8 Ways to Use Mirrors in Your Interiors

French Window Mirror by Casa Chic Boutique

There are many tools at an interior designer’s disposal to help them get the most from a room and today I want to talk about the ways to use mirrors in your interiors. Mirrors are a very underrated object. Not only are they a beautiful decorative feature but they also have a lot of practical benefits.

Most of us will automatically hang a mirror above a fireplace because it’s something we see done time and time again. We may also hang one in areas where we need to check our appearance before leaving the house. But mirrors can be used in so many different ways to create different results in a room.

A thoughtfully-chosen, well-placed mirror can actually transform a space and can solve a multitude of interior design dilemmas. So let’s take a look at just 8 ways to use mirrors in your interiors.

8 ways to Use Mirrors in Your Interiors

Shabby Chic Wall Mirror by Casa Chic Boutique

1. Make a Statement

We will start with the obvious reason that many people install a mirror in their room. They want to make a statement, create a focal point or introduce some drama into their home. Hanging a mirror is a great way to do this. A fireplace is a natural focal point in a room and for this reason we normally place a mirror on the wall above. If there is no fireplace, a large mirror can become the statement that the room needs.

2. Amplify the Light

One of the best ways to use mirrors in your interiors is for amplifying the light. The reflective surface of mirrors is fabulous for bouncing light around a room. You can use mirrors to harness all the available natural light that is coming into the room and multiply it. That may mean placing the mirror opposite or adjacent to the window to increase the amount of light captured.

Alternatively you could place a mirror in a darker corner to encourage light to be reflected back into the room. This can also work with artificial light. Place a mirror behind a lamp and this light will be dispersed further into the room. The bigger the mirror, the brighter your space will be.

Large French Vintage Style Mirror in Antique Silver
by Casa Chic Boutique

4. Raise the Ceiling

Another way to use mirrors in your interiors is to add height to a room. This works particularly well with full length standing mirrors that can expand the proportions of the room.  Propping a large framed mirror that is about three quarters the height of your ceiling against the wall will make the ceiling appear higher.

Free Standing or Wall Mounted Full Length Mirror from Casa Chic Boutique

6. Maximise the View

If you are lucky enough to have great views out of your window, a mirror is a great way to maximise this. Place the mirror adjacent to the window and you can create the illusion of a dual aspect room with great views in more than one direction.

A group of mirrors opposite a picture window will allow you to bring those views inside so you can enjoy them even more.

5. Expand your Space

Mirrors are also great for creating the illusion of a bigger space. They can deceive the eye and trick us into thinking that a room is bigger or wider than it actually is. They are often used in narrow hallways to increase the width of the area and create a more spacious feel.

When placed on the largest expanse of wall in a room, they can practically double the space, especially when a large mirror is used. They are often used above console tables or sideboards because they reflect the decorative scene that you have created on the surface.

Solid Wood Shabby Chic Wall Mirror by Casa Chic Boutique

7. Group Mirrors Together

A group of mirrors can be used as a decorative feature in a room much like a gallery wall. This feature can bring life to a plain wall and works particularly well if the mirrors reflect some great artwork or patterned wallpaper.  

You can create a completely different effect depending on the look you are going for. Using mirrors that are the same shape and size will give a very structured and elegant look full of symmetry whereas using mirrors in different sizes, shapes and colours will add a more eclectic, fun feeling to the room.

8. Add Texture

A mirror can also be used in your interiors as a way of adding texture. Either choose a mirror that has a highly textured or decorative frame or position the mirror in such a way that it reflects something textured in the room. That may be a piece of furniture or some soft furnishings like cushions or it could even be a textured lamp or some plants. This allows you to add another layer of interest to the room.

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So that’s 8 great ways to use mirrors in your interiors. Are there any others you can think of? Or perhaps you have done something interesting with mirrors in your own home? Let me know in the comments below.