Our master bathroom presented an unexpected mirror problem. Instead of the usual mirror above the sink, there’s a window in that spot (the photo we took on moving day shows it before we removed the bi-fold doors).
That picture makes the window look soft and glowing, but in reality the view looks directly into the neighbor’s house. It’s not ideal for brushing your teeth, shaving, styling your hair, or stepping out of the shower. It’s also not the impression we want to give to anyone passing by. We needed a privacy solution fast.
We also needed a practical mirror solution. Ironically, the room was far from mirror-less. There was a full-length mirror on the water closet door and another mirror on the nearby medicine cabinet—two mirrors in a short span of wall. Even so, we lacked a mirror in the most useful place: directly above the sink.
After living with all the mirrors shifted to the right for a few weeks, we missed the straightforward convenience of a mirror in front of the sink. Rather than mounting another mirror on the side wall, we chose a different approach: we mounted a mirror directly on the window frame.
We knew we’d lose some natural light, but the bedroom and bathroom have several other large windows, so bright daylight wasn’t a concern. More importantly, the mirror covers the awkward view of the neighboring house and gives us privacy. Functionally, it’s a huge improvement—shaving and morning grooming are so much easier when you don’t have to contort your head to see your face.
The mirror we picked is from the Allen + Roth line at Lowe’s. After searching HomeGoods, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Pier 1, and World Market for the right size and shape, we were happy to spend $65 on a distinctive, clean-looking mirror that fit the space. It was far less expensive than some designer alternatives we considered. To hang it, we used a single screw in the wood between the window panes and a small square of Velcro at the bottom to keep it steady. The window can still open and close because the operating knob sits at the bottom of the pane instead of in the center, so the mirror doesn’t interfere with its function.
We originally wanted a round mirror to soften the angular shape of the windows, but it would have needed to be very large for both of us to see our faces comfortably—our 10-inch height difference meant a smaller round mirror would not serve us well. The irregular, overlapping-oval shape we found provides extra reflective area at the bottom, which allows both of us to see our faces fully. That extra “mirror real estate” was exactly what we needed.
Why not use a fold-out mirror on the side wall? We considered it, but felt that would read more like a conventional bathroom fixture. Mounting the mirror on the window frame gives a more decorative, bedroom-vanity look instead of a typical sink-opposite-bed vibe. It also keeps the composition of the room balanced, which is important to us.
Removing the old mirrored medicine cabinet completed the transformation. We took it off the wall, removed the towel bar on the opposite side, and placed both items in our donation pile. We now keep a neatly folded white towel next to the sink, which keeps things simple and uncluttered.
Without the medicine cabinet and towel bar, the sink area feels less like a traditional bathroom and more like a curated corner of the bedroom. We’re planning to paint the bedroom soon, and we may paint the mirror frame white or a soft gray to help it blend with the window trim, but we haven’t decided yet.
From the outside, the mirror simply appears as a tan shape in the middle of the window—nothing that draws attention or looks messy. It actually blends with the natural tones of tree trunks and exterior elements. Frosting the window would add privacy, but because the neighbor’s house is a fair distance away, the mirror already obscures enough to prevent clear views into the room.
Having a mirror above the sink again feels indulgent and practical at the same time. It’s made daily routines easier and improved privacy without compromising the room’s overall light and balance. We’re pleased with the unconventional choice and how well it suits our space.
Update: See how our sink mirror project turned out in our follow-up post.