Bevelled Mirrors

How a bevelled mirror catches the light

A bevel is a band around the edge of the glass, ground back at an angle and polished. Because the band sits at a different angle to the rest of the mirror, it catches light from around the room and outlines the reflection with a fine, bright line. Every mirror on this page has bevelled edges or a bevelled frame, so you get that detail whichever look you choose.

Most are framed in mirrored glass, so the border reflects light as well as the centre, which helps in a darker hallway or a room with little daylight. We also stock bevelled mirrors with frames of wood, MDF or resin, if you want a solid border in place of glass. A few have a metal frame.

Choosing a bevelled mirror shape

Most of ours are rectangular, the simplest shape to line up with a console table, a fireplace or a chest of drawers. Where a listing says a rectangle can hang either way, choose portrait to add height to a narrow wall or the space beside a door, and landscape to fill the width above a sofa or sideboard.

If straight lines feel too formal, a few are round. Some have an arched top, which sits nicely in an alcove or above a narrow table. A few are hexagonal, a shape that gives a plain wall a focal point. Several have an irregular outline, for a looser, more relaxed look.

Silver, clear and grey bevelled mirrors

The finish is the quickest way to match a mirror to its room. Silver suits cool colours and chrome or nickel fittings. Clear glass gives a true, untinted reflection that works with any scheme. Grey is quieter, and looks at home against pale paint, stone and soft furnishings.

If you want a warmer tone, a few come in champagne. Some have a smoked finish, which darkens the reflection and suits a moodier room. A few are finished in gold. For a gentle hint of colour, some come in pink. Whichever you choose, think about the frame as well as the glass, since the border shapes the look as much as the reflection does.

Bevelled wall mirrors and full-length mirrors

The majority are wall mirrors, made to hang above furniture or on a bare stretch of wall. We stock bevelled full-length mirrors too, for checking an outfit from head to toe.

Before you choose a full-length mirror, check whether its listing says it hangs, leans or does both. Leaning is quicker to set up and easy to move later, but stand it on a level floor, tilt it back only a little and fix the top to the wall if children or pets are about. Hanging takes longer, and keeps a tall pane of glass out of the way in a busy hallway.

Bevelled mirrors for hallways, living rooms and bedrooms

Almost all of ours suit a hallway, where a mirror near the door bounces light along a narrow space and gives you a last look on the way out. Most suit a living room, and a mirror above the mantelpiece makes the room feel lighter. Many suit a bedroom, above a dressing table or beside the wardrobe. A few suit a bathroom. Keep a bathroom mirror clear of direct splashes and let the room air after a shower.

Almost all have a modern look that sits easily with plain walls and simple furniture, wherever you hang them. Some have a rustic feel. A few are more traditional, which suits a period home.

Hanging a bevelled mirror safely

Glass is heavy, so check the listed weight before you buy fixings, and ask us if you cannot find it. Into brick or block, use screws and wall plugs rated for that load. On plasterboard, fix into a timber stud or use cavity fixings made for the weight. Get help lifting a large mirror, and mark the fixing points with a spirit level.

Hang a wall mirror so its centre is around eye level, and above furniture leave a small gap so mirror and furniture look connected rather than floating apart. Check the listed depth too: it tells you how far the mirror will stand out from the wall, which matters in a narrow hallway where people brush past.

Cleaning a bevelled mirror

Spray glass cleaner onto a soft, lint-free cloth rather than straight onto the mirror, so liquid does not run down to the edge and seep behind the glass, where it can mark the silvering. Wipe along the bevel rather than across it, then buff with a dry cloth to lift any streaks.

On a frame of mirrored glass, clean a section at a time so cleaner does not collect where the pieces meet. Dust a wooden, MDF or resin frame with a dry or barely damp cloth instead. Avoid abrasive pads and powders, which can scratch the glass and dull a frame's finish.