Feature Mirrors

Mirrors make a great functional item in any room. They can typically be found in spaces like the bedroom or bathroom but we think that every room should have at least one mirror for aesthetic as much as functionality. When people look at dressing their walls often their minds go to art and prints but mirrors can be an excellent decorative solution while providing additional lighting, the illusion of space (and a place to check yourself out as you enter a room!).

For bedroom mirrors you have to consider functionality first. A dressing mirror in the bedroom is a must. Full length dressing mirrors can be wall hung or propped on a stand, you should measure exactly where you would like to place your full length mirror to help determine which is right for you. Small wall hung mirrors are also an excellent choice for bedrooms as they can be used above vanities or chests of drawers as make up mirrors or simply to decorate the space. Try using a feature mirror in this instance for additional decorative pizazz! 

Having a mirror in your bathroom is an utter necessity, in fact bathrooms without a mirror feel cold and unwelcoming. Whether it is wall hung or resting on a ledge, you need to have at least one mirror to illuminate the space and give guests a chance to beautify themselves before returning to company! Adding a mirror above the sink is the traditional solution as it’s functional and is often the only source of wall décor in a bathroom. Consider choosing a mirror that isn’t wider than the bathroom sink as this could overwhelm the space and take time to consider what functionality you may need in terms of shelving or cabinets. 

Mirrors in hallways work well for two reasons; they provide a last glimpse of how you present before heading into the world and act as great illuminators for what are normally narrow spaces. Placing a long mirror in your hallway gives you a full view of how you look before heading out the door, if you can combine this with some coat and shoe storage then you’re on to a hallway winner! While placing a mirror over a console or hallway table will act more like wall décor, illuminating the space and adding some styling..

In living rooms and sometimes dining rooms, mirrors are traditionally placed above a fireplace mantle. Going back to Georgian times, a mirror above the fireplace is a classic and timeless look that is also utterly practical. When choosing a mirror over the mantle, bear a few things in mind; choose a mirror two thirds or more the width of your mantle, avoid hanging too high (30cm off the top of the mantle maximum) and always utilise the vertical space.  If you have any more questions or queries about where you are considering a mirror please email us at hello@orianab.com, and we will be delighted to answer.

When it comes to the benefits of having a mirror in your home, there are both practical and aesthetic benefits. Aside from the practicalities of having somewhere to look at yourself, mirrors are often used to enhance light and space.

Enhancing Light: Mirrors are a great solution to enhance the light in a dark room as they will reflect upon the light already available. Place your mirror opposite or near a window or door to achieve this look and if the space allows add another one on the opposite wall a little further away to create the illusion of light bouncing through the space. Small feature and gallery wall mirrors are excellent choices for this, and this technique works especially well in long narrow spaces like hallways and landings.

Creating the Illusion of Space: Mirrors are often used to create more space and depth in a room. The most common way to do this is with a large over mantle mirror in a living room where the combination of fireplace height and width often serves as a complete reflector of the room. Large mirrors are important to achieve this effect as you want the greatest surface possible reflected at once. Long mirrors also work well on narrow walls in small bathrooms and hallways.

When deciding on a shape for your new mirror, determining exactly where you will hang it is key. Of course, we believe that hard and fast rules are subjective in your own home but here are some of our recommendations for what shapes work best where and why:

Over a Fireplace Mantelpiece: As most mantles are a rectangular or square shape we have two go to shapes when it comes to mirrors for fireplaces; round or flat bottomed. A round mirror will contrast well with angular fireplaces and offer gentle variation in shape, hang a round mirror approximately 30cm above the mantelpiece for the most balanced look. Flat bottomed mirrors are the most traditional fireplace style as they are made for resting on the mantelpiece rather than hung (although we always recommend securing them!). Almost any shape of top will work with a flat bottom piece from arched, scalloped to square, as long as they are not hung high but resting on the fireplace.

Over a Sideboard or Console: The shape of your sideboard or console is going to determine what shape of mirror will be best in your space. For very angular or boxy pieces consider mirrors with softer edges like round, arched or oval, whereas if you have a curved piece of furniture then you can play with more geometric shapes to add contrast. As a rule of thumb if you are looking to hang the mirror over furniture look to hang approximately 30cm over the top of the piece and if it is a flat bottom piece it should be sitting atop. For more details on what mirrors work best over storage furniture read our Sideboard Styling Guide and our Console Styling Guide on our blog.

In a Bathroom: There are two common places for mirrors in a bathroom; over a sink or as a long dressing mirror. When placing a mirror over your sink you are slightly restricted by size as the mirror should not be wider than your sink, so oftentimes round mirrors are limited to 50-70cm. However, rectangle mirrors can be hung vertically and can create quite an impact with a long and narrow effect. Dressing mirrors are an easy solution as shape is often determined by whether it will be floor-standing or wall-hung, and then by the size of the area available. However, there are virtually no set rules when it comes to dressing mirrors, allow the shape that you are most drawn to decide!

Choosing a style of mirror, as with style in general is a very subjective thing. Once you get beyond the practicalities of space and shape then you can look at the finer aesthetic choices in your space to determine the right mirror for you.

Colour: If you choose to lead by colour then examine the colour palette that is already available in your space. The most common colour that will lead you will be metallics as you will most likely have made that choice with other pieces of furniture already. Take a look and see what is more prominent in your space and more importantly what metallics are in the area directly around the mirror, for example does your furniture have brass or silver hardware? If you don’t want to go for a metallic finish then try to pair the frame colour with your wall colour and go for something high contrast (e.g. black frame against a light coloured wall) or complimentary (e.g. wood frame with earthy toned walls).

Frame: Deciding the style of frame is a simple way to narrow down your choices. If you want something simple and minimalist then look for a slim frame in a solid colour, however if you want something more decorative then search for feature mirrors with ornate frames (e.g. something that has stepping or beading). Vintage styles are perfect for something more decorative with historical character, particularly something that references Georgian or Art Deco style. Examine your space as a whole and decide whether you want your mirror to become a focal point or to blend seamlessly into your aesthetic to help make this choice. For example, if you have a modern home and sleek minimalist details it may be wise to stick to a minimalist frame, however if you are looking to liven up your space something more ornate could provide a nice contrast.