I don't know about this. I feel sorry for the neighbors!

The mirror in the first image looks really great! I also love that the lighting to see yourself in that mirror will be really good during the daytime.

This sounds like a really bad idea, but it looks really good. I'm not a big fan of 3, and 5 is good. 1, 2, and 4 look great.

4 looks ok, the rest are definitely not my style. I don't see what's wrong with a mirror that pulls out from the side, but thankfully I don't have this problem.

I find this sort of half works for me. I am usually reluctant to cover a window because natural light is so valuable in a space. I don't feel it works well in some of these images for that very reason, however, the shape and design created by the image #1 is sort of intriguing in terms of design. The last one I find awful.

You burst my bubble. I thought the YHL smarties were the first to come up with that. For the make-up wearing folk: how awesome would that much direct & natural lighting be?
~Tanya
dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com

Why do they have such small vanity doors in the last image if they have so much cupboard space? I love the fact that you have natural light from all angles for putting on make up etc.

#3 has a face....

Some of these look really good. If only one had windows.... >.>;;

This is good and bad. Good because it makes awkward bathroom layouts doable. Bad because it covers up natural light. Also bad because you have to stand in front of a window while you're grooming so everyone sees, but that's a non-issue if you have a private view. Regardless, if you put a mirror in front of a window, PLEASE make the back pretty. No one wants to look at that and it'll mess up the outside view of your place.

Oh I think this looks so romantic! I love seeing the bright light with the mirrors, not to mention that it will make it so much easier to pluck those little black hairs on your chin!

All these examples have something in common: tons of natural light flooding the spaces anyway, and lots of white and open space to keep things light. I have a hard time envisioning this working in a space that didn't have those elements. Numbers 4 and 5 are my favorites, probably because there is still a lot of window exposed and the views aren't blocked.

If you go to the YHL website and see their finished product, they have taken pictures from outside their home (in different lighting situations - day v. night) to show what others might see. It is a very clever idea which works for them!

There is something about blocking natural light... I think I would go with one of those mirrors mounted on the side that pull out. Definitely a vintage feel but an alternative to hanging a mirror over a window.

radioriot — why would you feel sorry for the neighbors? That they can't see into the next house anymore? Honestly, it's partially for privacy, partially for function.

i only think #1 looks good, as it looks like it was integrated with the window. the others kinda look like it was just stuck there cuz there was nowhere else to put it......

I think that this works in an area like the bathroom, where perhaps you want light but visibility from the window, but anywhere else in the house (like #2) seems like a very bad idea.

* light but not visibility

Edited b/c I can make sense sometimes.

These are the aha! design moments that keep me coming back to Apartment Therapy. This is an elegant solution to a problem. Not a current problem for me, but we are starting a house hunt next year!

Number 1 is a perfect shape and scale for the window, and it looks great. (I especially like that it is a dramatic focal point at the end of the entry hall.)

The others are mostly "meh" to me.

And I agree with comments that the mirrors block the light, which is pretty important to me.

I'm jealous of all the windows!!

in the third image from Met Home, all I can think of is "the identity of the bather has been protected", this installation is successful in blocking their identity when they stand up from the tub but it leaves all the important bits open to view! LOL don't think that example is exactly offering privacy mentioned in the post.

I hate the mirror in image 1 it is way too large and blocks out so much light. I think the key to successfully executing this idea is finding the right balance.

Wow! I love this post!

I have a window above the sink in my bathroom and will be getting a mirror for it SUBITO!

Thanks AT,

ch

I love windows and I don't like the idea of covering them with mirrors.

Unfortunately, I don't think I like this idea... It sure looks great, but it is not logic for me. I wouldn't want to obstruct the day light, so I would need to do this in a large window. But for privacy purposes, it doesn't do anything for you if you only obstruct a small area of the window... And personally, I like to watch outside when I have a window over my sink ;-)

I think it's an interesting idea. It's nice to do your makeup/hair in natural light, so that is like having built in vanity lights, only natural.

feng shui nightmare!

I agree with people above - I feel sorry for the neighbors. The back of a mirror is rarely what anyone wants to see from the outside - no matter how much paint of fabric you put on it. Plus it's just shows how bad you are at space planning.

This is a great last resort idea. Not something to do unless you have to or it greatly impedes the design of the room.

Most of the examples had abundant amounts of light streaming in from other windows.
Obviously not something you'd do over a single window; unless you're a vampire.

It's very useful to be able to open a bathroom window but, if you have lots of bathroom windows, then putting one out of action by putting a mirror over it wouldn't reduce the air circulation much. I don't think it would look good from either side, though.