A mirror is an interior designer’s secret weapon. You may always have thought of your mirror as a practical object for simply checking your appearance, but there can be much more to a mirror if you look a little closer.
A well-positioned mirror can add light, space and character to your home. A good mirror can be a particularly strong asset in a smaller room, adding the perception of depth and size to any space, no matter how compact.
Home designers use mirrors of different shapes, sizes and styles to enhance visual interest, create optical illusions or simply add light.
Go big or go home
A big statement mirror can be a great investment. The larger the mirror, the more space it will appear to create around the room. You need to first think about the dimensions of the room, the various light sources (window, lamps, main ceiling light) and the configuration of your furniture. All of these factors should influence the size and shape of the mirror you decide to opt for. And, of course, it will influence the placement of it.
It is important to consider light sources because you want to utilise your mirror to reflect this light back into the room at a different angle. On that basis, you may wish to have a mirror above your mantelpiece, on the wall behind your sofa or even freestanding on the floor. A freestanding mirror propped against a wall will not only boost the sense of space in your room, but you can reposition it on a regular basis to refresh the look. Placing furniture in front of a statement mirror can also create further interest in reflections and add something different to your living space.
Mirrors have the wonderful ability to reflect both natural and artificial light, pushing light deep into the room which enhances the rooms feel. To optimise the reflection of natural light, place mirrors near or opposite windows. You can increase the amount of light in a space by placing a mirror behind a switched-on lamp, or paired with another mirror to reflect all light sources around the room. Illuminate your home with Vanity Mirrors with Lights.
Make it taller or wider
Mirrors can make any space feel taller or wider depending on its positioning. Placing a mirror towards a focal point in the room makes it feel bigger. By focusing on a certain item, the mirror reflects the space between them and generates a greater sense of height.
When adding a vertical mirror to a back wall of a room it is possible to add depth. If you wish to take this one step further, it is possible to add two mirrors to opposing walls in order to create the impression of infinite space.
To make a room feel wider however, you would position a mirror horizontally. By hanging a mirror on its side, it breaks up the room whilst reflecting the opposite wall and everything in between, making the room feel wider.
Dress a mantel
This is one of the more common ways to use a mirror in a living room, as a statement piece above a mantel. Make sure to use the ‘rule of thirds’ when hanging a mirror over a mantelpiece. The composition of this space is important in creating symmetry in your room.
First, measure the mantel and make sure that the mirror frame is no wider than it; then ensure that the frame sits comfortably above the mantel while paying attention to the gap between the top of the mirror and the ceiling.
Fake a window
For windowless rooms, the addition of a mirror can work wonders in terms of making it feel like a much brighter and bigger space. Choosing a design that features the traditional window frame parts such as mirror panes or shutters will help further the illusion and there’s so many to choose from already on the market.
Choose different shaped mirrors
Mirrors in the home don’t have to be simple. There is plenty of fun to be had with different shapes, styles and configurations of multiple mirrors when designing a room. Often, mirrors are a statement piece to a room and can really finish off a space that is otherwise plain and neutral. Don’t just stick to your standard rectangular mirror when re-designing your space. A diamond or porthole mirror, for example, can add charm and intrigue. Also, you should consider the importance of your frame colour and material in complementing or contrasting the rest of a room.
Be sure to experiment with creative mirror positioning and placement for unique effects. Why not try an antiques mirror? A one of a kind mirror will mix up the look of your room and create the perfect statement. For a bit of inspiration, why not check out some of the vintage mirrors available at Vinterior, the leading online marketplace for vintage and artisan furniture.
Add texture
Creative mirror frames can be used to add texture on a three-dimensional level to any wall. The mirror could also reflect an already textured element in the room to enhance it – a wooden coffee table, vase, a vintage piece of furniture or artwork, for example.
Mirrored Furniture
Having mirrored furniture in your home can be a great cost-effective way to make furniture more interesting and create the feel of more space. This frees up your walls whilst providing the function of the furniture and reflecting light into your room. A common example of this would be mirrored wardrobes in bedrooms and cupboards in bathrooms.
Back splash mirror
Adding a mirrored back splash instead of a tiled one in a kitchen works fantastically when trying to create a space, this can double the size of a small kitchen. By fitting a mirror along one wall, suddenly the dimensions of a narrow kitchen fill out and the mirror doubles as a handy splashback.
Show off
Have a stunning chandelier or piece of art you’re dying to show off in your home? Reflect it in a mirror. If positioned effectively in the room, it will appear as if there are two objects, effectively doubling your investment. The key rule to live by when adding mirrors to a home is to ensure that what it’s reflecting is pleasant to look at. In other words, don’t let it reflect a messy corner, a broken cabinet, or a bad view.
Group them together
While larger mirrors can be more on the pricey side, grouping mirrors together can have a similar effect. A mirrored wall is a stunning way of creating dramatic effect in a room. Not only can you mix and match shapes and frames to create intrigue, your room will also benefit from the combined reflection of light from multiple surfaces – giving a sense of greater space. This can also be done in a gallery style with prints and art around a mirror creating a statement piece on any wall.
Show off an outside space
Mirrors aren’t just for inside the house! When you’ve put so much effort into creating the perfect outside space why not show it off from more angles? Mirrors can be used outside to introduce more natural light in spots that perhaps don’t naturally find light such as a basement level garden, or a covered courtyard.
If you live in a city with a small outside space, you may want to choose a mirror that will expand the horizon outside. In a country setting, the use of mirrors is a stunning way to create the illusion of even more greenery.
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