How to Calculate the
Right Mirror Size for Your Wall
Mirror sizing is one of the most common specification errors in interior design, and one of the most avoidable. These are the rules and formulas that get it right the first time.
A mirror should be 50–75% of the width of the furniture below it, or, on a bare wall, no wider than two-thirds of the available wall space. When in doubt, go larger rather than smaller.
Four Steps to the Right Size
Measure the furniture it will hang above
If the mirror is going above a console table, sideboard, bed, or sofa: measure the width of that piece first. This is your primary constraint. The mirror should not be wider than the furniture below it, and ideally sits at 50–75% of that width.
Measure the wall space available
Note the full width between any architectural constraints: corners, doorframes, windows, light switches. The mirror should leave breathing room on either side. A minimum of 15–20cm clearance on each side of the mirror is the general rule for a hung piece to read comfortably rather than crowded.
Determine the hanging height
The centre of the mirror should sit at approximately eye level: 155–165cm from the floor for a standard-height room with standing viewing. Above a piece of furniture, allow 15–25cm of clearance between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the mirror frame. This gap is critical: too small and the mirror appears to be resting on the furniture; too large and the relationship is lost.
Apply the proportion check
Step back and assess: does the mirror feel proportional to the wall, the furniture, and the room? A mirror that is too small is the most common error: it floats on the wall without authority and fails to do what a mirror should do: anchor the space, extend light, and complete the composition. When the arithmetic gives you a range, choose the larger end.
Proportions at a Glance
Diagram: correct mirror proportions above a console table or sideboard
Sizes for Specific Situations
120cm console → 70–90cm mirror
A console table is typically 100–130cm wide. The mirror should be comfortably within its width: a 90cm mirror on a 120cm console is ideal. Round or arched mirrors work particularly well in this position as the curved form softens the horizontal line of the table.
180cm sideboard → 100–120cm mirror
Sideboards are typically 160–200cm wide. A single large mirror at 100–130cm wide works well, or a pair of rectangular mirrors placed symmetrically above the piece. The pair approach gives more flexibility with sizing and creates a composed, gallery-like arrangement.
King bed → 120–150cm mirror
Above a bed, the mirror can go up to the full width of the headboard. A large rectangular or arched mirror in this position anchors the bed as the room centrepiece and creates a strong visual composition. Ensure the bottom of the mirror is at least 30cm above the headboard top.
3m wall → 160–200cm mirror
On a bare wall with no furniture reference, the mirror can be considerably larger. A floor-leaning oversized mirror on a 3m wall is not too large if it fills two-thirds or less of the wall width. The effect is architectural rather than decorative: it becomes a feature of the room.
What Goes Wrong, and Why
Too small: the most common error
A mirror that is under 50% of the furniture width below it looks like an afterthought. It floats disconnected on the wall and loses the proportional relationship that makes the arrangement work. When uncertain between two sizes, choose the larger.
Hung too high
Mirrors hung significantly above eye level reflect ceiling rather than the room, which defeats their primary purpose of extending light and space. The centre of the mirror should be at approximately 155–165cm from the floor regardless of ceiling height. High ceilings do not require high mirrors.
Insufficient clearance below
A mirror hung with less than 10cm of clearance above the furniture surface appears to sit on the piece rather than hang above it. The relationship collapses into visual confusion. A minimum of 15cm and ideally 20–25cm clearance gives the mirror room to read as a distinct hanging object.
Ignoring what the mirror reflects
A mirror reflects what is directly opposite it. Before finalising position, stand where the mirror will hang and look at what will be in view: the ceiling, the opposite wall, a window, or a cluttered corner. Positioning the mirror to reflect a window or a well-considered wall maximises its spatial effect. Reflecting a blank ceiling or a doorframe wastes the opportunity.
The Paper Template Method
Before ordering or purchasing a mirror, cut out its dimensions in kraft paper or newspaper and tape it to the wall at the intended hanging position. Live with it for a day. View it from sitting height, standing height, and from the room entrance. This simple step catches sizing and positioning errors that are obvious in three dimensions but invisible on a floor plan, and it costs nothing.
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FAQ
Common questions
What size mirror should go over a console table or sideboard?
A mirror should be 50 to 75% of the width of the furniture below it, and never wider than the piece. For a 120cm console, that means a mirror about 70 to 90cm wide, with 90cm being ideal. For a 180cm sideboard, choose a 100 to 120cm mirror or a symmetrical pair of smaller ones. If you are unsure between two sizes, go larger: a mirror that is too small is the most common mistake.
How high should you hang a mirror?
Hang the mirror so its center sits at roughly eye level, about 155 to 165cm from the floor in rooms where people stand, or 120 to 130cm in seated rooms. Above furniture, leave 15 to 25cm between the top of the piece and the bottom of the frame. With less than 10cm, the mirror looks like it is resting on the furniture. High ceilings do not call for a higher mirror.
How big should a mirror be on a bare wall?
On a wall with no furniture below, a mirror can be up to two-thirds of the wall width. Leave at least 15 to 20cm of clear space on each side, so the maximum width is roughly the wall width minus 30 to 40cm. On a 3m wall, a mirror of 160 to 200cm works, and an oversized floor-leaning mirror is fine as long as it stays within that two-thirds limit.
What size mirror goes above a king bed?
Above a king bed, a mirror about 120 to 150cm wide works well, and it can go up to the full width of the headboard. A large rectangular or arched mirror anchors the bed as the centerpiece of the room. Make sure the bottom of the mirror sits at least 30cm above the top of the headboard. Before ordering, tape a paper template of the size to the wall and check it from several viewpoints.
Made to order
Console tables to hang a mirror over
Size the console first, then the mirror. Each console is made to order in the length you need.
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