Mirrors have been used in interior design for centuries to add elegance, glamour, and visual interest to interior spaces. With their ability to reflect more light into a room and create the illusion of a larger space, mirrors have grown popular in their application as functional and decorative pieces in home design.


Villa in Morocco, Behance, via Pinterest

Factors to Consider When Designing with Mirrors

Incorporating mirrors into your interior décor can be seamless with expert knowledge of the right interior design principles. The following are the three main factors you must consider to achieve a professional look with mirrors in your home.

1. Scale
Finding a mirror that is proportionate to the size of your room is key. For larger rooms, go for grander mirrors that will not look out of place. Similarly, for smaller rooms, get a mirror that can comfortably fit onto the available wall space. Mirrors are great for creating a sense of depth in smaller rooms and are therefore a must-have when designing smaller interior spaces.

When pairing your mirrors with furniture, ensure they span at least half the length of the furniture for a good visual balance.

2. Positioning
Mirrors can create a striking focal point when centrally placed on your accent wall, atop the mantel, or above an elegant furniture piece. Just as with artwork, place your mirrors at eye level, centered 58 inches from the ground, depending on the average height of the members of your household. This will give it a more intimate and functional look, not having to strain to catch a glimpse of your reflection.

In furniture applications, place your mirror six inches above the furniture, or a maximum of 4 inches above the mantel. Always avoid placing your mirrors directly opposite each other since it will create an infinite number of reflections, resulting in visual chaos.

3. Mirror Reflection
The reflection that appears on your mirror should be a key consideration when positioning it. Accentuate the best elements in your décor by doubling their impact through the reflection in the mirror. Instead of having your mirror reflect on a blank wall, set it at an angle that reflects on the scenic outdoors, a magnificent art piece, or a decorative light fixture.

Incorporating Mirrors in Art-Centric Rooms
Mirrors have truly found their place at the center of immaculately designed spaces. Here are some of our favorite ways for integrating mirrors into your art-centric home.

1. Main Decorative Piece


SOHO-NOHO, Behance, via Pinterest
From ornate, intricate models to modern, sleek, frameless looks, mirrors are available in a variety of styles, shapes, and sizes that can complement the design of any space. Go grand with a single, large decorative mirror detail on your accent wall or clusters of two or three pieces above your sofa, bathroom vanity, or console table, to make a statement in your décor.

A tall mirror leaned against a wall in your bedroom areas, or a fully mirrored accent wall in your living or dining areas are also amazing ways for working with mirrors as your main decorative pieces.

2. Ornate Mirrors on a Gallery Wall
Add an ornate mirror symmetrically or asymmetrically to your gallery wall collection, working with the same design style or frame color for a more cohesive look. Ensure to maintain consistent spacing between all the different pieces on your gallery wall.

3. Opposite an Artwork
Add a tasteful detail to an otherwise blank wall by placing your mirror opposite a beautiful artwork that deserves some extra love. This is a perfect way to spice up your hallways, entryways, and living spaces.

4. Pair mirrors with Lighting
Pairing mirrors with lighting is one of our favorite tricks for incorporating mirrors into your art-centric rooms! Mirrors are remarkable for brightening up darker corners when positioned opposite a window or at an angle from an artificial light source.

Add functional task lights above or to each side of your vanity mirror for a clearer view. You can also add backlighting to your mirrors to make them pop from the background, or reflect an illuminated art piece against the mirror to clone its alluring view. Perfect Picture Lights offers a wide range of quality track lights and picture lights for your mirrored applications, allowing you to maximize your art lighting and artificial lighting needs.

5. Mirrored furniture
Mirrored furniture can easily add sophistication and visual texture to your interior spaces. Introduce a mirrored coffee table to your living room area or mirrored cabinet doors to your bedroom spaces. You can also line your display shelves with mirrors for added depth.

6. Window Effect Mirrors

Rousseau Iron Window Mirror in Black Industrial, Bellacor, via Pinterest

Invest in a trellis accent mirror to add a window effect and introduce more lighting into a room with fewer window openings. This creates the illusion of a window, especially when strategically positioned to reflect on the outdoor scenery.

The Mirrored Décor Take Away
An elegant addition to your home, bring in more light and make your spaces appear large and airy by adding mirrors to your interiors. Incorporating art into your art-centric home is easy with the above tips, doubling on the aesthetic appeal of your art pieces. Coupled with magnificent picture light fixtures, mirrors may just be the elevating tweak your home needs.