What mirror looks with pedestal sink?
What’s the Best Mirror for a Pedestal Sink Bathroom? Your Complete Style & Placement Guide
Hey there! Choosing the perfect mirror to match your pedestal sink is so important to bringing your dream bathroom to life. As a home renovation specialist with over 10 years of experience designing stylish yet functional bathrooms, I’m here to walk you through all the nitty gritty details of selecting the ideal mirror for your space.
By the end, you’ll be able to shop for a mirror with confidence knowing it’ll complement your sink perfectly. Let’s dive in!
Chapter 1: Why Pedestal Sinks are So Popular for Small Bathrooms
First, let’s look at why pedestal sinks are such a popular choice, especially for powder rooms and small bathrooms. Here are 3 key reasons homeowners opt for pedestal sinks:
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Space savers: Unlike bulky vanities, pedestal sinks have a tiny footprint since they mount to the wall. This frees up valuable floor space.
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Easy maintenance: With no cabinet underneath, cleaning and accessing the plumbing is a breeze. Less dirt and grime can hide.
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Timeless style: The vintage exposed plumbing look pairs well with any style, from modern to traditional. It’s a classic!
However, the tradeoff is lack of storage and counter space. But clever solutions like wall cabinets and floating shelves can offset this.
Overall, pedestal sinks are the perfect choice for maximizing style and space in tight bathrooms. Their versatility and vintage charm make them very on-trend right now.
Chapter 2: Which Pedestal Sink Style is Right for Your Bathroom?
With so many shapes, sizes and materials available, narrowing down your pedestal sink style can be tricky. Here’s an overview of the most popular options so you can select the right one for your space:
Traditional Porcelain Pedestals
The iconic porcelain sink sitting atop a slim pedestal leg comes in round or square shapes. This versatile classic pairs well with any faucet and decor style.
I recommend a white porcelain pedestal to lighten and brighten small, windowless bathrooms. Or go for a colored pedestal in black, biscuit or gray as a stylish focal point against neutral tile.
Sleek Glass Pedestal Sinks
For contemporary cool, a glass pedestal sink is just the ticket. Frosted, clear, or colored glass bowls make a glossy statement, especially with chrome faucets.
Lucite brackets offer invisible support to float the glass bowl on the wall. I suggest illuminating glass pedestals with front-facing lighting to create a glam art piece.
Natural Wood Pedestal Sinks
If you love farmhouse or cottage style, a wood pedestal sink brings natural warmth. Materials like oak, maple, and teak complement vintage brass fixtures beautifully.
Look for wooden pedestals with graceful curves and charming proportions to suit cozy powders rooms. I recommend a rubbed oil finish to enhance the wood grain.
Sculptural Stone Pedestal Sinks
For a true showpiece, stone pedestals sculpted from marble, granite or travertine add artisan appeal. Every one has unique veining that becomes a focal point.
I suggest neutral toned stone that won’t overpower the space. Use matte finishes to avoid overly flashy styles. Allow room for the scale of stone sinks – they have visual weight.
Other Options:
Corner pedestal sinks are problem-solvers, allowing you to install a sink in a tight corner spot. Copper sinks offer vintage workshop character as they age. Go eco-chic with cement or recycled glass sink bowls.
Choose the pedestal shape and material that best suits the style you want to achieve. With the sink selected, now let’s move on to picking the perfect coordinating mirror!
Chapter 3: Which Mirror Frame Styles Match Your Sink?
A well-chosen mirror ties your whole sink vignette together, adds essential storage, and makes the room feel brighter and larger. When selecting a frame style, consider:
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Does it complement your sink’s shape and finish? Oval mirrors, for example, pair best with oval sinks.
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Does the frame feel cohesive with the room’s overall decor? A beaded frame suits traditional bathrooms, while a frameless mirror has modern appeal.
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Does the size feel balanced and in-scale with your pedestal sink? Overly large mirrors can overwhelm a petite sink.
Here are the most popular mirror options for pedestal sinks:
Classic Framed Mirror
This traditional mirror framed in wood or metal matching the sink finish remains a popular choice. For ornate sinks, look for framed mirrors with carved details, arched tops, or decorative edges.
Frameless Mirror
For an invisible floating effect, frameless mirrors let the sink take center stage. This streamlined look brings ample reflective space without added ornamentation.
Medicine Cabinet Mirror
Get storage and mirror in one with a recessed or surface-mounted medicine cabinet mirror. Beyond the mirror, additional shelving organized toiletries. Helpful for tiny baths!
Tri-Fold Mirror
With adjustable double doors that fold open, a tri-fold mirror expands your reflective space as needed. The divided panes offer a tailored look for powder rooms.
Wall Shelf Mirror
Gain a handy shelf for toiletries right under the mirror with combination mirror-shelves. For small baths, I always recommend incorporating storage!
Now that you’ve selected the ideal frame style, it’s time to figure out the perfect mirror size and placement…
Chapter 4: Guidelines for Selecting the Right Mirror Size
Finding a mirror size in balance with your pedestal sink’s proportions is key to a cohesive look. You don’t want the mirror to feel too imposing or undersized relative to the sink. Follow these handy size selection tips:
- Measure the width of your sink at its widest point. Choose a mirror at least 4-6” wider than this measurement.
- Aim for a mirror height around 2⁄3 the width for pleasing proportions.
- For oval sinks, make the mirror about 4” taller than the pedestal height.
- Allow at least 6” of clearance between the mirror bottom and sink top.
Also consider:
- Small powder rooms need more petite-scaled mirrors to avoid overwhelming.
- You can accommodate larger mirrors in more spacious bathrooms.
- Corner pedestal sinks require angled mirrors fit for the space.
Getting the size right may take some trial and error with tape outlines and templates. Don’t rush this important step!
Chapter 5: Tricks for Placing the Mirror Just Right
With size determined, positioning the mirror thoughtfully on your wall is the next crucial step:
Tip #1: Center Mirror Over Sink
Centering the mirror directly over the sink looks best. The symmetrical arrangement makes the space feel well-designed. It also lets you use the mirror easily while standing at the sink.
If your pedestal sink isn’t dead center on the wall, you can still center the mirror on the wall itself. Just beware of overlapping windows, doors or other fixtures.
Tip #2: Place Mirror at Eye Level
Hang the mirror so its center is around 58-60” off the floor. This aligns with most people’s eye level for convenient use. Those much shorter or taller than average may want to adjust up or down an inch or two.
Make sure to leave at least 6” of clearance between the mirror bottom and sink top. This prevents them from clashing when items sit on the sink rim.
Tip #3: Allow Proper Spacing With Double Sinks
If installing two pedestal sinks, allow 24-30” between mirrors to avoid awkward double reflections. Or use a single long mirror spanning the full space between sinks.
Tip #4: Choose Mirror Height for Best Proportions
Ideally, align the mirror bottom a few inches above the pedestal top. This maintains the right spatial relationship so neither piece overwhelms the other.
Tip #5: Use Mirrors to Reflect More Light
Strategically place the mirror to reflect views or bounce light around. Facing a mirror towards the door or windows visually expands the space.
Now let’s move on to decorating and storage solutions to complete your pedestal sink bathroom…
Chapter 6: Decorating Your Pedestal Sink Bathroom
While pedestal sinks lack countertops for clutter, you can still integrate decorative touches:
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Floating corner shelves flanking the sink provide a home for candles, flowers and greenery.
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Choose artwork or a decorative mirror centered above the sink as a visual focal point.
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Use ceramic planters on shelves for a natural touch or apothecary jars for soaps.
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Add matching sconces on either side of the mirror for lovely ambient lighting.
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Roll hand towels in a ceramic urn or wire basket placed next to the pedestal.
Take advantage of vertical space above and surrounding the pedestal. This keeps visual clutter away from the clean sink lines.
Chapter 7: How to Add Needed Storage to Your Pedestal Sink Bathroom
Lacking vanity cabinets, storage can be a challenge with pedestal sinks. But there are plenty of space-savvy solutions:
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Wall cabinets above the toilet provide discreet storage for extra toilet paper, toiletries and medicines.
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Incorporate floating corner shelves or wall-mounted ledges for folded washcloths and hand towels.
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Freestanding narrow cabinets fit between wall studs to add specialized storage.
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Mirror medicine cabinets add storage behind the mirror itself. Recessed cabinets save space.
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Wall-mounted racks or over-the-door storage offer places to hang and organize bathroom gear.
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Baskets, trays and bins allow you to corral items on open shelves while adding style.
Take measurements to find every usable nook and cranny on your walls and behind doors. You’ll be surprised how these small spaces can add up!
The Takeaway:
I hope this gives you confidence to move forward choosing the perfect mirror for your pedestal sink bathroom. Implement the style, size and placement best practices outlined here, and you’ll have a cohesive, polished space.
Remember, think about the style you want to achieve, allow ample reflective space for the room size, and position the mirror thoughtfully. Feel free to reach out with any other pedestal sink bathroom questions! I’m always happy to help.