Updating Our Upstairs Hall Bathroom Mirrors: A Simple, Stylish Swap
The upstairs hall bathroom had been largely ignored since we moved in—aside from hanging a shower curtain and the occasional toilet cleaning. The builder-basic mirrors, though, were on our to-do list from the start. We finally tackled them and gave the room a quick, high-impact refresh by swapping in matching thrifted mirrors with a warm gold finish.
Last time we renovated a hall bathroom we took the long route and framed the mirror, which took nearly two years to happen. This time we wanted a faster solution and chose to look for pre-made mirrors instead. We checked thrift stores and shops like HomeGoods and Ikea whenever we were out and about, and eventually found a pair that matched and fit the space perfectly.
Sherry had been hoping for something with an interesting shape—round, quatrefoil, even something whimsical—so framing the existing rectangular mirrors wasn’t our plan this time. We ended up finding two gold-toned mirrors at HomeGoods (they were $69 each) that Clara loved. She declared, “I like it because it’s like a shiny necklace!” and immediately began inspecting her reflection.
Removing the old mirror was straightforward. I unscrewed the top mirror clips and carefully slid the mirror out. The new mirrors had two D-hooks on the back, so hanging them required a bit of measuring and marking to make sure they sat perfectly centered and level above the vanity.
To hang the mirrors I followed a simple three-step approach:
- I temporarily marked the mirror’s side with tape to show where the screw would sit on the back.
- I measured the distance from the mirror’s edge to each D-hook so I could transfer those locations to the wall.
- I measured the distance between the two D-hooks to ensure the screws on the wall would match the spacing exactly.
With one person holding the mirror in place and the other calling out adjustments, we positioned the mirror so it was centered and at the right height. I marked the wall where the tape indicated the screw should go and then adjusted the mark inward by the measured inset so the D-hook would catch.
I used a yardstick combined with a level to transfer and align the second screw mark so both anchor points were perfectly level. Once the locations were set, I installed a wall anchor and a screw in each spot and then hung the mirror by slipping the D-hooks over the screws.
Repeating the same process for the second mirror ensured they matched in height and spacing above the countertop. One pleasant surprise: despite their substantial, metallic appearance, the mirrors are relatively lightweight. The finish makes them look like metal, but the frames are actually much lighter—probably plaster or wood under the paint—so standard anchors and screws were more than sufficient.
Once the D-hooks were seated on the screws, the installation was complete. Clara immediately treated the update as her own, playing at the sink and admiring the new shiny frames. It’s a small change, but it makes the space feel more finished and cheerful.
There are still bigger improvements we want to make in this room down the line—new lighting, updated faucets, replacing the shell-shaped sinks, and eventually a tile refresh or even a fully tiled accent wall behind the mirrors. For now, swapping in two matching mirrors was an affordable, quick win that lifts the whole bathroom.
Clara hadn’t seemed to notice the old mirrors, but now that they’re gold and necklace-like she keeps getting distracted by her own reflection. It’s funny how a small decorative change can make a space feel brand new and grab the attention of the smallest family member.
Anyone else replacing bathroom mirrors lately? It’s an easy update that can make a big difference—especially in a kids’ bathroom where a playful, shiny mirror can turn hand-washing into a mini celebration. And if you look back at the earlier photos, the mirror-and-light arrangement even reads a bit like a friendly, cartoony face—appropriate for a space used by children, though we’ll likely update the lights someday too.