Have a window above your bathroom sink? Emily Henderson's simple hack will let you fit a mirror in too

Sometimes, the only place to put your bathroom sink is below a window. And while the natural lighting (and if you're lucky, picturesque view) is unbeatable, this layout doesn't leave much room for a mirror – a vital feature of any bathroom.

If you're stuck with a tricky layout and aren't sure where to fit a mirror for last-minute touch-ups, interior designer Emily Henderson has found the solution for you – and even though it's functional by nature, the final look doesn't compromise on style. This is how Emily fits a bathroom mirror into any space, and how you can do the same at home.

How Emily integrates mirrors into the trickiest of bathroom layouts

This week, Emily took to Instagram to share her guest bathroom redesign, and the results are to die for. Integrating a moody floral wallpaper from Kelly Ventura and eye-catching pink tile from Pratt + Larson, the final design is the perfect mix of dark and refreshing. 

And while the room's sleek pedestal sink ended up in just the right place, a built-in vintage window occupies the space where a mirror would usually shine: 'Putting the sink in front of the window was really the only option that made sense so we just went for it,' Emily tells H&G.

With all the rest of the design elements down pat, one question remained. How could Emily fit a mirror into this stunning space?

Emily Henderson

Emily Henderson is Emily Henderson is a stylist, interior designer, HGTV host, and founder of Emily Henderson Design which she's been running for over a decade. Emily provides us with style inspiration every day over on her Instagram, and her blog is a great source of ideas for DIYs and making the most of your space. 

To solve this design dilemma, Emily took to the local antique shops – she tells us 'there's great thrifting in Portland.' While there's an endless supply of new and functional (and often, aesthetically pleasing) extendable mirrors on the market, this guest bathroom's design called for something a bit more antique. 

A masterclass in styling antiques, the ornate oval mirror is mounted to the wall, in between the shower and window, and can be extended outward when in use. Its slightly worn appearance only adds to its appeal, fitting in beautifully with an antique gold frame hung above the toilet area just beside the sink.

Though Emily says the mirror's vintage quality doesn't necessarily make daily use easy, she says it works well for a guest bathroom. Plus, there's a second mirror hung on the opposite wall, which is larger and the perfect back-up plan.

'This particular mirror is very old so not the greatest for practical, every day use (hence why it’s in the guest bathroom and not the main), so there’s a new mirror on the opposite wall. But had we chosen a newer mirror it would work great. Think of all the natural light for putting makeup on!' says Emily.

This simple trick can truly work in any space, but Emily says some rooms are more suited than others to the extendable mirror hack. Ultimately, these small mirrors are better for quick glances, and not necessarily functional enough for an organized morning routine.

'I’ve seen it done with larger mirrors which can make it awesome for a room like a primary bathroom. But otherwise, I think it’s best for a powder room or guest bathroom that isn’t used as much or needs a lot of daily "getting ready" function,' Emily says.

When in a pinch, this clever hack makes fitting a mirror into your bathroom easier than ever. Especially fit for a powder room or guest bath, an extendable mirror makes your naturally lit bathroom so much nicer – and with a vintage touch, the design scheme only gets more classy.