It's not all smoke & mirrors

Using mirrors as part of your interior decoration is easy and the effects can be really dramatic as well as solving some of those interior design dilemmas.

Mirrors can really open a room up.  As they reflect and bounce light around a room or hallway, the space will appear larger, as the mirror has the effect of pushing back the walls.  Also, you’ll get the benefit of more light in the space as the mirror reflects the light and bounces it back in the room.  You may have seen in the magazines, pictures of large, full length mirrors propped up against walls.  I must admit I love this look, but the mirror really does have to be right for the room, not only in terms of proportion but also from a safety point of view.  You don’t want to place the mirror in a spot where it is likely to get kicked or bumped.  By tilting a mirror against a wall, you’ll also be reflecting the ceiling, which is generally white, so you’ll be adding further light to the reflection.  So, if you’ve got an area that you want to give the perception that it is larger than it is, as well as adding light to the area, then a well placed mirror could be your answer.

Through careful positioning of your mirror you can add to the visual impact through its reflection.  For example, if you place a mirror which reflects your garden or a beautiful view, then you’ll be capturing that reflection in your room, and you’ll literally be bringing the outside in.  Conversely, make sure that the reflection in mirror is not your laundry or another area you don’t particularly want to see.

Mirrors are also a great accessory for providing the focal point in a room as well.  The vast array of sizes, styles, frames and shapes available means that with some perseverance you can find the exact mirror you’re looking for to be the focal point of the room.  Also, if you’ve collected mirrors over time, then maybe you could display your collection on a wall as you would do photographs or grouped artwork.  Just have a go at assembling a collection of mirrors and grouping them together to make a display, it could even be your focal point for the room.

I hope this article has brought a little reflection on how you could decorate with mirrors in your home or office. 

Photograph courtesy of Mostly Mirrors http://www.mostlymirrors.com.au