Everyone knows that mirrors are useful, but
did you know they can also solve a wide range of decorating dilemmas? You can
use mirrors to make a room look bigger, to bring a lovely outdoor scene inside,
to reflect light in alluring patterns and to fill a void on a wall. A mirror
won’t clash with furniture like a painting or photograph, and it can blend with
any theme, from the simplest country home to the most upscale contemporary
design.
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| Frameless Vanity Oval Mirror |
Restaurant and nightclub owners have long used
mirrors to create a mood. To attract customers, they place them strategically
behind the bar to highlight the lights shining among the bottles. Mirrors often
line exclusive dining establishments, where dim, provocative lighting reflects
enough so patrons can still see their food and their companions while sharing
the intimacy of both. You can duplicate this effect at home: place a mirror in
your dining room and turn down the lights!
Apartment and condominium developers often
rely on mirrors to provide the illusion of space and largess. Walk
into an empty condo with mirrors lining the walls, and you’ll feel as
if you’ve just walked into a mansion. Full-length mirrors in tiny
spaces make the walls look taller. Hang them sideways to create a wider feel in any room.
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| Uttermost Abra Bronze Vanity Mirror |
Another trick is to strategically place a
mirror near your front door so you can quickly check your makeup and hair or
straighten your tie before leaving the house. A mirror hung opposite a doorway
can let you see the three-year-old trying to sneak up on you. And full-length
mirrors on opposite sides of a closet or bathroom provide for a full 360-degree
inspection.
Although a frame-less mirror can
accent many interiors, a framed mirror offers another way to add a dramatic,
elegant, or rustic touch to your decor. Look for a plain black or brushed
chrome frame to set off the clean lines of a contemporary setting. If you lean
toward the more traditional, use ornate dark wood frames to match the elegance
of your furniture. Rustic frames made from reclaimed wood highlight the natural
elements of your home. Placing a large mirror framed in natural wood tones over
your mantle complements your fireplace, anchoring it as the room’s focal point.
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| Coaldale Goal mirror by Uttermost |
For decorative purposes, the height of a
mirror is not that important, but for practical purposes, you should hang a
mirror so that your eyes reflect in the middle of the mirror. Make adjustments
as needed so that everyone in your family can see themselves without having to
bend down.
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| Uttermost Jansen Silver Mirror |
If you don’t trust your instincts for design,
here are a few standard rules for hanging a wall mirror:
- The
top of a mirror should be no less than six feet above the floor.
- Keep
at least 18 inches between the bottom of the mirror and the floor.
- Don’t
place any mirror in front of lights. The glare will make it difficult to
see the reflection.
- Leave
three to four feet of empty space in front of a mirror so you have enough
room to step back to get a fuller view.
- A
bathroom mirror should not be wider than the vanity. Center the mirror
over the vanity, not to the wall dimensions.
- When
hanging a heavy mirror, use a drywall anchor if you can’t find a stud.
If you have questions about how best to place
a wall mirror in your home, stop by one of our three locations and ask one of
our consultants
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