How best to use magnificent mirrors
Top tips for bouncing the light, framing furnishings and showing your best face
Mirrors are magnificent. Whether it’s checking the way you look, making a room seem bigger or brightening a whole space, they really are essential in the home. ‘More than ever, shoppers are adorning their walls with statement mirrors that bring light and space into their homes,’ says Dayna Isom Johnson, trend expert for Etsy (etsy. com) online marketplace.
She says asymmetrical mirrors are especially on the rise, as shoppers look to add pops of personality to their spaces.
As Lucy Mather, interiors expert at luxury home and interiors retailer Arighi Bianchi, puts it: ‘Mirrors are an interior designer’s secret weapon, and sometimes it’s easy for homeowners to forget just what an impact a well-placed mirror can have – both from a design and functional perspective.’
Here’s how to bounce the light, frame those furnishings and show your best face….
Think about what you want to see in the mirror
‘Oneofthemostcrucialconsiderations you need to take into account when making a statement mirror part of your design is what you want it to reflect,’ says Mather.
‘This could be bringing in more natural light and greenery – in which case, you should hang your mirror opposite or adjacent to a window,’ suggests Mather. ‘Or, you may want to give an added dimension to a design feature in your space.’
For example, she says a mirror hung on the mantelpiece opposite your sofa will reflect the space behind you that you don’t get to see when sat down.
Take visual illusions into account
Mather says the same rule can be applied for adding texture to a space.
‘A mirror which reflects back a piece of rustic furniture, tactile cushions or throw, will create the illusion of added texture, creating interesting spatial illusions and reflecting your design details around the room.
‘Meanwhile, placing a mirror in an entertaining space will make your dinner parties and soirees feel bigger than they actually are,’ suggests Mather.
The more mirrors the merrier
For maximum impact, why not consider a feature wall of mirrors? Especially if you’ve collected a few over the years or have some flea market finds gathering dust.
Jenna Choate, co-founder of Interior Fox, says grouping mirrors together creates a feeling of more space and allows the light to bounce around the room.
‘Using mirrors that vary in size will elevate the scheme and create a point of interest in the room,’ says Choate.