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When I moved into my own house last year, I was excited that I would be making a lot of purchases. A TV over 32 inches, new plants that grow in sunlight, and a full-length mirror were at the top of my list. My old bedroom was too small for last-minute items, so I dreamed of being able to see myself from head to toe before leaving the house (maybe even take a selfie, (You can also take two pictures).
During a trip to HomeGoods in New Jersey, I found a seemingly perfect full-length mirror. It was just the right height and ideal width. The slim black frame was delicate and stylish, and most importantly, it cost less than $100. I had it mounted on the wall within a few days. I liked the way it looked, but I didn't like how it actually looked. I thought it was just me. Headlines about weight gain during quarantine are inevitable. Perhaps that is the reason for the change in my appearance?
But then, as restrictions were lifted and I started inviting friends over, others were similarly horrified by their own remorse. That's when I realized it wasn't me, but a mirror. For clarification and guidance on how to find mirrors with more reliable reflections, I reached out to two mirror manufacturers and an interior designer to share their tips of the trade and what consumers should know before they buy. I learned what I should do. Now, how to find a truly honest mirror.
Everyone I talked to said mirror thickness is the most important factor in finding a good mirror. As Sergio Mannino, principal designer and founder of Sergio Mannino Studio, explains, “A mirror is just a layer of silver pasted on the back of glass,” which is why the thickness of the glass is so high. Quality mirror is an important part. “We want everything to be cheap, but cheap means they're making products thinner and thinner and thinner and thinner. And the thinner the glass, the more it warps.” he says. If the glass isn't perfectly flat, you'll get a fun home mirror effect. Mannino says at least he recommends looking for a mirror with 3/8-inch thick glass. Cailee Rae, the artist behind Fuugly and its curved-framed mirrors, agrees that thickness is very important. She makes the glass using glass that is a quarter of an inch thick. “I wanted to make sure that the mirror didn't look distorted or crooked from any angle, which is often the case with very inexpensive mirrors,” she says. Ray says you can spot the problem by simply turning your mirror to the side. If you can see the back side of the glass when you flip it over, that's a good indicator that you might see distorted. High quality mirrors are usually mounted on wood or plywood. This brings me to my next tip.
In addition to the thickness of the mirror, what is attached to it is also important. The frame and backing must be strong enough to support it. “If the mirror is thin, the reflection will be distorted because most mirrors will bend under their own weight over time,” explains Paul Giada, co-founder of West Mirrors. He says some of his brand's mirrors have a wooden lining, which “significantly increases the rigidity of the mirror” and prevents it from bending over time. added. This may be where I went wrong. My mirror is lined with brown paper and when I look into it, there is nothing between the mirror and the glass. According to our experts, this problem is less of a problem for smaller mirrors, but larger floor mirrors require stronger frames, thicker glass, and more rigid linings.
The mirror should not only be thick and solid, but also straight. If you shop in person (or once the mirror arrives), you can do a ruler test to find out. “Simply place a long metal ruler perpendicular to the mirror to check if the wood panel is straight,” says Mannino. If you don't have a ruler, he says, do a little research on reflections. “Say you're in the middle of a store and the door behind you is reflected in a mirror. Does the frame look straight or is it slightly distorted? It might be difficult for the untrained eye to spot it. But there are some things you can figure out right away.”
Ray does what he calls a 360-degree check. You can usually tell if the image is slightly off,” she says. “Cheap mirrors are great from the front, but it's usually from the side that things look weird.”
Unfortunately, a mirror that checks all of these boxes probably isn't the cheapest. Our experts say if you're looking for a full-length mirror, you should consider it an investment. “Obviously it's glass, so it's not necessarily the cheapest thing to buy. But it's worth it for a really nice mirror,” says Ray. Giarda adds, “Choosing a mirror based on price can be a bad decision in the long run. Mirrors are likely to warp and warp over time, giving your home a cheap look.” Because it means giving,” he adds. If it's not in your budget, you can introduce some tricks to improve cheap mirrors. Mannino says if you're installing it, you need to make sure the surface you're installing it on is straight. He also notes that lighting is important. “Suppose you have mirrors in your house and a light mounted on the ceiling. If the light is directly above your head, it will cast a shadow on your face. The best way is to always look straight ahead, not from the ceiling. “When you go to a fitting room at a high-end store, there are often lights on the left and right sides of the mirror, but that's because the light is directed towards you, creating no shadows.'' do. ” If you want natural light, place a mirror near a large window.
With all these tips in mind, here are some honest mirrors worth trying out.
Photo: Provided by vendor
Mannino loves this mirror from Bi-Rite Studio. He appreciates cool colors and trusts brands. Here, an 18-inch-thick mirror is mounted in a wood and laminate frame.
This mirror from Jarda's West Mirrors line has a strong backing, with glowing endorsements from reviewers confirming its authenticity. “As is often the case with low-quality mirrors, we were worried that the reflection would be off,” they write. “But this mirror reflects accurately, so I'm very happy with my purchase.”
Photo: Provided by vendor
This floor-length version of the arched mirror is more expensive, but it is lined with engineered hardwood, which is promising.
This similar style costs about $200 less and comes with a faux wood lining and a stainless steel frame.
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