Tips for Decorating with Mirrors
Mirrors are a great way to add space to a room, create interesting displays, reflect light, and even encourage luck if you use Feng Shui. But you don't have to be traditional with mirrors, nor do you have to use just solid slabs of plate glass mirrors. You can have some fun with mirrors and create one of a kind statements.
If you like to scrounge yard sales, estate sales, or Goodwill, keep an eye out for old hand mirrors. Some of them have beautiful backs that are painted or handcarved, but even a silly old pink plastic one will suffice. Start collecting the hand mirrors and hang them on a wall. They look great in a bathroom or a bedroom wall.
You can also pick up old compacts as you scrounge and arrange them on a mantle or shelf. Leave the prettiest ones closed, put pop the other open so the mirror inside shows. You can set small tea lights in the empty makeup compartment and let the mirrors reflect the flickering flames.
Just like any other piece of glass, mirrors can be cut into varying shapes and sizes. Cut into different sizes, frame with picture frame molding, and paint in complementary colors. Group them together on a wall for an interesting composition. If you know how to do stained glass, consider making a design featuring mirrors instead of colored glass.
In a bathroom, cut the bottom of the plate glass mirror in a curved pattern and then fill in the bottom (or top, or sides) with mirror tiles. This lends an air of artistry and interest to an otherwise drab mirror.
If you are building a house, you can have your entire shower enclosure done in mirror tiles. Just hire a good tile contractor, preferably one with a great design sense, and let her go at it.
A gleaming modern kitchen done in stainless steel and granite counter tops would look great with a backsplash featuring mirrors. Or instead of glass insets in cabinet doors in your country kitchen, put a mirror in one to reflect a pretty scene or just to give you a place to check your hair before dashing out.
When you use mirrors to decorate, always think about what they will reflect. You probably don't want an interesting arrangement to show off your toilet, but you may want to reflect a set of beautiful French doors or the park-like lawn beyond.
Add some depth to your mirror by mounting mirror tiles side by side but by placing them on mounts of varying heights. Add some angles and an otherwise square wall becomes a sculpture.
Mirrors also come in both convex and concave shapes that reflect a slightly "different" world view. Think about a grouping of these mirrors in a family room to give a fun house atmosphere.
If you have a window that faces an ugly exposure, surprise guests by replacing the glass with mirrors. You'll get rid of the ugly view and have more control over what you do see.
