The 9 basics of decorating with mirrors

Decorating with mirrors is not a hard task. But there is a fine line between making or breaking it. So, let’s discuss and shed light on the main points that you need to consider when decorating with mirrors.

You chose your home décor style, you bought the furniture and beautiful decorative items. And now, it’s about time to start placing and decorating the house. Hanging frames is a good step. However, placing mirrors around the house is the new name of the game.

It’s pretty known that mirrors are responsible for creating this optical illusion pertaining wide spaces. They are there to reflect light and all the beautiful decorations that you are putting around the house.

But how to place these mirrors in the best places? How would these mirrors reflect light, space and blend within the décor style at the same time? Moreover, is there any way to complement the interior design of the house as you place these mirrors?

Decorating with mirrors is not a hard task. But there is a fine line between making or breaking it. So, let’s discuss and shed light on the main points that you need to consider when decorating with mirrors. 

So what are the 9 basics of decorating with mirrors?

Create a focal point

When working on your home décor, you need to identify first your focal point and distribute your furniture and decorative items accordingly. Mirrors serve as great focal points. Once placed, you can distribute your furniture, create your corners, and identify the best places for your decorations.

Let’s talk reflection

What do you want your mirror to reflect once it is hung? Ask this question before digging the first nail in the wall. You are placing a mirror to reflect or shed light on a beautiful piece of art in your house. Your mirror can reflect as well a beautifully dressed corner, or even the light coming from a window. Mirrors tend to give importance to the objects they reflect. Hence, you do not want your mirror to reflect an empty blank wall per se. On the contrary, why not highlight your new chandelier? Or why not even intensify the light coming from the window with the perfect mirror reflection?

Optical illusions

It is not a myth that mirrors give a perception that spaces are wider. With the reflection of some angles, and of lights in the room, they make you feel like you are walking into a spacious room full of light. That is why mirrors are highly recommended to install in closed and narrow areas.

Once a mirror is placed opposite a window, it does not only reflect the light coming from the outside but the full scene outside adding a special ambiance and spaciousness to the inside of the house.

Puzzle framed mirrors

People often use these mirrors to decorate a large empty wall, hallways… They are not meant to reflect a defined angle or object but rather as a decorative display on the wall. If you are not a fan of canvas or any other framed artwork, these mirrors can do wonders and create a dynamic effect in the area.

Let your mirrors blend with your décor style

Depending on the style of the area you are decorating, you will have to decide on the shape of the mirror in the first place. For example, you cannot go with square mirrors when you are placing round-shaped furniture from sofas to coffee tables and so on.

Second, you need to define the frame of the mirror. Maybe the style of your room calls for a mirror without a frame. Or you are following the rustic style, and therefore, you cannot go with a modern style frame for your mirror.

Third, the color of the frame. You need to choose a color that pairs well with the color palette of your space to make sure all items are homogenous and well blended.

Don’t aim high

A mirror and a piece of art are not the same. When you plan to place a frame with a piece of art of a portrait, you tend to place it low to meet eye level. The rule is not the same when it comes to mirror. When you place a mirror, you want it to reflect on one thing. Hence, you need to consider placing it on the level of the object that you intend to reflect. Although you may place these objects as well at eye level, if they are standing on a shelf, for example, you will need to take your mirror up or down a bit to make sure it is well leveled. Therefore, when it comes to mirror, the height of the mirror placement and the reflection you want to create must pair well and should be the standard based on which you place your mirror.

Beware when hanging your mirror

Whether expensive or cheap, you have invested in buying a mirror, so make sure to hang it properly. The best way to hang mirrors is by using picture hangers or wall hooks that allow you to hold them flat to the wall. Avoid using wire strings or nails.

Clean your mirror fairly

When I say fairly, I am not referring to water and soap with the use of a sponge. Mirrors do collect dust. However, to best dust your mirror, use a feather duster.

If you feel like there are some prints on the mirror, spray a bit of window cleaner solution on the mirror, and use a newspaper sheet or paper sheets to clean it up. You will see your mirror shining bright!

Geometric shapes

If you are like me, then you may consider uncommon geometrical shapes for your mirrors.

I am a fan of proper organization. Yet, I do believe that you can organize your items perfectly without the need to have blocks of squares, rectangular or round shapes.

Mirrors are most commonly displayed in these defined shapes. However there are many other shapes in the market that you can opt for without harming the decor style in your home. For instance, if you are going for round-shaped furniture and corners, you can opt for a round mirror, or for a tilted mirror circle, enlarged from one side that still has round edges. This mirror will still blend with your overall décor style and stand out as an attractive decorative item.

Here is a glimpse of the 9 basic points to consider when decorating with mirrors. You can consider them as the base to build on your plan to choose, buy and install your mirrors around the house. And when installed, you will see them blending with your décor style and reflecting on the best corners and decorations you have placed, turning your home into a place of wonders. If you still haven’t yet decided on how to arrange your living room, check out these 8 Major Points to Consider for a Spacious and Comfortable Living Room.