Who’s the fairest one of all?  Using mirrors is a long-standing way to solve a multitude of home decor problems.  Sometimes it’s too easy, too slick to use a mirror as the design solution and sometimes it can be creative and an outside-the-box solution.  I’ll show you how……

Mirrors Solve Problems

We all have heard or read about the two best things that mirrors can do in a room.  They increase the perception of size by reflecting items in the room and visually expanding the walls.  They also bring light into even the darkest room by reflecting any other light in the room whether from a window or a candle.

Groupings of mirrors are an effective substitute for art and often less expensive.  The mirrors hung on the folding screen add even more reflected light in what would be a dim corner.

Be sure to consider the color of the adjacent walls when hanging a mirror because the color will be intensified.  Above you can see the stripes reflected – imagine if that was bright red or purple.  Just make sure your mirror is reflecting something worthwhile.

Instead of hanging art on a long wall, mirrors can effectively lighten the bulkiness of that wall with their reflectiveness.  If one mirror is good, are three mirrors great?  Consider using mirrors in multiples for even more impact.

 

Sometimes one oversize mirror is outside the budget.  Explore using three or four smaller, more affordable mirrors in a row or a big square (with only a couple inches between each frame) to create the impact you want.

Are you struggling with a room that has no natural focal point (fireplace or pretty window wall, etc.)?  A dramatically framed mirror will instantly become the focal point you need.

Leaning mirrors are still a popular design element – this looks like a DIY project to me….An old door frame or window frame has been pressed into service as a mirror frame.  It’s a great way to upcycle and add personality to your room in addition to all the other benefits of using mirror – and wouldn’t it make a cool focal point?

Unexpected Mirrors

 

The traditional place for a large mirror is over a fireplace.  How about layering a collection of inexpensive mirrors for big impact?

More layering in an unexpected way.  An ornate mirror hung over a plain square really makes a statement.  Another place this would be effective is in the bathroom – if you want to update your big sheet of mirror in the bathroom, hang a pretty accent mirror over it and double the wow factor.

This look is definitely more custom but what a creative welcome to a home – ribbons of mirror twining throughout the entry – very cool!

Using scale to your advantage is a great way to use mirror unexpectedly.  Have a small space?  Add a HUGE mirror.  The caution here it to be sure to frame it with a heavy enough frame (wide molding) so that the frame is in proportion to the size of the mirror.

The small dining area tucked at the end of this combo room is made more noticeable with the addition of that big mirror.  It’s almost like another doorway or opening at that end of the room.

 

Maybe you have a room where the only window is at one end, leaving the other end of the room a little dark.  Mirror a portion of wall to create the effect of a window, bringing brightness to the other end of the room.  This solution is more unexpected here because of the shape of the wall and that it’s basically a storage door.  Now it’s a storage door with glamour!

Use an unusual mirror in an unexpected place – the shape and vintage feel of this mirror immediately sets the tone in this traditional bedroom.

Who says mirrors have to match the finish of surrounding furnishings?  Usually they are more interesting, more dramatic, more purposeful if they don’t match but make their own statement.  All this white in the entry needed a punch and the darker mirror frame provides just the oomph needed.

Mirrored furniture is another great option as a way to bring light and brightness into a space; go small with only a side table or go big and dramatic with a chest or console.  Drawer and cabinet fronts can be updated with mirror or perhaps add it to a backsplash for a touch of modern originality (but a little extra effort to keep clean).

Consider Mirrors

Mirrors are “normally” found in the dining room over a sideboard or hutch, in the living room over a sofa or fireplace, in a bedroom over a dresser, and in the entry over a console table.  All of those are perfectly legitimate and acceptable places for a mirror.  But after reading this article I hope you’ll be inspired to think outside that mirrored box and try using mirrors in a new and impactful way.

Start by evaluating the frame (is it time for a change to something with more pizzazz?), what your mirror reflects (should you move it to reflect a prettier view?), and what else is in the room.  Take some measurements for a minimum and maximum size (follow the same rules of thumb as for art) and start watching the sales.

Reminder

As a reminder, we are no longer able to answer individual home decorating dilemmas on a complementary basis.  We were overwhelmed with the volume of requests.  However, we are available to help you with a single dilemma or a whole room makeover – you can read about the details here.