For The Union-Tribune
Mirrors can be a boon to decorating a room. They can reflect and expand light, and the size, shape and frame can make it a statement piece.
They can define spaces in a large room. And they can be a way to give the eye a little breathing room in a space filled with art and other decorative pieces.
But they can also be a tricky item to incorporate into home design. Like other home furnishings, they have their practical uses: in the bathroom, to help with applying makeup; in the bedroom, to determine an outfit or identify clothing flaws; and even in an entry hallway, to do one final check before leaving.
But, oh, can the wrong choices lead to design mishaps — the wrong placement, the wrong size, the wrong style. And let’s not even discuss the ’70s trend of installing an entire wall with mirrors, especially gold-veined mirror tiles.
Mirrors can go far beyond function: A distinctive piece In this room by Blythe Interiors makes a grand statement through texture and scale. (Natalia Robert Photography)
But with a smart approach, mirrors can truly enhance a space.
“Mirrors can absolutely be a real advantage in a space, both functionally and aesthetically,” explained Vallerie Dalrymple of The Designers Firm. “That said, the impact of a mirror really depends on the size, style and, most importantly, its specific use within a room. The type of mirror you choose should always support its purpose.”
Let’s start with some basics around purpose, light, reflection and scale.
Bathrooms and mirrors are forever intertwined. It seems pretty straightforward: Just place a large mirror over the sink and you’re good, right? Well, not necessarily. The mirror should be proportional to the vanity, maybe two-thirds of the width, according to designer Lynn Siemer, director of design and operations at Blythe Interiors. It should be tall enough for the tallest person in the household. Typically, you would want to hang it about four to five inches above the countertop but take into consideration the type of faucet you have. You may have to adjust if your faucet is built into the wall compared to a sink mounted faucet — or if you have a tall vessel sink.
A mirror with a rippled edge adds an organic feel in an entryway that features natural finishes. Design by South Harlow Interiors. (Nader Essa Photography)
Because bathroom mirrors facilitate putting on makeup and shaving, light is hugely important. If you have a window that brings light to that part of the bathroom, perhaps a couple of dimmable sconces on either side or a pendant overhead are sufficient, especially if you also have recessed lighting. But a windowless bathroom or one where the window placement doesn’t send much light to the mirror might require more help in the form of an LED frame around the mirror. But that also depends on the style of your space.
“The LED mirror can tend to feel a bit more modern and contemporary,” said Kendall Guertin, a designer with South Harlow Interiors. “If the style of your home is pretty modern and sleek, then that would be a good choice. But if it’s a more traditional space — something like a cottage, for instance — it can feel out of place. In that case we use sconces.”
In a bedroom, a mirror’s primary function is to help you dress. Depending on the bedroom’s size and layout, ideally, you’ll have a full-size mirror either by or across from a window for the light. But there’s one thing you should be aware of.
“You want to make sure that if your bedroom is off a public space you don’t place the mirror where it would reflect inside the bedroom, unless you keep your space really tidy or close the door,” said Siemer.
A mirror above a fireplace matches the width of the firebox and echoes other curves in the room. Design by South Harlow Interiors. (Nader Essa Photography)
Dalrymple frequently designs Airbnbs and in one she installed a large, thick-framed mirror on a wall next to the bed. It reflects light from the window in the opposite wall and is just far enough away from the bed for a guest to check their outfit before heading out.
Entryways are a perfect place for a mirror. Especially, over a credenza or long bench.
“We love to add mirrors in entryways,” said Guertin. “We like to include them there because, of course, you want to take one last, final look before you leave the house. But it’s also your entry and you want it to be a statement piece as you walk in. So it’s also serving as an art piece at the same time.”
A small decorative mirror in a dining room ties into shapes in the cabinet design. Design by Blythe Interiors. (Natalia Robert Photography)
For Guertin, placement is important. The mirror should be positioned so that the reflection is also something you want to see, like a piece of art across the room. It can also make the room feel larger.
For years, a mirrored wall was a staple in a dining room. Before homes had open floor plans, dining rooms tended to be cut off from the kitchen and living room. A mirrored wall was thought to make the space feel larger. That’s no longer a thing. But, if a dining room is cut off — and budget is a factor, said Dalrymple, a large statement mirror opposite a window is a cost-effective solution compared to installing electrical to add recessed lighting.
Hanging a mirror over a bookcase or console is another option, especially if that wall faces a window to brighten and enlarge the space. In the dining room of a recent project, Guertin hung a large, organically shaped mirror over a simple black console holding books and a mushroom lamp.
Here’s where a large mirror display can be helpful in an open floor space: to set off a bar. If you have a bar in your living room or by the dining room, designers agreed that setting off the wall behind the bar in mirrors can distinguish the space from the rest of a large room. Guertin is doing just that with bronzed mirror.
Boldly beaded mirror trim meets a boldly patterned countertop in this bathroom designed by South Harlow Interiors. (Nader Essa Photography)
“It’s for a coffee bar,” she explained. “The bronze tint will be a little on the darker side, but it still reflect light and the space but with a little tweak on a typical mirror. There are glass mirror tiles, too, that you can use. We’ve done that in another project at the bar.
Living rooms offer a number of ways in which mirrors can enhance the space. It’s common to see them over a fireplace, for example. But there are some tricks to doing this. Siemer had an example of an off-center fireplace on the far side of a living room. On the mantel is a beautifully carved wood-framed mirror leaning against the wall that is also off center but to the right of the firebox, overlapping with it by about a third. She layered the display by adding a couple of photos and small plants on one side, and a pair of tall, slender candlesticks, a small plant, and a sculpted bird on the other.
“It was about balance,” explained Siemer.
Have a tall fireplace? You probably don’t want to add to the height with a mirror. It throws off the proportions.
Siemer also designed a gallery space above a large chocolate leather sectional sofa that strategically incorporated mirrors. In this case, antique mirrors that play with the collection of art pieces. The frames of the art pieces are relatively simple. The two mirrors have more elaborate frames; one is actually a small candelabra.
“We were trying to fill up as much of the entire wall as we could,” Siemer explained. “We found a lot of these pieces antiquing. The art was too small to put on the wall by itself, so we used the mirrors to fill the void. It was also a way to give the eye a break. Yes, the frames are really ornate. They’re providing texture and pattern, but you’re not seeing another image.”
“Mirrors are an essential part of thoughtful design,” said Dalrymple. “Not just decorative but architectural in their ability to enhance atmosphere. No matter how trends shirt, a well-placed mirror is timeless and always has a role to play.”
A mirror can cast light throughout a room, creating an illusion of even more space. In this look by The Designers Firm, a large mirror reflects one room into the next. (Rich Mino / Mino Pro Media)
Tips for buying and placing mirrors
• Look for quality in the glass itself. If you’re buying online this can be harder to check, said Guertin, so look at price. She said even a couple hundred dollar mirror could be on the cheap side. It depends on the material and its thickness. Skip thin, flimsy mirrors or those with plastic. You want something sturdy and solid, nothing warped or wavy. Accuracy is everything in a mirror. You don’t want to feel like you’re in a funhouse.
• Be adventurous in how you think about the shape of mirrors. What shapes are in your furniture or cabinet design or fabric prints? You can mimic or complement them with ovals, arches, suns and other shapes.
• Spend time thinking about the style of the room and what kind of frame would make the best statement. You can find unique mirrors with frames by artisans on Etsy, for instance. You can also go to art fairs. Guertin suggested that you can find frames alone and take them to a glassmaker to install a mirror. Big box stores like Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, and furniture stores are also options. So are thrifting and swap meets, as well as Facebook Marketplace. Consider different textures, antiques, and mixed media of wood and metal.
• Creating a collage of mirrors can be risky unless the grouping is more sculptural, with different sizes and shapes. “Don’t go with basic mirrors; make it feel more unique,” Guertin advised. “Also odd numbers are great. It makes the collage feel more organic. It feels more intentional.” Make sure your mirrors are spaced enough to give some breathing room to the look.
• Add mirrors with unusual or dramatic frames to a collage of art on a wall, advised Siemer. It helps break up a collection of art pieces so attention can be paid to each unique piece. And it’s a helpful way to fill a large space if there’s not enough art.
• Turn a full-length mirror in a bedroom into a statement piece with a dramatic frame, said Dalrymple. And place sconces on either side.
• If you have a large walk-in closet, consider placing a full-length mirror in there, especially if your bedroom is small or the walls are taken up with furniture or windows and doors.
• Depending on the room plan, try to place mirrors opposite a window to reflect light. Don’t place it in a spot that reflects a space you don’t want to draw attention to, like a dog crate or a TV or a space that’s often messy.Whether you lean a full-size mirror in a bedroom, a living room, or anywhere else, be sure to secure it to the wall. You don’t want it to crash during an earthquake or when kids or dogs are roughhousing.
Slim-profile mirrors add a touch of elegance in a bathroom by The Designers Firm. (Rich Mino / Mino Pro Media)