Mirror clips are small mounting brackets that hold a frameless mirror securely against the wall. Most are made from plastic or metal and are installed around the edges of the mirror to keep it firmly in place while still allowing the mirror to be removed if needed.

You’ll find mirror hanging clips in millions of bathrooms, especially in homes built over the last several decades. Builders often use them to install large plate glass mirrors because they're reliable and less expensive to install than framed bathroom mirrors.

If you’ve ever wondered why your bathroom mirror has small plastic tabs or metal mirror brackets around the edges, those are mirror clips. Read on to find out how mirror clips work and which mirror frames work with clips.

Why are mirror clips used?

Large frameless bathroom mirrors can be surprisingly heavy. A standard plate glass mirror needs a secure mounting system that supports its weight while keeping it flush against the wall.

While mirror mounting hardware comes in a range of options, many builders choose mirror clips because they provide strong mechanical support without permanently bonding the entire mirror to the wall. While mirror adhesive is often used in combination with clips for additional stability, the clips themselves help hold the mirror in position and reduce the amount of adhesive required.

Using mirror mounting clips offers another advantage. If the mirror ever needs to be removed because of damage, remodeling, or replacement, clips typically cause far less damage to the wall than mirrors that have been fully glued across the entire back surface. That can make future renovations much simpler and less expensive.

Which types of mirrors use clips?

Mirror clips for walls are most commonly used with frameless plate glass mirrors, particularly those installed by residential and commercial builders in:

• Primary bathrooms
• Guest bathrooms
• Powder rooms
• Apartment bathrooms
• Hotel bathrooms
• Commercial restrooms

Many vanity mirrors also use clips along with a metal J-channel at the bottom, creating a clean, low-profile installation without the added cost of a decorative frame.

How do mirror clips work?

Mirror clips support the entire mirror while allowing the glass to rest close to the wall. In some installations, the mirror sits inside a bottom metal channel that carries much of the mirror’s weight. Clips along the sides and top keep the mirror snug against the wall and prevent it from shifting or tipping forward.

Depending on the installation, you’ll see either fixed clips that permanently hold the mirror in place or spring-loaded clips that compress during installation before snapping back over the edge of the glass.

Together, these components create a secure installation that can support even very large vanity mirrors for many years or decades.

Where are mirror clips placed?

The number and location of mirror clips depend on the mirror’s size and weight.

Most bathroom mirrors have clips:

• Along the top edge
• Along both sides
• Sometimes along the bottom, although many installations instead use a continuous metal channel

Extra-large mirrors may require additional clips to distribute the weight evenly. Proper spacing helps prevent stress on the glass while keeping the mirror securely attached to the wall.

Do frames fit over mirror clips?

Not all DIY mirror frame kits fit over clips. Many decorative frames require the mirror surface to be completely flat, which means visible clips become an obstacle. Homeowners sometimes discover this only after ordering a frame that doesn’t fit their existing mirror.

MirrorMate frames are different. Our patented design includes a recessed back that fits over existing mirror clips and metal channels, allowing the frame to sit securely against the mirror while concealing the mounting hardware. That’s a feature not all DIY mirror frame kit manufacturers offer.

This is one of the most common questions MirrorMate receives from homeowners. According to the MirrorMate team, roughly 30% of comments on its social media channels ask whether the frames will fit over existing mirror clips. The answer is yes. The only difference is that some larger plastic clips may need to be replaced before installation, while standard metal clips and smaller plastic clips can typically remain in place.

MirrorMate frames fit almost any rectangular bathroom mirror, including mirrors that rest on a backsplash or touch a side wall. They adhere directly to the mirror, install in less than 30 minutes, and are available in more than 50 frame styles.

Note: MirrorMate frames fit over most small clips. If you have a mirror mounted with plastic clips larger than 1” tall and 1” wide, simply indicate this during the ordering process, and MirrorMate will send replacement clips with your order so you can swap them out during installation. If your clips are plastic but smaller than 1”, you should not need replacement clips.

Frame a Mirror With Clips With MirrorMate

Mirror clips don’t have to limit your design options. Many homeowners assume visible clips mean they can't add a decorative frame, but that's one of the most common misconceptions MirrorMate hears from customers. In reality, every MirrorMate frame is designed to work with mirrors that use clips. Some installations simply require replacement clips before framing.

Choose from dozens of custom-crafted frame styles, including coastal, traditional, glam, modern, farmhouse, and more. Our patented mirror frames for bathrooms are designed to fit over mirror clips, so you can enjoy a custom look with a simple DIY installation that you can complete in a single afternoon!

Explore our frame collections and get a fresh new look in your bathroom or powder room.