Let’s talk about a favorite design element: mirrors. Wall mirrors, large mirrors, dressing mirrors, all kinds of mirrors are the perfect solution for making any room feel brighter and larger. From trendy to classic, mirrors offer a versatile way to reflect your own authentic style. 

Before deciding on which mirror to hang where, think about the size of the mirror you’ll need to complement the room. Tiny mirrors are great for wall art - oversize wall mirrors can make the room appear much larger. But you probably want something in between. To get a realistic view of the size you want, use masking tape and tape off the area where you want the mirror, then measure the masked off area.

Naturally, you also want to keep the style of your room in mind as you shop - do you want ornate, shabby chic, modern, contemporary or industrial? What color and frame complements your furniture and other decor? Keep it personal to show off your sense of style.

Seven tips when decorating with mirrors

1. Make a great first impression

In an entryway, a decorative wall mirror can create a beautiful complement above a small console table and make the entryway appear brighter and larger. Flanking the mirror with framed wall art breathes style into your home’s entrance to welcome your guests.

2. Increase natural light

Low on natural light? Hanging multiple mirrors in a grid or arrangement can create the illusion of a window. Hang your mirrors in a place that reflects the room’s natural light from windows to maximize this effect. When hanging your mirrors, consider the height, which is critical to getting the best reflection.

3. Brighten dark corners

Many rooms darken in the corners at certain times of the day. Mirrors are an excellent way to brighten these dark areas if you don’t want to place lighting there. A full-length standing mirror is perfect for this purpose.

4. Add visual interest

Group decorative mirrors together of different shapes and sizes to create an interesting wall sculpture. This can be far more interesting than hanging each of them in a traditional way. This is a great way to show off collectibles like gilt-framed mirrors.

5. Bring balance with round mirrors

Round mirrors convey a calming, eye-pleasing shape and can also balance out a room and walls full of other geometric elements. In a living room for instance, one might have a rectangular painting, square storage bins, rectangular rugs, and furniture. A circular mirror will soften up all of those rough edges.

6. Create focal points

Establish a stylish focal point for your dining area with an oversized mirror. The right mirror in the right position creates a visually spacious and inviting place to dine for both friends and family. But make sure it doesn’t reflect a strong glare from the room’s lighting or a window. Think about adding candles near the mirror to reflect the candlelight to create a warm, cozy ambiance.

7. Go big

It’s actually easy to create a room that looks twice as large as it actually is. A large rectangular mirror mounted on an opposite wall from the entrance creates the illusion of a large room. You can also choose a floor mirror that can be leaned against the wall.

If you have high ceilings, try an old school technique and hang wall mirrors aside your windows which are of an identical size. Back in the Victorian era, Pier mirrors were used in this way, although they’re much too ornate for the average home. Because mirrors this large reflect everything in the room, you may want to keep your room’s decor to a minimum so your space won’t feel cluttered.

Remember: it's about function and fashion. You don’t have to sacrifice one for the other - you can have both.