How to find them, buy them, & place them + the ways to maximize their effect in your home!
Where to hang them
When it comes to placement, I like to position mirrors where they will magnify the light in a room. Mirrors can bounce light into dark corners so I often use them as illusionary windows.
Put a mirror opposite a window to grab the light and make the room brighter to create a greater sense of space. Be mindful of how high you hang the mirror. Four to eight inches above the furniture or architectural feature below it is a good rule. I usually start at four inches and then move upward till I’m certain I have the right height. Stand back and judge the height. If your ceilings are particularly high you can hang it higher. Important that the mirror should relate to what’s below it.
Over a fireplace
If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace, don’t just nail up any old mirror you have lying around. Nobody is looking into a mirror that high up –it’s a focal point of a major room.Look for a frame that feels artful or a shape that is unique. I like the look of round mirrors over a fireplace since it breaks up all of the horizontal elements, but rectangles also can work. (This mirror hangs above my clients fireplace in the LR)
Entry ways or foyers and hallways
Recommended locations for mirrors are entryways and hallways, which are often neglected spots in a home. I suggest that you hang a mirror above an entryway bench.Everyone wants to check out their face before answering the door or leaving the house. I always recommend a special mirror in the entry way.
I found this gem – an original Art Deco mirror – at an antique dealer in Manhattan. See how the mirror relates to this art deco inspired cabinet so nicely and brightens the space. Also it is interesting to hang the mirror off center where appropriate.
The dining room
Positioning mirrors opposite windows in a dining room will allow them to reflect natural light. A mirror centered over a credenza or buffet can also catch the glow from lighting fixtures and candles at a dinner party, adding to the ambience.
Beside the bed
In this situation, we added these mirrors on either side of the bed and hung them behind the lamps, which are near a window. They add light and fill out negative space without adding too much detail.
On a gallery wall
Mirrors in interesting frames or picture frames are great mix-ins for gallery walls. Don’t be afraid to step outside of pictures. Try using 70% artwork and 30% mirrors on the wall.
I hope you enjoyed reading this week’s blog on the value that mirrors can add to the design in your home. Send this to someone you know and let us know what other topics you’d like to see and learn!
