The Complete Mirror Buying Guide
Not sure how to choose the right mirror? This guide walks you through size, proportion, and placement — so you get it right the first time.
By TLM Editorial Updated 28 May 2026 4-min read
A good mirror moves the light, shifts the proportions, and quietly finishes a room. Four questions get you to the one that's right for yours.
Four questions to answer before you buy.
01 Where will it go?
The room decides almost everything else — the type, the shape, the size.
Living, entry, hallway
Go for a wall mirror with presence. Oversized, arched, or sculptural — it adds character and makes the space feel bigger. A floor mirror works, but the wall is where it earns its keep.
Bedroom, dressing area
A full-length mirror, wall-mounted. With Singapore bedroom sizes in mind, fixing it to the wall frees up floor space and keeps the room feeling larger than it is.
Bathroom, vanity
Choose a mirror made for bathrooms — framed, with treated backing. Frameless corrodes quickly in humidity despite the clean look. A proper frame protects the edges and keeps the mirror looking new for longer.
02 How big?
Proportion is the quiet variable. Three rules cover most rooms.
The rule, drawn, and the rule, lived in.
Above furniture
60 to 80% of the furniture's width. A 200 cm sofa pairs with a 120 to 160 cm mirror.
Blank wall
50 to 80% of the wall, with 10 to 20 cm of breathing room on each side.
Eye-level rule
Center a decorative mirror at 145 to 155 cm from the floor.
Full-length
Minimum 170 cm tall. 180 to 190 cm feels more generous.
Low ceiling
Under 2.6 m, choose tall, narrow shapes to draw the eye upward.
03 What style?
Match the mirror to the room's existing tone. Six families cover most homes.
Minimal / Scandi
Round or oval. Thin black or pale wood. Frameless reads cleanest.
Modern Classic
Arched or bevelled. Brass or antique gold. Layered over a console.
Industrial
Window-pane grids. Black metal frames. Adds structure.
Organic / Contemporary
Soft, irregular silhouettes. Creamy frames, brushed metal.
Glam / Art Deco
Statement shapes. Brass and bevelled edges. Catches the light.
Wabi-sabi / Bali
Irregular shapes. Light wood or rattan. Natural texture.
04 Framed or frameless?
A two-second decision, based on the room's humidity.
Framed
The frame protects the silver backing from moisture. Lasts longer in humid rooms.
Best for: bathrooms, kitchens, humid spaces.
Frameless
Almost invisible. The exposed edges corrode faster in moisture.
Best for: bedrooms, entryways, dry rooms.
Once you've chosen
Drill rather than glue. The right anchor for the wall, the right height for the eye. Our full installation guide walks through every step.
Related reading
How to hang a mirror, properly / How to clean a mirror, without streaks / Six themes shaping Singapore homes
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