Being awakened at 2 a.m. to the sound of your bathroom mirror crashing to the floor is not a fun time — I know; it happened to me in my first home.
You can learn from my mistake. Hanging a bathroom mirror is a quick and easy DIY project, but how you do so depends on a couple factors — mirror type and wall type.
For example, when I replaced the builder-grade, frameless, rectangular bathroom mirror in my first home in North Carolina, I traded in the plastic mirror clips for drywall anchors, screws, and special mounting posts made of zinc. (My new mirror was a frameless tilted one; more on that later.)
I learned firsthand that plastic clips are not as sturdy as metal, adjustable ones, and they can ultimately snap under the weight after a few years. Being awakened at 2 a.m. to the sound of your bathroom mirror spontaneously crashing to the floor is not a fun time. It’s vital to hang a bathroom mirror correctly.
| Project difficulty: Beginner Estimated time to complete: 20 to 30 minutes Project cost: $15 to $30 for basic supplies, plus the cost of your new mirror. |
Gather Your Tools and Materials
Regardless of framing style or wall type, you’ll need the following materials to hang your mirror:
- Level
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Screwdriver
- Pliers (if using hanging wire)
- Stud finder
- Mounting hardware
- Safety goggles
- Gloves
Then, set aside any mounting hardware that came with your mirror. If there is none, make sure you purchase ones that can withstand the weight of your mirror beforehand at a local hardware store or online retailer. Examples of mounting hardware include:
- Mirror clips
- Cleat hangers
- Hanging wire
- Mounting brackets
- D-ring hangers
- Mirror adhesive
Now, you’re ready to actually hang your mirror. This project should only take about one to two hours to complete.
How to Hang a Frameless Bathroom Mirror
Step 1: Choose Mounting Clips or Mirror Adhesive
The size of your mirror will determine the number of mounting clips needed, so check its weight and compare that to the guidelines for your hardware. Generally, it’s recommended to use at least four clips (two on the bottom and two on the top). Some people prefer to use a total of six clips, adding one on each side for extra reinforcement.
Note: If you go this route, opt for adjustable metal clips over plastic ones. Over time, the latter can wear down, potentially giving way and causing your mirror to crash to the ground unexpectedly.
Mirror adhesive can be applied to both the back of the mirror and the drywall itself. Understand, though, that in time, moisture can break down the adhesive and cause it to lose its stickiness.
Step 2: Mark the Hanging Location
With your level, identify the center line above your sink (or sinks if hanging two mirrors). Using that as your guideline, hold your mirror to the wall and lightly mark (with a pencil or painter’s tape) where you’d like your mirror to go — mark the placement of the top corners, sides, and bottom corners.
Your bathroom mirror should be hung at the eye level of the people mainly using it. You’ll know it’s eye level when your face is in the center of the mirror. Generally, keep mirrors five to 10 inches above your sink and a few inches below any over-the-mirror lighting.
Step 3: Use a Stud Finder
If opting for mirror clips, use a stud finder to tell you where the studs (vertical support beams) are located in your wall. Securing your mirror clips to wall studs ensures it’s got the support it needs.
Drilling randomly into your drywall can cause you to miss studs, and through normal house settling and temperature fluctuations, your mirror may eventually fall off, taking parts of your wall with it. This is because drywall, alone, isn’t very sturdy; with a regular nail, it can only hold items that are less than 20 pounds.
Once you’ve found the studs near your intended mirror location, mark them. You’ll be using them to help determine where to place each mirror clip. (Using mirror adhesive instead? Skip to step 5.)
Alternatively, you can choose to support your mirror with drywall anchors, which go into the wall like a screw. Hold the clip to the wall, drill or screw in the anchor, and then, insert the actual screw into the anchor. This can also give you more options of where to hang your mirror, as there may not even be studs present in the location you choose.
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Step 4: Affix the Mirror Clips
With your stud locations as a guide, mark where you’d like the bottom mirror clips to go first. Then, drill a pilot hole (a small hole that will receive the screws and/or drywall anchors) on the spots you marked. Next, screw the clips into the pilot holes.
Now, slide your mirror into the bottom clips to see where the top of the mirror will be. Mark those spots.
Put the mirror to the side again, drill pilot holes for the top mirror clips, and screw those top clips into the holes.
Step 5: Hang the Mirror
To hang your mirror with the clips, simply slide the top of the mirror upward into the top clips. Then, using a sideways motion, slip the bottom of the mirror into the bottom clips. If your mirror is heavy, be sure to ask someone to assist you with this part.
If you opted for mirror adhesive, clean the back of your mirror with rubbing alcohol. Then, apply the adhesive all over the back of your mirror — you can apply it in strips, circles, or squiggly lines. For added stability, you can apply mirror adhesive to the wall, too. Remember not to use just any kind of wall glue; it must specifically state that it’s for mirrors.
Place the mirror on your wall based on the markings you made earlier, pressing it into the wall on the top, sides, bottom, and center for 30 seconds to a few minutes each. If you need to adjust in any way, though, do so quickly before the stickiness sets.
Note: I chose a frameless tilted mirror. Those are meant to be installed off of the wall. For those, follow steps 2 and 3 above, and then, refer to your mirror’s installation instructions. Typically, these types of mirrors come with their own hardware (e.g., drywall anchors and pivoting brackets), as well as a hanging template for easy installation.
How to Hang a Framed Bathroom Mirror
Step 1: Collect the Mounting Hardware
Your framed mirror should come with mounting hardware — think drywall anchors, screws, and mounting hangers/brackets. Account for all items and set them aside.
Step 2: Mark Your Preferred Hanging Spot
Decide where on the wall you’d like your mirror to hang, and mark those top and bottom edge placements on the wall. Again, you can do this with a pencil or painter’s tape.
Step 3: Find the Studs
These vertical support beams will provide stability for your mirror. Mark their locations within your chosen hanging area, drill a hole to receive the hanging hook, and secure the hook into the wall with screws.
Step 4: Hang Your Mirror
The back of your framed mirror will either have side brackets or a top hanging bracket. For the latter, simply hang the bracket on the hook. If you’ve got side brackets only, loop hanging wire through two of the side hooks and twist to tighten. Clip any excess wire, and hang the wire on the hook.
How to Hang a Bathroom Mirror on a Surface Other Than Drywall
To hang a bathroom mirror on masonry (e.g., brick, stone), you’ll need some stronger materials: ceramic bits, concrete/masonry anchors and screws, and a hammer drill. After marking your mirror’s location, drill directly into the brick; drilling into mortar is not as sturdy. Read our article on “How to Drill into a Brick Wall” to follow the steps correctly.
Secure the concrete anchors into the holes, and insert the masonry screws into the anchors, leaving about three-fourths of an inch of the screws out of the wall. Hang the mirror on the screws.
For tile walls, drill directly into the tile with a carbide drill bit, and insert the concrete wall anchors and screws. As with masonry, you’ll also leave about three-fourths of the screw exposed; hang your mirror on the screw.
More About Bathroom Remodels
Whether you’re overcoming a past #mirrorfail, or you’re just looking for a quick way to give your space new life, hanging a new bathroom mirror is a top-tier choice.
Read More:
- How to Change a Bathroom Light Fixture
- What is a Bathroom Vanity?
- The Best Materials for a Bathroom Vanity Countertop
- How to Install a Bathroom Vanity Light
- How to Tile a Bathroom Wall
- Types of Bathroom Vanities to Consider for Your Home
- The 7 Best Materials for a Bathroom Vanity
- 10 Over-the-Mirror Bathroom Lighting Ideas
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Main Photo Credit: Pixel-Shot / Adobe Stock Free / License
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