How to Decorate With Mirrors: 28 Mirror Decor Ideas to Reflect On
Achieve open and bright interiors.
Mirrors are versatile home decor pieces that can be used to reflect and enhance natural light, create the illusion of space in small rooms, and ultimately add new dimensions to your space. Aside from their functional appeal, mirrors also come in a variety of shapes, designs, and configurations, which make them a must-have in any home decor scheme. Keep reading to learn how to decorate with mirrors for the best results.
Starter Tips for Success
There are a few ways to ensure success when decorating with mirrors. Review these tips to get decorating.
- Look for the light: Angle mirrors perpendicular to, or across from, windows to help reflect natural light into the room. This is especially important in rooms with few windows, because mirrors help brighten the space.
- Reflect away from clutter: Use a mirror's reflection to your advantage by positioning the mirror to reflect off of well-decorated walls or windows (for outdoor scenery) to distract away from the clutter-filled spot in the room (like the laundry pile, dirty dishes, or stacks of books waiting to be sorted).
- Don't be afraid to adjust: Feel free to change up mirror placement to better capture natural light or to better create the appearance of more space in small rooms.
1. Start Small
Start by introducing small-profile mirrors for a fun yet subtle twist on your decor scheme. Position two or more compact mirrors on bookcase shelves to add a reflective sheen to the space. You can also recreate this look on entry tables, accent cabinets, or dressers.
Tip!
Want another small mirror idea that involves bookshelves? Consider lining the back of each shelf with a frameless mirror. Then add your book collection. Your collection will appear double the size!
2. … Or Go Big
Sometimes you just have to go all in with your mirror decor. Oversized floor mirrors are a great way to make a bold statement without having to do much. Lean an oversized floor mirror against the wall in your entryway, living room, bedroom, or another room in your home that needs a little love. With the variety of designs and finishes available, you're bound to find one that enhances your interior design scheme.
When using mirrors as decor, you can't go wrong with a stunning frame design. The wall mirror above features a frame composed of glass crystals and beads. These features help to transform an otherwise normal mirror into something grand and glamorous. If the glam design isn't your style, there are plenty of other frame options available. From woven rattan to mosaic or Venetian, the possibilities are endless.
Tip!
Review this DIY Mirror Makeover guide for more decorating with mirrors ideas.
4. Swap In a Mirrored Tray
Consider a decorative mirror tray on your list of ideas for mirrors for an unconventional twist. Mirror trays work great as the centerpiece for your dining table or living room coffee table. Fill the tray with candlesticks, decorative books, and other accents to reflect off of the mirror surface. You can also repurpose wall mirrors as trays for even more possibilities.
The wainscoting wall design pictured above looks great on its own, but a mirror centerpiece helps draw the scheme together even more! The mirror's round shape helps to soften the sharp edges of the wainscot. You can also use square or diamond-shaped mirrors to create a cohesive look and match the wainscoting instead.
Add another dimension to your home bar or dining room sideboard by adding a mirror to the mix. Layer a statement mirror like the one pictured above with artwork in a similar frame finish. Complete the display with gold-finished candlesticks, a vase arrangement, and drink tray. The candlelight will also reflect in the mirror for the perfect dinner setting.
Transform a bare wall with a collection of mirrors in different finishes, sizes, and design styles. This is also a great way to cover up wall imperfections. Hang mirrors at different heights and blend framed with frameless styles to intrigue the eye. Replicate the above display in your living room, entryway, or hallway. Lean a few mirrors against the wall to evoke a curated design scheme that's always evolving.
Tip!
Check out our guide on How to Hang Wall Mirrors to help your mirror ideas come to life.
8. Use Lamps for Light & Reflection
Swap in a table lamp with a mirrored base to amplify the amount of light your lamp projects while also looking amazing. The mirrored table lamp above helps add the right amount of glam to the otherwise pared-back room design. Mirror (no pun intended!) this look on the other side of the sofa or on your bedside end table for a refined aesthetic.
Check your appearance before you head out the door and create a captivating art display all-in-one with this mirror decor idea. Swap out the art prints with one or more mirror wall sculptures like the one pictured above. This way you can elevate your home decor aesthetic while adding to its functionality – win-win! Choose from modern mirror clusters with metal outlines or opt for a stunning beveled glass mirror for an added sheen. Take control of your "mirror art" with a mirror set you can place and rearrange to your liking.
Create space between matching arm chairs, bookshelves, and floor lamps for a large mirror in the center. This simple decor upgrade completely transforms the room and gives you a point to focus on. The image above includes a stunning floor-length mirror. You can fill the space with a classic cheval mirror as well.
Move your TV to the side and make way for a mantlepiece mirror. The mirror helps reflect the surrounding room, including the lighting, which makes the space feel warmer and cozier than it would with the black screen TV at the center. Position a couple stone vases off to one side for a simple yet sophisticated vibe.
Think outside the box with mirror decoration ideas like this one. Mirrored furniture is a great way to incorporate mirrors into your home in an unconventional way. The mirrored accent cabinet pictured above juxtaposes the traditional wainscoting on the walls and gleams against the wood flooring for a fresh contrast. Mirrored designs are common for accent cabinets, end tables, nightstands, coffee tables, and other furnishings, so you have plenty of flexibility.
Add interest to the wall behind the sofa with a horizontal mirror. If the mirror faces a window to reflect natural light, that's even better! The mirror above features a window-pane design that helps add textured dimension to the wall.
We love a good wallpaper pattern, but sometimes it's nice to change things up. Whereas artwork would clash and take away from the wallpaper, a mirror does just the opposite by providing a clean slate. Keep things simple with a square-framed mirror like the one pictured above.
Mirrors can take on so many different themes and shapes you can incorporate into your decor scheme. Take the moon phases mirrors above as an example. You can also find mirrors shaped like flowers, butterflies, sealife, and other nature themes as well.
Showcase floral arrangements in style with a mirrored vase. The mirrored floor vase pictured above is a great way to decorate a spare corner. However, you can also find mirrored vases in smaller table or shelf-friendly profiles as well. An added bonus – the mirrored surface reflects overhanging flowers and foliage for a fuller-looking arrangement.
Who said you only need one statement mirror? Opt for two matching mirrors for double the reflection. Above, two identical wall mirrors complete the buffet display. However, you can also recreate this "identical" look with two of the same floor-length mirrors to either side of a doorway.
Give your door a new purpose and an appearance upgrade with a door-mounted mirror. The design above depicts a simple door mirror with a white frame. However, there are a variety of designs and frames to choose from if you want to really make a statement. Some designs even feature a moveable mirror with internal storage for jewelry and accessories.
Grab a mirrored room divider to help visually separate your space while creating the illusion of more square-footage. Choose a mirrored room divider with a gold frame for decorative flair. Don't need to divide rooms? Position a mirrored room divider in a bare corner for another look altogether.
Add a bit of refinement to your kitchen with mirrored backsplash tiles. The mirrored subway tiles above help open up the space and reflect light as you go about your meal-prep routine. You can also pair mirrored tiles with matte options to help break up the shine. Recreate the mirrored backsplash in your bathroom for another fun decor idea.
Look for mirrors with built-in lights to add a decorative touch to the room while also providing accent lighting. Opt for a makeup mirror vibe like the mirror pictured above, or try out a mirror with a built-in LED frame to add a warm glow to the room.
Use mirrors to create a fun makeshift headboard for your bed. The above example has a more minimalist approach, but you can tailor your mirror-headboard to be as extravagant as you like. Choose a rectangular mirror with vibrant sunburst frames or opt for a wood-framed design to match your bed frame's wood tone.
Tip!
Review Your Guide to Wall Mirror Sizes to help determine how to decorate with mirrors of the right width and size.
23. Add Some Boho Flair
Add warmth and reflect natural light with boho-inspired mirror decor. You can't go wrong with mirror-tapestry combos like the ones pictured here. There are a variety of different designs and mirror sizes available with different style weaves/tassels so you can find the one that best suits your space.
Complement your modern interiors with an abstract-shaped mirror. Opt for wavy, distorted shapes like the mirror above to add a quirky twist to the room. You can also incorporate an abstract mirror in a traditional interior for a cool contrast of styles.
Small spaces require smart decor options, which is why we love mirrors that double as display shelves. Not only does the above mirror create a decorative statement of its own, but it also has well-designed shelves that showcase your succulents, accent candles, and decorative jars. Some mirrors even come with drawers and hooks for additional flexibility.
Bring in antique-finished mirrors to add an element of vintage design to your space. This mirror look goes well in a variety of interior aesthetics, but especially in farmhouse and French-country design schemes. Opt for the worn glass look or go for a more subtle statement with a distressed frame mirror.
Go all out with your mirror decor by incorporating mirrored furniture, home accents, and a statement mirror in the same room. Pair a mirrored cabinet with a pair of silver candleholders. Add a sunburst mirror to the wall behind to complete the shining display.
Our list of decorating mirrors ideas wouldn't be complete without a nod to mirror decorating in your outdoor space. Hang a mirror wind chime/suncatcher on your patio to reflect sunlight and add charm. Or decorate your yard with mirrored gazing balls in different colors and sizes.
Tip!
Get more inspiration on how to decorate with mirrors in 10 Dazzling Wall Mirror Decor Ideas (With Photos!)
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