Category Archives: Bathroom design

What is an IP44-rated illuminated bathroom mirror, and why does it matter?

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Hopefully, you won’t need our team at Illuminated Mirrors to tell you that the use of electrical equipment in a wet space, such as a bathroom, could bring certain perils in the absence of suitable protection – not least a higher risk of electric shock.

It is also true, of course, that many electrical items exist that are designed to be used in a bathroom and similar wet environments. Examples of these include ceiling and wall lighting and extractor fans.

Naturally, these bathroom products incorporate various safety measures. This ensures the items do not pose a risk to someone who uses them in the ways they are meant to be used.

It’s much the same situation when you are on the lookout for an illuminated bathroom mirror for your home, or if you wish to have one crafted to a particular specification.

So, what does it mean when a bathroom mirror is IP44 rated?

To answer this question directly: IP stands for “Ingress Protection”, and an IP rating of 44 means the given item is:

  • Protected against solid objects over 1mm (such as wires), and
  • Protected from water sprays at any angle (such as splashes of water).

Here at Illuminated Mirrors, we are pleased to make available light-up bathroom mirrors that carry an IP44 rating, for the user’s safety and peace of mind.

But what else should potential purchasers of an illuminated bathroom mirror know about IP ratings, and what implications may the rating have for their buying choice? Below, we explain all.

An introduction to the IP rating system

IP, or “Ingress Protection”, ratings are an industry-recognised system. They determine the different degrees of protection of the enclosures of electronic and electrical items against external elements.

The IP ratings system was created by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The ratings are defined by the international standard EN 60529 (British Standard BS EN 60529:1992).

You might have noticed from the example given above, that there are typically two digits in an IP rating:

  • The first digit refers to solids – specifically, the level of protection the enclosure provides against the ingress of solid foreign objects
  • The second digit refers to liquids – specifically, the protection of the equipment inside the enclosure from moisture, which may take such forms as submersion, sprays, or drips

IP ratings range from around the mid-20s all the way up to the 60s. The higher a given digit, the higher the level of protection you can depend on the item providing.

If you see a particular IP rating showing an X rather than a digit, this indicates the product hasn’t been tested against dust and solid objects (the first digit) or water (the second digit).

So, where can you place an IP44-rated illuminated bathroom mirror?

To answer this question fully, we need to introduce the concept of bathroom “zones”, as set out in the Wiring Regulations of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

Each “zone” in a bathroom will require items that have a certain minimum IP rating:

  • Any area of your bathroom that can hold water – such as the inside of the bath, shower, or sink – can be considered zone 0. A minimum IP67 rating will be needed in such parts.
  • Zone 1 is the area above the bath, shower, and sink up to 2250mm from the floor, and is within 600mm from the water source. A rating of at least IP44 is needed here.
  • Zone 2 is usually either side of zone 1; it is 600mm outside the edge of the bath or shower enclosure, to three metres from the floor. Again, an IP44 rating is the minimum requirement here.

To discuss any of the features and specifications of your next illuminated bathroom mirror, including its standard of ingress protection, please don’t hesitate to contact our team at Illuminated Mirrors today. We can work with you to design and craft the bathroom mirror that you have always aspired to have in your home.

Make sure your next bathroom mirror comes with a built-in shaver socket!

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The mirror that you use in your bathroom is one of those fundamental items that you might take for granted, until the time comes to upgrade or replace it – or for that matter, to invest in a new mirror for a whole new bathroom. 

In such circumstances, you might not be thinking solely about the dimensions of your next bathroom mirror, or even its all-round aesthetics in the context of your bathroom’s wider décor scheme.

We’re referring, of course, to all those fine details and features that could greatly affect how convenient your mirror is to use on a day-to-day basis, such as… whether it incorporates a built-in shaver socket.

Whereas a bathroom mirror with a shaver socket might have once been regarded as a luxury or a mere “nice to have”, many people up and down the UK are coming to see it as a standard.

Here are a few reasons why you might ask for your next bathroom mirror to incorporate a shaver socket:

  • It boosts day-to-day convenience in the bathroom

Shaving is typically a task that many of us need to do quickly before we get on with our day; it isn’t a process that we tend to linger on.

Your next bathroom mirror with a shaver socket will therefore help you accomplish this. A shaver socket being built into the mirror means you will be able to charge your shaver without the need for a separate outlet, and nor will you have to deal with tangled cords.

  • It is a space-efficient solution

Great numbers of UK householders today face the problem of trying to incorporate everything they require into a small bathroom.

By investing in a bathroom mirror with a shaver socket, such Britons won’t need to worry about having their bathroom mirror placed next to a separate electrical outlet. Instead, this basic personal care need can be catered for by their bathroom mirror itself.

  • It provides a more streamlined aesthetic

Your bathroom can look more visually elegant, organised, and streamlined when you opt for a bathroom mirror with a shaver socket. This will contribute to a more visually pleasing all-round bathroom interior scheme.

There is a good reason why many UK residents have moved away from more traditional setups in the bathroom; all those separate electrical outlets, cords, and adapters can add to the general visual “clutter”.

Having the shaver socket consolidated into a single, sleek bathroom mirror unit can contribute to a cleaner and more serene look in this space that should feel like a refuge from the rest of the home (and the world).

  • It is likely to incorporate other sophisticated touches

While the built-in shaver socket in your next bathroom mirror will certainly help make your day-by-day shaving experience quicker, less stressful, and more convenient, such a mirror is also likely to boast certain other very useful features.

The name of our company provides a clue about one of those features; a bathroom mirror with a shaver socket from Illuminated Mirrors will incorporate lighting to provide a clear view for shaving.

The infrared sensor and magnification – the former enabling you to turn your mirror lights on and off with a simple wave of your hand – will further help make your bathroom mirror from us a pleasure to use, not merely stunning to look at.

To begin a conversation with our team at Illuminated Mirrors about what your next light-up bathroom mirror could look like and what features you wish it to incorporate, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.

5 Excellent Reasons To Choose a Backlit Mirror For Your Bathroom

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A backlit mirror is very much what the term sounds like: a mirror with lights mounted on the back, and which illuminate the mirror’s surface, while providing a soft surrounding glow.

These mirrors have gained in popularity lately as options for bathrooms, but they are far from a “here today, gone tomorrow” trend. Quite the opposite – they exude a timeless sophistication, while also offering many potential practical benefits.

Below, then, we have set out just some of the possible advantages of having a backlit mirror installed in your bathroom.

It provides a soft, even glow

We referenced it above, and it is certainly one of the great benefits of a bathroom backlit mirror; a wonderful diffuse glow can be provided from where the lights are fitted. In the case of our backlit mirrors at Illuminated Mirrors, dual-white (CCT) LED lights are incorporated on the reverse of the mirror’s edges.

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The glow helps provide a refined and relaxing atmosphere in the bathroom, which is – after all – a space within your home where you will wish to feel especially contented.

You can choose from a variety of styles for your backlit mirror

Many people particularly associate backlit mirrors with a more “contemporary” look, and it is true that they tend to be sleek and modern in their aesthetic.

However, it is possible to specify a backlit mirror in any of a broad range of styles and sizes – including both framed and frameless options – to cater to whatever “vibe” is desired.

LED lighting in backlit mirrors can deliver energy savings

Choosing a backlit mirror that uses LED lighting will enable you to benefit from greater energy efficiency compared to traditional light bulbs. As a consequence of this, you can also count on the mirror illumination lasting for a while.

And of course, it’s all good for reducing your home’s carbon footprint and better protecting the only planet Earth we have. 

A backlit mirror can even have a shaver socket incorporated into it

Yes, that’s right: on the bottom-right edge of our own backlit mirrors’ frames here at Illuminated Mirrors, near the infrared sensor, a shaver socket is built in. This feature can be used to charge an electric shaver or toothbrush, delivering even greater day-to-day convenience.

The potential option to switch between warm and cold lighting

Dual White Lighting is incorporated as standard in our backlit mirror options at Illuminated Mirrors. This enables the user to easily alternate between warm and cold lighting.

The warmer 3,000K light is the more flattering of the two, which makes it perfect for selfies. If, on the other hand, you need a more practical light giving truer colour in the reflection, you can activate the colder 5,000K option with the press of a button. This can be an excellent light setting for applying makeup, as what you see in your reflection will be what others see when you are out in public.

Please note that not all backlit mirror options on the market will offer this feature, which could be one more reason to source your next bathroom mirror from Illuminated Mirrors.

Would you like to learn more about what that backlit mirror could look like, and the other options we can present as part of our bespoke service? If so, please don’t hesitate to contact our experts today.

Could An Ultra Slimline Mirror Be The Right Choice For Your Bathroom?

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We are great believers here at Illuminated Mirrors in the notion that a bathroom mirror is never “just” a bathroom mirror. After all, even some of the smallest and easiest-to-miss details and features of a light mirror for the bathroom can make a significant difference to how the given mirror looks in the space, and the support it provides to the user’s lifestyle.

You may be reading this because you are in the market for a new bathroom mirror as a resident, or perhaps an interior designer attempting to realise someone else’s dream bathroom space. Regardless, you might have given a lot of thought to the all-round aesthetic of whatever mirror you specify, as well as its dimensions, and whether to opt for landscape or portrait orientation.

But why might you prioritise ordering an ultra slim light mirror for a bathroom? Below, we have set out some of the potential reasons:

  • A slim bathroom mirror can be great for saving space. In bathrooms that are particularly small and narrow, a mirror in “standard” thickness may easily overwhelm the rest of the room. You might be eager to introduce a sense of light and depth to the bathroom with your chosen mirror, but you may not want it to look bulky or inelegant.
  • A slimline bathroom mirror often looks great. In an age in which our smartphones and tablet computers seem to be constantly shedding the pounds while piling on ever-increasing slickness and sophistication, today’s super-slimline bathroom mirrors also get in on this spirit. If you desire a sleek, contemporary look for your bathroom, you might be convinced that an ultra-slim mirror would be the ultimate choice.
  • A slim bathroom mirror can pack in considerable functionality. We’ve come a long way from the days when a slim bathroom mirror was automatically a basic mirror as far as its features were concerned. Our own ultra slim bar LED mirrors at Illuminated Mirrors can incorporate elements like built-in demister pads, sensor switches, and up-to-the-minute lighting technology, to help provide the most convenient experiences.
  • A slimline bathroom mirror can be expertly engineered for the utmost durability. Not so long ago, an obvious argument against investing in an ultra-slim bathroom mirror might have been its susceptibility to breakage. Today’s leading ultra-slim bathroom mirrors, however – made from robust materials such as aluminium, and engineered to the most exacting standards – can be just as tough as the thicker models on the market.

What are the possibilities when you turn to us for a slim bathroom mirror?

Whether you are seeking to specify a mirror for your own bathroom or someone else’s – the latter as an interior designer or contractor – you can expect all the options from our team at Illuminated Mirrors.

That might mean ordering an ultra-slim backlit mirror boasting such features as touch sensor on/off operation and LED temperature control. Or perhaps you are most drawn to our ultra slim dot mirrors with their classic point lights in various styles, or 360° edge-lit mirrors, which incorporate lights carefully positioned around the mirror’s edge to create a clean, even light?

Even super-slim non-illuminated mirrors can be ordered from our team, their overall depth of just 18mm belying their sheer refinement. So, even if you aren’t specifically in the market for a light mirror for your bathroom, we can present exciting options.

Our commitment to an all-round bespoke design service means you can have the very greatest confidence in our team realising the ultimate bathroom mirror for your needs. So, please don’t wait to reach out to us to discuss in greater detail how we could serve your highest expectations when it comes to this imperative element of your bathroom.

Have You Considered What Shape Your Next Bathroom Mirror Should Be?

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If you are among the many people contemplating the merits of illuminated mirrors for their homes right now, you might imagine that the shape you choose for your mirror can’t possibly be that important.

After all, a stunning-looking reflective centrepiece of your room is a stunning-looking reflective centrepiece of your room, whatever its shape… right?

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Asymmetrical mirrors are a growing trend in interior design

As specialists in beautifully handcrafted bathroom mirrors here at Illuminated Mirrors, we beg to differ! Just like such aspects as the dimensions of your mirror, its frame, and whether it is portrait or landscape orientation, the shape of your mirror will impact profoundly on how it fits in with the broader visual scheme of your bathroom, and even how it is used.

Is it essentially just a case of choosing between a square or round mirror?

As you will see when you browse our comprehensive bespoke gallery, illuminated mirrors for the bathroom can come in nearly any shape imaginable, embracing all manner of interesting detailing.

From large rectangular landscape-orientation mirrors and rounded edge-lit mirrors, right through to oval, trapezium-shaped, and even pill-shaped units, the possibilities are practically endless. So, it isn’t only the most obvious square or round shapes that you can choose from for your next bathroom mirror.

Furthermore, it isn’t necessarily the case that a straight-edged, rectangular space can “only” ever have a straight-edged, rectangular mirror. Indeed, the look of a space that already has a lot of hard angles might be nicely softened and balanced out by a rounded mirror.

But on the other hand, a rectangular or square mirror can make a strong statement of its own – something that you might desire, given the tendency for a mirror to be the aesthetic focal point of the room in which it is hung.

So, in what bathroom settings might certain mirror shapes make sense?

Below are just some of the especially popular shapes for illuminated mirrors that you might consider for your bathroom:

  • Square mirrors

The sleek, symmetrical, and angular nature of square mirrors might make them a likely choice for those who wish to achieve a modern, contemporary aesthetic in their bathroom. However, mirrors in this shape also have a certain understated, timeless appeal.

  • Round mirrors

There is a certain simplicity to a rounded mirror that can make it a head-turning and striking choice of mirror for a broad range of interior spaces. Given the tendency for round mirrors to draw the eye, you might be especially likely to have yours placed above a table or countertop to help make it an even more powerful focal point.

  • Geometric mirrors

Mirrors in geometric shapes – such as hexagonal, octagonal, or pentagonal shapes – aren’t as commonly sighted as the aforementioned types. However, they can certainly enhance a bathroom’s appeal as a modern and contemporary space. They tend to work best in especially “busy” and high-profile spots, such as immediately above a bathroom sink.

Talk to us about what you need from a bathroom mirror

Whatever shape you might have in mind for your next bathroom mirror, or even if you’re still attempting to decide, we would be delighted to discuss your expectations and requirements from your next mirror, and how our skilled team can help fulfil them.

Please feel free to reach out to Illuminated Mirrors’ experts, as a first step on the way to making your dream bathroom mirror a reality.