Last Updated on May 25, 2022 by Kimberly Crawford
Mirrors are one of those ubiquitous design elements that are found in most interior designs – but did you know that you have to be very careful about choosing the right ones?
Many homeowners simply think of a mirror as just a simple decor item that can be put anywhere. However, there’s a method to choosing this item, and it’s important to understand that every room has its own mirror requirement. You cannot hang a mirror meant for the bathroom vanity in your living area and vice versa. So below, we’ll be sharing the best tips for choosing the right mirror for each room in your house. Let’s take a look:
1. Entranceways or Hallways
Entrance foyers and hallways have limited square footage in most homes – especially the middle-class suburban houses or apartments. The goal of decorating these spaces with a mirror is twofold.
On the one hand, you get to create an illusion of more space with the mirror reflection, and on the other hand, you get to have a glamorous decor item that sets the tone for the rest of your home interior.
Therefore, it’s recommended that you go for a full-length vertical mirror for your entrance hallways. Here are some design considerations for it:
- Place the mirror on a plain wall – one that is devoid of any and all decor items so that the mirror and its frame stand out.
- You can experiment with the shape of the frame. Mirrors with arched tops, simple rectangular bodies, and elliptical forms are all good choices, as long they skew in the vertical orientation.
- You can also accent your hallway mirrors with floor-oriented decor items like planters, braided cotton baskets, etc. to give it a wholesome effect.
Related: 37+ Best Entryway Mirror Decor Ideas (Almost for Small Spaces)
2. Living Rooms
Living rooms are the decorative hub of a home. They’re a place of entertainment as well as relaxation, so it’s important to strike the right balance while picking your decor.
Mirrors for this area of the house range in a number of styles and designs. Here are a few options that you can pick from:
- Mirror gallery wall: Living rooms that lean on the smaller side or ones that don’t get as much natural light can benefit from a mirror gallery wall. It comprises a cluster of mismatched mirrors that are arranged in an asymmetric pattern on a single wall of the room. They’ll help reflect the existing light and make the room look brighter while providing a glamorous decor element for the statement wall.
- Standing mirror: Living rooms that exude a casual vibe are usually outfitted with a single standing mirror that either sits on the floor of an alcove or is hung directly on the wall. It’s accompanied by accent chairs or planters to create a well-rounded ambiance.
- Sideboard mirror: This is where a cluster of smaller mirrors or a single big mirror is hung above the living room sideboard for a wholesome effect. When it comes it single mirrors above sideboards, you can also choose the ones that come with statement frames. Mirrors with a sunburst or metal vine patterns are quite popular these days.
- Mirror wall: This is where a small section of the living room wall is entirely clad in the mirror. Sometimes, these walls are made by joining smaller mirror pieces that have been cut in a decorative pattern. Sometimes, the finish of the mirror is also played around to complement the interior design theme. Black and bronze-themed mirror walls are quite a popular trend.
3. Bedrooms
Mirrors featured in bedrooms are not just for decoration – they are also for checking your reflection while you’re getting ready. While the traditional dressing table has evolved over the decade, we still see a contemporary iteration of it in bedrooms, where a compact table is accompanied by either a circular mirror hung over its surface or a tall mirror that’s situated on the floor by its side.
Since the bedroom is a private sanctuary, these mirrors are also accompanied by accent pieces that soften their entire look. If you’re opting for a standing mirror, then you can complement it with a bunch of floor cushions or an ottoman laid out with a lush throw fabric over one side.
If you’re opting for a round or rectangular mirror over the dressing table, then make sure that its frame is in a completely contrasting shade from the finish of the table. Metallic finishes – especially gold and copper – are quite popular at the moment.
Related: How to Feng Shui Your Bedroom: Where to Place a Mirror for Optimal Energy
4. Bathrooms
All bathrooms are equipped with vanity mirrors, which are there to see your reflection while brushing your teeth, performing your nightly skincare routine, etc.
The thing about vanity mirrors is that they’re usually selected to complement the design of the vanity or the theme of the bathroom interior. Here’re some thematic interpretations:
- Classical bathroom: A marble-clad classical bathroom often features lovely vanity mirrors with gilded frames that are complemented with gorgeous sconce lights on either side.
- Tiny bathroom: Small bathrooms with compact vanities have round or rectangular mirrors with smooth modern frames.
- Contemporary style bathroom: Contemporary bathrooms that lean on the luxurious generally have oversized rectangular-shaped mirrors with elaborate edges – they could be embellished with frosted designs or they could have thick frames that go with the finish of the vanity itself.
If you’re thinking about the style of the vanity, then there are either single vanities, double vanities, or compact vanities. Here’s how you can pick out mirrors for them:
- Single vanity: Single vanities are around 2’ to 3’ in length. They can be topped off by either a single rectangular, elliptical, or round mirror. Their frames should contrast with the vanity finish.
- Double vanity: These vanities span almost 5’ to 6’ in the horizontal direction and consist of 2 sinks. There are two ways to compliment them with a mirror. You can either choose two single mirrors of the exact same design and place them above each sink on the vanity. Or you can install a feature-length mirror that spans the length of the entire vanity countertop above the backsplash.
- Compact vanity: These are 13” to 26” in size and should be paired with small or narrow mirrors that complement their size.
Pro tip: A good thumb rule for selecting the mirror frame finish for your bathroom vanity is to pick one that matches the hardware of your vanity cabinets. Gold handles and a gold mirror frame against a navy blue vanity will look absolutely wholesome.
5. Dining Areas
Dining area mirrors are probably the most straightforward to select. You just need to measure the length of your dining table and pick a mirror whose horizontal length is slightly smaller, but proportionate to that of the dining table. It should be placed in a manner so that it’s directly in the middle of the dining furniture. Pro tip: the base of the mirror should be 4”-6” above the top of your dining chair.
Remember: Vertical mirrors do not work in dining areas as they’re too narrow and don’t capture the essence of the area. However, if you’ve got a cluster of similarly designed smaller, vertical mirrors, then you can neatly arrange them in a single line above your dining furniture for a unique look.
Related: Mirror Buying Guide: How to Choose the Ideal Mirror for Your Home
So, these are some prominent areas of a house and some tips on how you can pick out the right mirror for them. We hope this guide helps you make a more informed decision about your mirror decor. Next, let’s try and choose the right mirror for your rooms on neutypechic.