a dark blue and painted the walls going to the chapel by Ben Moore. I love the blue vanity and I love it in your showroom home. We are planning on renting out our home so I just hope renters like blue…..how can you not right? Right!

    Reply

  6. Samantha says

    Beautiful mirrors! We just replaced our bathroom mirrors too! We purchased them from the Hanover Habitat ReStore in Mechanicsville. An excellent thrift store to find little treasures!

    Reply

  8. Sarah says

    These mirrors are awesome! Exactly what I need for our guest bathroom reno… is there a brand or collection name we can google to try find something similar online?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      My biggest pet peeve of HomeGoods (Overstock does this too) is that they hide brands. Sometimes I think they’re not allowed to mention them so they even black out the tags and stuff. So strange. Wish I had a lead for you. Anyone recognize this as a certain brand? Maybe try Safavieh? Or just searching around on overstock or wayfair?

      xo
      s

  11. Louis says

    Found this explanation on Homegoods website. “Compare at” can refer to a comparable item. So a similar mirror may be $169 at Pottery Barn. That’s my understanding anyway.

    “COMPARE AT” PRICE
    If you are shopping at our stores, you will see that many products include both our selling price and a “Compare At” price. The “Compare At” price on our selling ticket reflects our evaluation of the regular, retail selling price of that or a comparable item in finer catalogs or specialty or department stores, based on our buying staff’s knowledge of what you may expect to pay in competitive national markets. It represents our effort to provide a meaningful comparison so that you, our customer, are confident that what you are purchasing from us is, indeed, real value.

    Reply

  12. Molly says

    The easiest way I’ve found to hang something with two D rings on the back is to take a piece of painter’s tape and cut it exactly the length between the two D rings. Then, just place the tape where you want the item to hang on the wall with the two ends of the tape where you want the nails/screws to go (and make any final adjustments to the tape placement using a level). Finally, just put a screw or nail on each end of the painter’s tape, remove the tape, and your nails/screws are in the exact right position. No ruler required. This blew my husband’s mind the other day when I showed him.

    Reply

  13. Kate says

    Not even kidding, I thought the EXACT same thing as Clara, before I read her ‘shiny necklaces’ comment. I was almost worried that I had the same thought process as a 3 year old (I think she’s 3?!?) but since Clara is genius / hilarious / an interior design prodigy, I just brushed my shoulders off and went ‘YOU KNOW IT GIRL.’.

    Reply

  14. Ashlee says

    These look like some mirrors I just saw on the Rejuvenation website! They may not be the exact same, but they are pretty darn close. Either way, cheers to finding an awesome deal!! And they look great in your bathroom! What a difference just changing out mirrors can make. :)

    Reply

  17. Emily @ Life on Food says

    It blows my mind how expensive mirrors can be. Love this find. I need to start hunting for some new ones. All of our bathrooms have the builder grade mirrors. Weirdly we have a gigantic one in the dining room too.

    Reply

  18. Leigh says

    I love those mirrors! They are like a necklace. It’s jewelry for your wall. And my 2.5 year old son is very into playing in the sink. I don’t know what it is, but he’ll pull out bath toys and pile them in the sink and turn on the water. If he leaves the room for more than 2 seconds, I am guaranteed to find him I the bathroom. Now if he could only channel that fascination to potty training we’d be doing well!

    Reply

  19. Jennifer says

    Ok, honestly I’ve worked as a buyer in the discount world (Filenes Basement, bridal gown trample anyone?!)and had no idea that was how “some companies” got their compare at prices….to me that is actually what is shady. How can they compare a pocket book made in china vs a nice Italian leather one but have the same look? They are nothing alike!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Agreed! I would think there’s some legal issue if it’s not extremely similar or the same item, right? In advertising the claims had to be substantiated for us to use them in scripts and stuff.

      xo
      s

    • Tiffany says

      My best friend got her dress from Filenes Basement. So cute and so worth it! She actually bought 2 so she could decide which one to wear at home away from the chaos.

  20. Corinna says

    In a non related to this post tangent:

    I just opened up a magazine and there you three are in a double page Virginia is for Lovers ad!

    Looking good Petersiks! And the copy is pretty sweet, too.

    Reply

  21. Amanda says

    I think you should of hung them the other way just for fun. Just kidding … kind of. HAHAH!!! I’m hilarious, apparently.

    Reply

  22. Katie says

    Love them!! I think you guys should seriously consider the showhouse blue (from the island and fireplace) for those cabinets! Even with the shell sinks that navyesque blue would really pop the mirror!!

    Reply

  23. Amy says

    As you know, another great fix for mirrors like that is to frame them with a frame kit! It’s a more affordable and eco-friendly fix that allows you to SAVE the mirror and update them while they’re still on the wall. A great place to look for frame is at http://www.mirrorrmate.com! So many styles to choose from! :)

    Reply

  24. Lauren says

    Absolutely gorgeous shape (although Eminem’s face would also have been absolutely the right move), and your “little magpie” is spot on: they DO resemble necklaces! Such a bright, observant child. Something about those mirrors makes everything else in the bathroom look intentional. Bravo, you two!

    Reply

  25. Charlotte @ Ciburbanity says

    Hey John! So I’m the buzz kill who’s going to ask the question that has probably popped up a million times… is there a reason you don’t just use a wire between the D-rings to hang these? Do you guys think that’s risky? (Obv. the D rings with a screw is sturdier, but for something that doesn’t weight a million tons, do you think it would be a mistake to use wire? Thanks! :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I think the wire can work well, but sometimes we find that makes them hang out a bit from the wall. Since we see the side of this wall when we walk into the room we wanted them as snug up against it as possible, so using the D-rings directly felt like it would make them snap as close to the wall as we could get them.

      xo
      s

    • Charlotte @ Ciburbanity says

      Oh, that makes TOTAL sense. Thanks. :) I hung a whole dang photo wall using my tape and level and measuring and hammering and then was like, duh… just get a wire… but I agree… coming out for the wall doesn’t always work. (The bathroom looks GREAT, btw!) TGIF!

  26. jeannette says

    i often think so, and have said it a few times here, but it’s worth saying again.
    clara is the sweetest pea. good work, ‘rents.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Nice! So funny how someone else found it somewhere else for a completely different price (so much more). It must be a flash sale/discount store favorite.

      xo
      s

  33. Melissa says

    hey, I just was looking at mirrors on the Rejuvenation website and found these studded shield mirror for $239 that looks pretty much like yours. you scored!

    Reply

  34. Raeann says

    Just found a seemingly-identical mirror on Joss & Main for $103 (the Lancelot Wall Mirror)! Gosh, I love Homegoods. What a steal.

    Reply

  35. Tina says

    So funny that you were thinking cartoon face , because I was thinking 1 giant face with the mirrors being the 2 eyes and the light fixtures are the eyebrows….you totally see it now don’t you! Ah, the power of suggestion! Hahah, your daughter has a future job in comedy!

    Reply

  39. Andrea says

    We have those huge wall-sized mirrors in each of our bathrooms, and every time I peer in one, I get all Mary Poppins like, “Oh, this will NEVER do” and wish for smaller, hipper mirrors that look like shiny necklaces. Yours are gorgeous and so unique!

    But your framing option intrigues me. It may be approaching the upper level of our DIY-ness, but what a difference that makes! Now, to convince the husband that we need to do this three times in our house. Yikes.

    Reply

  40. Penny Smith says

    Maybe that cabinet would like to be that AWESOME green of the showcase house? :) LOVE that green! Looks so great!!

    Reply

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