How to Hang a Mirror

A mirror is the perfect way to improve the functionality of any room and make any space feel brighter and more welcoming. Whether it’s in your hallway for one last check before you leave the house or it’s in your bathroom, greeting you first thing every morning, a mirror is a practical necessity in every home.

Hanging a mirror is an easy way to both decorate and energise your space but it needs to be hung safely and securely. Join us as we provide a step-by-step guide for hanging a mirror, as well as provide you with some top tips for DIY success in your home.

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Where is the best place to hang a mirror?

Where you decide to hang your mirror will depend on the size and lighting of your room, as well as the placement of other pieces of furniture. Bathroom mirrors should be placed at eye level above the sink for maximum functionality and to avoid splashes.

For other rooms in your home, you have slightly more freedom with mirror placement, however, we recommend you place your mirror at eye level in a location with lots of natural light to make your room feel more spacious and open.

What are the different ways to hang a mirror?

Depending on the weight of your mirror, and the material of the wall you’re hanging it on, there are several ways you can hang it. Lighter mirrors can be hung with adhesive strips, double-sided tape, or wire, whereas heavier mirrors will require you to drill holes into your wall to properly secure the mirror with screws.

This guide will cover how you can safely hang a mirror by screwing hanging hardware into a wall as this is the most secure way to hang your mirror.

What tools do you need to hang a mirror?

Step-by-step guide: how to hang a mirror

Once you’ve decided where to hang your mirror, and you’ve got your tools ready, use a digital detector to find any pipes or live wires which you’ll want to avoid. You can also use the detector to locate any studs in plasterboard which provide the most secure fixing point.

Measure the width of your mirror using a measuring tape, making a note of the location of any brackets, and transfer these measurements to a piece of masking tape on your wall. You can use a spirit level to make sure the tape is properly level then mark the exact point where your screws will go.

Before you start drilling, you need to make sure you have the right drill bit for your wall. A multi-use drill bit is perfect for plasterboard walls and masonry drill bits are good for concrete or brick.

You should also make sure you have the right wall plugs to support your mirror. While a standard wall plug can support lighter mirrors, for heavier mirrors you should opt for a wall plug with a higher load capacity. The wall plugs must be the same diameter as the screws you’ll be using later.

Carefully drill the holes into your wall, ensuring that the drill remains steady to avoid widening the hole. The hole should be slightly deeper than the length of your wall plug. Once complete, push the wall plugs into the holes. They may require a light tap with a hammer to ensure they are level with the wall.

The wall is now ready for you to drive your screws in. It’s best to use specialist mirror screws (or the fixings which came with your mirror) and remember to not screw them all the way in to give you space to attach your mirror fastening. However, some mirrors may require brackets which should be tightly fixed to the wall.

Now you can hang your mirror. If you’re hanging a large or heavy mirror, it’s best to have someone help you with this task. Remember to use a spirit level again to make sure it’s placed perfectly.

There you have it; you now have a secure and level mirror. Simply keep it free of dust and grime and your room will instantly feel brighter and more spacious.

How to hang a bathroom mirror on tiles

Hanging a bathroom mirror on tiles requires care and precision, ensuring that you’re using a ceramic, porcelain or diamond drill bit to avoid the tile cracking.

For maximum support, avoid drilling near the corner of a tile or directly into the grout as these are the weakest parts of the tile. Very slowly drill into the tile, ensuring you turn off your drill’s hammer action, then fit your wall plugs and screws as usual.

For a full step-by-step guide, check out how to drill into tiles with Kimberley Walsh for detailed instructions.

Can you hang a bathroom mirror without drilling?

You can hang lighter mirrors without the need for drilling using mirror adhesive or double-sided mounting tape to secure your mirror to the wall. For heavier mirrors, we still recommend using a drill to securely fix the mirror to the wall using appropriate screws.

How do you stop a bathroom mirror fogging up?

Your bathroom mirror becomes foggy due to moisture in the air that leads to condensation. To prevent this, improve the ventilation in your bathroom by opening a window or using an extractor fan.

Frequently asked questions

To hang a mirror that doesn’t have hooks on the back, use adhesive strips, mirror clips or mounting tape. For heavier mirrors, you may need to install brackets or hooks to the back of the mirror.

To hang a heavy mirror, you may need to use wall anchors, which, when fastened to the wall using screws and wall plugs, can bear heavy loads. You should also ensure that your fixings are installed evenly across your wall to allow for proper weight distribution.

Most wall hooks and screws can support up to 25kg. Mirrors heavier than this may pose a safety risk so you should consult a professional for assistance.

To stop a mirror falling, you should make sure to use the right hanging hardware to mount your mirror. If you’ve hung your mirror and are concerned about it falling, you can use corner clips to secure your mirror or consider mounting your mirror with wall anchors to provide further reinforcement.

Using a spirit level to ensure your markings are in line before drilling is the best way to ensure your mirror is hung perfectly level. You should also make sure the weight of the mirror is distributed equally.