Reflected Glory
...Or 5 ways to decorate with mirrors.
Mirrors are a constant feature in our homes and lives. They can be used to reflect the 'true' nature of what something or someone looks like, or they can distort and trick the eye into seeing a whole new scene. They carry with them the idea of depth and have been used in literature to create whole new worlds, with the idea that the mirror can 'see' more that the onlooker. One of the most famous uses of mirrors in a room is the Mirror Gallery in the Palace of Versailles. It had 306 huge mirrors and was 220 feet long. Mirrors are extremely adaptable and can be used in any room to stunning effect - even in our more modest sized homes! Here are 5 ideas to try:
1) Create a sense of space
It’s an old trick, but still a very effective one; putting a mirror up in a small room can make it seem much bigger than it really is. And don’t be afraid to play with scale. A big mirror in a small space is perfect for adding dimension and depth.
A hallway is such a natural choice for a mirror as so often they can be small and narrow. This tall mirror accentuates the wonderful ceiling height and furnishings, whilst maximising the feeling of space.
Image: todhunterearle.com
In a small bathroom, introducing a mirror will instantly create interest and space. This room has simple, clean decor and the beautiful tarnished mirror takes all the focus, reflecting and refracting the scene behind in its distressed hue.
Image: houzz.com, courtesy of TY Larkins Interiors
This dining area benefits from a lovely stretch of natural light flooding in from the top of the room. A mirror is such a good choice here as it will bounce all that light into different areas of the room, with changing colours and tone throughout the day. The mirror nearly fills the entire height and comes close to the edge of the wall in width too. It will draw you in and make that space seem much larger and grander than it would be without it.
Image: bucolicsplendour.blogspot.de
2) Use in an unusual setting
There's no need to limit yourself to a traditional round or rectangle mirror on the wall. Mirrors can work virtually anywhere, as these designs below show:
Check out the mirrored splash back! It's looks more like a window and really draws you into the space. Mirrors can so easily be incorporated into the kitchen. If you are worried about maintenance though and keeping it all shiny and clean, a tarnished, antique mirror would help with this and also add extra beauty to your kitchen.
Image: style-files.com
Why not try a mirrored radiator? They look so good and yet no-one would ever know what they're really for! I'd love these in my house.
Image: cinier.co.uk
The average home in the UK doesn't have much outdoor space, so it's good to make the most of every part of it. A mirror works so well in a garden, doubling the impact of plants and flowers. It will also create a sense of an outdoor 'room' and blur the lines between the inside and outside of your home.
Image: houseandgarden.co,uk
3) Mirrored furniture
What says luxe, especially the art deco luxe of days gone by, more than mirrored furniture? There have been some cheaper items produced in recent years, but done well mirrored furniture can look timeless and elegant. I think all that's missing from this scene is a playing gramophone and a cocktail glass...
Image: simpsonsmirrors.com
For a more gentle addition to your home, try putting up a wall of pictures in mirrored frames. They'll have light sparkling all over the place.
Image: moderncountrystyle.blogspot.co.uk
4) Group together
Grouping mirrors together can add instant impact and create an ever-changing focal point. Group a certain style of mirror together or mix and match for a more eclectic look.
A line of the same mirrors placed next to each other create a fragmented reflection which really stands out against the dark walls. A very elegant and modern idea that enhances this traditional and classic room.
Image: houseandgarden.co.uk
These mirrors are different, but their wicker frames are all the same and this unites this beautiful display. Choosing different styles made with the same material is great for a group.
Image: houseandgarden.co.uk
The colour of this wall is lovely and provides a wonderful backdrop to this group of mirrors. They're all different but they're rim-less style brings this collection together.
Image: remodelista.com
Do you have a particular collection that you love? Here is a lovely way to display them all.
Image: milkdecoration.com
5) Make a bold statement
The wonderfully versatile quality of mirrors is that you can be very bold with their size and where you put them. Bring mirrors into the different rooms of your home and use them as walls, experiment with colour and form, choose old or new styles and they will add an instant design feature.
The rich patina of this tarnished mirror lends a real beauty and sense of history to this room. It's not the largest of spaces and this mirror will also help to extend the feeling of space.
Image: cotedetexas.blogspot.ca
This island unit is clad in slightly coppery toned mirror panels. It makes the unit seem like it is taking up less space than it is, which helps to increase the sense of space. It also adds warmth to the monochrome scheme by also reflecting the honey coloured wood floor.
Image: fashionsquad.com
Mirrored wall tiles add a touch of modern glamour to this minimalist bathroom. The reflection takes all the focus and brings the greenery of outside into the room.
Image: dontpayfull.com
Long mirrors and the grey, white and black colour scheme create a sense of opulence and elegance. The mirrors help the walls recede, they remove any feeling of barrier and seem more like widows, so the bed takes all the focus.
Image: decoholic.org
In our home we have mirrors running up the walls of the stairway, which means we can have a conversation through mirrors whilst being on different floors of the house. It's important to think about what your mirror will reflect and what you put on the walls opposite a mirror. Positioning a mirror near a window or the door to your garden can help to bring the outside into your home. Do you love mirrors? How have you used mirrors in your home?
Title image: eastmanimages.com
