You’ll Never Guess Why Elevators Always Have Mirrors—The Truth Is Surprisingly Brilliant!

Ever wonder why there are mirrors inside elevators? I mean, it seems obvious, right—just a last-minute look before you step into the wild unknown of your office or apartment building. But what if I told you it’s not about snagging that perfect mirror selfie or checking if your hair’s still in place? Spoiler alert: There’s a handful of legit, practical reasons behind those shiny panels that might just change how you see (pun intended) your next lift ride. From easing the panic of claustrophobia to helping wheelchair users navigate tight corners—and yes, even keeping boredom at bay—those mirrors are working harder than you thought. So next time you’re trapped between floors, try not to look like a model—these mirrors have a job way beyond vanity. LEARN MORE.

There are lots of things in life that never really cross our minds, despite them being something we see almost every day.

We may go our whole lives without ever realising the meaning behind certain things, such as why we always seem to wake up five minutes before the alarm goes off.

When it comes to having mirrors inside lifts, or elevators for you Americans, the explanation seems clear.

Surely it’s just so we can check ourselves out one final time before leaving or entering the building we’re in? Well, I have bad news for you.

It turns out that there are several perfectly logical reasons why we need to have them inside of lifts, according to some lift suppliers, and none of them relate to mirror selfies.

It’s not just to check yourself out (Getty Stock)

While we can’t always rely on the lift working, for 12 whole seasons in the case of The Big Bang Theory, it seems as if we can always rely on them having a mirror inside for the following three reasons.

Aiding people with claustrophobia

The first reason why is perhaps to help the space seem larger than it actually is, as the last thing a claustrophobic person wants is to be stuck in a small space while hurtling up or down a few floors.

UK lift supplier Gartec said: “Getting claustrophobic in a lift is a very common problem for many people. The small space, the lack of air, the inability to see what’s happening in the mechanism are all factors that contribute to the kind of anxiety in small spaces that gives us sweaty palms and a raised heartbeat.

“Having a mirror in a lift helps to reduce this anxiety. It adds a sense of more space to an elevator, making it feel less cramped and small and helping to avoid feelings of being trapped.”

Accessibility and safety

Another reason, despite some lifts not even being big enough to fit a wheelchair in, is to help those with extra accessibility needs.

It turns out it can help those in wheelchairs too (Getty Stock)

Stannah Lifts explains: “A wheelchair user will need to see the space behind them, enabling them to turn around within the lift car, so mirrors at the rear of the lift facilitate this.”

In such an enclosed space where you’re likely to be in close contact with someone you might never see again, mirrors also provide extra security, as you’re more likely to spot theft or assault thanks to the mirrors in the lift.

A good distraction

The final reason is perhaps simply to keep us distracted, so I suppose we can spend some time looking at ourselves if that’s what the situation demands. Despite the time in lifts being usually less than a minute, apparently some people need the mirrors to help cure their boredom.

“Mirrors also serve as a useful distraction to pass the time in a lift,” Simplex Elevators explains, “making the ride feel shorter and minimising feelings of boredom and claustrophobia.”