tips and tricks

Styling Mirrors - How To Guide

By Emily ChanAug 17, 2023

Mirrors make a great functional item in any room. They can typically be found in spaces like the bedroom or bathroom but we think that every room should have at least one mirror for aesthetic as much as functionality. When people look at dressing their walls often their minds go to art and prints but mirrors can be an excellent decorative solution while providing additional lighting, the illusion of space (and a place to check yourself out as you enter a room!).

Read on for our favourite ways to style a mirror throughout your home.

Styling a Mirror in the Hallway

Hallways are typically very narrow with limited area of space to work with. Not only does the mirror act as a practical furniture item, but it can also play a role in making a hallway appear significantly more spacious and open.

There are a few easy ways to incorporate a mirror into your hallway, our favourites are over a console table, a long wall hung mirror or a mirror with a shelf.

Over a Console Table:

The shape of your console is going to determine what shape of mirror will be best in your space. For very angular or boxy pieces consider mirrors with softer edges like round, arched or oval, whereas if you have a curved piece of furniture then you can play with more geometric shapes to add contrast. As a rule of thumb if you are looking to hang the mirror over furniture look to hang approximately 30cm or less over the top of the piece and if it is a flat bottom piece it should be sitting atop. For more details on what mirrors work best over storage furniture read our Sideboard Styling Guide and our Console Styling Guide.

Long Mirror or Mirror with Shelf:

If you are tight on space for long mirrors in your home then utilising your entrance hall for this could be a great solution. Similarly you can double up on practicality and get a mirror with shelves and hooks to add storage to style in your hallway. Forgo bulky hallway furniture and downsize to the essentials, making these a chic and practical solution to hallway styling woes.

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Styling a Mirror in the Bedroom

Mirrors in the bedroom are an absolute must-have. The place where you start and finish your day simply must have somewhere you can check yourself out (for better or for worse!). The two most common ways of incorporating a mirror into your bedroom are dressing mirrors and vanity mirrors.

Dressing Mirrors:

A dressing mirror is a non negotiable piece of bedroom furniture, whether it is incorporated into your sliding wardrobe or a standalone piece.If you have an empty corner in your space a large dressing mirror on a stand is an excellent way to fill it, you can also style around it with practical items like shoe racks and a standing lamp for added light (perfect for mirror selfies for the group chat!). If space is an issue opt for a slim wall hung mirror and keep your reflective solutions simple!

Vanity Mirrors:

While a dressing mirror is a place to inspect your outfit, a vanity mirror is the place to inspect your face! Perch it atop a desk or dresser and allow yourself the luxury of just sitting and staring at your reflection. Bonus points if you can have one on the wall and one desktop for maximum vanity!

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Styling a Mirror in the Living Room or Dining Room

Living rooms and dining rooms are ripe with opportunity for a decorative mirror, from on top of a fireplace to above a sideboard or sofa. They act as wall décor as well as enhancing natural light and giving the illusion of space.

Above a Fireplace:

In living rooms and sometimes dining rooms, mirrors are traditionally placed above a fireplace mantle. Going back to Georgian times, a mirror above the fireplace is a classic and timeless look that is also utterly practical. When choosing a mirror over the mantle, bear a few things in mind; choose a mirror two thirds or more the width of your mantle, avoid hanging too high (30cm off the top of the mantle maximum) and always utilise the vertical space. Wherever possible go for a flat bottom mirror.

Above a Sideboard or Sofa:

Choosing a mirror above a sideboard or sofa is a great alternative to traditional artwork and can provide just as much decorative flair to your space. The shape of your sideboard or sofa is going to determine what shape of mirror will be best in your space. For very angular or boxy pieces consider mirrors with softer edges like round, arched or oval, whereas if you have a curved piece of furniture then you can play with more geometric shapes to add contrast. As a rule of thumb if you are looking to hang the mirror over furniture look to hang approximately 30cm over the top of the piece. Try pairing a mirror with some wall lights for maximum effect.

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If you have any other burning mirror questions or didn’t find the answer to your specific mirror quandary check the FAQ section at the end of our Mirror Collection Page or get in touch hello@orianab.com.