If the idea of decorating with mirrors brings back bad memories of floor-to-ceiling reflective walls from 1980s aerobics classes, don't worry.If you choose correctly, adding a mirror to your home decor will upgrade your look
In almost any room.
Using mirrors as decorative accents has recently become popular among interior designers, but with so many new styles and options, it can be hard to know where to start. To buck this trend, we've looked into why mirrors are beneficial and revealed our favorite ways to incorporate them into your home.
Advantages of mirrors
Most people know that mirrors can help make a room appear larger. That's why you often see mirrors in small spaces and apartments, but they also have other benefits that enhance your home and lifestyle.
For example, according to Elle Decor magazine's website, mirrors can make a space appear more airy and light-filled by reflecting light coming in through windows. This lighting effect makes your home feel less stuffy and dark. Shoshana Gosselin, owner of Love Your Room in the Lehigh Valley, says she enjoys decorating with mirrors because they “brighten the room and add depth by creating the illusion of more space.” says.
In addition to letting in light and making a room feel more open, mirrors can act as decorative pieces in their own right, enhancing the style and atmosphere of any area. Depending on your preference, “beautifully framed can not only add elegance but also help create a themed space,” says Gosselin. Fun beauty benefits aside, she reminds us that mirrors are also functional in spaces like bedrooms, walk-in closets, bathrooms, and entryways.
Please choose the appropriate size
Once you fully understand the benefits of mirrors and want to add them to your home's decor, the next step is to decide which mirror is suitable for each room in your home. Since there are so many factors involved, the best first thing to decide is which room you want to decorate, and then go from there.
It is important to consider practical factors such as size. According to the About Home website, “Size selection should also be based on whether you want the mirror to be a focal point, an accent, or simply serve as a backdrop.” Determine the effect you want to create with your mirror. It will be much easier to choose the right mirror for your room.
Gosselin says it's also important to consider the size of your walls. “Too much space around a wall mirror can make it look 'too small,'” she says. A good rule of thumb she uses is for mirrors to take up about one-half to three-quarters of the wall space.
consider your style
Another factor to consider is the style of the room you want to accent. “My choice of mirror shape, frame style, and material depends on the overall look I'm going for,” says Gosselin.
Each room has its own characteristics that make it suitable for certain types of mirrors. For example, for a bedroom, to add some personality and achieve a consistent look, you can use a starburst shape on the headboard or a funky color-framed mirror in a child's bedroom. ” says Gosselin. For the family room, Gosselin might choose “a mirror with an elaborate wrought iron frame or a mirror with a thick wood frame.”
The kitchen now has a more subdued, yet functional, mirror, Gosselin said. “You might choose a frame wrapped in grasscloth or hung from rope or leather straps. You might also add a chalkboard or corkboard to it, or maybe a few framed photos. ” she says.
Whatever your tastes, About Home recommends making sure the mirror you buy matches your current decor. “Mirrors should reflect the style already in the room. The shape and size of the mirror are important, but the frame plays an even bigger role in determining it,” says the style guru.
group them together
When it comes to mirror trends, one simple concept to consider is grouped mirrors. According to Gosselin, “Designers use mirrors to make artistic expressions. You'll see lots of mirrors placed together, like a gallery on the wall.”
Grouping mirrors is easy and creates a great effect in your living room, staircase or bedroom. Online decorating resource Houzz.com suggests collecting mirrors in a variety of sizes, frame colors, and styles to create interest and an “electric display.” Want a more contemporary feel? Houzz.com offers round mirrors for a bolder, more modern look.
Other decorating tactics include grouping two or more mirrors of the same style to create balance and symmetry. This is what Gosselin recently did with his three convex mirrors installed above the bed. According to Gosselin, grouping smaller mirrors allows you to take advantage of all the good properties of mirrors, such as light enhancement, the illusion of more space, and supplemental decoration, while also providing the same benefits as larger “in-your-face” mirrors. without the distracting and unwieldy properties.
away from the wall
Mirrors are no longer just for walls. Decorative trays with mirrors are a trendy way to experiment with mirrors without taking up wall space. Trays are fun to incorporate into your home decor because they are cheaper than most mirrors and can be easily moved as opposed to wall-mounted reflectors.
Try using mirrored trays as a chic way to frame clutter on vanities, coffee tables, entryway stands, and more. Add drama to your dining room table by incorporating a mirrored tray into your centerpiece.
Especially during the holidays.
Many mirrored trays are vintage, so try finding them inexpensively at antique barns or thrift stores. You can paint it, refinish it, or leave it “aged” to achieve the look you want.