Tools and Materials
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Upgrade Your Home's Mirrors
Replacing a large, generic contractor mirror with several smaller, decorative mirrors allows you to bring personality to your space. Knowing how to remove bathroom mirrors safely and carefully helps prevent damage and injury. If you're removing a large mirror, be sure you have help as it may be quite heavy and hard to handle as it releases from the wall.
Accidentally dropping or shattering a mirror while removing it from the wall can lead to severe cuts from broken glass. Always wear gloves and eye protection and work with at least one helper when prying a mirror loose and carrying it to a safe location outside the bathroom.
A hair dryer or heat gun can be helpful in removing glued-on mirrors. Once the mirror starts coming away from the wall, a handheld steamer can help melt the glue further and allow the mirror to come off the wall more easily.
How Do You Remove a Contractor Mirror?
Contractor mirrors, also called builder mirrors, tend to be large, heavy and ordinary. Usually, they have no frame, are rectangular and are held to the wall with clips and glue. If you're removing one from your wall, you'll need to unscrew and remove the clips before you can begin prying the mirror from the wall. Depending on how large the mirror is, and how much glue is used, a heat gun may be helpful in loosening the glue. You may need to use picture wire to slide behind the mirror, with a helper, to sort of saw the mirror off the wall.
How Do You Remove a Bathroom Mirror That Is Glued to Tile?
To remove a mirror that's glued to tile, you'll want to begin by taping the mirror well as described below. Then, try heating the mirror adhesive to loosen it while gently prying. If this doesn't work, you may need to score the mirror and chisel it off the wall. Be sure to protect your space with a drop cloth and keep yourself safe with gloves and eye protection. Then, you can heat and scrape the remaining adhesive off the tile with a putty knife.
How to Remove a Glued Mirror From a Wall
To remove a bathroom mirror without damaging drywall, work very slowly and use heat to soften adhesive to minimize any damage.
How to Remove a Mirror From the Wall
Follow these steps to pry off an old mirror.
How to Repair the Drywall After Removing a Mirror
Before hanging your new mirror, you’ll need to do some wall repair. Mirrors should be installed on a smooth wall, sitting flush, so make sure the surface where the old mirror used to hang is ready for your new one.
Replace the Mirror
Changing mirrors can instantly brighten up your space. Lighted mirrors help illuminate your sink vanity. Or, you can pair wall lights with a framed mirror for a modern look. Several smaller, decorative mirrors provide tons of personality and style to your bathroom. A bathroom mirror with storage keeps personal care items and medications tucked away. For some rustic charm, choose a farmhouse bathroom mirror or a mirror with an ornate frame. For help choosing, see our Mirror Buying Guide.
If you've chosen a heavy mirror, be sure you hang it securely with tips from our guide — How to Hang Heavy Mirrors.