Mirrors are one of my favourite accessories for the home because they can add the illusion of space and light. A wall mirror can also add a lovely decorative look to your room, and it makes an ideal focal point for your space. The trick in choosing the right mirror for your room is really dependant on the look that you want to create. In saying that, there are always some tried and tested rules that never fail you when you select the right style, size, and shape. Here’s how I would choose a mirror for every room in my home:
Bigger is better
First, ask yourself how large do you want it to be. The size of the mirror should be determined by a couple of factors: the size of the wall that you are planning on hanging it on, plus how impactful do you want the mirror to be in the room? For me, I would suggest going one size larger than you may initially expect. When you go bigger in scale, it makes it look so much more dramatic and works to really expand the space.
Shape matters
There are endless possibilities when it comes to mirror shapes, but they can generally be put into three categories: square, abstract and round. Both square and round mirrors are functional: They look great in hallways, living rooms and bedrooms. Abstract styles are decorative, and their shapes include geometric, triangular or teardrop, which lends itself to the spaces in your homes whereby mirrors are more about making a style statement than anything else. For a mirror that can go anywhere, opt for one that’s bordered by a mirrored frame, but never skip a frame entirely! Frameless mirrors can make a room look unfinished.
Find the right positioning
If possible, hang mirrors opposite windows to take advantage of all of that gorgeous natural light, but if you don’t have a window in a room, position a mirror near a light fixture, and it will achieve a very similar effect.
Front foyer or a high-traffic door
It’s fairly common for a front entryway to be dark. A big mirror will enhance the light you do have and can make the narrow space feel larger. Place a mirror near the door you use most, and make sure to hang the mirror 60 inches from the floor to the centre of the mirror so people can see themselves. Whether this is your entryway or beside your “true” front door, a mirror will let you take one last look at yourself before you walk out.
Living Room
There are many ways you can go here:
- A single small mirror on a large wall will look lost, so choose a size that is appropriate for the wall you have selected.
- If you want the mirror to be a focal point in your room, ensure it is large enough to stand out, but also define it by choosing a frame that will make it more noticeable.
- If you prefer to have the mirror as part of the background, select one that is extra-large so that its function is solely to make your space appear larger.
Bedroom
A full-length mirror is a necessity in the bedroom so you’re able to dress and look at yourself properly, and a leaning floor mirror is really easy to find. It looks more modern than a flush-mounted mirror, and you can still secure the top of the mirror with a wall anchor to prevent it from tipping.
Bathroom
Naturally, a good mirror in this room is essential, so when choosing the right size mirror, consider not just the function of its use, but also proportion. You want to remember that balance is key, so think about the size of your mirror in relation to that of your vanity. Traditionally, vanity mirrors are no larger than the vanity itself, and a common approach is to make the mirror the same width so they line up perfectly together. If you prefer not to go the same width entirely, another approach is to think about the mirror being 80 percent as wide as the vanity so the mirror doesn’t appear too mini, but proportionally smaller.
