POLL: Do you decorate with mirrors?

9 years ago

Do you decorate with mirrors in your home? Do you have a mirror over your fireplace or maybe a full wall in your dining room?

VOTE and tell us about it in the comments!

City Homes · More Info

Yes, I do!

No, I don't.

Other - Tell us below!

Featured Answer

PRO

For Space Sake

9 years ago

A mirror that also acts as a piece of art, like the one below, is the perfect addition to a small space; it's a gorgeous way to make a small space look larger

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Comments (75)

PRO
Gilmans Kitchens and Baths
9 years ago
Love mirrors, but they need be right for the space and I usually use them with purpose. - Janis, GKB
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
9 years ago
I only use smoke.
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Lots of ideas....couldn't resist adding my two cents. i copied your photos and did a little cut and paste- it's messy, but hopefully gets the main idea across. i'd put your sofa in front of the large book case, chair by the fireplace, tv on the stand on the wall opposite the fireplace - so you can either look at the fire or the tv. Someone suggested using frames of one color for your photos - an inexpensive way to do that would be to spray paint them all a dark color-black goes with everything. Since your shelves are a medium tone wood, display things that are dark or light so that they contrast against the wood. Limiting your display items pallette to a few values usually helps to unify things. (I think that's why so many people want to paint the shelves or put inserts in the back to help your nice things read more clearly...some get lost). If you want to "splurge" -you may consider having a carpenter make a few solid tall cabinet doors to provide a visual break in the shelving. I'm showing 3 doors - 1 on the right side of the fireplace and 2 on the left to leave two open vertical shelves for display on each side - with things arranged to frame the fireplace as the focal point. To add some height to your big vases, consider stacking some books beneath them. Enjoy experimenting untill you get something you're happy with - good luck!
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Once again, carolins has taken the words right out of my mouth. I sometimes feel like a crusader for entertainment centers and lowering art! You have a dynamic room with so much potential. Your wall could look amazing with the armoire carolins has pictured above. Of course, lower your sconces so that they're a about 4" below the top of the armoire and about 7" from the sides. Your fireplace should be your focal point with your wall being strong but not competing. Rooms get personality from smaller accents but you have too many little things that take away from the great colored pillows and the picture. Be careful not to hang things in straight lines--top of pictures should never line up with tops of doors or curtain rods. I wish we could see your fireplace in another photo. Chairs should form conversation groups with the couch like Carolyn has outlined. I like your chandelier but you might think about lowering it or moving it above a dining table--it looks rather lost way up there.
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It doesn't look like the entrance door will open fully. Also, the console table juts out too far and the accessories seem out of place. I'd return it. Maybeputting the mirror on the wall with a shelf under it would work. Consider changing out the wood blind for a Roman shade or top down/bottom up shade. Personally, I wouldn't worry about covering up the rad. Add a pretty rug too.
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Hi! I had a quick look through the Houzz pics (imaginatively, under 'beige wardrobes'!) and most seem to be shades of coffee, caramel etc to tone with the wardrobes. I've attached some of the pics. One included a blue as an accent, which looked lovely if you're feeling brave! Alternatively, is the an option for taking off one or two of the doors, so some storage was open? I appreciate that's not ideal when you've paid for new doors, but might be a way of breaking up the colour, which might make it easier for you to enjoy? Final alternative: photo magnets are available in quite cool little squares. You could use sepia tones and arty images and use that to break up the panels, if you really hate them. I would guess, though, that with some room tweaks and time, you'll feel happier with them! Fingers crossed :) Good luck xx
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Bill Yockey
9 years ago
I like using vintage mirrors when hanging pictures in the salon style; the mirror reflect lights and add interest to the grouping.
PRO
Artemano
9 years ago
I always like to incorporate mirrors into my decor. They are functional, they help to make a room feel bigger and brighter than it actually is and it can work as a piece of art if you choose the right one.
PRO
Gilmans Kitchens and Baths
9 years ago
I always incorporate mirrors for the visual change that it presents. If placed correctly they can make any area look larger or just give a light reflective feel.
PRO
Studio NOO Design
9 years ago
Yes, this one is amazing. Mine is not bad either !
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or a collection of mirrors !
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jodysh
9 years ago
At last, some attention about mirrors! I have a few beautiful ones in our home but have had trouble locating the large antique or repro. French designs I've always wanted. ( in 42"x 72"-90" range, for wall hanging). There is nothing like a mirror to bring light, a touch of magic and life into your home. I like to position them to reflect the view out a window, a beautiful light fixture or to use them in the garden. Who hasn't been fascinated to see beveled mirrors bend light into rainbows to throw across your walls? They're timeless home accents. Please give us articles and more resources for them.
spring1111
9 years ago
i have one over my fireplace which I enjoy. I will admit that I was looking for a painting when I found the mirror. I have never found a painting that I liked better so it is still there. I also have a smaller mirror in the area that I most often use to exit the house. I like the opportunity for the that last minute check before I go out the door.
Mary Dillon
9 years ago
I'm with joysh, and particularly like mirrors for adding light or reflecting something interesting. This is not a "vanity" thing, it's not myself I want to look at! Also they are nice when a wall is "emptier" than I wd like but I don't want anything fighting the main art work.
Shio Ayala
9 years ago
I love mirrors, make space look bigger. I have a wall cover with bronze mirror.
Connie Meyer
9 years ago
Mirrors make beautiful artwork and reflect light any time of the day. I am attracted to antique mirrors with beveled glass. I have different sizes and love the effect in my living area.
.
Rosanne
9 years ago
I don't care for mirrors as a decorating item. I have 2 mirrors in my house. My bathroom had a large mirror the width of my counter and a full length I pull out of the closet when I need.
PRO
Kass Wilson/ WallsTreat Studio
9 years ago
Placement of a mirror is always tricky. You must be aware that whatever is reflected becomes the art within the pretty frame. Notice in the first before and after photos how overpowering the wall pattern becomes within a bathroom of mirrors. . . everything is multiplied and the pattern becomes overpowering. In the AFTER photo, the walls were changed to a delicate hand painted pattern and artistic finish on just a few of the walls. Since every pattern was doubled by the mirrors, the rest of the walls were treated with the same subtle background finish MINUS the design. This allows your eye to have "a place to rest".
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Kass Wilson/ WallsTreat Studio
9 years ago
In this example, the mirror was strategically placed to reflect the artwork and custom painted finish on the mantel. See the whole story at: http://kasswilson.com/reflecting-your-style/
susanb92
9 years ago
I use mirrors in places that just need a little more light and where My husband doesn't want to run wires for lamps. These are metal and tile Mexican mirrors placed behind our woodstove. I think they're pretty and funky, and their reflection adds just enough interest, especially at night.
intown123
9 years ago
Yes mirrors themselves can be like artwork. I love an ornate gold mirror over a fire place particularly in a historic home. This is a room I'd be happy to live in.
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PRO
Winton Studios
9 years ago
As a professional photographer specializing in shooting interiors for designers, architects, realtors and magazines, I will attest to the frequent overuse of mirrors. It definitely is because many people are afraid or don't know how to select good artwork. Mirrors are a great design tool when they reflect something, add light to a room or are hung in a way to double what's on a table in front of it. Too often, they are misused and artwork would enhance the design of the room, say something more personal about the people who live there and add that special "wow" to the interior instead of saying, "boy, these people sure like to look at themselves!"
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Shakuff
9 years ago
There are two things I can't get enough of in decorating: Mirrors and Lighting!
idimaio
9 years ago
I like antique and vintage mirrors with gilded frames and "blind" glass that reflect and enhance light.
Susan Bishop
9 years ago
My house came with the blah builder stuck-to-the-wall bathroom mirrors, an abomination that should be outlawed. I found a classy picture frame at a yard sale and cut down the mirror in the powder room for it. Sooooo much better!. The wall to wall mirror in the main bathroom is more difficult to deal with, so I think I'll shop for crown molding and just mount a frame over the existing mirror. Still looking for another over sized frame for the 3/4 bath upstairs. My sewing room and design studio are up there, and I'm seriously thinking of making a frame from 1" x 4"s and covering it with the same fabric as the shower curtain. The only thing holding me back is worry that I'm going overboard with the sewing theme.
CassidyZ
9 years ago
I find mirrors are a fantastic decorating tool to be mixed in a room with artwork. They help enlarge the space and also provide some personality.
rubyloves2shop
9 years ago
I do believe I have some form of a mirror in practically every room. They add so much even if in a corner they reflect light and add dimension.
makaloco
9 years ago
Only in the bedroom and bathroom. My last place (rental apartment) had a huge one in the dining room. I got used to it but really disliked it. My cats loved it, lol.
nramsey1
9 years ago
Yes I do. Attached are photos of my "new" bathroom.
ghel
9 years ago
I have a mirror in every room of my house. Not vain...just like the reflection of light.
rauraum
9 years ago
I have a collection of off white framed mirrors (some vintage) over my fireplace. I love to see arrangements of mirrors on walls. But for some reason my mirrors don't seem to look right. I have various sizes. Can't decide what is wrong with the arrangement.
clayborn99
9 years ago
We moved into a house in Chicago where the master bedroom closets doors were all floor to ceiling mirrors and covered one whole wall. My wife said "these have got to go!" and they did.
When we moved into our retirement house in Florida one section of the living room wall is a floor to ceiling mirror (about 4 foot wide). I thought sure my wife would want to replace this ... but to my surprise she LIKES IT !!!, and I do too.
I wouldn't say we 'decorate with mirrors' but we have learned to use them to highlight sections of the house.
PRO
Lindsay MacRae Interiors, LLC
9 years ago
Absolutely. We all know that mirrors help make a space look larger. There are so many options out there now. The right mirror can add so much personality to a room. I love the convex mirror trend as well as Asain inspired mirrors. Here are the mirrors in my home:
Angel 18432
9 years ago
Clayborn99 - when you figure you've figured us out - well figure again ! lol
Helen
9 years ago
I have 4 good size mirrors in a 2 bedroom town house ....they are every where and add a lot. Actually they are in every room but the kitchen.....humm.
clayborn99
9 years ago
Angle18432:
After 48 years together I truly believe we have each other pretty much 'figured out'. I've got her 98% figured out; she's got me 100% :)
Thanks for the tip!
PRO
CAROLE MEYER
9 years ago
Yes, I love using mirrors in my rooms to bounce and add light where needed. I find it is important to see what the mirror is refelcting to get the best effect. I have even used a mirror in the back of a fountain that overlooks the swimming pool in our second home in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. It give an interesting effect of being able to see through the wall to what is perhaps a secret garden beyond. I also added a group of star shaped, mirrored lights fixtures that when turned on at night have a wonderful look. Some caution should be used when using mirrors outside such as reflecting the sun back into the house (perhaps causing a fire! NO!) Also, my own bad mirror experience was while touring a garden here in San Miguel and almost smashing myself into a full length mirror embeded in a stone wall. It had a path leading to it and vines growning around it and the look was so real I almost planted myself right on it! It did look great however. Anyway, I do love using mirrors!
Pamela Langone
9 years ago
I love antique mirrors
shortlisa
9 years ago
The YES answer seems a little too enthusiastic. I don't have enough mirrors to warrant that level of excitement! :)
excitedt
9 years ago
Yes, but it just depends on what room I'm working on
Eva Lutz
9 years ago
rooms without mirrors are dead to me. light and view reflections are too terrific to not be taken advantage of !
Joni
9 years ago
I live on an island that faces Discovery Passage and other islands. My kitchen sink faces a wall, but right behind me is a large window that faces all of that beauty. On the wall above the sink I placed a cheap mirror with a couple of shelves in front of it. This allows me to look up and see the view without turning around while washing up. In the summer the Hibiscus plant was in full bloom right in front of the window on the deck. Next year there will be a major renovation happening to this house, the sink will definitely be facing the window. In the mean time, the mirror is my miracle worker
PRO
Jarret Yoshida Design
9 years ago
I want a wall of varied mirrors.
Karen Ginas
9 years ago
Mirror mirror. Everywhere love them!
PRO
FurreverYours
9 years ago
I have a large hallway mirror placed near the front door which makes it convenient for a quick once over right before stepping out of the house. #BeSeenBeSafe
marshawc
9 years ago
I found a HUGE mirror ( 7.5x5) for our entry....
its a statement piece for sure.
right now its sitting on the floor and I'm fine with that for the time being...but whenever I find the perfect piece to go under it, we'll
hang it...
Susan Bishop
9 years ago
Wow, Marsha, what a beauty!
Angel 18432
9 years ago
I would hang it as it is. Anything you put under it will have to be bigger that the mirror itself or it won't look right - it will be too top heavy.
cannotfindone
9 years ago
I have mirrors all over my house...the reflect light and open up my small spaces. Many times, one mirror is reflecting another one.
cannotfindone
9 years ago
Entryway reflecting living room
cannotfindone
9 years ago
Another
cannotfindone
9 years ago
Oops, got two of the same:(
Mars SC Zone 8b Mars
3 years ago
I have one big mirror n my living room.
Angel 18432
3 years ago
Mars this is a 6 year old post
Mars SC Zone 8b Mars
3 years ago
It's okay.

POLL: Do you decorate with mirrors?

Comments (75)

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