If you do not want to delve into the intricacies of interior design, determine proportions and select the right combinations, you can use a simple and reliable rule, which in the vast majority of cases will allow you to make the right choice.
This golden rule states the following: the width of the mirror you choose should correspond to the piece of furniture located underneath it.
Triumph mirror cabinet
In other words, when selecting the size of the selected model, focus on the width of the cabinet, dressing table, console or other furniture that is located underneath it. Sounds simple, doesn't it?
At the same time, of course, this rule does not apply to all cases, because there is not always any furniture under the mirror. There are also situations when the furniture is either too wide or, on the contrary, too narrow.
If this golden rule does not solve your issue, then we will next consider all other options.
Functions of a mirror in the interior
A mirror is a convenient, multifaceted interior design tool. In addition to purely practical functions, it performs a number of important functions. Proper use of mirrors allows you to transform a boring environment, breathing new life into it.
- With the help of reflective surfaces, the volume of tiny, narrow rooms is visually adjusted. It is enough to hang a large mirror or decorate one of the walls with panels with a mirror effect, and also add several decorative items of different sizes.
- Reflecting from the mirror surfaces, the sun's rays and streams of light from the lamps increase the illumination in the room without additional lamps. Thanks to this, even cramped, gloomy rooms are filled with light and air, and it is easier to breathe in them.
- The correct location allows you to correct planning flaws and construction flaws - protrusions, places for laying communications, narrow niches.
- Products of interesting shapes, creatively placed on the walls, ceiling or floor, with unusual frames, perfectly decorate the space of the rooms. They serve as a strong accent, creating a feeling of luxury and respectability. The shine of reflective surfaces never goes unnoticed.
Moreover, mirrors have a beneficial effect on the mood and psyche of residents. They increase self-esteem and relieve stress. Round models calm and relax, allowing you to find inner harmony.
Selecting a location
Mirrors should always be placed in such a way that there is some space for a person in front of them. It is always more convenient and comfortable to examine your reflection from a certain distance.
The most convenient location is on the side of the front door. It is not recommended to place a mirror opposite the entrance, as this may cause discomfort to those entering.
Modern manufacturers of mirror products offer a wide selection of models of different shapes and sizes, thanks to which you can organize a comfortable, harmonious entrance space even in the smallest hallway.
Frame
The frame plays a decorative role and from it you can determine the style in which the mirror is made. Typically, the frame is made of wood, metal or plastic. Wooden frames are often varnished or stained. Some models do not have a frame.
Baroque/Rococo - an elegant forged metal frame of a curvilinear shape with gilding and rich ornamentation (“curls”). A frame decorated with stucco would also be appropriate.
Classic/English – finely crafted, varnished and carved wooden frame.
Country - a roughly processed or completely untreated wooden frame. This frame in white or light blue will suit well in a hallway decorated in Provence style.
Modern – forged metal oval frame. Frameless models are also available.
High-tech/minimalism - a metal or plastic frame of a simple shape, devoid of decor. A vertical mirror will fit especially well into the minimalist style.
Ethnic – wooden frame upholstered in leather.
Ecological - bamboo or rattan frame.
Modern - frameless models with or without matte coating (ornament).
Bright shades are good for a modern interior, pastel colors are suitable for classic, rococo and other historical styles. For Provence, the ideal solution would be an aged frame (first the frame is painted, then it is treated with sandpaper to give it a rough texture).
Bedroom mirror size
Often mirrored canvases or panels are placed above the bedside tables in the bedroom. In this design it is worth placing them from the ceiling to the cabinet. And of course, choose the width based on the width of the cabinet.
If the bedroom has a dressing room, then you should select a mirror that is either equal in width to the dressing table or smaller.
Floor mirror Solange
If there is a dressing area in the bedroom, you must follow the rules for the hallway, since the reflective fabric in the dressing room has the same function as in the hallway. The same applies to floor-standing models.
Mirrors in the living room
In the hall they perform more of a decorative function than a practical one. Therefore, locations, appearance and height are selected taking into account interior design and aesthetics. The most interesting solutions:
- a mirror section of the wall, which reflects furniture, indoor plants and decorative photos, clocks or paintings located opposite;
- a beautiful, exclusive model above a sofa or fireplace mantel;
- side walls near the windows.
You can install both products built into furniture and separate wall-mounted and floor-mounted structures.
Additionally
- There should be enough free space in front of the mirror so that the person looking can move around and evaluate his appearance.
- The illuminated mirror must be located close to the outlet.
- The place allocated for the mirror should be well lit.
- To increase the space of the hallway, you can hang a mirror opposite the entrance to the apartment or the door to another room.
- To make the room brighter, just place a lamp in front of the mirror.
- You can get additional volume in the hallway using a large floor mirror or a wall model located close to the floor.
- An interesting solution is to turn the mirror into a “window”. To do this, the canvas needs to be framed not with a frame, but with fabric, and a “window sill” must be installed under the mirror. As a result, the movement of people reflected in the mirror will create the illusion of street life.
- If you place a vase, a basket of fruit, a candlestick and other objects in front of the mirror, you will get a “picture” in the still life genre.
How to calculate the mounting height of a mirror
Depending on the size and purpose, different models are hung at different heights. So, for example, purely decorative canvases can occupy the entire space of the accent wall above the sofa or next to the dining group, be located in the upper third of the walls, or occupy areas at different levels. Floor mirrors the size of a person are installed in convenient places, and mirrored doors come complete with furniture sets. The height from the floor matters if you purchase a wall-mounted product. How to determine it?
- When choosing a location and distance from the floor, you should take into account the size and layout of the room. In narrow corridors and small rooms, people are forced to stand almost close to the canvas. Therefore, full-length mirrors are hung low from the floor, and small ones - at eye level.
- If there is a piece of furniture under the mirror - a table, console or sofa, it is placed higher.
- With standard dimensions, height models are 25 cm away from the floor covering. If the product is about 1.2 m in length, it can be raised up to 50 cm from the floor. The main guideline is the height of the tallest family member: he should be able to see his own face and hair without bending down.
- The same rule works when installing small canvases that reflect only the head and part of the chest or down to the waist. The upper border of the mirror should be located slightly above the top of the user’s head if he is standing closely. The further a person moves away, the higher the reflective surface can be hung.
The dimensions of the canvas are also important. For normal operation, select mirrors with the following parameters:
- height - at least 140 cm in length;
- to the waist – from 60 cm;
- to reflect the head and shoulders - from 40 cm.
Decorative items that do not carry a practical load can be anything.
Backlight design
In most apartment layouts, hallways do not have windows, so you should pay special attention to their lighting. Dim light will not allow you to clearly see the reflection, so you can arrange additional lighting in the form of spotlights placed on both sides of wall lamps, a floor lamp standing on the floor, or other sources of local lighting.
In the presented photos of the mirrors in the hallway you can see the original luminous design in the form of LED strips attached to the back of the products and creating a unique atmosphere in the room.
Properly positioned lighting fixtures relative to the mirror can mask certain imperfections in the room. For example, a narrow entrance area can be visually made wider by placing lighting fixtures on the wall opposite the mirror.
Functional purpose of reflective surfaces
Surfaces with a reflective effect in the first room of the house perform several functions at once:
- A beautiful and full-size mirror in a baguette for the hallway will provide its owners with a decent look. Before going out, everyone will look at their image and promptly eliminate any existing shortcomings.
- Reflective surfaces contribute to the visual expansion of the room, which is important in cases where the corridor is narrow and small. Today this is the most effective way to double the space.
- A mirror in a molding for a hallway is a great element of stylish interior design. Rooms decorated in white will primarily benefit from such a solution.
- Functional and beautiful design is achieved through proper lighting of the surrounding space, regardless of its size. By installing mirrors in the hallway, you can fill the room with light, which is so lacking in small corridors.
The next point that every owner will have to puzzle over is to decide on the size and shape of the mirror wall in the hallway.
We recommend Arch in the corridor - from choosing the shape to design, photo
Original corridor design options
The smallest room can look decent if you approach its furnishings and design with a cool head and armed with the advice of professionals. One of the key aspects is to decide on the shape of the wall mirror in the hallway.
Design experts make several recommendations:
- the round product goes perfectly with small spaces;
- A full-size cabinet with an oval-shaped hallway mirror is the best choice for spacious rooms. This solution can be turned into a visual center of the interior, which will fill the space with style and a unique image. This ensemble is traditionally placed opposite the door;
- A square mirror in a baguette for the hallway goes perfectly with a minimalist style. Alternatively, you can place several of these small-sized products on the wall. The square shape is in harmony with the corridors, designed in light and white colors;
- A mirrored corridor can be easily created using original glass strips. They are not only wavy, but also straight. But such decorative accessories are suitable for spacious rooms. Small corridors are not suitable for such surroundings. Compact rooms can be easily complemented with a mirror in a beautiful baguette.
Bathroom mirror size
Most often, a mirror is placed in the bathroom, because it is simply necessary there. It is impossible to imagine washing your face, brushing your teeth, shaving or applying makeup without being able to see your reflection.
At the same time, of course, the selection of mirror dimensions for the bathroom has its own characteristics. As we already wrote above, the width of the selected model should correspond to the width of the piece of furniture underneath it, but there are exceptions for the bathroom.
Illuminated mirror Astoria
If the cabinet is very wide, then sometimes it is physically impossible to place a mirror of the appropriate size above it (but if possible, be sure to consider this option), since most likely part of the wall will already be occupied by a cabinet, pipes or other interior elements.
In this case, there is an equally simple rule for bathrooms: the width of the selected model must correspond to the width of the sink.
This primarily applies to models over wide sinks. If your sink is quite narrow, then the size of the mirror should be slightly larger. This applies to round, oval or other models with smooth shapes, but can also affect rectangular products.
Make sure that the mirror is not too small and inconvenient to use, or is not too huge and “squeezing” adjacent interior elements.
Illuminated mirror Simona Plus
Above a small sink, you can place a mirror with a width that is one-fourth or one-fifth greater than the width of the sink. By following this rule, you can create a harmonious connection between the mirror and the sink located underneath it.
Regarding the choice of height, it is worth noting that if you use the rule of sizing the selected product according to the width of the sink, then it would be best to place it vertically. Rectangular or capsule products that match their shape with a sink or other interior elements are perfect.
The same rule is true for small rooms, which are often bathrooms. A narrow and tall mirror will visually expand the space and lengthen the room advantageously.
If the bathroom has two sinks on one wide cabinet, consider installing not one large, but two identical products. This solution, of course, will reduce the area of the reflective surface, but will visually separate the zones of the two sinks.
Illuminated mirror Evita Extra
Another great option is to place a large double mirror, which can be advantageously positioned above two sinks, creating a harmonious ensemble of interior elements.
At the same time, do not forget in any case that the mirror should not only be beautiful, but also perform its direct functions. For a bathroom, its size should be such that hygiene and cosmetic procedures can be performed without any discomfort.
Hallway mirror size
In the hallway, of course, you need a large reflective canvas that will allow you to see yourself in full height. At the same time, as you already know, the larger the mirror, the more it visually expands the space, which is especially important for hallways.
Mirror with interior lighting Provance XL
The width and height of the chosen product for the hallway should be such that the viewer can see himself in full height in the reflection. The height, of course, should be much greater than the width and slightly less than the average height of an adult (if you plan to hang it off the floor).
The width of such a mirror should be at least 50 centimeters, otherwise it will be difficult to see yourself completely in reflection in a narrow hallway.
The main advantages of floor mirrors
The high and sophisticated reflective surface will effectively fit into the overall ensemble of furniture, drapery items, as well as design research.
Stable structures with a reliable support point are not afraid of temperature changes in the room, they are highly functional and serve as the central decoration of the house. The priority advantages of floor mirrors in a wooden frame are:
- Wide viewing angle
- High stability
- Long service life
There is no doubt that a large reflective surface not only looks rich, but also adds natural light to any room, fills the space with special comfort, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
Ideally smooth mirror panels with frames made of environmentally friendly solid wood can be complemented with luxurious handmade carvings, noble silvering or gilding, as well as rich inlay.
