We all know the story of Snow White and that infamous mirror that spouted prophesies, causing the princess much grief at the hands of her wicked stepmother. Fortunately for us, mirrors in real life don't talk. On a serious note, mirrors, besides being functional, can also be extremely attractive when used to decorate your home's interior. Let's delve into the world of mirrors and uncover what reflects back.

Functional

For starters, a mirror, when placed strategically, makes a room look much more spacious. This is especially true for small or windowless rooms. Its reflective quality can also significantly brighten up a room. So, if you wish to brighten up a dark room, place the mirror to reflect a nearby light source, causing it to create the illusion of another light in the room. Mirrors can also be used to effectively maximise a room's style, meaning you can place a mirror to reflect a chandelier in the dining area, or a unique piece of art if you are looking to double its visual impact.

As mentioned, mirrors are functionally really great and can almost always make rooms look better. But just hanging them left, right and centre can dampen the style quotient of your room; it is wise to keep a few tips in mind while decorating with mirrors.

Placement and Reflection matters

Hanging a mirror across something visually appealing, be it a painting or an important architectural element, will enhance the overall look of the room, in the same way as hanging it across an unattractive element will make the room unappealing. So before hanging a mirror, always take into account what is across from it. Also assess the position and height of the mirror before placing it on the wall. As a rule, mirrors should be hung at a height appropriate to the space.

Hang mirrors properly and stylishly

It is important to use proper wall hooks secured at both ends of the mirror instead of a single nail in the wall. Heavy mirrors are best left for the professionals, because if not hung correctly, aside from the fact that it's dangerous, the unwanted tilt will distort whatever it reflects and will dampen the entire you look you had originally planned.

When talking about style, we are essentially referring to the frame and shape of the mirror. Depending on the frame, your mirror can look modern, traditional, classic, etc. Choose a frame depending on the look you want to create that blends with the rest of your house. A simple wooden frame will create a very different look from an ornate metallic one, or one with a colourful contemporary design. There are many shapes and sizes you can buy, but not all of them will look well in every room. For instance, circular and oval shaped mirrors look beautiful on bedrooms. On the other hand, long rectangular mirrors with wooden plate designs go well in the family living and drawing rooms. Then again, if you have a penchant for vintage mirrors, opt to put it in places like the dining room itself.

Don't be afraid to experiment

A small room or a narrow hallway can be given the illusion of spaciousness with a large mirror in it. So don't shy away from using large mirrors in small spaces. Placing a full-length mirror leaning against the wall of a tiny room can add a charming decorative element to it.  Similarly, creating a gallery of stylishly placed mirrors on a single wall in a sparsely decorated room can give it just the right touch of life.

With frames or without, bunching mirrors together as one unit, much like a photo wall, can give great character to any room.

It is essential to remember that the colour of other furniture in the room and the colour of the room itself are very important while choosing the colour and texture of the mirrors. If your room has deep brown or almost black wooden furniture, it would be wise to pick the rectangular mirrors with vintage designs on it. Again, if your room is minimalistic and simple, you can go for white or beige coloured oval or circular mirrors.

If you are decorating your room and figure something feels off or missing, it may very well be a mirror, or two. They are a great accessory for any room, and can utilise any aspect of your room and make it better and brighter.

Photo courtesy: Satori