Most of us look in a mirror at least a few times every day. But when was the last time you really looked at one?
Like lighting, mirrors can work wonders without actually taking up much space. But most of the time, the only time we really notice them is when something's gone wrong. In a mirror, that's usually because it's out of style, it's the wrong size or shape for a space, or it's at an awkward height.
At East Side Glass, we've had the pleasure of working closely with many interior designers in our area. So we thought we'd compile some of the tips we've picked up over the years and add a few of our own!
Big box stores and online retailers are certainly offering more styles than they used to! So let's break down the most popular shapes, sizes, and styles and where they should (and shouldn't) be used.
Big mirrors can make for a beautiful focal point and tend to do well over a mantle or a sofa. But how big should you go? Here are a few simple shopping pointers:
It's important not to go too big, but it's also important not to go too small. Generally speaking, for a living room or dining room, a wall mirror shouldn't be smaller than 2/3 the width of the furniture directly below it. But we're pragmatists over at East Side Glass, and we understand that high-quality mirrors are an investment. So if you've already invested in a mirror, but it's a little too small for the space, we'd recommend adding other wall art around it.
Beveled mirrors reflect a little bit more light, and they can add more depth and elegance. However, you're more likely to find beveled edges in living room and hallway mirrors and less likely to find them in bathrooms. To be clear, there's nothing wrong with using a beveled mirror above a sink. But because the reflection will be distorted along the edge, you'll just lose about an inch of the mirror's functional surface area.
We also asked Jessica Soldner of Discrete Designs to weigh in. Here are her tips:
"Beveled edges add a detail that can enhance the style of transitional or more traditional architectural styles. A non-bevel edge is more fitting for modern spaces."
The size and shape of your bathroom mirror is very important! Especially if your bathroom is a shared space, your mirror could make a huge difference on a busy Monday morning. So as we give a few common design rules, keep your own space and needs in mind.
If your mirror isn't framed, you might consider hanging it so that the bottom touches the top of your backsplash. For larger framed styles, we often hang them a few inches higher so that there's less risk of water from the sink damaging the frame or of excess cleaning products damaging your mirror.
Pro Tip: Want to use two mirrors instead of one large one? Look for mirrors that are roughly as wide as each sink!
Sometimes it's helpful to use a mirror's shape to solve a design problem. If your bathroom feels especially boxy, you might want to try a round or oval mirror. However, besides the overall layout of your bathroom, you'll also want to pay attention to the lighting. If you have a sconce on either side of your mirror, an oval often works nicely. If you have one overhead light, you might want to try a square or rectangle.
One shape people don't often consider — but should — is an arch. They're wider at the base, which is often helpful for bathroom mirrors that need to accommodate little ones, but they also add a touch of elegance without being over the top.
You're not imagining this! Your full-length mirror is probably distorting your image!
Glass quality and thickness matters a lot more than people think it does. That's true for glass showers, and it's also true for mirrors. Unfortunately, those things are almost impossible to determine from a picture on a package or a website. Glass is actually flexible enough to bend slightly without breaking, and the thinner the glass, the more likely you'll see a distorted mirror image.
So here are our top bedroom mirror tips:
That last tip also happens to align with Feng Shui, but we shared it for a more practical reason. Seeing your own reflection as you're trying to drift off to sleep can be distracting!
If you'd like a mirror in your bedroom, but you're having a hard time finding a good place, you might want to consider hanging a mirror on the doorway to your bedroom or on a closet door. Just keep in mind that if you go with a thinner, 1/8" mirror, and the surface you're hanging it against isn't perfectly flat, you may get a "fun house" effect. If you've got an unused corner near a window, that can also be a nice, well-lit spot for a full-length wall or floor mirror.
If an accent mirror will serve as your focal point for the area, just don't go too small. And if your accent mirror will share space with, say, a gallery of family portraits, consider those frame styles before you buy.
That doesn't necessarily mean you have to choose the exact same frame style, but the frames should at least complement each other!
For example, you probably wouldn't want to pair a rustic or ornate accent mirror with other photos and artwork in sleek, modern frames. And if your other pieces are rectangular, a circular accent mirror might feel out of place.
Jessica Soldner also offered the following design tips:
"Highly reflective mirrors provide the function of reflecting, so we place them where they would get used to check your reflection, or where they will always be reflecting something beautiful. If the mirror is not being used for its function, consider a patina mirror where it will bounce light around with a subtle, rather than highly reflective surface."
Big box and online retailers have certainly made it easier to get home products quickly. But they tend to carry a narrower range of styles, they're not exactly known for selling high-quality products that last, and you probably won't get help with installation. It can also be really hard to judge glass quality and thickness just from a picture, which is why we've found it helpful to invite customers to our showroom.
At East Side Glass, we're best known for our window and screen repair services, but we also replace glass and mirrors in furniture and cabinets. Plus, we can produce beautiful custom mirrors to fit almost any space, including workout rooms. In fact, if you're in Central Minnesota, you might have already seen one of our grey or bronze-tinted mirrors adding some elegance and character to a local bar. And if you're hoping to recreate a more antiqued look, we can do that too!
So if you're fortunate enough to live near a custom glass shop, you might want to try asking them before buying online. It's also a good excuse to get to know your custom glass pros, who might be able to recommend more cost-effective solutions for foggy windows or drafty rooms. And who knows...
They might also have a great blog on how to make the most of your small guest bathroom as well!