How to Decorate With Mirrors

Before you hang a mirror, check to see what it will reflect so you don’t get any unwanted views. Be careful that mirrors don’t reflect other mirrors, as this can give odd effects.

With clever positioning, you can use mirrors to your advantage. For example, a mirror at the right angle could allow you to check on a sleeping infant in a crib just by peeking through a door. Put one in the perfect spot in the living room, so you can glance in to see if your fur baby has climbed onto the off-limits sofa again.

Consider how the sun shines into the room when positioning mirrors. Putting a mirror in direct sunlight could create glare.

Keep proportion in mind when selecting mirrors. A small mirror often looks out of place in a large room, and a large mirror can overwhelm a small table or another piece of furniture underneath it.

As a general rule, choose a mirror two-thirds to three-quarters of the width of whatever is below it. This guideline is similar to the ones for selecting wall art.

Tip: If you have an unframed mirror that’s just too plain for your décor, use a mirror-framing kit to update it.

Choose one wall decoration with mirrors in a living room. Use different shapes, sizes and styles as you wish. Just make sure they complement each other, so the design looks unified and not chaotic.

Hang a statement mirror over a sofa instead of a piece of art. Round mirrors can work great for this purpose since they contrast nicely with the lines of a couch.

If your room lacks a window, use a mirror in an arched frame or a mirror with multiple panes to get the look of one. Mirrors with these kinds of architectural elements can create a sense of openness.

Lean a large mirror against a living room wall and stack pieces of art in different sizes and frames against it for a layered look.

Hang a mirror over a mantle. Use battery-operated candles in front of it to create a soft, romantic glow. During the winter holidays, remove the candles and drape strings of festive mini-lights on the mantle so they'll reflect in the mirror.

Tip: Keep the style of the space in mind as you select mirrors. Sleek, clean frameless mirrors are a good match for modern decor. In a more traditional space, choose mirrors with carved wood frames. Washed and distressed finishes are good picks for farmhouses and rustic living rooms.

Give a bedroom mirror a decorative touch by hanging it from a pretty ribbon, a decorative chain or even industrial-looking wire. Double-check that whatever you choose is strong enough to hold the mirror in place before hanging it.

Install mirror tiles to create a large, custom-sized mirror in a bedroom or other room. Use them to cover a wall, top off a dresser or even stand in for a headboard.

Consider using mirrored doors on a closet to make a bedroom feel and look larger. They’re also useful when you’re getting dressed each morning.

Add a deep frame to a mirror and put it on one wall. For extra storage, you can stash jewelry, watches, perfume bottles or other small items inside the frame.

Use a mirror as a headboard for a single or twin bed, or hang two matching mirrors a little distance apart and let them serve as a headboard for a king or queen bed.

If you’re short on wall space, hang a full-length mirror behind a bedroom door. In a bigger room, try a half-length mirror on an easel

or a freestanding floor mirror.

Tip: Be careful with easel-mounted and leaning mirrors. In homes with kids or pets, anchor the mirror to reduce the risk of accidents.

Mirrors in the bathroom are often functional, but they can have style benefits, too. For example, you can brighten a small or dark bathroom with a mirror hung at an angle from a window.

If you have space, hang identical vanity mirrors over a bathroom vanity. Use sconces between or above them for lighting. Illuminate a long vanity with a single mirror and an attractive light fixture above it.

Consider a medicine cabinet with a mirrored door if you’re short on wall space. A medicine cabinet is also a good option in bathrooms with sinks that lack vanity storage.

Browse stylish makeup mirrors for a functional addition to your bathroom vanity top. These mirrors come with various features, from magnifying makeup mirrors to lighted ones, which can simplify your morning routine. Add some glamor with a backlit mirror that gives off a soft flow.

For an elegant, classic look, choose a mirror with beveled edges for your bathroom. Try a simple, unframed mirror if your interior design is minimalistic. For a contemporary bath, use a vessel sink and hang a mirror in a burnished bronze or another metallic-looking frame over it.

Make your entryway shine with mirror accents. Try a large mirror at the end of a hallway to add a sense of depth. A big mirror also provides a sense of dimension in a cramped front entrance.

If you're short on space, go beyond the wall and look for furniture with mirrored surfaces. Place a sleek mirrored console in the entryway or top off your existing table with a mirrored tray.

Need a place to hang your hats and coats or to stash keys and mail? Choose a mirrored wall shelf with built-in hooks or a hall tree with a mirrored panel.

To make a gallery wall with mirrors, start by collecting a variety of wall mirrors in different shapes, sizes and styles. Don’t be afraid to mix antique or vintage mirrors with contemporary styles.

Place a large piece of paper on the floor and arrange the mirrors on it. Move them around to find the most pleasing design.

Mark the spot where each mirror will hang on the paper and remove them. Use painter’s tape to tape the paper to the wall you’ve selected. Mark spots on the wall that correspond to the spots for the mirrors you made on the paper. Add hooks or other recommended hangers to install the mirrors.

If the gallery wall is over a table in a foyer, hall or living room, add texture and color with a vase of flowers, a ceramic lamp or a stack of books.

Use a decorative mirror instead of artwork to glam up a dining room or kitchen. Hang it so it reflects light from a window, chandelier or other light fixture.

Install a mirror or mirror tiles behind kitchen countertops to make a backsplash. Remember to clean the mirrors often, as they’ll get some splatters when you’re cooking.

Add a pop of color and brighten a dining room or other eating space by painting a mirror in a wood frame. Choose the secondary or tertiary shade from your palette to tie the mirror to the rest of the area.

Spray paint can make the job quick and easy. Cover the glass and then sand the wood. Add a coat of spray primer and finish it with your preferred color.

A single nail isn’t enough to hold a mirror securely. Use picture hangers to hold a mirror flat against a wall. Check the weight rating on the hardware before purchasing.

When possible, install hooks for heavy pieces into wall studs. Find them fast with a stud finder. On doors and in places where studs aren’t accessible, use stronger hooks for secure installation.