“Magic mirror, on the wall – who is the fairest one of all?” The Evil Queen, Snow White

There are many elements to interior design including lighting, artwork, electronics, accessories, paint, carpet and many others. However, among the most underutilized elements of interior design is the placement of mirrors. Sure everyone knows that mirrors can make a small space seem larger, but this fact only scratches the surface of how mirrors can be used to decorate our living spaces. (Even some professional interior designers have a problem with this task.) In this post we’d like to focus on mirrors and the way they can be used in interior design.

• Mirrors as Decorative Windows: Mirror don’t just create the illusion of extra space in a room, they also reflect and redirect light. Install large mirrors and place them as you would a pair of large windows in order to brighten your home.
• Mirrors can be used to redirect the eye: Sometimes your goal is to direct the viewer’s eye away from an object or aspect of your home. Strategically placed mirrors do this perfectly. At other times your goal may be to focus attention towards an object such as an Eileen gray table or Ozzio table. Here, mirrors can help with this goal as well.
• Illuminate dark corners (or objects): We all know that direct sunlight can damage fragile pieces of furniture, wood in particular. Mirrors help redirect light so that it enhances certain objects in your home without exposing those items to direct sunlight.
• Enlarge the space: Mirrors can appear to double the amount of space you actually have available to you. They can make narrow hallways appear wider, small work spaces seem more formidable, etc.
• Use as decorative pieces: Mirrors can be used as works of art in and of themselves. You can use mirrors of different shapes and colors to enhance an otherwise plain space like a wall.
• Garden views in mirrors: Depending on how they are placed, mirrors reflect any image you want right in front of the viewer. Why not place a mirror or two to reflect your garden or the outdoors into your home?

In conclusion, the next time you start a design project, utilize some of the above tips and you will be one step ahead of even some professional designers. Using mirrors as an element of interior design does not have to be complex nor it should be neglected.