On Reflection

Mirrors are a great weapon in any designer’s arsenal. They are as much about misdirection as they are about reflection, creating space where there is none and spreading light into the gloomiest of corners. Here are a few ideas for you to reflect upon (sorry) when considering your own spaces.

Go big!

A large mirror in a small room creates the illusion of depth, so don’t be scared to go big. The bigger the mirror, the more light will be cast into the space.

Don’t just put them anywhere

It might be tempting to hang a mirror just to fill empty wall space, but make sure it’s reflecting something that is worth looking at. If you hang mirrors so that they are reflecting random things in your home, it looks a bit, well, odd. You would never want to place a mirror in a spot where it could reflect clutter or mess, or even an unattractive piece of furniture. Instead, it should reflect a nice view or bounce light back into the space. Think about positioning a mirror opposite a piece of art…

Make a mirror a focal point.

Over a fireplace, at the top of the stairs or at the end of a corridor, a beautiful mirror will draw the eye as well as making the space feel bigger.

Use mirrors in narrow hallways and staircases.

A small, horizontal mirror can work wonders in a narrow hallway or staircase. This helps to widen the space, which creates a better flow from room to room.

 

Use them in corners and in awkward space.

Placing mirrors in the corner of a room can help pull light and focus into an underused area. Clever use of mirror panels can make a drop in ceiling height disappear.

DON’T use mirrors on bedroom ceilings.

Ever.

Obviously.