A spacious room that demonstrates an impressive grasp of interior design is what many homeowners dream of creating. The simple solution to getting extra style with minimum outlay can be found in using mirrored wall surfaces to enhance the look and feel of a room. Mirrors provide the illusion of a bigger space and create a put-together ambiance so that other decorative items in a room acquire more character. Walls can also benefit from mirrors as the focal ornament or as additional furniture accessories.
When encased in a frame, a mirror can instantly transform the overall appeal of a room. Whether the décor is geared towards contemporary or classic style, this versatile decorative item can blend in flawlessly. Hanging a mirror is an inexpensive way of adding dimension, space, and life to any home.
For example, with the mirror facing a window, a homeowner can enjoy taking in outdoor views through it. Similarly, when mirrors are placed opposite round dining tables, they can magnify and enhance the décor of a dining area. Mirrors also work to accentuate pivotal structures in a home and by hanging a framed mirror above a fireplace, the warm and cosy centerpiece of a living room is effortlessly promoted.
Even without additional embellishments, a mirror can single-handedly make the room grand. Even a house’s less-than-prominent areas can benefit from having a mirror as their main decorative item. Hallways, especially long and narrow ones, acquire a bigger and wider space by simply mounting mirrors on their walls. For this purpose, a group of decorative framed mirrors is an ideal choice.
Aside from providing an impression of a wider space, mirrors can help brighten up a room by reflecting light. They also provide a wonderful distraction for anyone who is walking or entering the area. What better way to liven up entryways and provide guests with a warm welcome than a framed mirror which they can use to discreetly check their appearance? When positioned to reflect light, a mirror acts as an additional lighting fixture and infuses a room with a dose of vibrancy.
Nothing says fearless and bold better than a full length mirror. It draws attention and with the right size and tasteful design, guests can really share in the statement its owner wants to convey. Even mirrors without a frame can make for unique wall decorations. A number of frameless mirrors placed together on a wall provide visual stimulation with a touch of class and sophistication.
Because of their versatility, homeowners are rewarded with plenty of options and possibilities when utilizing mirrors as decorative items. They brighten up and breathe life into dark and empty living spaces. Those who are looking to use mirrors to enhance their home’s décor should experiment with different sizes and designs to maximize these items’ aesthetic effect. The best thing about a mirror is that it can grace any room by fitting in seamlessly and becoming the best companion to almost any kind of home accessory.
Minimalism is a fairly new term in interior design that has been used over the past decade to describe a contemporary design style. The concept of minimalism is to have clean, tidy and clear from clutter homes, with empty work surfaces, limited decoration and certainly no ornaments.
Some may see minimalist homes as a hard, ultra modern, cold design style that is unlived in and therefore uninviting, but in fact if done correctly a modern contemporary styled home can be absolutely stunning. With splashes of bright block colour a minimalist home does not have to be a white box and the concept of having clean and clear work surfaces with minimal accessories actually means that you look at the furniture itself and the square sharp lines that compliment this design style can be really quite beautiful in their own right.
Although the use of accessories in a minimalist home is limited, it does not mean that they cannot or should not be used at all. A well placed coloured vase, bowl or cushion for example could add a modern splash of colour or soften an area slightly. Likewise, it is not unusual to find items on the walls in such styled homes.
Artwork:
Modern artwork or photography as stand-alone pieces work well with this décor. Placed against a light colour painted wall, a frameless piece of art can add a new dimension to the room providing it a focal point of interest. Works that are on canvases, are finished in acrylic and have a high glossy finish help to compliment the modern, almost man made appeal of this style.
Mirrors:
Much like artwork, when it comes to selecting a mirror for the minimalist home, less is most definitely more. Framed mirrors should be avoided and regardless of the use of the mirror, whether it be for the reflection, to spread light or as a piece of artwork in it’s own right, the mirror should preferably be all glass. Not necessarily one piece of flat mirrored glass, but glass framed mirrors with a bit of modernism about them tend to be preferable. Multi facet mirrors work well with this design style, as do black glass mirrors, all of which are large wall mirrors and not free standing as this creates an element of clutter.
The minimalist style can reflect a person’s personality, suggesting that they are organized and like things to be tidy and have their place. They do not hold emotional attachment to material objects and appreciate modern design and techniques. They tend to like gadgets and embrace technology.
Ah le Francais. Paris, the Palace at Versaille, the Moulin Rouge. What images do these bring to mind? Decadence, ornate beauty and decorations fit for royalty.
Marie Antoinette is a figure who perhaps sums up the extravagance and vanity we often associate with French history and aesthetic. Famed for her love of gambling and spending money, she spent vast amounts on rouge for her face and pomade for her hair, therefore mirrors on furniture were very important.
You can imagine the young queen sat at a beautiful, large, highly ornate dressing table in front of a rococo mirror with a lavishly decorated frame, having her rouge touched up by a maid.
French furniture works really well in bedrooms because the ornate designs create a beautiful, relaxed atmosphere. The pastels, golds and pale colours of this period mean that the items fit with most colour schemes, and all you need is one statement piece such as a dressing table and a couple of pretty cushions on your bed and you have already evoked the feeling of a French palace. Alternatively if you’d prefer a sexy bedroom to a feminine one, you could go for deep reds and satin bed sheets to recreate a boudoir and hint at some of the old Moulin Rouge glamour.
What we typically describe as being “French” design is inspired by a particular period in French history, marked by the “reign” of Madame de Pompadour. It’s the lavish rococo designs, floral embroidery and gold finishes which we associate with palaces and came about during a period of particular extravagance in France. Furniture has curved arms and legs, and carved decorations. Mirrors are used on wardrobe doors or on the fronts of drawers and cabinets to create eye catching pieces. It’s ostentatious and screams wealth and luxury.
It’s this element of luxury which makes it work so well in a bedroom, particularly for dressing tables which are a fairly luxurious item of furniture, being designed as they are purely for vanity. What’s more decadent than an item of furniture designed mostly around a mirror, for no other function than to sit at and make yourself look beautiful?
And there’s something about the gold, the pretty curves, the elegant designs that makes you feel extravagant and regal as you sit and do your make up.
Combining luxurious items with pastel colours and embroidered cushions will help you to evoke French glamour in your room and bring a touch of Marie Antionette’s lavish style to your life.
Whether it’s an entranceway, landing or simply a thorough through for other rooms, a hallway is a space in the home or workplace that can often be overlooked in terms of decoration and interior design.
A narrow hallway is especially difficult to decorate as there is limited space for free standing furniture. This leaves you with just the floor, lights and walls to play with in terms of creating a space that is functional but also contains an element of design.
Due to the lack of space, narrow hallways can appear dark, closed in and uninviting.
Follow these tips to help lighten your hallway:
Flooring:
Depending on the location of the hallway you may need to consider the functionality of your floor covering. If it is an area that gets high traffic or is close to an external door then you may wish to consider a hard wearing floor such as natural wood, laminate or tiles. If on a landing then you may opt for more warm and chose a carpet, runners or rugs. In all cases it is advisable that you go for a short tight pile, as hallways tend to get more use than you may think. Think about the longevity of the floor covering, after all, the hallway is not the most exciting area to be refurnishing regularly.
As well as the functionality of the flooring, it is vital that you also consider the colouring and patterns. Wherever possible try to stick to a light colour pallet. This does not necessarily mean whites and creams as we all know that they will soon dirty, but consider neutral colours such as beech wood, beige, light browns, greys or even pastel colours. Think also about patterns, bold heavy decoration on your flooring will pull the space inwards and make it appear smaller than it is, but don’t feel limited to a plain surface. Consider subtle patterns that create an element of interest but are not over bearing. A small repeating pattern, either in a complimentary colour or engraved into the surface would work well.
Lighting:
First consider if there is any natural light coming into the space and try to maximise it. This may mean reducing the amount of dressing around a window, leaving open or even removing a door. Removing a door may sound a bit dramatic, but if it is possible and it allows natural light to flood through the space, you will be amazed about how bright and inviting it makes your hallway.
If there is limited natural light, or even for nighttime, you need to consider how to use artificial lighting. In terms of ceiling lights it depends on the length of your hallway and the height of the ceiling. For a long passage, considering adding more than one ceiling light and wherever possible ad lights close to adjoining doorways to illuminate the entranceway. With high ceilings you may be able to get away with multiple light bulbs from one light fitting such as chandeliers or more modern multi-light pendants, whereas for lower ceilings you need to ensure that the light fittings do not hang too low. Opt for shades that sit close to the ceiling and again if possible contain multiple light bulbs. You may even consider strip lighting or spot lights to spread the illuminating qualities along the space.
Try to avoid wall lights. Although they will create light at the widest points of the room suggesting space, they will almost certainly stand out from the wall, creating an obstruction and narrowing the space further. If you feel that you need more lighting than the ceiling can provide, you may consider setting spotlights along the sides of the floor or even in the skirting boards.
Walls:
When trying to brighten a room, try to avoid the temptation to paint the walls white. Although white gives a sense of clean and airiness it is extremely reflective and can reflect the darkness as well as the light. It can also appear stark, cold and uninviting. However, off-white, light cream or pastel shades would work extremely well to brighten the space whilst still adding a touch of warmth.
Avoid using wall paper as this draws the wall in straight away, or if you would like to use paper then ensure that it is light in colour, that the pattern is not too heavy and try to limit it’s use to just one wall (preferably the end wall directly in front of you and not the narrowing side walls.
Due to the narrowness of the space it is extremely difficult to add any artwork to the wall as this again draws the walls inwards, however a large glass framed mirror could work well. Do not be tempted to use a mirror with a coloured frame, even if it is fairly flat to the wall, as the differential in colour will make it appear wider than it actually is and create an intrusion to the eye (an illusion of clutter).
There are many benefits of using a glass-framed mirror:
The clear nature of the glass means that it has a transparent nature and so is not intrusive.
If the decoration of the room is light and not over powering, the reflection in the mirror will accentuate this and make the space appear larger than it actually is.
Glass framed mirrors tend to contain bevels, which are fantastic for catching and sparkling in the light, making your hallway feel as though it is lighter.
There are now hundred of glass framed mirror designs to chose from. The best option for a narrow hallway is one with a fairly plain center but with a clear glass patterned frame or surround. This way you have a mirror that is functional, but also acts as a piece of art.
Big is beautiful! If you have the wall space within your hall way, choose as large a mirror as possible. As you will have very little other furniture within this space, use a large mirror to add a wow factor, a focal point and most of all draw as much light as possible,
Brightening up a narrow hall way is therefore not as simple as using just light colours. By considering the type of lighting, what is on the walls and the amount of patterning and durability of the flooring you are sure to design a hallways that is as light and inviting as possible, without it being dull and boring. You can still have an intriguing and creative space that looks ‘done’ rather than just a plain thorough through.
A true antique style can make a bedroom feel cosy and romantic at the same time, a bedroom is probably the best room in the house to go all out there on an antique look whereas in other rooms it could feel clustered.
How could we create a true antique style? Choose an antique colour that reflects the colours they would have used in the time era your house was built. Bright wall colours were favoured in the past, don’t be afraid to paint in an antique yellow, green, blue or red. Getting the flooring right can make all the difference to your antique-style room. It is a good idea to opt into a specialist wood flooring, distressed engineered oak flooring. Oak flooring comes in a variety of shades and finishes and can add a superb antique look in your room. You will struggle to create an authentic feel if you insist on keeping your modern day synthetic carpet. Splashing out on genuine wood flooring in a bedroom makes financial sense as you can create that wow factor without breaking the bank on a large section of flooring.
Maybe think about buying a wool rug to add more colour and character to your room. A patterned rug can also bring a sense of personality to your room. It is really worth scouring second-hand furniture shops, markets and antique fairs for a bargain. Replica antique furniture tends to be more expensive than the real thing. It’s easy to pick up art-deco dressing tables with mirrors, solid wood wardrobes and sets of drawers for great prices at markets or reclaimed furniture yards. Besides, looking for a bargain is always fun!
Warm light is a must for any antique style of bedroom, but none more than an antique-style room. For a truly old fashioned look opt for a tall standard lamp with a wooden base and a tassled shade. A four-poster bed made of dark-coloured wood with a matching nightstand, dresser and vanity table will match the antique style perfectly.
Mirrors also play a big part in giving your room an antique feel, hanging various antique style mirrors around the room will give it that extra touch needed.
Here are a few extra ideas that could turn your bedroom antique crazy…Hang antique-finished curtain rods in the windows as well as cream-coloured lace curtains in the windows. Covering the bed with sheets and comforter and the pillowcases with the antique-styled covers and top off the bed with a crotched cream-coloured coverlet. Place a ceramic pitcher and bowl set on the vanity table. This was used for washing the face and the hands in the morning. Choose a set that has a floral pattern reflective of days gone by. Place a long crocheted dolly on the dresser. Set a vase of dried roses or wildflowers in the centre of the dolly. Place antique perfume decanters and an antique shaving set on the dresser for decorative purposes.
The finishing touches are essential in creating an antique-style room. Again, try flea markets and antique fairs for some authentic vintage or antique fabrics for curtains, or linens and quilts for the bed. Florals always work well, as do simple cotton sheets and pillow cases, with pretty details.
Light is absolutely key to making small spaces seem larger and more open, but a lot of us go about it the wrong way – here are some tips on how to make your room look its best.
When confronted with a small room in the house, a lot of us simply concede to the fact that it’s a small room and leave it at that. Making an effort to make these rooms seem more appealing is important to the overall feel of the home, but with so much contrasting information out there it’s difficult to make sense of where to start.
To help you along your way, here are some tips on how to use light to expand a space.
Utilise windows Natural light coming in through windows is far and away the most important element of enlarging a room. Of course, leaving windows completely uncovered is usually not a viable option, and so we should take care when picking curtains and blinds.
Heavy, thick curtains have quite a profound effect of ‘shrinking’ a room, and the number one rule is to stay away from them wherever possible.
Thin drapes can work wonders to magnify light, and are best placed slightly outwards from the sides of windows to make the windows appear larger. The goal is to let in as much light as possible and cover as little as the window as possible, but this may not be possible in bedrooms where keeping light out is important at night. In these cases, you are always better off choosing blinds which should be left open in the day and closed at night.
Mirrors Mirrors have long since been a key to enlarging small spaces, and nothing has changed here. The thing about mirrors though is that they require a lot of light to already be in the room before they can work, and if you’re struggling for window space then this can be a problem.
Still, it can be easy to turn this into an advantage, and if your room doesn’t have a window then mirrors can work magic. Spend a decent amount of time shopping for good quality lamps and light fittings which will spread light around the room without seeming too imposing – hanging lights are great for not taking up space.
It’s worth remembering that often poorly lit spaces are worse than not having the space at all, as they seem even smaller and generally unappealing. With that in mind, hang mirrors from the walls and ensure that lamp light is hitting all of them.
Colour Using the correct colours could be a whole topic in itself, but the general rule is to use light colours for walls and large furniture and bolder colours to add energy in smaller things such as cushions.
A common mistake is to have white walls because of their light-reflecting ability, but pure white bores the eye and only serves to make a room smaller. Other colours like duck-egg blue and lavender work just as well whilst looking much better.
These simple rules really can make a world of difference… give them a go and enjoy your new room!
Guest Author Bio:
Rob writes about fashion and design for spectacles provider Direct Sight.
Mirrors on a wall are a great addition to any room. It shouldn’t be an expensive option either. A large wall mirror will look very impressive without costing nearly as much as you think.
If you would like your room to have a bright airy atmosphere then a mirror is essential, mirrors reflect light and this great fact can be put into use in any room. Having several large reflecting surfaces will bounce the light around to flood the room with a renewed natural lightness that artificial lightness can never achieve. Mirrors can effectively broaden and widen a room if you locate the right mirrors for your needs. Not in a literal sense but in the visual appearance and impression given off by the reflected interior of the room, seemingly advancing endlessly into itself.
The added brightness can create an enhanced feeling of depth, wall mirrors can transform a room from the mediocre to something alive and vibrant. Each mirror provides a fascinating focal point, an illusion of space that the room will always lack.
Large mirrors are the most impressive, they offer a feeling of space and infinity, while lots of little mirrors on a wall usually only provide a cluttered effect. A large quality wall mirror can enhance the rooms’ decor also. The frame of a large mirror can say as much as the mirror itself, it can match the general decor of the room, or enhance it in some way. Choose your mirrors with your existing decor in mind and ensure that the frames are what you need and what you actually want.
Mirrors are usually considered in strictly functional terms, but it doesn’t have to be like that. You can have a large mirror in the bathroom where you might want to see yourself properly but in other rooms have them as a more decorative item. Place a mirror in the hallway of your home, guests always like to see how they look, especially if they arrive on a breezy day.
If you are considering installing sliding doors into your bedroom then you have come across a way to not only visually create more space but add a touch of class to your house. If you live in an apartment or small house then adding large mirrors is a plus, visually creating more space. Mirror doors can essentially bring about a relaxing and sensual ambience into your bedroom, and make sure you maximize the natural light space.
Using a large mirror to make the room look bigger is a useful interior decorating technique. It is effective to use a large mirror combined with as much indoor and outdoor lightning as possible to open up a small room. Whatever room you are thinking or redecorating, a mirror is likely a wise addition.
Guest Author Bio:
Alex writes about home improvements and current works for Speedy Services, a tool hire company who specialise in lifting equipment.
Every master bedroom needs a mirror. Whether it’s for viewing your entire reflection or for grooming purposes such as hair, make up or shaving, the functional benefits of having a mirror within your bedroom are obvious, however a mirror can offer much more.
Needs Analysis:
Ask yourself why you need a mirror. Is it to look at an outfit? Is it for grooming? Or is it to simply add another decorative element to your room? All of these questions result in the need for quite different types of mirrors.
Functional Properties:
Cheval Mirrors – are full-length, freestanding mirrors that are great for reflecting your entire image. They come in a range of frame shapes, colours and designs. If you do not have space for a freestanding mirror, then look for a similar design full-length wall mirror instead.
Dressing Table Mirrors– are mirrors that simply sit on a tabletop or dressing table. Usually used when grooming from a seated position. Dressing table mirrors take many forms from the more tradition three-fold type to a more space conscious single glass pane. If space on your dressing table is sparse, you may consider attaching a wall mirror above the table as an alternative.
Decorative Mirrors – sometimes we just want a mirror that compliments the décor of the bedroom. Wall mirrors come in a vast array of shapes and sizes, which allow you to be choosy about the shape and colour so that they fit the design pallet of the room. For example you may choose to stand in front of a round, white framed mirror to do your hair each morning. There are mirrors for every design style, from modern and contemporary styling, through to chic French, Venetian and even vintage interior styles.
Reflective Properties:
As well as their functional and decorative properties, mirrors also have a great role to play in creating the illusion of space and drawing in natural light. If positioned correctly, mirrors can reflect natural light – make sure you take the time to see how the light falls in your room and try to maximise this by positioning your mirror in an illuminated area. As well as reflecting light, you can also use a mirror to reflect a beautiful view and in a sense this creates art within your room.
So, when choosing a mirror for your bedroom think about what you will use it for. Don’t forget a mirror can be functional, but can also work to enhance your décor. There are many different types of mirror and it is important that you choose one that fits and works with the space you have available. Consider the positioning of the mirror within your bedroom, Choose a decorative mirror that compliments your décor and if possible enhances the space by creating the illusion of space and/or light.
