How to hang a heavy mirror safely
A large mirror is one of the heaviest things you'll hang on a wall, and it's made of glass. Done properly, it stays exactly where you put it for years. Done in a hurry with the wrong fixings, it's a real hazard. The good news: hanging one safely is straightforward. Here's how we'd do it in our own homes.
Start with the wall
Weight needs something solid to hold it. On a stud wall, fix into the timber or steel studs, not the plasterboard alone, which can't carry a heavy mirror by itself. On brick or masonry, use wall plugs rated for the job. If you're not sure what's behind your plasterboard, a cheap stud finder pays for itself the first time. Keep clear of the spots where light switches and power points sit, because that's where the wiring runs.
Use the fixings that come in the box
Every mirror we sell ships with a heavy-duty bracket, wall plugs and fixings sized for its weight. The Sienna arches and the Cecelia rectangle also include a safety top bracket that holds the top of the mirror flat to the wall, so a tall piece can't lean out or lift. Use the parts supplied rather than whatever's in the drawer. They were chosen for that mirror. The installation guide shows each step.
Hanging or leaning, both get secured
A hung mirror sits on its bracket, and on the tall pieces the safety top bracket keeps it tight to the wall. A leaning mirror looks casual, but anchoring it isn't optional. A tall mirror resting against a wall can slide or tip, especially on hard floors or around kids and pets. Fix it to the wall with the supplied fixings so it can't move. It's the same rule safety regulators apply to tall furniture, and it takes about ten minutes.
Get the height right
A full-length mirror you're leaning or mounting low needs nothing measured: it starts near the floor. For a wall mirror above a console or vanity, hang it so the centre sits around eye level, roughly 1600 to 1650mm from the floor. Our sizing guide has the heights and widths in more detail.
It's a two-person job
The big pieces are heavy and awkward, and glass doesn't forgive a fumble. Have a second set of hands for lifting, levelling and the final placement: one person holds, one marks and drills. When we deliver, we bring your mirror to the door or ground floor, so plan for help getting it onto the wall from there. More on that in how we deliver.
When in doubt, ask
If your wall is unusual, or the mirror is one of the larger ones, a handyman will hang it in under an hour. And if you want to check something first, email hello@seventeenmirrors.com.au and we'll talk you through it.
Ready to choose? The Sienna 1800 x 850 arch and the Cecelia 1800 x 850 rectangle are in stock now and ship with everything you need to hang them. See what else is ready to go in In Stock Now.