Size – the first point to consider is the size of the mirror itself and the size of the whole product.  Both must be suitable for the room it is to be placed in and the needs of the person who will be using it.  For example, whilst a 12 inch mirror may be cheaper (for example, if it were in a sale), the full size of the product, including the base and frame, may exceed 15 inches.  This would be unsuitable for a room where a mirror of only 6 inches is required, as not only will it take up too much space, but the extra inches will be unwanted and therefore wasted.

Design – the actual aesthetics of a vanity mirror play a large part in the purchasing process for many.  Especially in terms of use in a bedroom, the mirror should look part of the room and be as fitting as possible to where it is to be situated.  A prime example would be for use on a dressing table.  It would be inappropriate, aesthetically, to purchase a gold framed and based mirror if the majority of the dressing table was based around silver.

Base or fixings – one of the main points to consider that is often overlooked are the fixings or base that comes with the mirror.  Depending on the type of mirror required and where it is to be placed depends on the type of fixings or base that is required.  A mirror that is for the bathroom wall, for example, requires the correct fixings for it to be attached securely to a tiled wall.  However, a mirror for a bedroom dressing table will often only require a sturdy base to ensure that it is not easily knocked over.

Rotating mirror – useful for all uses of vanity mirrors, a rotating mirror allows the person using it to get the best reflection possible.  Depending on the light that is being used in the room, the reflection on the mirror can be terrible and can make the mirror impossible to use.  Therefore if the mirror is moveable, it can be adjusted to ensure it is in the best possible position for when it is being used.  Furthermore, many moveable mirrors have a second mirror on the back that often provides a larger reflection – perfect for more close up work, such as precision shaving.

One of the major points to consider when purchasing a vanity mirror for the bathroom is the size.  Although large sizes are available, the smaller sizes are regularly considered to be the best.  Between 6 and 8 inches wide, these mirrors allow for the utmost flexibility when carrying out all tasks and make maneuverability extremely easy.

Further to the size, the fixings that are supplied are one of the most valuable points to note.  As a large amount of bathrooms have tiled walls, the mirror should be able to be easily fixed to them and all of the necessary parts should be supplied.  Furthermore, the weight of the mirror should be considered as mirrors that are too large or heavy may cause problems with the fixings or – although it is rare – the wall itself.

Many modern day mirrors are being manufactured and sold as steam proof.  This is a fantastic quality for any bathroom mirror and as it is growing in popularity, the price is falling considerably.  The idea behind a steam proof mirror is that it can be used immediately after a shower or bath, unlike a large amount of bathroom mirrors that have to wait until the bathroom has cleared of any steam to be used effectively.

The maneuverability of the mirror can often be a selling point for many.  Available on many vanity mirrors, a rotating mirror for a bathroom is a fantastic asset as it allows the mirror to be moved to the most suitable position when being used.  This is extremely useful when shaving, as the mirror can be maneuvered so the full face can be viewed easily, as well as being able to me moved out of the reflection of any light which can often obscure the view in the mirror.  Furthermore, most rotating mirrors actually have two mirrors – a standard mirror on one side and a larger reflection mirror on the reverse.  Although not used on a daily basis, the larger reflection mirror allows for the user of the mirror to carry out close up tasks, such as eyelash curling or specific shaving, much easier, as they can see more of the area that is being used.

Above all reasons, many people purchase these mirrors online for the extensive variety that is available.  In many offline stores related to mirrors, or that have a department that sells mirrors, the range of vanity mirrors available can often be, at best, limited.  However, when looking online, with the sheer amount of websites that are available, the range of mirrors can seem exhaustive.  From specialist websites to general home wares websites, mirrors are available in every size, shape and style imaginable.

One of the more popular websites to purchase these specific mirrors from is eBay.  With the recession hitting everyone, more people are looking to second hand goods as a way to reduce their monthly spending budget.  eBay provides a marketplace where people can both sell and buy their goods online and mirrors are amongst some of the most popular items in the home departments.  Available in all shapes and sizes, as they are considered ‘used’, the prices can be much less than what they would be if purchased brand new.  However, many often appear new due to the care they have received from their previous owner.

Price can be a major factor when deciding on whether to buy online or offline.  Mirrors online can often be purchased at a cheaper price than offline as there are a lot less overheads to take into consideration.  For example, where bricks and mortar stores have to pay for rent and staff – to name just two factors – online stores often have nothing greater than some storage space.  Due to this reason, they can pass their savings onto their customers and it also allows them to focus on inventory. Many online stores that sell vanity mirrors may also carry other relevant products for the kitchen and bathroom, such as counter tops, butcher blocks, kitchen backsplash tiles, oven and matching kitchen exhaust fan, small appliances,and more.  However, offline stores should never be completely ruled out when deciding where to purchase the mirror as many have some fantastic sales that can regularly be of a better price than on a website.

Although purchasing vanity mirrors online can have some fantastic benefits, there are also unfortunately some negative points.  The most primary downfall of purchasing online is the fact the item cannot be seen and therefore a good image has to be relied upon.  Furthermore, if the mirror is faulty or not suitable, it can often be a timely process to return the mirror and can add extra costs to the mirror, as most websites require the buyer to pay for any return postage costs incurred.