In addition to reflecting light and creating the illusion of more space, mirrors can also serve to accentuate existing furnishings. But before you hang any mirrors about your home, there are a few rules you should follow. We sought the counsel of Vanessa Deleon, an experienced interior designer and presenter of “Your Place is a Dealbreaker” on SpacesTV and a featured designer on “Restaurant Impossible” on Food Network, regarding proper mirror placement in the home.
BIG mirrors are a MUST in small spaces.
Do not be afraid to go big; a large mirror with light, even in a tiny room, gives the impression of depth. If you want to reflect the light from the chandelier in the dining room or a special artwork, Deleon suggests hanging a large mirror across from the piece or hanging it on the wall over the table. Plus, you can do something even more daring if you’re in the mood: People sometimes mistakenly believe that wall-to-wall mirrors are outdated, according to Deleon. A more contemporary touch, she says, can be achieved by distressing them or adding sconces.
DO NOT just scatter mirrors all throughout your house.
Although it may be enticing to place a mirror on an empty wall, you should only hang it if it reflects something beautiful. In Deleon’s opinion, “hanging mirrors so they’re reflecting random things in your home” is the worst possible decorator move. If you want to avoid looking at an unsightly piece of furniture or a mountain of clutter, you should probably avoid placing a mirror in that area. What she really means is that you should look for an oval shape LED mirror that either reflects light or a beautiful scene.
Ensure that mirrors take center stage.
Deleon exclaims, “I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how leaner mirrors dress up a space.” She’s talking to the big, upright mirrors that aren’t actually fitted but are instead set on the floor and propped against a wall. “They’re perfect for nooks and dressing rooms,” she remarks. “And, to top it all off, you can create a corner glow by placing a spotlight behind one of them.”
It only takes one daring piece, like a crystal mirror, to change the mood of a room, she says.
Keep the number of mirrors in your bedroom and kitchen to a minimum.
“Mirrors are not necessary in a kitchen,” Deleon adds, though she’s not entirely opposed to the concept of a backsplash made of mirrors. “It can still appear imperfect, like water marks,” she cautions, “so it would require ongoing care.”
“If a mirror is in a bedroom and it reflects the bed, it’s not a good look,” Deleon says, another reason why she doesn’t like them there. Deleon suggests putting the bedroom mirror somewhere you won’t see your reflection first thing in the morning if you insist on using one. “It ought to be behind you,” she remarks. “Held high above the bed would work.”
Be mindful of feng shui principles.
It turns out Deleon doesn’t like to use mirrors in her bedroom for another, more old-fashioned reason: “According to feng shui, it’s not really good to have mirrors in the bedroom at all,” she says, mentioning how mirrors are believed to attract a strong water element, which can create an energy of sadness. “I personally dislike having mirrors in the bedroom since they disrupt your personal energy and, according to popular belief, ‘bring a third party into your private relationship.'”
On the other hand, Deleon is adept in feng shui and can strategically put mirrors, such as a bathroom mirror, to achieve favorable results. For the most part, she says, “Putting a mirror over a fireplace is a great idea” since it attracts positive energy. “A mirror, being a water element, maintains equilibrium when placed over (the fireplace).” According to Deleon, “It offers a feeling of being welcomed” when you put a mirror in the entryway of your home, which is good feng shui.
Never place a mirror on a ceiling.
Even though this is self-evident, it bears repeating. The specialist says, “A ceiling mirror is extremely tacky.” We agree. “Something out of a 1970s throwback flick or a rundown motel.”
Mirrors should be used in small corridors and staircases.
“In a narrow hallway or staircase, a smaller, horizontal irregular mirror works,” advises Deleon. This will make the room seem larger, which improves the movement between spaces.
Take advantage of mirrored furnishings.
Mirrored pieces of furniture, like a coffee table or chest of drawers, can be used in creative ways to improve the look of your home, says Deleon. A mirror can fool the eye into assuming it isn’t there, according to Deleon. “Mirrors placed on large pieces of furniture in the center of a room can create the illusion that it is vanishing.” Additionally, according to Deleon, mirrored desks or drawers placed against a wall in a cramped area “makes it look like the floor extends beyond the wall” and creates the impression of more space.
However, mirrored furniture in a crowded environment should be used with caution, as Deleon warns. “Mirror furniture is not necessary” if the room is already quite decorated and has a lot of focal points, according to her.
This article is inspired by article that is posted on foxnews
