Home Interior Decorating Using Mirrors in Decorating

Using Mirrors in Decorating

by Debbie Correale

Mirrors when placed properly in a room can maximize light and visually expand an  area.   They bring a strong visual weight into a room and tend to attract a great deal of attention and command.  They are a wonderful way to brighten up a room and introduce elements of elegance, beauty and sparkle in any décor.

Mirrors can be used as wall art, architectural enhancements or for the functional purpose of reflecting oneself.  Whenever you are hanging a mirror remember the most important rule is to make sure the mirror reflects something beautiful. If a mirror is to be used for the purpose of checking oneself be sure not to hang them too high as it is frustrating to use a mirror that cuts the top of your head off!

Mirrors make wonderful focal points in a room.  If hanging a mirror over a  mantle make sure you angle the mirror so its reflection shines down into the room.  You want to see a reflection of a beautifully decorated room not a bare wall or ceiling fan above.  Experiment by angling a mirror in a room until you achieve the reflection you want.  It is amazing how the perspective in a room can be changed by just tilting/angling a mirror. Mirrors can be quite influential!  We can visually magnify and create depth in a small room by just introducing one into the room.  When lights and candles are added in as well, the reflection in the mirror creates more visual space as well as a romantic glow!

Mirrors if hung properly can visually expand space in a room.  Mirrors that are hung to  reflect a view out a window  not only bring the outside in, but also enlarge the space and create another “window” in the room.  Mirrors are also wonderful at diverting your eyes back into a room.  For instance, placing a mirror between 2 outside windows helps to draw the eye away from the view outdoors and bring it back into the room.  This is particularly helpful when we do not want to play up the outdoors!

Mirrors are also great as back drops for accessories.  Hang or lean a mirror on a table or bookcase and place accessories in front of them.   The small pieces of art, vases of flowers/twigs, and statues will “grow” in presence when backed by a mirror.  Adding mirrors to dark bookcases sometimes adds just the perfect amount of light needed.

Mirrors can also be used as trays on coffee tables, bureaus, dining tables or in the bathroom to display canisters or perfume bottles.  Mary Carol Garrity from Nell Hill uses mirrors as chargers for her dinner parties to add some drama to her tables.  Mirrors should also be used to repeat beautiful oil paintings, statues and floral arrangements in a room.  If you are missing large pieces of art for a room, try gluing a beautiful platter, piece of small art or metal architectural piece onto a large mirror to create a whole new piece of art.

Mirrors are one of the most universal accessories out there.  They can be used to create, hide, divert and beautify any room and décor.

Debbie Correale, Redesign Right, LLC     www.redesignright.com

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