Why Designers Love to Use Mirrors in a Room

Mirrors date back to ancient times when shiny metals and still pools of water were used to see one’s own image. However, mirrors are more than shards of glass that reflect the image in front. Designers long ago discovered the wonderful properties of mirrors and have used them not only to reflect but also to hide and even deceive. Mirrors, like the invisibility cloak made famous in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, are able to cloak objects and hide them from view, while everything around the cloaked object appears undisturbed. The modern-day silver glass mirror, invented in 1835 by German chemist Justus von Liebig, allows for the mass use of mirrors at an affordable price and has unleashed the imagination of designers ever since. Here’s why designers love them.

They’re an invisibility cloak. Lee Hardcastle, the designer of this contemporary industrial-inspired kitchen, has created a visually exciting space that is further enhanced with the use of a large mirrored sliding door. When it’s open, you discover a walk-in butler’s pantry. But when closed, the room behind simply disappears, leaving only a magical mirrored wall.


They can create an endless ceiling. Transforming this former church into a luxurious home was a challenge for my own architectural practice, particularly the dilemma of how to retain the form of the original vast wood ceiling while creating private rooms within. We didn’t want to destroy the continuity of the wood structure by chopping it up with room dividers. Our solution was to use mirrors. The headboard plaster wall appears to stop short of the ceiling, revealing the room beyond. In fact, mirrors across the width of the room at the ceiling junction reflect the ceiling as it appears on the other side of the room. This technique was so successful that few people visiting the home realized the existence of the mirrors and often asked how the privacy of each room was retained. Deception and trickery, that’s how.

See more of this eye-popping church conversion


They magnify space. Mirrors are an excellent way to make a small space feel larger. The interior designers at Jado Decor have used a variety of techniques to give this bedroom more visual space. First, to rid the room of clutter, they have hidden the robes behind the mirrored doors. The mirrors are installed floor to ceiling and in slim vertical panels. This technique is important as the mirror will reflect the floor and the ceiling, giving the illusion that the space is larger than it is in reality.


They can make objects float. How is it that the ceramic white basin and the toilet appear to float? The answer: mirrors. It’s all an illusion. Architects such as Ian Moore employ this technique to create minimalist spaces where the removal of unwanted objects and the unnecessary clutter allows the designer to focus — and build drama — on a few selected pieces. The fixtures, of course, are not really floating. They are carefully staged against a wall of mirrors that hover above the floor, where their fixing points to the wall are not apparent and the mirror reflects the contents of the room. It’s as if the room continues past the fixtures, thus giving the appearance of floating objects.


They conceal storage. With the dining room situated in a narrow space, Rudolfsson Alliker Architects devised a clever solution to make the space between the kitchen and outdoor courtyard appear larger, while also solving the issue of storage in such a tight space. The mirrors hide cupboards in the island bench that have been raised off the floor to pyurovide the illusion that the dining space extends beyond the kitchen bench.


They reflect views. Most kitchen designs place the sink on the counter adjacent to the window, providing light and a view to the outside world. However, there are times when design dictates that the kitchen is situated in a corner devoid of outside windows. A mirrored backsplash acts as one long window, reflecting a view and allowing light to bounce off for the task at hand. You can also cook while looking into the mirror and having a conversation with guests seated at the island bench.


They add interest. It’s strange to believe that a mirror in front of another mirror could provide architectural interest. However, in another of our projects, the client wanted to highlight a beautiful round mirror that greets guests in the home’s entry. The background mirror is actually a bronze color and is complementary to the muted tones of the adjacent paint and tile finishes.


They create a stunning backdrop. When our practice was commissioned to modernize this period home and open up dark rooms without losing the essence of its history, our client was extremely nervous. The thought of knocking down walls to reveal rooms beyond was daunting. A technique we used and discussed previously was to install large mirrors on either side of the fireplace to give the illusion that the fireplace was a standalone feature between two rooms. The ceiling appears to float past the face of the fireplace to the room behind. More important, the mirrors provide a transparent backdrop to display the oversize ceramic vases while also reflecting light into the now bright room.


They add opulence. Mirrors have long been used for their reflective qualities. However, they are no longer limited to the traditional silver color. Technology has allowed for mirrors to be manufactured in various tones and finishes such as silver gray, bronze, black and antique finishes.

This former dining room was converted into an opulent formal lounge. The client wanted the look and feel of a bygone era using not only furnishings to achieve this, but architectural detail, too. The fireplace was clad in an antique-finish mirror to match its age while giving a focal point to the room. A silver mirror would have been too contemporary for the space.


They can reinforce a style. To enhance the architectural features of a space and complement the style of this bathroom, the French Interior Design Studio selected a mirror with undertones of Art Deco style. The mirror, along with the patterned tile in the shower recess and the wall light, was enough to provide the ambience of this period’s architecture.


They motivate. Mirrors are great for covering endless walls where one’s own appearance and achievements can be seen firsthand. This gymnasium is not designed to make the room feel large, but to allow users to reflect on their exercise technique and gain inspiration at the results they have achieved.


They give you a preview. There is nothing more functional than a full-length mirror in your walk-in wardrobe to let you stop, admire, contemplate and change your mind about that perfect outfit. At their most basic, mirrors allow you to see yourself exactly how you are. They are functional and add a bit of that glamorous clothing store couture appeal.


They bring surprise to a garden. Mirrors in gardens are like small portholes to a hidden world. Although seldom seen in gardens, they’re very effective at camouflaging themselves into the landscape, adding visual interest and curiosity, and extending the boundaries of any garden space.

Tell us: Have you used mirrors in your home in an interesting way? Attach a photo or share your thoughts in the Comments.

More: How to Use Mirrors for More Light and Style

See more rooms featuring mirrors

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