blog-mirrors

6 Unusual Places for Mirrors

Interior designers love to use mirrors – and with good reason. They double up on light and whatever beautiful object or pattern is reflected in them. You may know the basics of where and how to hang a mirror. However, sometimes unusual placements can provide a charming centerpiece to your décor.
1. In the Garden
You don’t really expect to encounter mirrors outside, so it’s a delightful surprise when you do. In fact, mirrors can add a layer of beauty to your landscaping. The key is in what the mirror reflects.
For example, you can place a stand-up mirror in a corner so it reflects a hidden part of your yard back to a patio or path. Another option is to hang a mirror on an existing garden structure, such as a shed wall or lattice screen, and train plants over the surface. That way the mirror will reflect both the view and the texture of the plant.
2. As a Foil for Artwork
In that vein, you probably also know about hanging a mirror so it reflects pretty patterns or art pieces. Another related idea is to hang a mirror to become part of an art installation.
Let’s say you have a collection of art pieces that you’ve hung on the wall. Perhaps they’re grouped according to theme or color scheme. Instead of adding another art piece, consider a mirror customized to complement the artwork. For instance, the frame can be in the same style as the picture frames or feature a color from the art pieces to tie the look together.
3. At the End of a Dining Room Table
A common place for a mirror is over a buffet table or on a long wall in the dining room. An uncommon place for a mirror is propped against a wall at the end of a dining room table.
In fact, such a placement relates to Feng Shui principles because mirrors are thought to double the wealth represented by the food on your table. Such placement is also whimsical. The reflection elongates the length of the table and provides a pleasing L-shape when viewed from the side.
4. In Front of a Window
You know you should hang a mirror so that it reflects natural light from a window. Such reflection visually increases the size of your room.
However, such an increase isn’t always the desired effect. If your room is already bright and airy, you could use a mirror to define the space between the indoors and outdoors. As a bonus, the mirror will still reflect light back into the room, just not at such a high intensity as if it was hung directly opposite the window.
5. As a Table Runner
Who says you have to hang up your decorative mirrors? Another beautiful effect can come from using a mirror as a runner for your dining room table.
For this placement, you’ll want a mirror that is proportionate to the table itself but the same basic dimensions as a cloth table runner. You can choose a clear mirror or one that’s frosted or glazed, which would be easier to keep clean. You’ll want to place objects worth reflecting, such as vases or beautiful stemware, on the mirror as a centerpiece.
6. As a Frame for the Bed
Reflecting the bed is generally a no-no for decorating with mirrors. Not only do Feng Shui principles guide against depleting your personal energy while you’re resting, but you don’t really want your reflection to be the first thing you see when you wake up.
Hanging mirrors on either side of the bed solves this problem. You want to make sure the mirror doesn’t reflect much if any of the bed. You can achieve this with placement and angle, or you could place decorative objects in front of it. The effect can be an unusual but attractive décor strategy.
Get creative with your mirror-hanging strategy to make conversation pieces out of your décor. Visit us at Capital Glass for a wide selection of custom mirrors.

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