Framed vs Frameless Bathroom Mirrors: What’s Best for Your Renovation?
If you’re stuck choosing between framed vs frameless bathroom mirrors, you’re not alone. What seems like a small decision can quickly get overwhelming when you’re staring at a wall of mirror styles, shapes, and finishes—especially when you don’t know what actually matters.
This isn’t just a design choice. It can affect your budget, how easy your mirror is to clean, how long it lasts, and whether it ties in with the rest of your bathroom. That’s why getting it right is more important than most people realise.
At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, I’ve helped thousands of Perth homeowners and renovators weigh up framed and frameless bathroom mirrors. And trust me, once you understand the real differences—beyond just looks—you’ll know exactly which one works best for your bathroom renovation. This guide is here to help you make that call with confidence.
Framed vs Frameless Bathroom Mirrors – Quick Comparison
| Feature | Framed Mirrors | Frameless Mirrors |
| Look & Style | Bold, defined; helps tie in finishes like tapware | Clean, minimal; blends into wall or tiles |
| Design Flexibility | Matches finishes (black, gold, etc); adds contrast | Suits most bathroom styles; lets other features shine |
| Ease of Cleaning | Frame can collect dust or water spots | Quick to wipe down; no edges to trap grime |
| Durability | Offers edge protection; ideal for family bathrooms | Durable but needs proper sealing to avoid edge damage |
| Installation | Slightly heavier; needs careful mounting | Lighter and easier to DIY |
| Cost | Slightly higher due to materials | Generally more budget-friendly |
| Available Styles | Round, arch, oval, square, rectangle, framed LED mirrors | Same shapes, plus frameless LED mirrors & mirror cabinets |
| Storage Options | Not available | Available as frameless mirror cabinets |
What’s the Difference Between Framed and Frameless Mirrors?
When you’re deciding on a framed or frameless bathroom mirror, it helps to know exactly what sets them apart—especially now that both styles are available in sleek, modern designs. This isn’t about bulky, decorative frames from the past. Today’s options are all about clean lines, subtle detail, and finishes that work with contemporary bathrooms.
At Ross’s, both framed and frameless mirrors suit the latest bathroom trends. Some are bold and eye-catching, while others quietly complement your vanity, tiles or tapware. The choice really comes down to the look you want and how the mirror will function in your space.
Framed Bathroom Mirrors – Defined and Decorative
Framed bathroom mirrors add shape and subtle contrast to your wall without stealing the show. The frames we stock are thin, minimalist, and right on trend—with popular finishes like matte black, brushed gold, brushed nickel, white, and gunmetal.
A framed mirror is great if you want to tie your mirror into the rest of your bathroom fittings. For example, a black frame can echo black tapware or cabinet handles to create a cohesive look. It’s also a handy way to add visual structure above a floating vanity or across a tiled feature wall.
Despite having more presence, modern framed mirrors still suit small bathrooms—especially when you choose a light or metallic finish. They’re available in round, arch, rectangle and oval shapes, so you can easily match the shape to your vanity or room layout.
Frameless Bathroom Mirrors – Clean and Contemporary
Frameless bathroom mirrors offer a clean, uninterrupted look that works especially well in modern or minimalist spaces. With no frame to define the edge, they let your wall tiles or paint colour do the talking—making them ideal if you want your mirror to blend in rather than stand out.
At Ross’s, our frameless mirrors come with two edge options. The flat polished edge gives a crisp, modern cut that suits contemporary bathrooms. The bevelled edge, on the other hand, adds a bit of softness with a subtle angled finish—it’s a simple touch that can make a big difference depending on your overall style.
Both styles are moisture-resistant, durable, and easy to clean. Whether you go with round, square, or arch shapes, a frameless mirror keeps the look sleek and low-fuss, while still offering plenty of flexibility in design.
TL;DR: Framed mirrors add shape, contrast, and help tie in finishes, while frameless mirrors offer a clean, minimal look that blends into your wall. The right choice depends on whether you want your mirror to stand out or quietly complement your bathroom design.
What to Consider: Style, Function, and Practicality
When you’re deciding between frameless or framed bathroom mirrors, it really comes down to what works best for your space—and your lifestyle. While both can look great on the wall, the right choice also depends on how you use your bathroom day to day, how much cleaning you’re prepared to do, and whether you want something that stands out or blends in.
This section breaks down the practical stuff that helps you choose the perfect restroom mirror, not just the best-looking one.
Style & Design Flexibility
Both framed and frameless mirrors can look amazing—but they serve slightly different design purposes.
Framed mirrors are great if you want your mirror to feel like a feature. They help define the space, add contrast to tiled walls, and give you a chance to echo the finish of your tapware, handles or vanity hardware. A matte black frame, for example, looks sharp when matched with black fixtures, while brushed gold frames can elevate the look of a white vanity or natural stone tile.
Frameless mirrors, on the other hand, are all about simplicity. They blend in effortlessly and work with almost any bathroom style—from classic white tiles to bold terrazzo or coloured finishes. If you want your mirror to disappear into the wall or let your tiles shine, frameless is the way to go.
Whether you’re working with round, square, oval or arch shapes, just make sure your mirror aligns well with your vanity, basin shape, and the overall feel of your bathroom.
Durability & Longevity
Both framed and frameless mirrors are built to last—provided they’re installed correctly and looked after. At Ross’s, all our bathroom mirrors come with a 2-year warranty, and our mirror cabinets have a 5-year warranty, so you can buy with confidence knowing they’re made to handle everyday use.
Frameless mirrors do require proper sealing around the edges to prevent moisture from creeping in. This is especially important in steamy bathrooms or where the mirror is close to the shower. If water gets into the backing over time, it can lead to that patchy, silvering effect you sometimes see on old mirrors.
Framed mirrors give you a bit more protection along the edges. The frame acts as a barrier, helping shield the glass from knocks, bumps, and long-term water exposure—something worth considering in family bathrooms or high-traffic areas.
Installed properly, either style will go the distance. It just comes down to how much traffic the space gets and how close your mirror is to regular moisture.
Installation and Cost
If you’re planning to install your bathroom mirror yourself, frameless options are generally the easier pick. They’re often lighter and sit flat against the wall, which makes for a straightforward mount. You’ll just need to make sure they’re properly secured and sealed—especially in wet areas.
Framed mirrors aren’t difficult to install, but they can be a little heavier and may need a bit more care when positioning. It’s worth checking the weight and whether you’ll need wall plugs or extra support depending on your wall surface.
In terms of price, both types are budget-friendly—especially at Ross’s. Frameless mirrors are typically the more affordable option. For example, our Brooklyn Round Frameless Mirror ranges from $120 to $200 depending on size. The framed version of the same mirror ranges from $180 to $220. So, if you’re trying to keep costs down, frameless might give you the clean look you want at a slightly lower price.
TL;DR: Framed mirrors offer visual impact and extra edge protection, while frameless mirrors are lower maintenance and often cheaper. Choose based on what matters most to you—style, cleaning ease, durability or budget.
What Mirror Styles Are Available in Each Type?
By now, you’ve got a solid understanding of the pros and cons of frameless vs framed bathroom mirrors. So, the next step is choosing a shape and style that fits your space—and your personal taste.
Thankfully, you don’t need to sacrifice function or style to stay on trend. At Ross’s, we stock a wide range of mirror shapes across both framed and frameless options, making it easy to follow current bathroom mirror trends while still getting something that works for your layout, lighting and budget.
Shapes That Suit Any Space
The shape of your mirror can make a surprising difference to how your bathroom feels. Most shapes are available in both framed and frameless formats, so you can focus on what works visually and practically.
Round mirrors and arch mirrors are ideal for softening bathrooms with lots of square lines or floor-to-ceiling tiles. They’re a great match with curved basins or feature lighting, and they add an organic feel without overpowering the space.
Square and rectangular mirrors are the most versatile. They’re clean, practical, and offer more mirror surface—great for shaving, doing makeup, or doubling up above a dual vanity. These shapes suit almost any bathroom layout, especially if you’re after a neat, structured look.
Whether you go curved or straight, the shape and size should complement your vanity, lighting, and wall space to create a bathroom that looks as good as it works.
LED Mirrors – Framed and Frameless Options
If you want to add light, function, and a bit of wow-factor to your bathroom, LED bathroom mirrors are a great choice. At Ross’s, we stock both frameless and framed LED mirrors—so you can choose one that suits your style without losing the benefits of built-in lighting.
Frameless LED mirrors give off a clean, seamless glow. They’re ideal for modern bathrooms where you want a sleek, minimal finish. The soft lighting adds ambience and makes tasks like shaving or makeup easier—especially in bathrooms with limited natural light.
Framed LED mirrors offer the same practical benefits, but with a bit more presence on the wall. Our framed styles come with thin, modern frames in finishes like matte black and brushed metal—giving you a polished look while still keeping things functional.
Whether framed or frameless, LED mirrors are a smart upgrade that combine form and function in one neat package.
Mirror Cabinets – Always Frameless for Sleek Storage
If you’re choosing between a bathroom mirror or mirrored shaving cabinet, storage might be the deciding factor. At Ross’s, all of our mirror cabinets are frameless, giving you a clean, modern look while adding practical storage space.
These cabinets sit flush against the wall and double as both a mirror and a place to keep everyday essentials—perfect for compact bathrooms, family homes, or anyone who wants to keep the benchtop clutter-free.
With options in single or double-door designs, a frameless mirror cabinet offers a simple, space-saving solution without compromising on style. It’s one of the most functional choices you can make, especially if you’re working with a smaller layout or limited vanity storage.
TL;DR: Whether you’re after soft curves, clean lines, built-in lighting or extra storage, there’s a framed or frameless mirror at Ross’s to suit your bathroom. With all the popular shapes and styles available, it’s easy to find something that fits your space and your design goals.
Conclusion
Whether you prefer the clean simplicity of a frameless mirror or the defined style of a framed design, both options are on-trend, practical, and available in a range of shapes to suit any bathroom. The right choice really depends on the look you’re going for, how much maintenance you want to deal with, and how the mirror will function in your day-to-day routine.
At Ross’s, we only stock modern, high-quality bathroom products, including bathroom mirrors and mirror cabinets—no outdated frames or bulky styles. So whichever way you lean—frameless or framed—you’ll find something that works. If you’re still unsure, visit our Guildford showroom to see the full range in person or explore online. We offer $100 Perth metro delivery and expert advice to help you make the right choice.
And if you want even more tips before buying, check out our guide: The Ultimate Bathroom Mirror Buying Guide
