Learn how to avoid these common design mistakes.
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Mirrors are a great way to add more light and visual variety to any room. But designers say you can use too many mirrors in a home. You should also be extra careful when choosing the right height. Read on to learn more about these two topics and discuss other mistakes they see people making when it comes to mirrors.
Don’t think about reflection
Even if you think a mirror would look nice in a particular corner of your home, don’t hang it on the wall without first thinking about what it will reflect.
“One of the biggest mistakes people make with mirrors is hanging them in a place that doesn’t reflect anything beautiful,” says Layton Campbell, founder of J Layton Interiors in Charlotte, North Carolina. “For example, you don’t want to hang a mirror where the only reflection is a framed door and some drywall.”
Instead, Campbell advises, try positioning your mirror so that it reflects something pleasant — a piece of art, a view of nature or a nice vignette are good candidates, he explains.
Hang them too high or too low
If a mirror hangs too high or too low on the wall, it distorts any room.
“Mirrors should be placed at eye level to maximize their visual impact and functionality,” says Laetitia Laurent, founder of Laure Nell Interiors in Boca Raton, Florida. “Incorrect placement can make a room feel disjointed or not reflect the space effectively.”
No consideration of scaling
In addition, mirrors should be proportional to the wall on which they are installed and to the other furniture in the room, explains Laurent.
“A mirror that is too small can seem insignificant, while an oversized mirror can overwhelm a room and disrupt the balance,” she says.
Choosing a boring frame
A mirror with a plain frame doesn’t add much style to any room.
“If you want to incorporate a mirror into a room, look for a framed mirror with character, such as an antique grass frame, painted metal or even a leather frame,” says Shelby Van Daley, founder of Daley Home in Austin, Texas. “Avoid boring frames and go for something bold that can enhance the space rather than just be another object hanging on the wall.”
Laura Williams, founder of ATX Interior Design in Austin, finds framed mirrors especially important in the bathroom.
“Framed mirrors look more thoughtful and add depth and personality to a bathroom,” she says, adding that a mirror’s frame should appropriately complement the other design features of a room.
Related: 38 Bathroom Mirror Ideas to Enhance Your Space
Using too many mirrors
Avoid the distorting mirror effect and keep the number of mirrors used per room to a minimum.
“The overuse of mirrors can create a confusing and disorienting environment,” says Laurent. “Mirrors should be used wisely and sparingly to enhance the space without overwhelming it.”
As a general rule, don’t place mirrors opposite each other, or you’ll experience what Mary Lambrakos of Lambrakos Studio in Houston calls the “overwhelming infinity mirror effect.”
If you’re not sure whether a mirror makes sense, consider this perspective from Shelagh Conway, founder of Triple Heart Design in Austin.
“My rule is that mirrors should be used primarily as functional objects,” she says, noting that too often she sees mirrors used as decoration. “I’m not a big fan of the idea of mirrors replacing a thoughtful piece of art.”
Related: The best way to clean a mirror, according to an expert
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