How to hang a bathroom mirror

A new mirror instantly makes a bathroom feel lighter and more spacious. Hanging it is a straightforward job, but in a bathroom the challenge is in the details: you often drill into tiles, there are pipes in the wall and a mirror is heavy and fragile. In this blog you will read step by step how to hang a bathroom mirror or mirror cabinet safely and level.

👷 Calling in a professional is never superfluous. If you have an LED mirror or a mirror cabinet with lighting that needs to be connected to the mains, always leave that connection to a qualified electrician. Strict rules apply to electrics near water in a bathroom.

Which mirror suits your bathroom?

• A plain mirror without lighting is the easiest to hang yourself.
• A mirror cabinet gives extra storage space, but it is heavier and needs a sturdy fixing.
• An LED bathroom mirror gives attractive, even light at the washbasin. You can prepare the hanging yourself; the electrical connection is work for the electrician.

For more inspiration on your bathroom layout, see our guide to planning a bathroom renovation.

What do you need?

Measuring and marking

• A tape measure with auto-lock and a 60 cm spirit level to find the right height and a straight line.
• A carpenter pencil to mark the drill holes.
• A multifunction wall detector to check that there are no water pipes or electrical cables behind the drilling spot.

Drilling and fixing

• A cordless drill driver to drill carefully through the tile glaze.
• A glass drill bit set for the first millimetres in the tile.
• A hammer drill to continue drilling into the masonry behind the tile. Only switch on the hammer function once you are through the tile.
• blue painter's tape to stick on the tile so the drill bit does not wander.
• A universal expansion plug that suits the wall and the weight of the mirror.
• A screwdriver set to tighten the mounting brackets.
• A construction vacuum cleaner to vacuum up the drilling dust straight away.

Personal protective equipment

• safety goggles, because small sharp fragments can fly off when drilling into tiles.
• work gloves with nitrile coating for grip when lifting the mirror and against sharp edges.

Step 1: choose the right spot and height

A mirror usually hangs centred above the washbasin. The bottom edge is often about 20 to 30 centimetres above the basin or tap, so it stays free of splashes. Ideally the centre of the mirror is roughly at the eye level of the people using it. Also allow for the doors of a mirror cabinet, which must be able to swing open freely, and for lights or a socket nearby.

💡 Tape a piece of cardboard or paper to the wall in the size of the mirror. That way you can see straight away whether the height and position feel right before you drill.

Step 2: check the wall

Use the wall detector to scan the whole area around the drill holes. In a bathroom, pipes often run vertically above and below the tap and the washbasin. Never drill directly above or below a tap or socket. Also check what kind of wall you have: brick, concrete or a plasterboard wall. For plasterboard you use special plugs, and a heavy mirror cabinet needs a solid backing structure.

⚠️ If you are unsure whether there is a pipe behind the tile, or you hear something unusual while drilling, stop immediately. A damaged water pipe or cable is a job for a qualified installer.

Step 3: mark the drill holes

Measure the distance between the hanging points on the back of the mirror or the brackets. Draw a level line on the wall and mark the drilling points on it. Preferably drill in the middle of a tile and not in the grout joint or close to the edge of a tile; that is where a tile cracks more easily.

Step 4: drilling into tiles without cracks

1. Stick a piece of tape over the drilling spot and mark the point again.
2. Start with the glass drill bit in the cordless drill, without hammer action and at a low speed.
3. Keep the drill straight and press lightly. Let the drill bit do the work.
4. Once you are through the glaze and the tile, switch to a masonry bit with the right diameter for the plug.
5. Drill on to the right depth, slightly deeper than the length of the plug.
6. Vacuum up the dust and remove the tape.

Read more about drilling into hard materials in our blog on diamond drilling in tile and concrete.

Step 5: hang and level

Tap the plugs into the holes until they are flush with the tile. Screw on the brackets or hanging screws and check with the spirit level that they are straight. Lift the mirror into place with two people, especially with a large mirror or mirror cabinet. Check once more that the mirror hangs straight and is securely fixed.

💡 Many mirror cabinets have adjustable hanging brackets. These let you fine-tune the cabinet by a few millimetres after hanging.

Common mistakes

• Drilling through the tile with the hammer function on, which cracks the tile.
• Not using a wall detector and hitting a water pipe.
• Choosing plugs that do not suit the wall or the weight of the mirror.
• Hanging the mirror too low, so it gets splashes and limescale marks.
• Connecting an LED mirror to the mains yourself. That is work for a qualified electrician.

Working safely

Wear safety goggles when drilling and keep dust to a minimum with a vacuum cleaner. Work calmly and never carry a large mirror on your own. If you are going to tile the wall first, read our blog on tiling a wall.

Frequently asked questions

How high should I hang a bathroom mirror?

Usually the bottom edge is about 20 to 30 centimetres above the washbasin. The centre of the mirror is roughly at the eye level of the users.

Can I glue a mirror to the wall instead?

That is possible with some mirrors using a suitable mirror adhesive, but the mirror is then hard to remove later. Always follow the mirror manufacturer's instructions.

Can I connect an LED mirror myself?

You can do the hanging yourself. Leave the electrical connection in the bathroom to a qualified electrician, because strict rules apply to electrics near water.

What do I do if a tile cracks while drilling?

Stop and assess the damage. A cracked tile can often be replaced; if in doubt, have a tiler do it.

Read also: How to design your bathroom with the Saniso bathroom configurator

Read also: Fixing into concrete, brick and aerated concrete: the right anchor

Where can you find everything for this job?

At Saniso, the online store for DIYers and professionals, you will find tools, materials and personal protective equipment for your job.

• Browse our construction tools and our workwear and safety.
• Create a customer account and order easily.
• Working on a bigger project or want to hand over the job? Request a project quote.
• Book a showroom visit, at least 24 hours in advance.
• Not sure which material suits your job? Get in touch with us.

In doubt about the approach? Feel free to call in a professional.

Read also: How to install a shower enclosure: step-by-step DIY guide

Saniso – Build your home with Saniso.

Read also: How many spots do you need in the bathroom?, a calculation guide for the number of recessed spots and the right light next to your mirror.