The use of
mirrors in home décor has resurged in popularity in the last few years, and
home owners are finding that beautiful frames and decorative details make
mirrors works of art on the wall.
Mirrors can be used to create an illusion of space, to add light, or to
add a decorative sparkle to various spaces.
They can also create depth on a flat wall or lighten the visual weight
of a bulky wall. Mirrors make long
hallways feel broader and can enhance architecture by extending a line of
sight.
You can steal an interior designer’s
trick of making the eye believe a small room has more square footage than it
actually does by propping a large mirror on the floor against a wall. The mirror should be at least ¾ as tall as
the wall itself.
To go for a collector’s
look, try grouping mirrors on a wall featuring different frames or
borders. To create another “window” in a
darker room, hang a mirror opposite the existing window to reflect light and
make the space brighter. Strategic
placement of a mirror opposite a piece of art gives the painting or sculpture
more importance. Mirrors that reflect
lamplight help make a space more intimate and warm.
Mirrors may also be used in
unconventional settings. For example,
place a long door mirror down the middle of a dining room table to reflect
candle light or centerpieces. And how
about that fireplace that goes unused during the summer? It’s a perfect space for positioning a mirror
behind pillar candles. It will create
the illusion of a soft, flickering light without any of the heat.
There are a few rules you should
follow when working with mirrors. Rule
#1: When hanging a mirror, make sure you
consider the height, which is critical to getting the best reflection. If the frame of the mirror is more important
than what the mirror is reflecting (such as a starburst mirror), hanging it at
a higher level works well. Rule #2: Unless you plan to use the mirror for
primping, it looks best when it reflects light from a window or lamp. Rule #3: You can pre-check the reflection of
the mirror by standing where it will hang and looking at the opposite wall. Rule #4:
When hanging a mirror, use picture hangers placed on both sides of the
back of the piece rather than a wire.
This will cause the mirror to hang flat instead of at an angle that may
distort the reflection you are trying to achieve. Rule #5:
Be careful not to reflect too much glare from exposed light bulbs or the
sun. More light is great, but blinding
flashes are not. Rule #6: If your mirror hangs above a counter or table
top, clear the clutter. You don’t want a
mess magnified! And lastly, Rule
#7: Consider the color of the room when
you hang your mirror because that color will be intensified when reflected.
Mirrors are available in all shapes,
colors, styles, and sizes. Your home
will become “the fairest of them all” when you use them as decorative
highlights throughout your rooms.
