Decorating with mirrors brings light and depth into rooms — they’re almost like ornamental windows you can strategically place within a space to enhance a room’s natural qualities.
Hung on a wall opposite a window, they reflect additional light into a space that might lack adequate natural illumination. Used in a narrow hallway, entryway, or stairwell, mirrors can visually widen the space, creating better flow from room to room.
In dining rooms, hanging a large mirror the same height as the chandelier creates a beautiful reflection with twice the visual impact.
Do you have a piece of artwork or other decorative element that you just love? Strategically placing a mirror to reflect the image of your favorite piece creates emphasis and highlights your treasured item.
In a room that lacks a natural focus, a bold, decorative mirror or grouping of mirrors can create that much needed focal point.
And let’s not forget the practical side of mirrors. Placing a decorative mirror near the doorway used to exit your home let’s you do a last-minute check before heading out. Just remember that mirrors reflect everything in their path, including a pile of clutter or unattractive view, so keep this in mind as you add this versatile accessory to your favorite space.
Designer Do
A large mirror in a small space creates the illusion of depth, so don’t be afraid to go big. Full-size floor mirrors can make a dramatic statement in a small area, opening up the space and adding visual dimension. Placed behind a comfortable chair and accent table, a large floor mirror creates an elegant backdrop for the perfect vignette.
Mirrors have come to mean much more than the original ‘looking glass.’ By using them, there are no dark, gloomy corners, no drab caverns for halls. There can be a feeling of freedom, light, air, and space.
— Dorothy Draper, Interior Designer