How to Use Mirrors to Decorate Your Home
A mirror is a true hero of interior design and one of the most effective objects you can use for decorating. Depending on the way you implement it, a mirror can make or break a space. When properly applied, it can bring the energy of calm and refreshment into a room, make a small space appear larger, act as a powerful statement piece, amplify light and help deal with visual clutter. On the other hand, if a mirror isn’t placed strategically, it will most probably produce a visual mess and a poor overall ambiance.
Luckily, getting mirrors to work to your advantage doesn’t have to come with a headache. Read on to discover how to use them effectively within a room.
Create the illusion of extra space
Since nowadays a growing number of people live in tiny homes, making the most of small scale environments has become one of the central topics of the interior design industry. Aside from the architectural features such as large windows and tall ceilings, a well-placed mirror can do wonders for creating a sense of extra square footage in a cramped space. Especially if it is huge!
Large mirrors bring depth by reflecting available light and act as if there was an additional window in the room. Yes, you can actually fake a window by using a mirror and double the available light, as a mirror tends to trick the eye into thinking that it doesn’t really exist.
What’s important to keep in mind here is to place the mirror against the window (to reflect the view and amplify the amount of available light) or a chandelier (to maximize the use of artificial light), and never face it towards an area filled with clutter.
You can either hang it or lean against the wall, just make sure it is properly sealed.
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Extra Large Vintage Art Deco Round Mirror £550.00
Princeton Metal Framed Handmade Over Mantle Round Wall Mirror In Antique Bronze £445.00
Swedish Solid Oakwood Mirror By Uno & Östen Kristiansson For Luxus, 1960s £855.00
Mind the Reflection
We are often tempted to hang the mirror based on the available space and not in a way that would bring the most benefit to the room. Don’t fall for this trap! A flattering reflection is crucial here, and you can achieve it a couple of different ways.
As we already mentioned, a mirror placed against the window should be your number one choice, but sometimes that is just not an option. What also works beautifully is to emphasise architectural features (doors and arches), artwork or a favourite piece of furniture to provide them with more attention.
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Grand French Antique Painted Pier Mirror £1,250.00
Monumental Xixth Century Giltwood Mirror £3,910.00
Vintage French Overmantle Mirror £695.00
Wooden Wall Mirror £200.00
Create a Focal Point
Every space needs a good focal point and unless you are ready to settle for a view of an ugly TV box, consider using a statement mirror instead.
If placed next to the dining table, a mirror will create a welcoming atmosphere for family meals and introduce extra brightness to the nook.
There is no dispute over the importance of having a good mirror in the bathroom, but don’t just think practical! A bathroom mirror can be so much more than an object to reflect upon. Don’t be afraid to go glam and bring in a lavish antique mirror frame. Such mirrors are true champions of adding a bit of drama and luxury every chic bathroom craves for.
However, decorating a mantle is by far the most impactful way of using a mirror in a home. Surround it with some elegant sconces and voila! You have yourself a real showstopper!
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Spanish Gilt Metal Sunburst Mirror (C. 1950s) £800.00
Driftwood Wall Mirror £853.16
Create a Striking Gallery Wall
Nothing breaks the overly busy wall better than a good mirror! Whether we are talking about a bold patterned wallpaper or a wall densely packed with prints, if added to the arrangement, the right mirror will provide refreshment and prevent the room from becoming claustrophobic.
If you are aiming for airiness and light, consider using several mirrors to create a fun gallery arrangement. However, keep your eyes wide open! If you bring in too many eye-catching frames into the picture, chances are you will end up with an overwhelming view.
Image source: Style Me Pretty
Large Mid Century Spanish Mirror £440.00
Lovely 19th Century French Oval Mirror With Decorated Top And Original Mirror Plate £750.00
Go Big or Go Home
Floor to ceiling mirrors are trendy for a good reason! They are incredibly useful in opening up the space, and that’s why interior designers so often use them in narrow rooms such as hallways. The trick is to place an entry console in front of the mirror and match their width, so the mirror sticks out from the furniture. This creates a visual breather and provides the installation with an extra purpose. Plus, it looks so glamorous!
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Industrial / Architectural Mirrored Window Frame £1,200.00
Very Decorative Xx Console Table With Mirror £2,242.50
Mirrored Furniture
Mirrored furniture is also an interesting idea to consider. This can be extremely useful with large pieces that would otherwise crump up the entire room, as added mirrors make them ‘disappear’. But make sure not to use such pieces in places that receive a lot of traffic as the extra reflections might just be too overwhelming.
Image source: South Shore Decorating
Feline Mirror Ø90 Cm £719.00
Lellie Mirror Ø100 Cm £309.00
Antique Walnut Marquetry Mirror Screen / Cheval Mirror, C1830 £2,750.00
Bedroom Mirrors
Traditionally, a bedroom is no space for mirrors, but this doesn’t have to ring true. As long as you don’t apply them to the ceiling (please don’t do that), or reflect the bed, you are good! The bed is usually a messy sight and the mirror placed against it would only make it seem amplified. Plus, who wants their morning reflection to be the first thing they see when they open their eyes in the morning, right?
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Small Spanish Handcrafted Wooden Sunburst Mirror £195.00
Victorian Faux Bamboo Cheval Mirror £1,500.00
Midcentury Sculptural Brass Vanity Table Mirror Attributed To Josef Frank £1,088.27
French Louis Style Table Mirror £450.00
Don’t Do This
If you avoid placing mirrors against each other, against a blank wall (or any busy sight whatsoever), and you stay away from ceiling mirrors, or grouping too many of them together, you are good to go! Let your imagination loose and turn the styling of your home into a game!
Image credit: Apartment Therapy
Large Painted Overmantel Mirror C 1880 £370.00
Victorian Wood And Gesso Surround, Mirror And Fender £2,750.00
Remember, the frame will determine the mood. You can choose to go traditional, modern, antique, edgy or minimal. All is into play, but make sure your selection matches your interior fantasies. Dive in into our vast collection of mirrors with character and we guarantee you will find a piece that makes your heart sings!