When most people think about adding a mirror to their home, they might consider all the vain reasons to do so. It’s a great place to admire your great glam work, check your teeth for food particles, and give yourself a once-over before leaving the house for a big event. However, if you ask interior designers, a reflective surface can be the gift that keeps on giving.
“Mirrors can be one of the most valuable elements in our designer’s toolbox,” says Marcia Bryan, founder of Bryan Design Group in Southern California. “They not only add visual interest to a room, but they are a wonderful way to make a room feel larger, maximize natural light, and visually expand a room beyond its proportions.”
Design by Marcia Bryan; Photo by Molly Rose Photo
Sure, anyone can slap a mirror on a wall and call it a day. However, if you want to use this decor for its room-expanding benefits, a little bit of strategy comes into play. For San Diego-based designer Christina Kelley, location is everything.
“Mirrors expand a room wherever they’re placed, but the key is what they’re reflecting,” she explains. “Aim for greenery, views, or art—not a closet door.” Placing a mirror across from a light source can help bounce the light around, making a small space look larger in the process.
The reflection can play a critical role in a mirror’s impact, so don’t be afraid to place a mirror in an unconventional nook or cranny. “I tucked one behind a baby grand [piano] in the corner,” Kelley says of a recent project. “It balanced a wall already anchored by focal points while extending the view into the courtyard greenery.”
Another surprise, space enhancing idea: Mount a tall mirror above a nightstand, a strategically Kelley says “instantly shifts the scale of a room, pulling the eye upward.”
While peppering in unexpected mirrors can create the illusion of a brighter, larger space, we sometimes need a reflective surface to anchor a room. The secret, designers say, is to hang a mirror on a slight, upward angle. “Tilting the mirror above a fireplace sofa can reflect the light downward into the room,” Bryan recommends.
Or, if you really want to make a statement, go big or go home. “To maximize the ultimate space-enhancing effects for a small area, consider a full-height mirror or paneling your entire wall,” Bryan says. She also says placing paneled mirrors to a hallway ceiling can make a room appear taller.
Regardless of where you place your reflective surfaces, remember that not just any mirror will do. “Choosing a fun shape or decorative material to frame your mirror adds a creative way to bring both style and texture to the room,” Bryan says.
Design by Christina Kelley; Photo by Charlotte Lea
For starters, Kelley says it’s crucial to select one that fits with your footprint. “The larger the mirror, the bigger the impact,” she notes. “Just make sure it’s scaled to the room and positioned to reflect something beautiful.”
Don’t discount shape, Kelley adds. “Consider whether the mirror should be a quiet backdrop for balance and minimalism, or add a fun pop of character to the room,” the designer explains. A rectangular mirror with a slim, metallic or wooden frame can fit in with a more traditional home, curvy options with colorful rims will work in bold spaces.
But while shape and style are ultimately subjective, Kelley has no major don’t: Unless you’re sourcing an antique option, stay away from beveled frames. “They don’t read as elevated or clean,” she explains.
With the help of these do’s—and, okay, a few don’ts—your room is well on its way to becoming the fairest of them all.
