THE BEST PLACES TO HANG A MIRROR
Adding a mirror to your home can do much more than just help you to check out your appearance. Strategic placement can improve the overall aesthetic of a room and make your space feel larger and brighter.
However, hanging them in the wrong spot can have the opposite effect and leave your home looking less desirable. Here are some top tips from interior design expert Sylvia James at HomeHow.co.uk on where and where not to hang mirrors in an effort to transform your home into a charming, well-balanced space:
The Best Places to Hang a Mirror in Your Home
Maximise Natural Light with Mirrors
A fantastic way to flood a room with more sunlight is to place mirrors in spots where they will reflect the natural light entering through windows. The mirrors will reflect the light and bounce a natural glow around the room, making your space feel brighter and more inviting. This trick is especially useful in smaller rooms or dark corners that need extra brightness and can boost both your mood and savings on energy bills!
Create the Illusion of Space in Small Rooms
No matter how small a room is, a well-placed mirror can make it feel much larger. Full-length mirrors can give the impression of added depth, and the bigger the mirror, the more spacious the area seems. Some ideal places to hang large mirrors are in smaller living rooms, bedrooms, or near entrances to hallways.
Enhance Decor and Focal Points
Mirrors are a perfect way to highlight your home’s best features and really make them stand out. Position a mirror to reflect a beautiful fireplace, a stunning piece of artwork, or a unique feature wall. Mirrors themselves can act as decorative focal points, blending style with functionality, and an ornate frame can add a touch of personality, whether classic or modern.
Living Rooms and Dining Areas
Living and dining areas are the key social spaces within our homes, and a large statement mirror can truly transform the atmosphere into something special. They work brilliantly as eye-catching décor pieces and help to reflect light, making your gathering spaces feel warmer. Consider hanging a large mirror above the sofa or behind the dining table for a stylish touch.
Bedrooms: Vanity and Full-Length Mirrors
Bedroom mirrors are a popular choice as this is a room where many of us will get ourselves ready for the day ahead. It is a good idea to place a full-length mirror near your wardrobe as this will allow you to see your entire outfit at once, and vanity mirrors on dressers are great for daily grooming routines. Position them where they balance with other furniture, and ensure they are at eye level for optimal convenience.
Where to Avoid Hanging Mirrors in Your Home
Reflecting Clutter or Unattractive Views
Mirrors reflect everything in front of them, so we certainly don’t want them to highlight those messy, cluttered corners of a room. Clutter can become a visual distraction and make even tidy spaces look chaotic, so it is important to ensure that any clutter is as concealed as possible and not further emphasised through mirror placement.
Directly Opposite Doors
This idea stems back to ancient Feng Shui principles, as mirrors facing doors are believed to disrupt peace and harmony in the home. According to the theory, a mirror facing the door can reflect positive energy (Qi) back out of the home, which can create an imbalance.
Overhead Placement in Low Ceilings
Hanging a mirror too high or directly overhead can make ceilings look lower than they actually are and make the room feel cramped rather than open. Therefore, this is not the best choice for smaller rooms which you are looking to make feel more enlarged. Keep mirrors at eye level or slightly above for the best effect.
Hanging Above or Behind Beds
Mirrors behind or over beds are often discouraged, as it is believed that they can attract restless energy and, as a result, disturb sleep. The idea is also just generally somewhat impractical, especially if you want privacy and comfort.
Facing Windows That Let in Very Bright Light
As previously discussed, mirrors can be useful in rooms that are naturally low on light, as they help to reflect and spread it around the room. This reflection can be undesirable, however, if the light coming in is particularly bright or direct. By moving the mirror to another wall, it will still reflect light into the space, but it will be a softer, indirect light.
Practical Tips for Hanging Mirrors Safely and Effectively
- Use the right hardware for the mirror’s weight and your wall type. Heavy mirrors might need wall anchors or hooks.
- Mount mirrors at eye level for daily use, especially for full-length or vanity mirrors.
- Add decorative frames to match your décor — gold, wood, or sleek metal all work very effectively.
- Think about size and orientation relative to your space. A large mirror in a small room can be overwhelming, while a small mirror in a big room might get lost.
- Use lighting to boost your mirror’s effect. Strategically placed lamps or spotlights will make reflections pop.
Final Thoughts
A thoughtfully placed mirror can elevate your home’s style and make spaces feel more open and brighter. Focus on spots that reflect natural light, highlight your décor, and optimise space. Avoid areas that reflect clutter, create a sense of discomfort, or clash with your home’s energy flow. Assess your space carefully and start experimenting with mirror placement – it can be a simple but incredibly powerful tool!
MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR… SYLVIA JAMES: Sylvia James has worked as an interior design expert for over 15 years. Sylvia is skilled at creating beautiful home designs and can work with a range of budgets to suit the homeowner. In addition, Sylvia also provides expert interior design tips and advice for HomeHow.co.uk, and her tips have been published in a range of leading press publications.
