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Decorating with Mirrors

In a decorator’s arsenal of tools, decorating with mirrors is one of the most powerful. Using mirrors in the home can make it look bigger and expansive. Read on for some of the tricks to decorating with mirrors.

Go big with mirrors

To maximize its impact, use large-scale mirrors in a room. Try using wall-to-wall mirrors and see how much depth is created in a space. Think in terms of proportions as well. If the wall is wide, a small mirror will look sparse and out of place. Instead, group together mirrors in different sizes to use the area better.

Use mirrors as artwork

Mirrors may be used as a substitute for artwork. Use them as a focal point of the room by having one standout piece, such as a mirror in a starburst design. In the alternative, hang several mirrors the way that you would pictures or paintings.

Keep in mind that mirrors are reflective surfaces

Mirrors have to reflect something that you want to see more of. For instance, place a mirror across a beautiful piece of artwork or a chandelier. If the mirror reflects random things, the room will tend to look cluttered.

Play with textures

The surface of the mirror does not always have to look clear. I love the look of vintage, so distressed or antiqued mirrors add charm to our living spaces. Another option is to have etched mirrors. Having mirrors with character can be another method of creating visual interest in a room.

No need to hang

Mirrors don’t always have to be nailed on a wall. An interesting way to decorate with mirrors is to place a framed mirror on the floor, leaned against a wall. My mother-in-law leans a large, vertical mirror at the end of their hallway. It adds an air of effortless charm to a room's decor!

Learn to edit

Just because mirrors are a good idea, it does not mean that you should use it everywhere. Know when to recognize that mirrors are unnecessary. For instance, you don’t need mirrors in the kitchen. Our neighbour has mirrors as backsplash accents. It takes so much effort to keep them looking good. All the activity in the kitchen will require constant maintenance for the mirrors, which would make them more trouble than they’re worth.

Mirrors can be used in furniture

Mirrors can be interesting accents when they are found in furniture. They have the tendency to make items look invisible, since they reflect what is in front of them. Select bulky furniture, such as a wardrobe, with a mirrored surface to make it seamlessly blend into a room. Mirrors on top of tables or trays are also quite glamorous.

 
Use mirrors to create a window

Not all rooms have the benefit of the view of the outside. After getting married, my husband and I moved into a tiny shoebox flat. To spruce up the space, we added mirrors as architectural details. Frame a mirror with window shutters to create your own unique views.

Use mirrors outdoors

Decorating with mirrors does not mean being confined indoors. Mirrors can also be used as landscaping elements to make the garden or patio more interesting. For instance, a mirror on the ground framed by rocks and plants can mimic the look of a small pool of water. Additionally, placing a mirror at your garden can also make it look twice as large.

Think of the frames

Decorating with mirrors is not just about the mirror itself. Do not take the impact of the frame for granted. They too, can be utilized for maximum impact. For example, gold-framed mirrors can make a room quite elegant. Faux tortoiseshell frames add earthiness to a room.

Modern Homes With Antique Objects | At Home With P. Allen Smith

A vintage inspired decorating scheme can look great if done well. P. Allen Smith shows how colour creates harmony between different decor styles.

Vintage Style in an Apartment Space | At Home With P. Allen Smith

See how vintage objects are transformed into decorative and practical pieces.

Clever Ways to Display a Collection

Get your inspiration here!

Article taken off ivillage.com

Clever Ways to Display a Collection


Farm Life
Group flea market finds, like animal-shaped weather vanes, for unexpected wall art.


Old and New
Hanging ornate mirrors together on a bright orange wall presents a pleasing juxtaposition between antique and modern.


In a Row
Mounting several shelves together gives flexibility in displaying a variety of items.


Toy Story
Children's toys become display-worthy when they’re artfully arranged on simple white shelves.


Sweet Sentiments
A shelf displaying small trinkets and cooking items gets a charming touch when it’s outlined with a string of tiny lights.


Dishing It Out
A breakfront offers the perfect solution for storing, displaying and protecting dishware.


Culinary Cues
Frequently used kitchen items such as teapots, cooking utensils and cutting boards have a visual impact when arranged together on open shelves.


Arranged Art
Hanging vintage charcoal portraits of a similar style creates a wallpaper effect in a reading nook.


Faded Notes
Pinning up a collection of ephemera, such as vintage sheet music, in a grid pattern creates orderly and dimensional wall art.


Mixed Materials
Create a textural mixture on a mantel with shiny golds, dull whites and rough woods.


Plate Rack
Neutral-toned plates hung symmetrically and tightly together become a dramatic sculptural element.


Flew the Coop
Chicken dishes sit protected on a shelving unit covered in chicken wire for a tongue-in-cheek display.


Patterned Pieces
Simply shaped stoneware pitchers look striking when arranged together.


Bowled Over
Though beautiful individually, a collection of vintage bowling pins creates a strong sculptural display.


Photo Finish
A wall covered with black-and-white portraits makes a graphic statement in an office.