Lighten and brighten your home with some interior design magic
Mirrors aren’t just for applying make-up or checking your appearance, they’re invaluable for decorating your home and are celebrated by interior designers for giving the impression of a brighter, more spacious room.
Since the late 17th century, mirrors have played an increasingly important role in decor. In fact, Louis XIV commissioned 357 mirrors for the 73m-long Hall of Mirrors to showcase his wealth and to demonstrate his country was able to manufacture mirrors that could rival the artistry of the Venetians.
Owning lots of mirrors may no longer be the indicator of political success, but they are still a design statement and make a great alternative to art.
Dressing room
There’s no getting around it, when dressing you need a full-length view. A dressing room mirror serves a purpose, you need to see if your shoes work with the rest of your ensemble.
Options include attaching one to the inside of your wardrobe door, as part of a sliding wardrobe door, or if you have the luxury of a walk-in wardrobe, then a floor-to-ceiling
mirror (or multiple) is the ultimate.
Learn from the harsh lighting in department store changing rooms and do not, on any account, install a mirror directly under a pendant light. Soft, natural side lighting or a gentle glow from bedside lamps will be your friend. A bright naked bulb swinging from the ceiling is not.
In the entrance
Brighten a dark entrance and hallway with a mirror because the reflection will maximise any natural light and help the space look bigger than it actually is. Anchor the mirror by hanging it over a console or hall table and hang it around 1.5 metres from the ground so it can be used for those last-minute make-up checks as you fly out the door. Alternatively, hang multiple ones in varying sizes to create a gallery wall.
In the bathroom
Mirrors in bathrooms need to be built for purpose so you can apply your make-up and do your hair without being hindered by a steamed up, too small mirror. For that reason, some mirrors now have built-in touch-sensor LED lighting for soft illumination at night as well as a brighter option to help you wake up in the morning. Choose a mirror with anti condensation technology to reduce fogging so it can be used directly after bathing.
And, if you have double basins, then it would also pay to have twin mirrors as much for symmetry as the convenience of having your own mirror. Make sure to maximise any natural light you have, or use wall sconces on both sides of the mirror – something that will help with eyeliner application every time. It will pay to select moisture-resistant material for the mirror frames so veer away from wood here, unless you’re prepared to seal it.
Living room
A generous mirror over the mantel is the most obvious place for one to hang as a decorative feature in a living space. The rule of thumb here is that it should be as wide as the mantel itself – or as close as you can get.
Consider the position of any mirror that is not going over the mantel, it’s a perfect opportunity to fool the eye and visually expand the space while reflecting the beauty of the outside, not the neighbour’s roof. To make the space seem even bigger, go with tall mirrors to accentuate high ceilings.
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