Having a mirror over your bedroom dresser is both a convenience and an aesthetically-pleasing addition to a room. A quick last peek at yourself as you add the finishing touches to your outfit or makeup can make all the difference in the world.
If you’ve ever considered adding a mirror over your dresser, you may have encountered the issue of just how high it should be hung.
Hanging a mirror too high or too low over your dresser could cost you the best view of yourself, not to mention the unnecessary damage you could do to your walls if the mirror needs to be rehung.
In general, you should hang your mirror around 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) above your dresser. The highest point of the mirror should be between 65 to 75 inches (165 to 190 cm) away from the floor, depending on your height. This will save you from having to crouch to get the best view of your forehead and hair.
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What is the Ideal Height to Hang a Mirror Above a Dresser?
Having a good idea of the measurements of your furniture and intended mirror will be helpful to know, so grab a measuring tape to make sure you’re prepared.
Consider the Height of the Dresser
Most bedroom dressers are between 35 and 37 inches high. If this is the case with your dresser, it is recommended that the space between the bottom of the mirror and the top of the dresser be between 6 and 8 inches.
If your dresser is 35 inches high or shorter, a gap of between 8 and 12 inches is recommended.
For dressers that are higher than 37 inches and approaching 40 inches, you will leave a smaller gap between the bottom of the mirror and the top of the dresser – about 3 to 5 inches.
If your mirror is not intended to be utilized and is only being hung as a decorative addition to the room over a tall dresser (over 40 inches high), a good rule of thumb is to leave six inches between the top of the dresser and the bottom of the mirror.
If your dresser is very high, keep the mirror an even distance from both the top of the dresser and the ceiling.
Consider the Size of the Mirror
Depending on the size of your mirror, you may have to modify the recommended measurements above to accommodate for the height of those who will be using the mirror.
For larger mirrors, this may not be an issue and I’d suggest you stick with the previous recommendations, but for mirrors on the smaller side, you’ll have to gauge your hanging height based on eye level.
To do this, you will be measuring from the floor up, not from the top of your dresser. The top of your mirror should sit between 65 and 75 inches from the floor. Anywhere within this range that works best for your height will be ideal.
Why These Recommended Measurements?
Now that I’ve established that there are some guidelines to follow when considering how high to hang a mirror over your dresser, I’ll tell you a little about the reasoning behind those numbers.
Room for Everyone
Let’s say you have a dresser that is 36 inches high and a mirror that is 37 inches in length and you plan to leave a 7-inch gap between the bottom of the mirror and the top of the dresser.
Following the above recommendations in this scenario will place the middle of the mirror at eye level for someone standing about 5 feet tall but will leave enough room above and below the middle to accommodate anyone taller or shorter.
Avoiding Mistakes
Hanging a mirror above a dresser either too high or too low can result in an unsatisfactory outcome.
Hanging a mirror too high will have you standing on your tiptoes, trying to see your reflection and only getting a view of your forehead and eyebrows.
From a design aspect, a mirror that is hung too high above a dresser can prevent the pieces from looking tied together and may make the mirror seem like it is overpowering the dresser.
A mirror that is hung too low will force you to stoop down to see your reflection, preventing you from getting a clear view of your face and torso at the same time.
Making sure that your mirror is in the ideal position before you hang it can save you time, money, and damage to your wall.
If you realize too late that your mirror is not in a position that you are happy with, you’ll have to make new and unnecessary holes in your wall. Having a wall repair kit on hand might prove to be convenient in the event that you do have to move your mirror.
In Conclusion
Taking these points into consideration will help you to hang a mirror above your dresser at the perfect height, giving you a lovely and useful addition to your room.
So arm yourself with your measuring tape, drill, or hammer and a reliable hanging kit and you’ll be well on your way to a perfectly hung mirror.
