Interiors: Mirroring the latests look on your wall

They don’t really do it with mirrors – too stark or too ornately ... Let’s shed light on the topic

Mirrors are, in a lot of ways, obvious as home decor. They are a common inclusion around most homes, and offer two main benefits to interior styling: they make spaces feel bigger and they make spaces feel brighter. So what’s not to love?

Well, the shapes and the placement of mirrors have historically been a little dull. They’ve either looked starkly modern or ornately antique, and there hasn’t always seemed to be much in between.

That is, until recently, when retailers began to offer mirrors in a variety of unexpected shapes, sizes, and even glass colours.

The influx of more modern mirror options means it’s easy to work them into just about any space; no matter how small or unusual. In fact, these unique mirrors can suit the oddest of walls and lend themselves to a room design that’s a bit more quirky.

Instead of a standard circular, square or rectangular mirror, consider an oblong shape or one that’s more organic to give a space a less fussy vibe. Mirrors with irregular edges will also give standard gallery walls an unconventional edge. You could even consider placing an organic-shaped mirror off-centre on a larger wall, and enjoy the slightly off-kilter effect.

Finally, consider the materials of the mirror you’re choosing: matte black or simple brass frames will keep the room feeling contemporary, whereas shiny gold with lots of embellishments will give you a much more historic look.

Placing a mirror off-centre can totally change the space (Furniture Village).

Try an oversize mirror that almost dwarfs the furniture (Harvey Norman).

An oblong frame with a smaller mirror can be the perfect use of space (Cuckooland).

Pairing two mirrors at a low height is another unusual option (Harvey Norman).

An organic-shaped mirror will spice up a gallery wall (Nest.co.uk).