Custom-Size Mirrors: How Pricing Works and What to Specify
A custom-size mirror is most useful when a standard dimension leaves a visible compromise: an awkward gap above a vanity, an arch that stops short of the intended height, or a decorative piece that feels too narrow over a console. The value lies in making the mirror fit the architecture and the way the space is used.
Getting a useful quotation starts with a useful brief. “Large mirror, gold frame” leaves the maker to assume almost everything that affects cost. A measured drawing, a finish reference and a clear installation context allow the proposal to describe a real object, making both the price and the design easier to judge.
Begin with the finished outside dimensions
State width and height explicitly, including the unit. Write “900 mm wide × 1,200 mm high” rather than “90 × 120” without orientation. If you prefer centimetres, use them consistently throughout the brief and drawings. Mixed units create avoidable uncertainty when several people review an order.
Explain whether those dimensions describe the complete mirror, the visible glass or the opening into which it must fit. A framed mirror has more than one relevant boundary. The maker needs to know which dimension is fixed and which can change as the profile is developed.
For a recess, provide measurements at several points and identify the finished wall surfaces. The installer and maker should agree the necessary clearances and fitting method. Do not order a mirror exactly equal to one opening measurement and assume it will fit despite construction tolerances or walls that are not square.
Describe the shape beyond its bounding box
A rectangle is relatively simple to describe; an arch, wave or asymmetric outline needs more information. For an arch, specify where the curve begins and whether the top is semicircular or more elongated. A photograph communicates mood, but a dimensioned outline communicates geometry.
For an organic mirror, identify the orientation and the fullest points. Consider where the user's face or body must remain within the reflection. A shape can fit a wall perfectly while narrowing in the wrong place for its daily function.
Ask for an approval drawing that shows the outline, overall dimensions and important offsets. When the design changes, use a revision number or date so an earlier sketch cannot be mistaken for the final version. The same discipline is useful for a single household purchase as for a larger interiors project.
Why price does not scale directly with area
Mirror area is relevant, but it does not describe the whole job. Edge length, cutting complexity, frame profile, finish work, backing and handling all contribute. Two mirrors with the same area can require different processes and arrive in very different packages.
Consider an illustrative geometry comparison, not an Artessa quotation. A 100 × 100 cm square has an area of one square metre and a perimeter of four metres. A 50 × 200 cm rectangle has the same area but a perimeter of five metres. A per-area estimate alone misses that difference, as well as the implications of the longer format.
Very large pieces may also create transport and installation constraints that do not increase smoothly with size. Crossing the practical limit of a doorway, lift or handling arrangement can change the proposal considerably. Share access details early so the quotation reflects the destination.
Specify the frame and finish separately
Give the preferred frame material, visible width and depth where these matter to the design. A narrow metal edge, a broad wooden surround and a frameless treatment are different constructions. A reference photograph should be accompanied by a description of the features you actually want to retain.
Describe the finish through colour and sheen, then request a physical sample or agreed reference if matching is critical. “Gold” can cover many visual effects. A brushed appearance, a bright polish and a subdued antique treatment should not be treated as equivalent because they belong to the same colour family.
If the mirror sits beside a particular tap, handle or light fitting, provide the manufacturer's finish name and a photograph under neutral lighting. Clarify whether a close coordination is acceptable or whether you require a sample approval. Avoid promising yourself an exact match from unrelated screen images.
Explain the installation conditions
Tell the supplier which room the mirror will occupy, what the wall is made from and whether it is exposed to bathroom moisture. Include tiles, wall panels or other finish layers that may affect fixing. Ask for the finished weight and mounting arrangement before the wall is closed or decorative work is completed.
Also identify nearby switches, sockets, taps, shelves and lights. A frame may fit between two fixtures in elevation while its depth conflicts with them in use. Door swings and cabinet openings deserve the same attention, particularly in compact dressing areas and bathrooms.
If the mirror includes lighting, the electrical requirements form part of the design brief. Ask the supplier and electrician to coordinate the connection point, controls and service access. Do not add lighting to a quotation as though it were simply a colour option on an otherwise identical product.
Ask for a quote with visible assumptions
A useful proposal names the model or approved design, overall dimensions, frame construction, finish, glass specification, backing and included features. It should identify packaging, delivery destination and installation scope, with taxes and any additional charges stated clearly enough to understand the payable total.
Ask when the production timeline begins: after payment, drawing approval, finish approval or another milestone. Establish what changes are still possible at each stage and how a revision affects price or timing. These are questions to agree with the supplier, not terms to assume apply automatically.
For two competing quotes, compare the same specification line by line. An apparently lower offer may exclude the frame depth you selected, use a different finish or stop at delivery rather than installation. Resolve those differences before treating the totals as comparable.
Know when a standard size is sufficient
Custom sizing is worth exploring when a dimension is visually or functionally important. It may add little value when a standard mirror already sits comfortably over the furniture and leaves balanced wall space. Make a template of the closest standard size before deciding that every centimetre needs to be tailored.
Artessa's Versailles description identifies both standard sizes and custom dimensions. Its trade programme also presents custom sizing and finishes. Those capabilities provide a starting point for enquiry; the feasibility, price and terms of your particular design still need confirmation.
A practical brief might read: “One mirror for a dry living room, 900 mm overall width, approximately 1,200 mm overall height, a restrained gold finish, wall-mounted above a 1,400 mm console. Please propose the reflective opening, frame depth and fixing arrangement, and quote delivery to the stated postcode.” Attach a wall photograph and note which dimensions are fixed.
To obtain a proposal that can be reviewed meaningfully, send Artessa your dimensions, shape reference, finish preference and delivery location. Include the intended use and any site constraints. The clearer the starting information, the more directly the quotation can answer the design problem.
Mirrors mentioned in this guide
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Versailles — Decorative wall mirror -
Quasar — Carved wooden mirror -
Luna — Wooden-framed full-length mirror -
Seris — Organic full-length mirror
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