15 Ways to Decorate With Mirrors

A mirror is a necessary household object designed to help us get dressed in the morning and make sure we look presentable before leaving the house. But a mirror is also a versatile decorative object in its own right.

Using mirrors in a range of styles from antique to vintage to contemporary is an easy way to make an impact in any room in the house, making it feel bigger, brighter, and more visually interesting. A beautiful mirror can function in an overall decor scheme like a piece of art.

Well placed mirrors can make small spaces feel more expansive, create perspectives, and bounce around natural light. They can be used to create a focal point, to add sparkle and depth to a windowless wall, to make a statement or to blend into the background and help the rest of your decor to shine.

Ahead, browse some of our favorite ideas for using mirrors to decorate your space and get inspired.

  • Off Center

    Hotel Henriette

    Conventional interior decorating wisdom will have you instinctively hanging your mirror centered above a table, mantel, couch or other anchoring piece of architecture or furniture. While there's nothing wrong with that classic move, hanging a mirror a little off kilter can create an element of surprise and add some life and dynamism to a decor scheme. Here French interior designer Vanessa Scoffier hung a vintage free-form brass framed mirror above a small wall-mounted desk in one of the charming rooms at the Hotel Henriette in Paris. The off-center position means you aren't staring at your own face as you work on the computer, and keeps the desk corner feeling light and airy.

    Continue to 2 of 15 below.

  • Layered Over Wallpaper

    Forbes + Masters

    In this modern jungle-themed nursery from Tavia Forbes and Monet Masters of Forbes + Masters, a simple thin black-framed round mirror is layered over the bold botanical wrap-around wallpaper. Since the designer used the wallpaper on all four walls of the room, the mirror reflects the motif on the opposite wall to create a seamless look while adding a little sparkle and interest.

    Continue to 3 of 15 below.

  • Mirrored Objects

    Forbes + Masters

    In this spacious primary suite from interior designers Tavia Forbes and Monet Masters of Forbes + Masters, a large fringed half-circle mirror is a statement piece that enhances the sophisticated modern boho feel of the room while helping to bounce light around.

    About This Term: Primary Suite

    Many real estate associations, including the National Association of Home Builders, have classified the term "Master Bedroom" (or "Master Suite") as discriminatory. "Primary Bedroom" is the name now widely used among the real estate community and better reflects the purpose of the room.

    Read more about our Diversity and Inclusion Pledge to make The Spruce a site where all feel welcome.

    Continue to 4 of 15 below.

  • Mirrored Door

    OreStudios

    Everyone needs a full-length mirror to get dressed in the morning. Affixing one to a door saves space and makes the bathroom seem larger while creating a window-effect on the wall of this bathroom design from Seattle-based OreStudios. The mirror helps to brighten up the room and reflect light and views; the wood accents keep it feeling comfortable and warm.

    Continue to 5 of 15 below.

  • Vintage Collection

    Hotel Henriette

    Decorating a wall with a collection of vintage mirrors is an easy way to create an interesting focal point and up the charm in a room. Here French interior designer Vanessa Scoffier used a collection of small vintage French rattan sunburst mirrors in varying styles and simple vintage barber's chain mirrors to create a charming backdrop to a room at the Hotel Henriette in Paris.

    Continue to 6 of 15 below.

  • Invisible Mirrors

    OreStudios

    The mirror hung above the mantel in this house designed by Seattle-based OreStudios is less a design statement than an invisible piece of architecture that helps to reflect light from the adjacent window and add a lightness to the brick wall of a fireplace.

    Continue to 7 of 15 below.

  • Layering with Mirrors

    OreStudios

    In this bedroom designed by Seattle-based OreStudios, a round mirror hung above the vintage dresser is layered with art and flowers to create dimension and interest. The mirror acts as an anchor that bounces light around the room, and the art and branches can be swapped out as desired.

    Continue to 8 of 15 below.

  • Black Accent Wall with Mirror

    Leclair Decor

    To keep the matte black dining room wall from feeling too heavy, interior designers Sacha and Melissa Leclair of Ottawa-based Leclair Decor added an oversize round black thin-framed mirror that reflects light from the otherwise bright neutral space, and creates a focal point in the process.

    Continue to 9 of 15 below.

  • Lightening Up an Accent Wall

    Krytondra Mamou Photography / LA Designer Affair

    Mirrors can also be used to lighten up a bold saturated wall of color, like the cool-toned octagonal glass mirror hung above the couch in this deep red painted living room from LA Designer Affair.

    Continue to 10 of 15 below.

  • Lightening Up a Gallery Wall

    Krytondra Mamou Photography / LA Designer Affair

    On an adjacent wall in this same living room from LA Designer Affair, small decorative mirrors—a vintage-inspired eye mirror and a simple round mirror—are used to lighten up a gallery wall of black and white framed artwork and images.

    Continue to 11 of 15 below.

  • Playing With Shapes

    OreStudios

    Adding a mirror above the mantel is a classic move. But in this home design from Seattle-based OreStudios, an unconventional shape adds interest to an expected placement. The mirror's rounded corners helps break up all the straight lines in the room. The mirrored glass reflects the abundance of natural light from the windows in the room and helps the fireplace feel integrated.

    Continue to 12 of 15 below.

  • Vintage Entry

    Christy Q. Photography / Cathie Hong Interiors

    The entry way to many homes and apartments is a light-challenged space that can be lifted up with a mirror. But mirrors are a great anchor piece for any entry .Here CA-based interior designer Cathie Hong of Cathie Hong Interiors chose a large vintage style free-form mirror to create a welcoming atmosphere. The wood frame adds warmth and the large surface of glass reflects the light.

    Continue to 13 of 15 below.

  • Mirrored Staircase

    Thistlewood Farm

    Blogger KariAnne from Thistlewood Farm turned her plain white staircase into a hall of mirrors lined with a growing collection of vintage and new mirrors in different shapes and styles. It's an ongoing DIY project that can be added to over time, giving life to the staircase by bouncing natural light around and creating perspectives.

    Continue to 14 of 15 below.

  • Classic Vintage

    Thistlewood Farm

    Blogger KariAnne from Thistlewood Farm used a vintage mirror with a time-worn patina to create a hallway vignette that's full of charm and functions like a piece of art.

    Continue to 15 of 15 below.

  • Double Vintage

    My 100 Year Old Home

    Blogger Leslie from My 100 Year Old Home added a pair of classic ornate wood framed vintage painted mirrors with a time-worn patina to add some farmhouse charm to her Waco, Texas primary bathroom remodel.