When you start shopping for a full length mirror, you quickly realise there are two shapes that dominate everything. Arch and rectangle. They are everywhere. And at first glance, the difference seems purely cosmetic. One has a curved top, the other does not.
But once you put them in a room, the difference is bigger than you expect. The shape of a mirror changes how a space feels. It affects where your eye goes, how much light it catches, and whether the mirror blends into the room or becomes the thing you notice first.
So which one is right for your space? That depends on a few things. Let us walk through it.
The short answer
If you want a mirror that adds softness, draws the eye upward, and feels like a design piece, go arch. If you want something clean, structured, and versatile that works in almost any room without competing for attention, go rectangle. Neither is better. They just do different things.
Now here is the longer answer.
What an arch mirror does to a room
An arched mirror has a curved top that softens the straight lines most rooms are built from. Walls, doorframes, skirting boards, furniture edges. Almost everything in a typical NZ home is made up of right angles. An arch introduces a curve into that, and the effect is surprisingly noticeable.
The curved top draws your eye upward. This makes ceilings feel taller and the room feel more open, even when the mirror is the same height as a rectangle. It is a visual trick that interior designers have used for a long time, borrowed from the arched windows and doorways you see in older European architecture.
Arch mirrors tend to feel more like a piece of furniture or decor. They have presence. When you lean a large arch mirror against a wall, it becomes a focal point. People notice it. That can be exactly what you want, or it can be too much depending on the room.
In our range, the Titan X Arched Mirror (180 x 80cm) is our most popular arch. It is big enough to see your full outfit, the curved top adds that architectural feel, and it works as both a floor mirror and a wall mounted piece. It also comes in a gold finish as the Titan Aurelia and a white finish as the Titan Alba, so you can match it to your room's colour palette. For a truly grand statement, the Grandeur X (200 x 100cm) is the biggest arch we make.
If you want the arch shape without a visible frame, the Rachelle Frameless Arched Mirror (180 x 80cm) is worth a look. Frameless arches have a floating quality that feels very modern and minimal. The mirror itself becomes the feature, not the frame.
What a rectangle mirror does to a room
Rectangle mirrors are the classic. There is a reason they have been the default shape for mirrors for a very long time. They are clean, balanced, and they work with the geometry of the room rather than against it.
Where an arch introduces a curve, a rectangle reinforces the existing lines. It sits parallel to the wall, the floor, the ceiling, the door frame. Everything lines up. This gives the room a sense of order and calm. It is subtle, but it matters.
Rectangle mirrors are also more practical in some ways. Because they do not have a curved top, you get slightly more reflective area for the same overall height. Every centimetre of a rectangle mirror is usable. With an arch, the curved top portion reflects ceiling more than anything else.
In terms of versatility, rectangles tend to disappear into a room more easily. They complement without competing. This makes them a good choice when the mirror is not meant to be the main feature, like in a hallway, a dressing area, or a bedroom where you want function without fuss.
In our range, we have a few rectangle options depending on your style. The Tresson (180 x 80cm) has a braided gold frame that adds warmth without the mirror feeling fussy. The Branewood (180 x 80cm) has a natural wood look PS frame that suits Scandi and coastal interiors. Both are the same 180 x 80cm size as the Titan arch, so comparing them shows you exactly how much difference shape alone makes. For a slightly smaller option, the Solene X (170 x 70cm) has a warm oak tone frame at 170 x 70cm.
Room by room: which works better where
Bedroom. Both work well here, but arches tend to be the more popular choice. A bedroom is where you get ready, so the mirror is personal. An arch adds warmth and a sense of design that makes the room feel more considered. Lean a Titan X against the wall next to a bedside table and it instantly elevates the space. That said, if your bedroom already has a lot going on (patterned wallpaper, bold furniture, artwork), a clean rectangle like the Branewood might be the smarter call. It will do its job without adding visual noise.
Hallway or entryway. Rectangles are often better here, especially in narrow hallways common in NZ homes. A rectangle mirror sits flush with the lines of the hallway and does not draw too much attention to itself. It reflects light, makes the space feel longer, and gives you a quick check before you walk out the door. An arch can work too, but it needs a bit more width in the hallway to breathe. If the hallway is tight, the curve can feel like it is pushing into the space.
Living room. This is where arches really shine. A large arch mirror leaned against the wall or mounted as a statement piece can transform a living room. It acts almost like a window, adding depth and light. The curved top breaks up the linear furniture lines (couch, TV unit, coffee table) and gives the room a more curated, interior-designed feel. Rectangles work here too, especially mounted horizontally above a console or sofa, but they tend to play a supporting role rather than being the star.
Bathroom. For wall mounted mirrors above a vanity, rectangles are the standard and for good reason. They align with the vanity top and the wall edges, giving you a clean, practical reflection. Arched mirrors above a vanity can look stunning, but they need enough wall height above the vanity to work. If the mirror sits too close to the ceiling, the arch gets lost.
Small apartment or studio. If you are working with limited space, shape matters less than size and placement. A 160cm mirror in either shape will make the space feel bigger by reflecting light and creating depth. In a small room, we would lean toward whichever shape complements your existing furniture. Lots of curved furniture? Go rectangle for contrast. Everything straight and angular? An arch softens it.
The in between options
It is worth knowing that arch and rectangle are not your only choices. There are shapes that sit somewhere between the two.
The Arcadia X (180 x 80cm) has a subtle arch at the top with straight edges everywhere else. It gives you a hint of that curved softness without going full arch. It is a good middle ground if you like both shapes and cannot decide.
The Monarch (160 x 60cm) has gently rounded corners on a rectangular base. It is technically a rectangle but the soft edges give it a warmer feel, almost Scandi in aesthetic.
And if you want something that goes completely off script, check out our irregular mirror collection for wavy, organic, and geometric shapes. These are less about arch vs rectangle and more about making a statement, but they are there if neither classic shape feels quite right for your space.
A few practical things people forget
Wall mounting an arch. Because the top is curved, arch mirrors need the hanging hardware positioned further down the back of the mirror. This means the top of the mirror will sit slightly away from the wall when mounted, creating a subtle lean. Most people do not notice this, but it is worth being aware of if you want a perfectly flush wall mount. Rectangles sit flat against the wall more naturally.
Cleaning the top curve. A small thing, but the inside of the curve at the top of an arch mirror can collect a thin line of dust where the glass meets the frame. A soft cloth sorts it out easily, but it is one extra spot to wipe compared to a straight edge.
Matching pairs. If you are placing two mirrors in the same room or on the same wall, rectangles are usually easier to pair. Their straight edges line up naturally. Two arches side by side can look great, but they need to be exactly the same size and evenly spaced or it looks off.
Resale and staging. If you are staging a house for sale, rectangles tend to be the safer choice because they appeal to a wider range of tastes. Arches have a stronger personality, which is great when it matches the buyer's style but can be divisive. Several of our customers who work in home staging prefer the Tresson or Branewood for exactly this reason. The neutral frames work with almost any interior.
So which one should you pick?
Here is a quick way to think about it.
| Choose an arch mirror if... | Choose a rectangle mirror if... |
|---|---|
| You want the mirror to be a design feature | You want the mirror to blend in and be functional |
| Your room has a lot of straight lines and hard angles | Your room already has curves or organic shapes |
| You are going for a warm, styled, curated look | You prefer clean, minimal, or Scandi aesthetics |
| The mirror is for a bedroom, living room, or feature wall | The mirror is for a hallway, dressing area, or bathroom |
| You want the room to feel taller | You want the room to feel wider or more structured |
At the end of the day, both shapes do the same core job. They reflect you. They bounce light around the room. They make a space feel bigger than it is. The shape is about how you want the room to feel when you walk in.
If you are still not sure, our honest suggestion is to look at the room where the mirror is going and pay attention to what is already there. Does the space need softening? Arch. Does it need structure? Rectangle. Does it need something in between? That is where the Arcadia or Monarch come in.
You can browse our arch mirror collection and rectangle mirror collection to compare them side by side. And if you want a second opinion on which shape would suit your space, send us a photo of the room and we will give you our take. No strings attached.
