The upstairs hallway bathroom had been neglected for about nine months. Aside from hanging a shower curtain when we moved in and the occasional toilet cleaning, it was largely untouched. One thing that bothered us from the start were the builder-grade mirrors, so replacing them was a priority.
We had taken our time with the mirror in our previous hall bathroom—framing it out nearly two years after moving in—so we didn’t want to wait that long this time. Instead of framing, we looked for freestanding mirrors with more character: round, quatrefoil, or just something unexpected. While shopping at thrift stores, HomeGoods, and Ikea, we kept an eye out for matching pairs.
We found two identical mirrors at HomeGoods that worked perfectly for this room. They were priced reasonably, and our daughter Clara gave them an enthusiastic approval, declaring, “I like it because it’s like a shiny necklace!” That little endorsement convinced us we’d made the right choice.
Removing the old mirrors was straightforward. I unscrewed the top mirror clips and carefully slid each mirror out of place. The new mirrors had two D-hooks on the back, so hanging them required a little measuring and marking:
- I used tape on the side of the mirror to mark where the screw needed to sit on the back.
- I measured the distance from the mirror’s edge to each D-hook.
- I measured the distance between the two D-hooks so I could transfer that spacing to the wall accurately.
With one mirror held in place, Sherry directed me to ensure it was centered and positioned at the right height. She marked the wall where the tape indicated while I kept the mirror steady. Because the screw sits inset from the mirror’s edge, my first measurement allowed us to move the wall mark inward to the correct spot for the D-ring.
To locate the second screw hole, I used a yardstick combined with a level to make sure everything lined up perfectly. The level kept the marks at identical heights, and the yardstick helped position the second mark based on the distance between the D-hooks.
Next came anchors and screws. I installed an anchor and a screw at each marked spot, then repeated the same process for the second mirror. I paid special attention to keeping both mirrors centered over the countertop and mounted at the same height so the result would look balanced and intentional.
One pleasant surprise about these mirrors is that although they appear heavy and metallic, they’re actually quite light. The finish gives them a metallic look, but the frames are likely made of a lighter material—probably plaster or wood—so they’re easy to handle and hang.
The final step was as simple as slipping the D-hooks over the screws. Once hung, the new mirrors transformed the room’s look. Clara immediately gravitated toward them; she loves playing in the sink and now spends even more time admiring the “shiny necklace” reflections.
There’s still more to do in the bathroom—new lighting fixtures, updated faucets, replacing the shell-shaped sinks, and eventually a tile refresh or even a fully tiled accent wall behind the mirrors. But installing the new mirrors felt like a meaningful first step toward a more finished space.
It’s funny how a small change can make a big difference. The old mirrors had become nearly invisible, but now that they’re warm-toned and decorative, they catch the eye—especially Clara’s. Is anyone else updating bathroom mirrors right now? Or noticing their kids spending a little too much time staring at their reflections? If you look back through the photos of this bathroom, you might even spot a playful, face-like arrangement where the lights look like eyes and the mirror looks like a mouth—quite fitting for a kid-friendly space, though the lights will likely be replaced too.