4 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Decorating With Mirrors, Experts Warn

Mirrors work for more than checking your look before you head out the door—they are also a key component in interior design and can complete a room when used correctly. However, sometimes mirrors can actually detract from your decor if not used properly. We spoke with design experts to find out how to avoid missteps with mirrors.

Consider the Reflection

A mirror is a bit like a window with an internal view: you want to see something interesting or pretty when you take a look. Putting a mirror in a place where there is little of interest in the reflection is not the best use of wall space.

Even worse, placing a mirror opposite an unsightly space that you might want to hide only highlights that spot.

“Before you hang [a mirror], think about the colors, the lighting, and what will be mirrored,” says Keely Smith, interior designer with Home Stratosphere in North Vancouver, BC. “A reflection of a beautiful outdoor view or a stunning piece of art? Perfection. But a cluttered desk or an unsightly corner? Not so much.”

More Is Not Better

As with anything else, it is possible to go overboard with the use of mirrors in your home. More is not always better. You want to balance a mirror with other types of decor on your wall to create the most impact. Mimi Meacham, founder and principal designer of Marian Louise Design, has seen homes that have far too many mirrors in one space and recommends that people use them sparingly. “Place them where you will actually use them and then in spots that will reflect the room to help it appear bigger.”

In addition to an overabundance of mirrors, it is possible to have just one and still have too much. When hanging a mirror, take into consideration the scale of surrounding features. Smith says she once visited a client’s home and noticed that they had hung a large, ornate mirror over a tall fireplace. ” It dominated the room so much that the fireplace, which was supposed to be the focal point, seemed almost redundant,” she says. Smith says putting a mirror above such a tall fireplace disturbs a room’s balance. Instead, she suggests placing a piece of art or a mirror that hangs lower to keep things in harmony.

Going Too Small

On the other side of the decor pendulum, relying on a smaller mirror to carry a larger space doesn't always work. This is especially true in a bathroom.

Molly McGinness, designer and owner of the Cape Cod firm Molly McGinness Interior Design, just says no to the use of a small mirror that is placed too high above a bathroom vanity.

“This is awkward for the end user and also misses the opportunity to create the feeling and illusion of a larger space in a typically small room,” she says. “Especially in a small powder room, make the most of a mirror and err on the larger size. This will expand a space and give the end user a useful view.”

The bathroom isn’t the only space that suffers from a tiny mirror. Going small in any room throws the entire design off and makes the whole space look a bit awkward.

“When hanging a mirror, you want it to be proportional to the wall it's on and the furniture around it,” says Amy Youngblood, founder and lead designer at Cincinnati-based Amy Youngblood Interiors. “If your mirror is going above a console, you'll want it to be about two-thirds the size of that console. The bigger the mirror, the more open your space will feel!”

Disrupting Energy and Flow

Where you put your mirrors could affect more than just the aesthetic of your home. Some placements are considered to be bad Feng Shui, an ancient Chinese practice that uses the forces of energy to align people with their environment.

Smith says one client taught her that placing a mirror facing the main entrance of a home is just repelling any positive energy that might be trying to enter the space. Instead, Smith advises a perpendicular placement or—even better—a vertical arrangement.

“It can capture a side glimpse of anyone entering, adding a layer of security," Smith says.

Mirrors can help a small space look larger, amplify light in a darker room and add beauty to your overall decor. Take note of experts’ experience with mirror mistakes, and your end result will reflect a stylish home that always looks its best.

Read Next: How to Choose a Mirror That's Perfect for Your Wall

Read the original article on The Spruce.