using mirrors to enlarge your room and brighten your space
6 minute read
a well-placed mirror can open up a room through reflection.
korch media co.
philosophically, mirrors symbolize truth, self-reflection and vanity (which didn’t turn out so well, mythically, for narcissus). mystically, they serve as portals between the physical and spiritual worlds (go ask alice). practically, they allow you to check your look before opening the door. usefully, they make a room seem bigger than it really is, brighten dark hallways, and infuse everything with balance, depth, atmosphere and style.
mirror, mirror
“mirrors create the illusion of space by reflecting both light and the surrounding environment,” says arash rezghi, director at omid glass ltd. in coquitlam, which custom crafts glass and mirrors for businesses and residences. “when placed strategically, such as across from a window or at the end of a room, they visually ‘double’ the space, making areas feel larger and more open.”
he says large, frameless mirrors tend to be the most effective at expanding a space visually because they create a seamless reflection. “minimal or thin frames also help maintain a clean, open look. vertical mirrors help emphasize height, making ceilings feel taller, while wide, horizontal mirrors can make a room appear broader.”
he says tall mirrors are ideal for entryways, small bedrooms and narrow spaces where you want to create a sense of height by drawing the eye upward. “full wall mirrors are especially effective in smaller rooms, gyms, or basements, for maximizing the sense of openness.”
large, frameless mirrors can be effective at expanding a space visually because they create a seamless reflection.
omid glass ltd
lucila diaz, founder and creative director at harmony sense interiors in north vancouver, agrees a well-placed mirror can open up a room through reflection, but she advises being careful about what you’re reflecting. “it will extend sightlines but if it’s extending to something not worth looking at, such as clutter, messy countertops, etc., then you’ll just double the problem. but if you’re reflecting (a clean, interesting space), then you’re doubling the clean space and distracting from clutter.”
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diaz says bathrooms, especially small bathrooms without a lot of wall space or windows, benefit greatly from a strategically placed mirror. directly across from or beside a window, a mirror draws daylight into the room. without a window, a mirror hung behind or near a light fixture, such as a sconce, boosts the light and brightens shadows.
she says mirrors that have integrated light all the way around are popular and functional, helping you see better when applying makeup or fixing your hair. some come with a dimmer, adding warmth to the room.
a medicine cabinet with a mirror can also do double duty as a reflector of face and enhancer of space.
diaz cautions against having more than two mirrors in a bathroom, especially if you’re placing them directly across from each other, because it can create an infinite reflection effect that can be disorienting and overwhelming, kind of like a funhouse mirror.
mirrors that are embedded in furniture, such as end tables, coffee tables, curio cabinets, hall trees, or shelving, can also reflect light and expand a space without adding extra furniture to a room.
outside, mirrors placed around a garden reflect flowers and greenery, creating the illusion of a larger space. frames that match outdoor finishes give the impression of whimsical little windows around the yard.
backlit mirrors are popular for bathroom vanities.
korch media co.
light up your life
“mirrors enhance brightness by reflecting available light, whether natural or artificial,” says rezghi. “in darker areas, like hallways or windowless spaces, placing a mirror near a light source helps distribute light more evenly and reduces shadows.”
also, a mirror at the end of a dark hallway can help elongate the hall, says diaz. “placing a mirror next to a wall sconce, table lamp or chandelier extends the reach of the light and adds symmetry.”
a windowpane-type mirror hung opposite to or diagonally from a window is like adding another window, which works well — depending on the view. “you don’t want to just reflect a neighbour’s house,” says diaz. “but if your window looks onto beautiful greenery, for example, then you can double the effect. through the corner of your eye, you might think there’s another window on the other side.”
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too much of a good thing can be distracting or irritating, however. mirrors that reflect harsh light can cause glare and shine that blinds. a simple angle adjustment, frosted glass fixtures or nearby lamps with diffusers can balance the brightness.
shapes, sizes and hang-ups
mirrors can give the illusion that a space is much larger than it actually is.
omid glass ltd
when choosing the size and shape of a mirror, you should take into account the size and shape of the space it will occupy. a mirror that’s too large can overwhelm a room, while a mirror that’s too small can fade into the background. “you want it to be in proportion with the furniture or other elements that are underneath or around it,” says diaz.
hanging a mirror behind a cabinet, console or shelving can add depth, dimension and layering to a room and prevents furniture from appearing flat against a wall. a large mirror behind a sofa can reflect more light and give the illusion of a wider room.
some experts advise keeping a mirror’s width roughly the same size as the furniture below it. a mirror that extends slightly beyond the edges of a console table, for example, feels more balanced. a wall mirror in a dining room can double the table and chairs, opening up the space. it can also reflect candles or the glow of a chandelier, warming up the room.
as for shapes, “rectangular mirrors offer a modern (symmetrical) and structured look, making them suitable for most spaces,” says rezghi. “round or oval mirrors soften a room’s (angles) and are often used in bathrooms or above vanities. custom shapes can also be used as design features to complement unique interiors. clean, polished edges (work best) for modern and minimalist designs. bevelled edges add a more classic or decorative touch, as they catch light and create subtle detailing, making them suitable for traditional or more formal interiors.”
a round or oval mirror can soften the angles in a room and are often used in bathrooms or above vanities.
korch media co.
when deciding on your mirror’s frame, consider whether it will go with the rest of the decor. “you don’t want the frame to be so ornate that it takes away from the mirror’s job of reflecting a beautiful space, complementing the beautiful console that it’s going above, or a gorgeous fireplace,” says diaz.
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some experts claim metal frames are cleaner and more modern; distressed wood fits a rustic environment; and ornate gilded frames evoke classic or vintage style. a frame that matches other finishes or features of a room helps tie the space together.
hang your mirror as you would hang a painting, advise some experts. too high or too low will make the room feel asymmetrical or unbalanced. while standing, hang the centre of the mirror at eye level, roughly 60 inches from the floor.
“it’s also important to ensure professional installation, especially for large or heavy mirrors, to guarantee safety and longevity,” says rezghi.
mirror images
a mirror can reflect more than a room or a face, it can reflect your personal artistic flair. whether it’s the size, shape or etching in the glass itself, bevelled or polished edges, the style and material of the frame or finish, or a unique antique, a mirror can be a piece of art in its own right.
small mirrors often work well in groupings, says diaz. “make sure they are all clustered together, so they become almost like one piece of art. don’t just put one on a wall, it will get lost. group them so they look like a collection rather than scattered here and there.”
diaz says she’s partial to antique mirrors. “i’m always looking for those that add that extra layer of beauty, extra layer of texture. with that aged look to them, they tell a story.”
in fact, whenever she sees an antique mirror, diaz reflects on the many faces that have gazed into the looking glass over the ages. “can you imagine, over hundreds of years, the people who have looked into them? the stories a mirror could tell if it could speak.”
maybe it’s best not to go down that rabbit hole …
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