Many styles of vanity mirrors are available for your bathroom, and you will see a lot that you like. How do you make the right choice? The biggest factor to take into consideration is the size of the vanity mirror, which takes careful planning.

The first thing you need to do is measure the space you have available for the vanity mirror. Decide if you want your mirror to be as wide as the sink or as wide as the counter holding the sink. After deciding this, measure the width of your vanity sink and width of the counter. Also measure the vertical space between your counter and  ceiling. This helps you make sure that you don't purchase a mirror too tall for the available space. Record all measurements in writing and keep them with you when you're researching mirrors.

Budget is a major factor when choosing the best size vanity mirror for your bathroom. Several things go into deciding on a budget. First, you'll need to decide what size mirror you can afford. Do some research using the measurements you recorded. A good place to do this is on the Internet, using store websites, such as Wal-Mart, Lowe's or Home Depot. Most online sites that list vanity mirrors also list the dimensions for the mirror, which greatly helps you in choosing one. Also consider the size of any other fixtures in your bathroom. You definitely don't want the mirror to be out of proportion to everything else.

The second part of working up your budget is deciding who will be installing your mirror. This decision needs to be made before you make any purchases. Will you have a professional install the mirror, or do you have the capabilities to install it yourself? Installing the mirror yourself is obviously the cheapest option, but you may not have the skills to do it. If you decide to use a professional, be sure to ask if they charge different amounts for different sized mirrors. Get specifics from them on any fees they have. This can have a large impact on what size vanity mirror you are able to buy, as you'll have to leave room in your budget for installation and labor costs.

A third part to deciding on what size mirror you can purchase is the quality of the materials. Higher quality materials are going to cost more, but will most likely last longer. Lower quality comes at a cheaper price, but doesn't have the same longevity as better materials. You will have to decide which is more important to you and which you can afford. When you're doing your research for different sizes of mirrors, also be looking at the materials used and the cost.

Remember that not every mirror can withstand long periods in a damp environment. If a mirror made for a bedroom is placed in the bathroom, its clarity will deteriorate over time because of the moisture and humidity. You need to find a mirror produced specifically for bathrooms. In addition, the décor of your home should be taken into consideration.

Other items that affect the cost of the vanity mirror are the decorating style, shape, color, finish and additional features. Choose a mirror that fits your overall theme.

Some mirrors are stand alone, while others come already attached to cabinets with or without sinks in them. Deciding whether or not you can afford to replace your entire mirror/cabinet system is a large consideration when choosing a vanity mirror. Setups where the mirror is already attached to a cabinet/sink system can be bought pre-built or custom built. Custom-built systems cost much more than pre-built ones, so carefully consider your budget when making this decision.

Although a lot of effort goes into choosing the best size bathroom vanity mirror for both you and your bathroom, the end result is well worth it. Having a bathroom that fits your needs and complements your style makes the time you spend there much more enjoyable.

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