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Where to place a mirror in the living room


Mirror Placement Ideas by Room

Where to hang mirrors by room: Bathroom, Bedroom & More

With walls freshly painted and papered, furniture positioned perfectly, and lighting arranged to your liking, one of the final steps of decorating any room is covering those big, bare walls with all the personality your unique home deserves. Family portraits, artwork that makes you smile, and shelves to display your favorite knickknacks all help bring vitality and life to dull, listless rooms.

As you decide just how to bring in those vibrant finishing touches to your room, one of the most impactful decor decisions you can make is where and how to incorporate stylish and artful mirrors. These wall hangings can make a big statement on par with the most interesting artwork and wall decor while also serving important and unique functions for every room you place them in. Decorative mirrors underscore your design theme and add a fashionable element wherever you need extra flair. Coordinating your mirrors and light fixtures can take your bathrooms and powder rooms from functional to magazine-worthy. For smaller rooms, or rooms without adequate lighting, use mirrors to make a room look bigger or to reflect natural light.

While the function will vary from place to place, every room in your house can benefit from a perfectly-placed mirror, so read on for our favorite recommendations for incorporating this stylish accessory like a pro!

Which Rooms to Buy Mirrors for First

As you plan exactly how to decorate the walls of your new home, we recommend you focus on acquiring mirrors for the following rooms in the following order:

• Bathroom Vanity Mirrors
• Bedroom Full-Length Mirrors
• Bedroom Dresser/Dressing Table Mirrors
• Large Living Room Statement Mirrors
• Decorative Dining Rooms Mirrors
• Kitchen Mirrors to Reflect Natural Light

We know it can be tempting to start with that big, room-making statement piece for your living room or entryway, but based on the function each of these mirrors will serve, it’s always best to begin with the bathroom vanity mirror. This mirror will see the most use in your home as you and your family get ready for the day every morning or wind down every night.

Once the vanity mirror is selected, we recommend finding a full-length bedroom mirror to easily plan and check your outfit for the day, and smaller dresser-top mirrors that will serve a similar function for clothes, hair, and even make-up. Once these highly functional pieces are in place, you’ll want to move toward more aesthetic choices that dress up your living room, dining room, and kitchen. Depending on the layout of your home, we also suggest adding a mirror to your entryway, so you can take one last look at your hair, make-up, and outfit before you head out the door to face the world!

If you are not decorating a home from scratch, and are instead looking for replacement mirrors or unique mirrors to accent current décor, feel free to follow this guide in whatever order you see fit, depending on what rooms you’re looking to update and upgrade!

Mirror Placement Advice by Room

Bathroom Vanity Mirror Ideas

Because your bathroom vanity mirror serves such a specific function, it’s important to select a mirror that fits your needs. Once you’ve considered the following factors, then you can start the search for a mirror that fits these parameters but also fulfills your decor dreams! Vanity mirrors, like bathrooms themselves, can be both highly functional and fashionable with a little know-how, and these tips will have you picking mirrors that make design professionals proud.

Vanity mirror height
The height of your vanity mirror will largely depend on two factors—who will be using the mirror, and what kind of vanity and faucet fixtures you have. Because this mirror will be used most frequently for tasks like cleaning teeth, applying make-up, and styling hair, the mirror should be centered to the vanity with the middle hung at roughly 60” from the floor—or eye-level for most people (you can hang it higher if you’re tall!). If this mirror is intended for a kid’s bathroom, you may want to hang it a bit lower so shorter bodies can still have a clear view. However, your faucet may also play a role. Most mirrors will be around 10” above the faucet following these guidelines, but if you have a taller faucet you may have to adjust slightly—hang the mirror two or three inches above the tallest point of the faucet for a professional look.

Distance between vanity light and mirror
How your vanity light and mirror interact stylistically can have a dramatic impact on the look and function of your bathroom. We discuss how to pair vanity lights and mirrors in more detail in our Bathroom Vanity Lighting guide; explore some of our favorite tips and vanity light pairings. Remember, the distance between your mirror and vanity lights will depend on several factors, including what style of mirror you choose, how big your vanity is, who is using the bathroom most frequently, and of course, your favorite decor looks and trends.

Vanity mirror size
To create a cohesive style in your bathroom, match your bathroom mirror to your vanity. Most commonly, the width of your vanity mirror is one or two inches less than the width of your vanity. Using this guideline is an easy way to ensure a put-together aesthetic. If, however, you have an edgier frame of mind or a unique vanity, that standard may not be your best fit. For smaller vanities, a mirror that is one or two inches wider than the countertop can look modern and sleek—just be sure not to overwhelm or unbalance the space. A thinner, understated frame on the mirror can help pull this look together. For vanities with multiple sinks, you can choose to either hang one long mirror that stretches the whole width of the countertop or hang matching mirrors over each sink. Consider the function of each mirror as well as the aesthetic as you design the layout of this room. Your lighting will play a role too—narrower mirrors allow you to mount lights on either side, while longer mirrors may require you to choose lighting that sits above the mirror—or in some cases, lighting that is mounted to the mirror directly. These three elements—the vanity, mirror, and lighting—will all work in tandem, so take all three into account in your design.

Vanity mirror shapes
The shape of your vanity mirror is largely up to taste, and this is one area where you can really allow your personal style to shine. Traditional rectangular mirrors are not your only option! Round bathroom mirrors are a sleek, edgy way to soften a space, yet add a unique flair. Rectangle vanity mirrors are classic and timeless and come with many different frame options to add style. Oval vanity mirrors are the best of both looks—soft and sleek, unexpected yet highly functional. Square bathroom mirrors are less common and can bring a super chic, quirky modern vibe to your room. Your bathroom mirror can also serve as an accent or a contrast to your vanity lights. For example, round mirrors with globe lights can add a buoyant cohesion to your space, while triangular shades can add a sharp, angular element that underscores the shape of square and rectangular mirrors.

Design Tip: Industrial Bathroom Mirrors embrace a fun, bold look that always makes a statement. Match a metal-framed industrial mirror in black, bronze, or gold with industrial vanity lights to make a big impact in a small space. Raw and unfinished metals and woods are also staples of this look that can add a strikingly rugged air to your room.

Bedroom Mirror Ideas

While incorporating mirrors into your bedroom is heavily dependent upon your personal sense of style, using full-length mirrors, usually hung in or near a closet, is the most common bedroom mirror design choice. These mirrors are a key feature if you want to get the full view of your outfit each day. Above-dresser mirrors or dressing table mirrors serve a similar function, but usually only give you a waist-up view. We recommend incorporating both where possible for a truly functional space.

Bedrooms do, however, present great spaces for additional decorative mirrors. To help reflect natural light around the room, place mirrors opposite or beside windows. To create a soft and relaxing atmosphere, consider the gentle curves of a round or ovular mirror. Mirrors with uniquely-shaped decorative frames also make a grand statement in bedrooms. Similarly to our bedroom chandelier installation advice, we recommend that if you choose a large, heavy wall-mount mirror, you have it professionally installed—particularly if you choose to place it above the headboard. Heavy mirrors may require special mounting considerations and can pose safety hazards if installed incorrectly.

Design Tip: Bedroom boho mirrors in natural materials like rattan or bamboo are a quick and easy way to add trendy personality to your room. Plus, natural materials are best for creating a soothing atmosphere, perfect for rest and relaxation!

Living Room Mirror Ideas

As you move from the bathroom and bedroom of your home, you’ll find that your options for mirrors begin to take on more decorative functions as opposed to task-oriented ones. Living room mirrors can be a great way to fill awkward, empty spaces in living room wall decor, from oversized statement mirrors that fill the design needs of an entire wall, to small mirrors that add some variety to your current look. Remember to place your mirror opposite a window if possible to help fill the space with natural light, and always have a professional hang any heavy fixtures, especially if they are positioned over areas where your friends or family sit or sleep.
Some of our favorite living room mirror locations include:


• Mirrors over the mantel
• Mirrors over the fireplace
• Mirrors on a gallery wall

Design Tip: Create a modern living room mirror moment by hanging a frameless mirror over your mantel. Complete the look by placing potted plants and one or two family photos or small decor accessories on the mantel.


Dining Room Mirror Ideas

The dining room is a less-common area to hang mirrors; however, this design choice can have a big impact if your dining room:


• Feels small
• Has limited natural light
• Has a dining room chandelier that would coordinate well with a mirror

Mirrors can help open a space up, reflect light around a room, or add cohesion with light fixtures, so just as we did with our bathroom, it’s important to consider the function you want a dining room mirror to fulfill. If your dining room is more spacious or already has plenty of natural light, you can still add mirrors to enhance the visual appeal, but the location and design of the piece become more dependent on personal taste than function. At Shades of Light, we love seeing mirrors over buffet tables or mirrors behind dining tables. These simple placements can be a quick and easy way to add personality and panache to formal dining rooms.

Design Tip: Contemporary dining room mirrors look stunning when hung in a series along one large dining room wall. Multiple coordinating mirrors in this area give a sleek, dynamic, yet uncluttered effect.

Kitchen Mirror Ideas

Your kitchen may not be the first room to come to mind when deciding where to hang mirrors in your home, but depending on the layout of your kitchen, this unexpected placement can make your space stand out in a big way. Many modern, open-concept kitchens may not be able to accommodate a large, centerpiece-style mirror. If you do have an accent wall in your kitchen, a mirror will look just as stellar here as in your dining room, living room, or bedroom. We also love seeing kitchen wall mirrors hung in breakfast nooks. This choice is a surefire way to make your space feel more open and inviting. And, of course, hanging a mirror next to a window or across from a window is a clever way to let the sunshine into your kitchen routine.

Design Tip: Rustic kitchens are all the rage and rustic kitchen farmhouse mirrors with distressed wood, metal, or galvanized frames come in all shapes and sizes. Search barn door styles for larger options and check out galvanized looks for a big impact in smaller spaces

More Mirror Ideas

10 Feng Shui Rules for Mirrors, According to Experts

Design: Cathie Hong Interiors, Photo: Christy Q Photography 

Whether you practice feng shui or not, there's no denying the benefits of a great room layout or a space that just seems to flow well. Not every interior designer actively practices the ancient Chinese art, but most probably unwittingly abide by its principles—at least in part. That's because oftentimes, feng shui is common sense as it pertains to the natural flow and clutter-free layout of your home. However, there is one item in particular that mystifies feng shui experts everywhere—and not all agree on its best use and placement. Mirrors are viewed as having the property of reflecting (and effectively multiplying) things in your home.

So, how do you know if you're using mirrors correctly in your home, according to feng shui principles? Follow these rules from to the experts and you just might feel all the bad vibes exit the building. After all, making sure that your space reflects what you want to attract in your life isn't too far off from having a well-organized and nicely decorated home.

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Design: Light & Dwell

Generally speaking, feng shui experts do not recommend placing a mirror directly across from the front door, but rather on a wall perpendicular to it. "The front door is very important in feng shui," The Holistic Home author Laura Benko tells MyDomaine. She suggests that when you hang a mirror, connect it to an intention, like expanding the opportunities in your life.

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Bespoke Only

Experts believe that the best room to hang mirrors in is in the dining room, which represents your capacity to hold wealth—a thing we would all want to reflect a little more in our lives.

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Blue Copper Design

Conversely, feng shui guidelines generally advise against placing mirrors in the kitchen—especially if they're facing a stove—because such placement is believed to host negative energy. So if you're contemplating a mirrored backsplash, you may want to rethink things.

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Photo: Reagen Taylor Photography

Most experts will warn you to be mindful of what your mirror reflects both inside and outside the home. "Mirrors in feng shui are like aspirin," says Benko. "They're prescribed often to treat many ailments. They're a quick adjustment when you want to expand a space and bring in more light." Just make sure they're reflecting a beautiful view and not a stack of bills, she added.

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Design: Blakely Interior Design, Photo: Andrea Pietrangeli

According to feng shui, mirrors placed in the hallway are generally seen as a positive. However, when they're placed at the end of a hallway, they can slow down the flow of energy in your house. On the other hand, they can be great on landings of small staircases to help widen the space.

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Design: Reena Sotropa In House Design Group

Just like a mirror reflecting a stack of bills can introduce negative energy, a mirror facing your desk will work against you, effectively doubling your workload. Besides, no one really wants to look at themselves while they work, right?

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Design: Katherine Carter Design

In the living room, mirrors are believed to make gatherings feel more festive by doubling the number of people present in the room. However, they can also amplify bad energy if your guests are negative—so be careful who you invite over, or kindly tell your guests to leave the drama at home.

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Design: Katie Hackworth, Photo: Belathée Photography

One place where feng shui experts warn against hanging a mirror is behind a sofa or a bed. Certified feng shui expert Marianne Gordon also advises against the weight of objects above sitting spaces. She says, "Feng shui is all about feeling safe and secure in your space," and it's hard to feel safe with something heavy hanging directly over your head."

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Design: Tyler Karu Design + Interiors

"If you have trouble sleeping, let's talk about why that mirror on your bedroom wall might be the culprit," says the founder of Simple Shui, Amanda Gibby Peters. She suggests a quick test to see if your mirror might be affecting your sleep. "Cover the bedroom mirrors for a couple nights and notice if your sleep improves," she advises. "If you sleep soundly with them covered, consider replacing them or moving them to a wall that's not facing your bed."

On the other hand, mirrors should be used carefully in the bedroom, says NYC-based feng shui consultant Laura Cerrano. "It's believed that mirrors have the ability to activate the energy within a room. Clients I work with will sometimes choose to keep a mirror in their bedroom and tell me that they sleep soundly. Some clients love the idea of no mirrors in the bedroom or may just place a long mirror inside the closet door. If you do that, just make sure the closet is organized, because mirrors double what they project," she says.

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Design: Katie Martinez Design

In the bathroom, feng shui experts suggest avoiding hanging a mirror directly across from the door or the toilet. Aside from the fact that mirrors placed directly opposite doors are generally viewed as a bad idea in any room, one could also argue that it's never comfortable to be looking at yourself on the toilet.

This Chic Item Can Make Any Room Look Bigger

5 tips, 50 examples - INMYROOM

Interior decor

In this article we will tell you what mirrors can be in the living room and how they can easily add depth to the room, create optical illusions, change volume or shape, multiply objects

History the origin of the mirror refers us to Greek mythology, when Narcissus so loved his reflection in the water of a stream that has turned into a flower. As people get carried away looking at themselves, the era of hand mirrors has come. These were polished pieces of stone. The baton was then passed metal mirrors - copper, bronze, gold and silver. And only later century, mass production of glass mirrors began in Venice. nine0003

Today, mirrors are often used in room decor is one of the favorite tools of designers. From their help to easily add depth to the room, create optical illusions, change the volume or shape, multiply the number of objects.

In this article we will tell you which there may be mirrors in the living room and how to use them correctly.

Mirror above the fireplace or chest of drawers

Often in the living room, if there is a fireplace, a mirror is installed just above it. It's not really a rule, but has long been a tradition. The mirror above the fireplace looks especially advantageous in living room with symmetrical lamps - adds romance to the interior and allows you to highlight the center of the room. nine0003

If there is no fireplace, it does not matter - the chest of drawers is always will come to the rescue! It is important to remember one simple rule for harmonious combinations: in the combination “mirror + fireplace / chest of drawers”, the mirror should be slightly narrower your partner. This simple technique can easily enliven the interior and set the right mood not only in the living room, but also, for example, in the passage area.

Mirror Wall

Best use mirror panels - separate mirrors, different in size, typed into a drawing. The panel gives the interior lightness and conviviality, which needed in the living room. It is advisable to make a mirror wall opposite windows - then a small room will seem much more spacious and brighter by increasing the amount of daylight by its reflection. nine0003

With mirror walls can not only multiply the number of beautiful things, light, but also achieve the effect of creating a room of the correct form. Know that with backlight mirror effect of increasing light can not be achieved!

Shape and design

Mirror, or rather, its frame should match the overall style of the interior living room.

So, in classic a mirror in carved natural frame wood with facet processing along the edge of the mirror canvas. nine0003

For country simple geometric shapes in a natural frame will do. frame can be wooden or with decorative carvings, rattan, simple branches, decorated with broken or whole ceramic tiles, shells.

Large round mirror in the form of the sun with numerous with rays will fit perfectly into the interior of the living room, decorated in the style of art deco .

Mirrors in the style Art Nouveau must contain natural theme, soft lines, saturated with decor: artsy details, floral elements, curls will enhance the overall impression of the interior. nine0003

Minimalism does not like extra details in the interior, more and more goes into practicality. So if mirror, then one big one! The maximum size is from floor to ceiling. As an option - built-in wardrobe.

Hi-tech is simplicity and rigor of form. Oval, square, rectangular mirrors without decor in ordinary wooden or metal frames or without them will form a single whole with furniture of simple designs.

Mirror furniture

Mirror surface, reflecting real objects, gives a greater visual the volume of the room. Mirror furniture universal, spectacular in any interior, gives chic and luxury.

The tradition of making mirrored furniture comes from Venice, it was there that mirror production began in Europe. Mirrored surfaces covered cabinets, chests of drawers, tables. Later, in the Art Deco era, fashion for fully mirrored furniture.

Mirror compositions

Can be made small mirrors in the same simple frames and hang on the wall along with photographs. One large mirror surrounded by photo frames also looks stylish on the wall, different in shape and size, but suitable in style. nine0003

If you want to place four square or rectangular mirrors, it is better to make them with a large bevel (6 cm) or in a mirror frame, which is now very fashionable. Thus, you can create entire compositions yourself! With these mirrors, the living room will be very spectacular and will become the main highlight of the interior.

55 photos, beautiful ideas for the hall

Feng Shui tips

Recommendations for the location of mirrors in the living room, located in an apartment or house:

What types of mirrors are used in the hall?

There are several types of mirror products. nine0003

Built-in

Available in two types:

Mirror surfaces enliven the interior of the hall, perfectly reflect the light and increase its quantity, adding boundless space to the room. nine0003

The photo shows mirrors built into a closet in the interior of a small room.

Wall model

Properly positioned wall model has an unusual play of reflections, due to which the interior acquires a special richness. These products can become an elegant decoration of any design and an excellent solution for expanding space.

Floor standing

These floor mirrors are usually large and framed with a wide frame. In the living room, they are mainly placed against the wall or a special stand is used. nine0003

The photo shows a kitchen-living room with a rectangular floor mirror in a dark wooden frame.

Where to hang in the living room?

Variants of the arrangement of mirror sheets in the interior of the hall.

Above the sofa

Quite common and traditional type of seating, which is very practical and functional. The product above the sofa makes the interior composition more harmonious and does not spoil the overall design of the room.

The photo shows the interior of the hall with a brick wall decorated with a horizontal mirror.

Full Wall

Panoramic floor-to-ceiling model, not only enhances the visual space, but also adds a touch of charm to the living room setting, giving the reflective decorative elements a mesmerizing look.

Corner

A mirror sheet located in the corner can become the central link of the entire living room and, due to the desired viewing angle, give it a certain perspective. nine0003

Above the fireplace

With a decorative element such as a mirror placed above the fireplace, in combination with small exquisite lamps or beautiful things and collections placed on the mantelpiece, it is possible to create the main center of attraction and form a more attractive design.

In a niche

This niche design is very original, beautiful and functional. A wall structure with a reflective fabric takes on a deeper look, and when exposed to artificial or natural sunlight, it creates a feeling of additional lighting in the room. nine0003

The photo shows a small round mirror located in a niche on the wall in the interior of the hall.

Above the table

A mirror with a uniform shape and color scheme, harmoniously combined with the overall design of the room, will become a practical, elegant solution and a full-fledged interior element.

Above the chest of drawers

This placement is considered a very good design idea. It is desirable that the reflective canvas be a little narrower than the chest of drawers, this will create a more organic subject combination and significantly improve the design of the hall. nine0003

Between windows

Due to additional graphic reflections, this placement allows you to create the effect of an additional window in the living room and thus give it some showiness.

The photo shows floor mirrors located between the windows in a spacious hall.

Near the TV

Mirrored surfaces, thanks to the reflective effect, will bring a peculiar zest to the interior, and when watching TV will make the atmosphere truly incredible. nine0003

Shapes and sizes

Popular shapes and sizes:

The photo shows the interior of the hall with a figured mirror placed above the fireplace.

Various sizes and shapes of products will allow you to set the right mood for the living room and place the necessary stylistic accents in it. nine0003

Photo of interior mirror design

Design of mirror models used in various interior solutions.

Beveled

Beveled products are distinguished by very elegant and voluminous facets, which give the atmosphere a special bohemian and stylish look.

Framed

With the help of a separate decorative element such as a frame, you can achieve an even more harmonious combination of a mirror sheet with other interior elements or furniture in the hall. nine0003

In the photo there are mirrors in frames made of light wood above the sofa in the interior of the hall.

Unframed

They have a rather strict and minimalist design. Thanks to the play of light, the frameless model brings the necessary dynamism and lightness to the hall.

Mirror panel

Mirror panel unusually reflects light rays, thereby visually increasing the space and making the interior original and modern. Such a non-standard design solution adds an impeccable sense of style to the living room. nine0003

The photo shows a mirror sheet on the wall above the sofa in the interior of the hall.

Illuminated

With the help of this type of lighting, as a backlight located around the perimeter, it is possible to create very stylish images in the room. Models with LED strip have an even more flawless reflection and a truly elegant look.

Decorated with decor

When decorating the frames yourself, you can use absolutely any available items, for example, you can decorate the canvas with rhinestones, tree branches, threads, mosaics, stones and much more, which will update and refresh the appearance mirrors. nine0003

The photo shows the interior of the hall and a small mirror above the fireplace, decorated with tree branches.

With drawings

Sandblasted drawings that adorn the reflective surface, due to the play of light, look very unusual, fantastic and extraordinary and give the atmosphere a magical lightness.

In wardrobes

This design allows you to place accents in the room, create stylistic nuances in it and simply increase the attractiveness and functionality of the space. nine0003

The photo shows a white wardrobe with built-in mirrors in the interior of a small room.

Examples for various styles

Decorating options for popular styles: