17 clever ways to use mirrors in an interior
Mirrors are one of the most functional decorating tools, adding visual interest to a room but also working to enhance its qualities. In a room with low light, a well-placed mirror will maximise any sunlight a room receives and in a small space, it has the capacity to visually expand it beyond its proportions. They can also create intriguing vistas, and work well in spaces such as narrow hallways, providing glimpses into the rooms beyond, while also bouncing the light around.
We have seen all kinds of clever ideas from the houses that feature on our pages: some designers have used them as fanlights above a door to reflect back the interior; some have panelled entire walls in mirror glass so that the room seems to double in size. We have seen them placed on ceilings for especially spectacular optical illusions, and over fireplaces instead of a large piece of art. Of course they can be highly decorative pieces in their own right: antique gilt mirrors can lend gravitas and patina to even the most contemporary scheme without feeling out of place, while a brightly-framed modern piece can cheer up a boring bit of wall. We have gathered 17 of our favourite examples below – rooms in which the mirror really transforms the look of the space, so you can reflect on how to use them in your own interiors.
Simon Upton1/16Interior designer Hubert Zandberg commissioned Rupert Bevan to make an antiqued mirror panel for the ceiling of this hallway. Combined with the large mirror on the wall, the glass makes the most of the available light in this windowless space and amplifies the warm, inviting glow of the crystal chandelier when illuminated.
Owen Gale2/16In the hallway of her London house, Angelica Squire used mirrored panels to open the space up and avoid having a dead space right when you enter. The panels also help reflect light to the kitchen opposite, which is north-facing and has voile on the windows to keep out prying eyes from the street beyond.
Benjamin Edwards3/16A bespoke mirror from Rupert Bevan reflects an iron and leather stool from Cox London in a glamorous London house by Bryan O'Sullivan. The mirror works to bring light to the alcove, which can often become a gloomy space.
Paul Massey4/16The space behind a sofa can be tricky to fill, but a large mirror can be a brilliant solution. When Olivia Outred decorated this London flat, she collaborated with Soane's Lulu Lytle and as such, it is filled with the British brand's wonderful designs. The most amazing amongst them is the brass ‘Shark’s Tooth Mirror’, seen here, which was made bespoke in an extra-large size, and anchors the scheme beautifully.
Rachael Smith5/16Installing a mirror over a fireplace is always a safe option, but we particularly like the idea of panelling the entire chimneybreast for maximum impact. Antiqued panels lend more character than perfectly clean options. Around the original chimneypiece in this project by Alice Leigh, antiqued mirror panelling from Mirror Works brings light and depth to the scheme.
Paul Massey6/16The next level in sitting room mirrors comes with installing a mirror both above the chimneypiece and on the wall opposite, as designer Olivia Emery has done here in Eildon Hall in the Scottish Borders. The infinity effect is rather wonderful in a grand room like this. We also like the use of a simple, clean-lined mirror in a stately space – it stops the look from becoming overwhelming.
Jake Curtis7/16In a London flat designed by Adam Bray, the television room across the hall is lined with distressed mirror glass, reflecting the large banquette sofa designed by Nick Plant and upholstered in Adam's 'Greville' mohair velvet. In a small space, this is a pretty spectacular way to make an impact.
Romain Ricard8/16In the kitchen of a house decorated by Maria Speake, Farrow & Ball’s soft green ‘Mizzle’ paint provides a backdrop for wall units fronted with mirrors salvaged from the entrance hall of Unilever House on London’s Embankment. The mirrored cabinets emphasise the space in the kitchen.
9/16Using mirror glass for wardrobe doors is a classic choice, especially when there is a vista to capitalise on. In this London house by Shalini Misra, the mirrored doors reflect the view all the way back into the bedroom, and make the most of that wonderful timber ceiling, which now seems to go on forever.
Taran Wilkhu10/16In her small London flat, Zoe Zimmer has employed mirrors in nearly all rooms to reflect light around the space and make each room seem bigger. Here, in the open plan living and dining room, mirrored walls with shelving and gloss black floorboards visually double the space.
Taran Wilkhu11/16The open plan room also leads into the kitchen, a room which does not benefit from too much natural light. To combat this, Zoe opened the kitchen up to the living room and added a mirror in the wall behind the archway, allowing the light from the living room windows to hit the mirrors and bring more natural light to the kitchen.
Taran Wilkhu12/16In her bedroom, mirrors behind the bed again create a sense of space, but also cleverly double as storage.
Rachel Whiting13/16When you have a small bathroom but want a large mirror with traditional lighting on either side, look to Beata's clever trick for achieving the look. Beata found a mirror with pinched in sides, perfect for placing the lights. The mirror is bordered in black, as are the emerald green walls.
Paul Massey14/16Emma Grant's open plan living and dining room is south-facing and benefits from a lot of natural light throughout the day. To maximise it, Emma added an antique round mirror with charming patina above the dining table, and another mirror over the fireplace at the opposite end of the room. So as to diffuse the light and not create excess glare, Emma was smart to choose a mirror with a slightly foggy quality and fisheye glass.
Paul Massey15/16A red version of Bridie Hall’s ‘Pediment Mirror’ stands out against panelling in ‘Verdure Brown’ from Papers and Paints. The classical style adds an unexpected element to a country-style bathroom and keeps the room feeling modern.
Michael Sinclair16/16Mirrors do not always have to be static, as Maddux Creative prove in this marble-clad bathroom. The symmetrical duo are on pivoting brass rods, allowing the mirrors to be positioned for multiple uses.
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