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.
Check the brackets on your model
Check the mounting drawing for the model you choose: framed and LED mirrors use heavy duty brackets, while frameless mirrors use slim aluminium brackets. Choose wall fixings to suit the wall and bracket. The installation guide shows each step.
Hanging or leaning, both get secured
A hung mirror sits on its brackets. 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. Mirrors with the top bracket lean against the wall and fix to it with that bracket, using fixings suited to your wall. Sienna LED stands on its removable legs and fixes to the wall with its top bracket. Felicia LED and Allira LED have no top bracket or legs, but they're light enough to lean; we recommend a wall hook if you have children or pets. It's the same rule safety regulators apply to tall furniture.
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? Compare the Sienna 1800 x 850 arch and the Cecelia 1800 x 850 rectangle, and check availability for your finish on the product page. Browse the full range with every size in millimetres.