Having a small home doesn’t mean you have to live in a space that appears cramped. There are multiple interior design tips and tricks to visually open it up!
Apart from decluttering your space and using light paint colours to give your space an airy feel, there’s something you can add to the walls to further enhance the effect: mirrors.
For most of us, a mirror is simply a tool we use as part of our beauty regime, or to check that we look presentable before walking out the door. For interior designers, it is a powerful tool to completely transform the ambience of a space in more ways than one!
Keep reading to discover how you can transform small spaces with the strategic use of mirrors, as well as ideas on how best to position them.
How Mirrors Transform Small Spaces
In addition to enhancing a room and doubling as a decor piece, mirrors serve multiple purposes for small spaces. This is also why they are one of the top interior design secrets to making a small space look big.
Mirrors Brighten the Room
If your room has very few light sources and appears dull, one way to brighten up the space is by strategically placing mirrors. Consider mounting a mirror opposite a light source (or a window — more on that in a minute), and it will reflect the light throughout the room, thus brightening up the space.
They Illuminate Dark Corners
Credit: Illuminated Mirrors
If a corner of your room appears to be darker than the rest of the space, consider leveraging a mirror to brighten it up. Opting for an illuminated mirror will be a double treat; apart from its light-reflecting properties, the mirror will act as a light source in itself, thus multiplying the amount of light and getting rid of the darkness.
They Can Reflect the Outdoors
Credit: Rivas Design
One way to leverage mirrors is to make the most of their reflective nature. For example, if you have an aesthetic view outside your home, you can mount a mirror in a way that reflects the view, and bring it indoors!
They Create the Perception of More Windows
Credit: Hommes
If your space has few windows, the space may look dull due to the low levels of natural light. Moreover, a greater number of windows creates the illusion of more space. This means not having enough windows in your space can easily make your interior appear cramped. Consider installing a large mirror opposite your window(s) to reflect its view — and you’ll leverage the benefits of a greater number of openings to the outdoors.
How to Strategically Position Mirrors
To make the most of the benefits of mirrors, consider mounting them strategically in one or more of the following ways:
Mount a Mirror Near a Window
Mounting a mirror on a wall perpendicular to the window helps propagate natural light throughout the interior and reflect the view outdoors. Tip: The larger the mirror, the better in terms of reflection and light levels.
Use it as Kitchen Backsplash
Credit: Stephanie White
An easy hack to visually open up a small kitchen is by using a mirror backsplash. This creates the illusion of more space and factors in luxury. Also, using a toughened mirror is a completely safe option; it does not crack even when used near a heat source.
Hang it in a Narrow Foyer
The foyer sets the mood of your home for guests walking in, so you don’t want it to feel confined. Brighten small foyers with the use of a mirror and minimalist foyer table — it will double as decor and make your foyer appear bigger than it actually is.
Mirror the Ceiling
Credit: Arcline
Like a wall-mounted mirror, ceiling mirrors have the capacity to create the illusion of more space. This is because they make the ceiling appear higher than it actually is, thus opening up the space.
Use a Mirrored Wall
Credit: Decoholic
The less space you have, the bigger the mirror should be. In super small interiors, consider going for a mirrored wall to visually double the space. The mirror reflects artificial and natural light, making the room appear bigger and brighter.
Mount a Mirror in a Hallway
Hallways often tend to feel cramped. Solve the problem with a wall-mounted mirror, which will act as a decorative feature and open up the hallway.
Use Mirror-Front Cabinetry
Credit: IKEA
If you don’t have enough room to install a mirror, no problem — mirror-front cabinetry will do the trick! You can install mirrors on existing cabinet doors yourself by following these steps, or purchase mirror-front cabinetry from a furniture store.
Final Words
Placing mirrors strategically can completely transform the ambience of your small space; from making a space look larger to boosting the style of a space, they serve multiple purposes. You can use a single large mirror or put together multiple small ones in a fun gallery wall composition.
Can’t tell where to position your mirror to make the most of it? Get in touch with one of our Interior Design Gurus; they will have a look at your space over video chat and guide you through the process!