Mirror – a Creative Interior Accent

Prepared by Deimantė Makarevičiūtė

Traditionally, it is believed that the purpose of a mirror in an interior is purely practical – we glance at the mirror while rushing out of the house, it helps us choose the best outfit, and sometimes whispers who is the most beautiful in the world. But if we think more creatively, even a mirror can become a unique piece of art.

The “Double Room” Effect

The optical properties of mirrors allow us to be clever and solve several shortcomings in home interiors. For example, if you can't boast a spacious and bright living room, mirrors can help create a “double room” effect. Place a large, elegantly framed mirror on the floor against one of the side walls of the room. To prevent guests from being deceived and accidentally bumping into the supposedly existing room, place a bright accent next to the mirror – a soft pouf, an antique wooden chest, or a patterned vase. If the wall of the room is long and monotonously empty – position two mirrors of the same size next to each other. The play of reflections will create the impression of an open window.

Sunlight and the Faux Window

For those who love natural daylight but the room layout has limited them to just one window, a mirror can help solve this issue. If a beautiful dresser stands by the living room window, hang the mirror directly above it. The sunlight streaming through the window will reflect in the mirror, creating the effect of a “second” window.

Mirrors in Dark Corridors and Niches

In corridors and dark niches, it is particularly effective to place full-length mirrors. To see your full height in the mirror, the top edge must be at least 170 cm high and no less than 50 cm wide – then you can comfortably check your entire appearance.

Morning Rays in the Bedroom

In the bedroom, you can place a mirror directly on the floor; reflections of nature and clouds will pleasantly awaken you every morning. For a room without curtains, choose frames for the mirror that are close to the wood color of the windows – it will create the impression of another window. Feng shui advises against placing mirrors directly across from the bed and at an angle where you can see yourself as soon as you wake up – after all, we rarely look our best right after waking up. The more harmony in the bedroom, the easier the day will begin.

Bright and Spacious Stairs

For those living in townhouses or homes with many stairs, you may have encountered uncomfortable spaces between levels. Properly hung mirrors will reduce the fear of cramped spaces and make the stairs cozier. Choose an empty wall at the bottom of the stairs and hang a large, tall mirror on it. If the wall is wide, select frames of one color but different shades and frame mirrors of different sizes. You can add a shelf to the main mirror where you can display souvenirs or a collection of elegant pitchers, making the stairs a continuous part of the living room or kitchen. For those who prefer a classic look – choose wooden frames with a smooth design that closely match the wood color of the stairs. To avoid monotony, place a glass vase, a composition of natural wood roots, or a low-maintenance leafy plant nearby to add life to the empty stairs.

Gallery on the Stairs

If you have a spacious empty wall next to the stairs, fill it with a collection of ten mirrors in various formats. Play with different frame styles to create a highly dynamic composition. Mix classic profile frames with richly decorated Victorian frames, and modern ones with aged Provencal style frames. A useful accent is a wooden hook for small items. To ensure the collection doesn’t look empty and doesn’t resemble an interior showroom, diversify it with frames containing family photos. Leave a few photo frames completely empty, as if to indicate that this is a constantly changing and living collection.

Light Play in Frameless Mirrors

In modern New York, studio-style interiors, frameless mirrors or those with very thin metal frames will fit perfectly. If such a mirror hangs above a sideboard – place glass and metal containers nearby – elegant glasses, a uniquely shaped vase, or a silver cocktail shaker. Shiny metal details and glass surfaces reflecting in the mirror will create a dynamic play of light reflections.

A Touch of Luxury in the Dining Room

For those creating a luxurious style – choose royal, richly decorated silver or gold frames for the mirror. In a classic interior, a beautiful mirror becomes the focal point and is hung above a fireplace or an antique sideboard. Choose massive, natural wood, carved frames or those adorned with gold dust and silver elements for the mirror. Place a row of luxurious candlesticks or a beautiful silver sugar bowl next to the sideboard.

Create a Romantic Boudoir with a Mirror

For a French-style interior dominated by white wooden furniture, lace bedspreads, and silk-covered armchairs, choose frames for the mirror in milk white or cream shades with abundant ornaments. A chic mirror will create a true French-style boudoir in your bedroom.

Practical Mirror Tricks

In a dark and cramped bedroom, hanging a narrow, elongated mirror above the bed will almost double the space of the room.

Water Reflections in the Bathroom

For a small bathroom, the most suitable are seamless, elongated mirrors mounted above sinks and all cabinets. Such recessed mirrors will visually double the bathroom space. The effect will be further enhanced by lights installed above the mirror, with bulbs directed downwards towards the mirror. If your bathroom has a window, hang the mirror so that light falls on it – you will double the natural lighting. Meanwhile, in a very small bathroom, you can achieve a similar effect by hanging two mirrors at right angles to each other. You can use the previously described trick and place two full-length mirrors in the corner of the bathroom.

For art lovers – hang framed pictures with glass next to the mirror. The reflections in the mirror will add extra reflections and create the illusion of a water surface. For framing, you can choose graphic works or photographs that, framed under glass and matted, will be more resistant to moisture than natural canvas, which may stretch improperly in dampness. Choose pictures with sea motifs, exotic flowers, and pair them with shiny silver frames that will help enhance the space by reflecting.