Mirrors: where to put them to enlarge and illuminate the home

2 September 2022
Furniture
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Mirrors play a fundamental role in the furnishing of a home. Not only do they perform a practical function, allowing us to mirror ourselves and see our reflected image, but they can also be decorative objects of great value and beauty.

Moreover, when well positioned, they can 'change' the perceived size of a room in an amazing way and better direct the lighting, natural or not, of a house.

If you are looking for ideas on where to place mirrors to enlarge and illuminate your home, read on!

How mirrors can enlarge a room

Mirrors, as we know, reflect images and spaces placed in front of them. Some mirrors return a clean, crystal-clear and well-proportioned reflection, others tend to 'distort' shapes and sizes: it depends on the workmanship of the mirror and its quality.

By virtue of this property, mirrors can affect our perception of the actual size of a room, making it appear more airy and spacious.

This is obviously the case if the mirror in question is sufficiently large, has a suitable frame and is strategically positioned: it is indeed difficult to count on the support of very small mirrors or mirrors with particularly conspicuous frames to enlarge the space.

How mirrors can illuminate the home

The relationship between mirrors and lights is a double-edged sword: on one hand it can lead to a marked improvement in the lighting of the home, on the other hand it can cause disturbance and visual discomfort.

As we said, mirrors are characterised by a reflective surface: it is not only images that are reflected, but also lights, which can be amplified in a natural and pleasant way, as well as appearing excessively annoying.

The effect to be avoided is the classic effect of the mirror in the sun, which gives off too powerful and disturbing a reflected light.

In the following paragraphs we will take a closer look at how to avoid this 'danger' and make the best use of the reflective capacity of mirrors to enjoy better home lighting.

Where to put the mirror to enlarge a room

Here are some practical and useful tips on where to place mirrors to increase the size of our home.

1. Hang a mirror at the end of a corridor

If not properly maintained, corridors can sometimes seem gloomy, dark and boring. If investing in artwork to decorate the walls or good lighting to liven up the space is not enough, consider using one or more mirrors!

Put a mirror at the end of the hallway: this will not only better reflect light from other areas, but will also make this area appear more open and airy.

2. Place the mirror behind furniture

If your living room is small and there is no way to increase the space, consider placing a mirror behind a key piece of furniture, such as a sofa, to create the illusion of a larger space. This will undoubtedly improve the perception of the room and add some extra sparkle to the ambience.

3. Position the mirror so that it reflects a window

If you want to significantly increase the perceived size of a room, especially if it is dimly lit, try placing a floor-to-ceiling mirror so that it reflects a nearby window. This will provide the room with ample reflected natural light during the day and a view of the outside world at all times.

4. Choose cabinets and cupboards with mirrored doors

Installing mirrors on doors or cupboards is ideal for creating a sense of extended space. In small flats it is also not always possible to use the walls to hang large mirrors, so using doors, cupboards and cabinets to insert reflective surfaces and enlarge the space is a really good idea.

5. Use a mirror as a headboard

A refreshing alternative to the usual fabric or wooden headboard: headboards made of mirrors give the room a great sense of depth. You can also opt for a central ceiling chandelier with a special shape or sparkling elements: their reflection will increase the luxurious feel of the space, giving your bedroom an airy, contemporary look.

Where to put the mirror to light up a room

To increase the amount of natural light projected into a room, simply place a mirror in front of or next to a window; no matter how shady the sky is outside, the mirror will still make use of the available daylight. The larger the mirror, the brighter and wider the perceived space will be.

Remember, however, that it is not only natural light that can be manipulated in this way; mirrors are also great for emphasising the output of other light sources. If you need to furnish a rather dark space, placing a mirror next to a table lamp can make all the difference.

Be careful, however, not to place the mirrors directly in front of the lamps, especially in the presence of spotlights, as the reflection could be annoying: prefer side positions, well spaced or at least creating indirect reflections.

Agof's selection of the best mirrors for your home

At AGOF Store you will find lots of mirrors with which to enlarge and illuminate your home. Take a look at the products we have selected for you in the carousel below and be inspired by our proposals!