Bathrooms are no longer the “utilitarian pit stops” of the home—they’re personal sanctuaries, design statements, and (let’s tell the truth) one of the most-photographed rooms in any listing. And yet, one of the most important features is often the most overlooked: the vanity mirror.
A mirror does far more than reflect your face—it reflects your style, your lighting, and your home’s design standards. I was reviewing mood boards for a new build by a local interior designer, Brooke MT Interiors, and noticed a few trends in her selections. If you’re building or upgrading a bathroom, here are the three mirror trends that will instantly elevate the space from basic to boutique-hotel-worthy.
1. Organic Shapes
Say goodbye to the builder-basic rectangle. The modern bath is embracing softer, organic shapes—arched tops, gentle curves, and even asymmetrical silhouettes that introduce personality and artistry into a space known for hard lines and right angles.
Curves in the bathroom mirror echo the broader design movement sweeping through interiors: a shift toward warmth, fluidity, and natural forms. Bathrooms tend to be tile-heavy, linear, and structured; a curved mirror instantly softens that rigidity and adds a touch of sculptural interest.
2. Minimal Frames (but with Material Intent)
Yes, metal frames are in—but not the ornate, overly decorative frames of the past. Today’s luxe bathroom mirrors feature sleek, minimal framing—often in metals that act as accents rather than showpieces. Oh, and...mix metal finishes around the mirror! That means your mirror frame can be brass even if your faucet is matte black and your sconces are polished nickel. When done intentionally, this layered approach creates a material-rich, high-end narrative that feels curated, not matchy-matchy. The mirror becomes a design connector—tying lighting, hardware, and fixtures together through contrast, not duplication.
3. Oversized Scale
When in doubt, go bigger. If there’s one unforgivable bathroom design mistake, it’s a mirror that’s too small for the space. Designers agree: bigger is better—and in most cases, dramatically bigger. Large or full-height mirrors open up the room by bouncing light, increasing visual height, and making even modest bathrooms feel expansive. This is particularly impactful in smaller bathrooms or powder rooms where real estate is limited, but visual presence is everything.
My personal rule: There is no such thing as “too big.” I take the mirror as close to the ceiling as possible—it elongates the room and gives that custom, designer-installed look every buyer responds to.
A mirror is no longer just a functional necessity—it’s a design feature that sets the tone for the entire bathroom.
📸 I was reviewing mood boards for a new build by a local interior designer, Brooke MT Interiors, and noticed a few trends in her selections. See this new build with its completion scheduled for next month at 416 Auburn Ridge Road, Coralville.
📸 I haven’t committed to the full bathroom remodel yet, so I upgraded the mirrors. Immediate glow-up. And I can finally see the top of my head again—turns out my hair wasn’t disappearing, it was just cropped out of the shot for a decade.
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Adam Pretorius is a top-producing luxury real estate agent in Iowa City. Follow for more real estate news and design trends.
