Illuminated mirror: the pros and cons

Illuminated mirror - a popular piece of furniture, which is often installed in the bathroom and in other areas where additional spot lighting is needed. It helps to see all the details of your reflection.

It is important to know how to choose the most safe and functional mirror with illumination. But first you need to explore all its main advantages and disadvantages.

The mirror is a convenient and functional element which is in each house. It performs several basic functions. The first one is decorative. A beautiful and luxurious mirror will decorate any interior and make it more interesting, fill it with space.

In addition, these mirrors play an important role for women, because in front of him you can make high-quality makeup.Illumination will help to consider all the nuances, so that you can make a perfect make-up. Illuminated mirrors provide good visibility of the reflection in a person's mirror, which will reduce eye strain.

The backlight is not intended to sharpen the image, but in order to transfer it to high quality and eliminate blurring. Such mirrors are usually hanged in the bathroom, hallway, dressing room and even in the bedroom. There will be no condensation on the surface of the illuminated mirror in the bathroom, because with even a small heating of the lamps, it will disappear.

A special feature is also the design of the mirror with light. So, the lighting can be of any shape and in any form, the light bulbs can be located as you like. And the backlight may have a different colorand not only natural, thus the mirrors will also perform a decorative function.

Special features have special models with heated, which are useful for the bathroom. They prevent condensation, which sometimes interferes with makeup, as well as other cosmetic procedures.

Beautiful illuminated mirrors are made only from durable and resistant materials. These are products from wood, steel and even refined ivory models.Mirrors can also be distinguished by a particular shape, both correct and bizarre wrong.

Models of an arch form, square, rectangular, and also products in the form of a rhombus are popular.

A feature of the illuminated mirror is that almost every model has a certain configuration. It can be a backlight in the form of incandescent bulbs or LEDs, a power adapter mechanism, a battery, if it is a portable illuminated mirror, a bracket, if it is desktop and wall models, and covers that allow you to carry or clean the mirror when it is not needed and save him so that it doesn't get damaged.

Almost all wall models have additional hinges. Some of them are removable.

The most popular models that have lighting on all sides. They provide better lighting, and therefore they are more functional. The average power that is able to provide good and high-quality lighting is about 350 lux.

So, if you properly install such a mirror and pick up a bright high-quality backlight, you can organize the lighting of a small room.

In addition, such products will fit in large spacious rooms. There they are installed in order to provide zoning. This is usually the case for rooms with a combined bathroom and toilet.

The brightest light sources on the mirror are used above the sink, and in the area of ​​the shower and other rooms more subdued light mirrors are used.

The big advantage of illuminated mirrors is the ability to use them at any time. For example, when women get up early in the morning to do makeup and turn on the lights, it can wake up people who sleep in the same room. And turning on the mirror with lights, you can not worry about the fact that the light will prevent other residents.

Highlighting facilitates the process of applying makeup, as well as shaving and other procedures. With it, you can make out even the smallest details on the face and create an impeccable image. In addition, you can direct the lighting in the right direction, if the functionality of the mirror it provides.

Another advantage of this mirror is the creation of additional lighting in the room. It can always be kept on to create a light corridor. Hanging a few of these mirrors in the room, you can make an interesting tunnel.

Telescopic mirrors with an optical effect have a number of advantages. Another big plus is the decorative function. Illuminated mirrors look great in almost any interior.

The big advantage is also the possibility of choosing the size of the mirror, as well as its device. After all manufacturers present battery-powered, battery-powered, and powered models.

Such mirrors have very few flaws. So, some of them due to poor-quality coating of lamps may be rust from high humidity. You can avoid these disadvantages by purchasing a high-quality mirror with a good protective coating.

Now you can find several types of mirrors that differ in their purpose.

These are models of mirrors that are also suitable so that they can be hung on the wall and put on the table. As a rule, these are models with backlight, which have small dimensions, so it is convenient to transport and take them with you on trips.

On the wall, such models can be fixed with a magnetic clip. As a rule, they are hung in the hallway. If necessary, they can be transferred and put on the dressing table dressing room or bedroom.

Models of such mirrors with illumination can have two types of spraying. The first is a layer of titanium or silver. It allows you to place the fixture in the bathroom, because it will not be afraid of moisture. You can not worry about their safety.

The second option - cheap models, which are covered with paint or aluminum coating. They are not resistant to moisture, so they can only be placed in dry rooms.

This is a standard illuminated mirror that is placed on the wall. On the surface of the wall it is fixed for a long time, but manufacturers provide for the possibility of its transfer or installation in another way.But you can only set this mirror correctly once and adjust its tilt level by adjusting a comfortable reflection, and the outgoing rays from the backlight will be directed in the right direction.

Some wall models have a mechanism in the form of an accordion, which will allow you to zoom in or out of the mirror from the wall, as well as expand it or change the angle of inclination. Such options are most often used for dressing rooms.

As a rule, such models have soft light that is perfect for applying makeup. It conveys well all the colors and gently affects the eyes., does not pressure them. Most often, this mirror works from the mains, but there are more modern models on batteries.

This is the most compact and mobile type of mirror, which can be of two types. The first option is fixed to the table and fixed motionless, so that you do not accidentally touch it and you do not have to regulate it again. The second option has a folding stand, thanks to which you can remove it every time and re-install it when you need it.

In addition, these desktop models have a more interesting design. it double-sided mirrors with lights on both sides. And the first side is a classic mirror, and the second has a magnifying lens, with which you can consider even small details.

Separately, it should be noted comfortable models are heated. They are designed for the soul and allow you to fight moisture.

You do not have to constantly wipe the surface of the mirror. The heating element, located in the back in the form of a thin infrared layer, will protect the mirror and the space around it from condensation.

Usually mirrors do not last very long in wet rooms, but the heated option is an exception. A film with a heating element forms the basis of the construction of this mirror.

Such a system is somewhat similar to the construction of a heated floor. Infrared heater operates at a very low voltage of 12 V. Thus, this mirror will allow you to create a comfortable microclimate in the bathroom and other wet areas and make the reflection clearer and clearer.

From the light bulbs and the type of illumination depends on the life, as well as the functionality and brightness of the mirror. In addition, they all spend their energy differently, especially for models that operate on the network. The main options for lighting the mirror:

• Fluorescent and neon. This is a very effective and high-quality devices. LED-lamps can create natural light. In addition, they prevent flicker and provide even light.

• Halogen. A feature of this device is that inside the light bulb filled with gas. They are great for installation in a bathroom or in another damp room, such as a hallway. This is due to the fact that halogen lamps are completely immune to high humidity and even to splashing water.

• LED light. This is a popular modern version, which is the most popular. It is suitable for almost any room. Such a mirror spends the minimum amount of electricity and at the same time is durable. The backlight of the mirror turns on quickly, almost instantly. LED bulbs have one important feature: they emit a soft light that does not irritate the eyes.Models with illumination are divided into types, not only depending on what kind of light bulbs are used in their design, but also on how the light is installed. So, there are:
  • internal;
  • outdoor lamps.

Such lamps can be installed not only on the framing of mirrors, but also on the wall near it. Outdoor lighting can be a separate lighting device, which is included with the mirror. They can be made as sconces, spots or other types of lamps, but at the same time they are decorated very harmoniously, repeating the decor of the mirror itself, can have the function of heating, as well as brightness control.

Thanks to them, you can create scattered additional lighting in any room. Most often, outdoor lighting is presented in the form of small point light bulbs. Large appliances are inconvenient because they cast shadows. At the wrong moment, they can interfere.

The standard is the option of light natural lighting, which is suitable if there is not enough light in your room. But you can choose any color option.

Mirror with internal illumination will look more luxurious and elegant. Lighting devices are mounted on the back of the mirror to its frame. Moreover, the backlight is located either above or below the mirror, or on the side. Such mirrors decorate gold or silver. With the frame you can hide the cable of this system. Most often in such mirrors install LEDs. A novelty among such products is a touch-sensitive mirror.

LED backlight as a light source has semiconductors, which have low power but high performance. Their service life exceeds 10 years.. Such a mirror gives high-quality lighting and is useful not only as an accessory, but also as an additional light source.

This illumination is most often installed over the entire surface of the rear frame of the mirrors. Thus, the light is distributed evenly and does not cast a shadow on the face. The most popular among the LED models with built-in backlight are options with a neutral glow.. An interesting model with illuminated accessories are diode tape. It is placed around the perimeter of the mirror.

Models with a white luminescence are popular because they allow you to visually expand the space and fill the room with air and lightness. Diode tapes are easy to install yourself, but you need to check their tightness. A mirror with a diode backlight can be made independently, and you can buy ready-made.

Having bought a separate diode tape, it can be easily glued, since it has a self-adhesive backing element. It is reliably protected from overheating, so it is not necessary to additionally isolate it. There are also interesting diode models that have a silicone surface or a waterproofing layer, so they are great for the bathroom.

According to the types of illumination, they are divided depending on the color. All mirrors are able to reflect it differently, but it is the color of the backlight that is designed to smooth out the distortion of the image and ensure the transmission of natural shades. So, lights come in a warm and cold glow.

The first option gives a more comfortable and soft light, but not too bright.Some even say that mirrors with lamps of warm light are dim and are not able to transmit the reflection qualitatively. But cold light bulbs, on the contrary, are brighter and sharper. They maximize the detail of the image, but adversely affect the eyes.

So you can change the temperature of the light to achieve the desired result.

Mirrors also differ depending on the direction of lighting. In order to use the mirror for decorative purposes, a more suitable mirror with point lighting, which can be directed in any direction. But for daily procedures, light bulbs with central lighting are more suitable. They are more convenient and practical in everyday life.

Competent choice of the illuminated mirror is important, because it is from this will depend on the quality of lighting, reflection and health of your eyes. Do not pay attention only to the external quality. So, first of all it is necessary to pay attention to the size of the mirror.

You need to initially decide where to place and for what purposes you will use it.

Manufacturers even present floor models with dimensions of 1200x800, which are designed to reflect the figure to the knees, as well as standard models 60 or 40 cm high, in which you can see yourself on the belt or shoulders. A large model is not the most practical, since large mirrors are not always convenient. Surprisingly, the little ones will be more practical. Under them you can place a convenient shelf and arrange the necessary accessories.

The next selection criterion is the availability of additional features and accessories. A mirror can be represented not only as a single mirror canvas with illumination, but also as a whole module with additional shelves and cabinets, which also have additional illumination. They can remove all bath accessories, if you hang it in the bathroom. You do not have to install an additional cabinet.

But in a normal room to hang such a mirror is not very convenient, since it looks cumbersome. You can buy a separate simple mirror canvas and supplement it with a small shelf at the bottom.

The functionality of the mirrors is also important. The most convenient is a mirror with the ability to self-adjust and adjust the backlight, as well as the ability to change the angle of the mirror. Thus, each family member can build this device for themselves. When choosing, it is necessary to pay attention to the material from which the canvas itself is made.

More quality are models with silver or aluminum coating. Although they are more expensive, they will last much longer. In addition, they will not rust from high humidity and temperature drops. Check the strength of this product. The frame and all attachments must be reliable and of high quality, otherwise the accessory can easily break when falling. The backlit frame must be waterproof.

More practical are models with a stainless frame. The plastic version is also quite good. It covers the lamps, and the transparent elements allow the light and its color to be transmitted more accurately.

You need to check before buying all the elements for fasteners for their reliability, as well as a turning mechanism. After you have assessed the quality and functionality of this accessory, you can proceed to its choice depending on other factors. First, decide on the type of light bulbs and lights. The most practical and economical is a mirror with LED illumination.

Also note that there is a special backlight switch on the back of the mirror. You can use this function only when it is needed. Models have switches in the form of a sensor, button or remote control.

Sensory models are the most modern, but expensive. So you can turn on the backlight and adjust its brightness with one click, it also provides automatic switching.

They must respond well to your actions. In addition, they provide the ability to change the level of light and its color.

Popular mirrors from the Russian furniture brand "Aquaton". These are models designed for the bathroom. Buyers note the excellent waterproofing of their lights.

Babyliss - professional makeup mirrors, which have many functions: rotation, magnification, the ability to hang on the wall or put on the table. A great option for styling and make-up, as buyers say.

Beurer - German brand, which produces functional models with the most accurate reflection. Buyers note the durability of the lighting system of such models.

Many positive reviews also write about brands Esbano, Homeclub, Eglo.

Mirrors should be chosen for the interior of the room in which you plan to place it. An oval and round leg mirror or wall baguette is perfect for classic interiors, while square and rectangular models are a great solution for modern rooms. The shape of the frame, color, as well as the very fact of its presence also play an important role.

In modern interiors use mirrors without frames, which have a rear interior color lighting.

The interior can be beautifully zoning using lighting. So, in the bathroom in the sink zone you can hang an elegant mirror with bright lights. It is better that the backlight was on the bottom and top.

With the help of mirror lighting in the interior, you can highlight paintings, stickers, as well as some decorative elements. You can highlight the shelves under the mirror, as well as draw attention to a number of accessories located on them and nearby.

The interior looks beautiful as matte and glossy colored mirrors with light. You can even pick up a stylish accessory with tinted or combined surface. As a rule, such models have internal illumination and look spectacular.

Another interesting option is to purchase a mirror with a transparent area. It is in this area that the light source is mounted in the form of a geometric figure or a smooth line, strip, pattern. Such lighting will have an interesting shape and will undoubtedly attract attention. When the pattern is highlighted, it will have a beautiful texture and will look voluminous.

In the bathroom and set the color lights. Moreover, in such a way they single out a mirror, and even a sink, if they are located nearby. This combination looks bright and spectacular.

How to make a mirror with light with their own hands, see the next video.