Okay, I understand, You enter that home deco store, glance over those beautiful mirrors, and say to yourself, “My bedroom must have that magic thing!” But wait – don’t even think about turning your haven into a funhouse just yet….. Let me prevent you from some super embarrassingly bad errors I’ve witnessed (and, ahem, made myself).
After all of the years of assisting friends in decorating their bedrooms and my fair share of mirror mishaps, I’ve mastered the fact that these reflective stunners can either totally make your space appear to be a dream created by a designer or make it resemble a Hot Topic explosion. Up for no drama? First let’s talk about what NOT to do.
Mistake #1: Going Mirror-Crazy (AKA The Disco Ball Effect)
The thing is that the increase in mirrors does not always mean an increase in style. After pinning all the reflective surfaces in my college dorm to the wall, I also learned this at a very expensive price. The result? My place resembled a music video with a low budget set.
Why This Backfires
Too many mirrors amount to visual anarchy. Your eye is confused on where to look and frankly speaking it is tiring. What is more, your space can turn into a nightmare with mirrors scattering all over it and reflecting light on most of all the surfaces.
What to Do Instead
Select quality and not quantity. Select 1-3 statement mirrors which have dissimilar functions:
A big focal mirror (above the dresser or headboard) • An efficient mirror (full length to dress)• An accent mirror (small decorative piece if needed)
My personal preference always follows the ascetic law of odd number rule it simply appears more natural and balanced. You should trust me in this 🙂
Mistake #2: Placing Mirrors Directly Opposite Your Bed
Have you ever wondered why you feel that you have not slept when you wake up? Make sure you do not have a mirror which is facing your sleeping position directly. It is one of the most common mistakes that are surprisingly ruining your zen more than you might imagine.
The Sleep Science Behind It
That reflection is perceived by your subconscious even when you are sleeping. It keeps your nervous system at alert levels creating a slight feeling of being observed. That is not quite the atmosphere you need to get a good sleep on, right?
Smart Mirror Placement Instead
Position mirrors where they reflect beautiful views – not your bed. Here’s my go-to strategy:
| Mirror Type | Best Placement |
|---|---|
| Large Statement Mirror | Opposite a window or artwork |
| Full-Length Mirror | Side wall or inside closet door |
Put your mirror in a position that it gets natural light through the windows or glows in something beautiful such as a plant or picture. Your future well rested self will thank you.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Proportions (Size Matters, People!)
This one sends shivers up my spine at every read. You remember that small mirror over your king-size dresser, size of a post Deposit? That is not working. Yeah.
The Visual Weight Problem
Small mirrors hung on big furniture is a big mismatch. It’s tuesday, it is (technically) Halloween and it is simply awful.
Getting Proportions Right
Your mirror ought to be 2/ 3 of any width of your furniture. For example:
• 60-inch dresser = 36-40 inch mirror width • 48-inch headboard = 30-32 inch mirror width
• 36-inch nightstand = 20-24 inch mirror width
In all uncertain cases err on the side of magnification. A bit oversized mirror appears to be chosen deliberately and theatrical. When a little one is small it is lost-looking.
Mistake #4: Cheap Frame Choices That Scream “Discount Store”
Side note, frame is what makes or breaks mirror game. I have even witnessed beautiful rooms being destroyed with tacky mirrors that remind the viewer of gifts found in a gas station. Your bedroom should get better than that fake artificial crap.
Why Frame Quality Matters
Affordable frames look awful after a while. That cheap fake gold plating comes off on/off, the plastic gives and now your “affordable” option just looks like what it is – cheap.
Investing in Frame Quality
You do not have to shell out bankroll, but use frames with:
Real wood and of good quality metal construction • Correct backing and mounting hardware • Finishes that improve your existing decoration.
Pro tip: Vintage mirrors One of the things that I enjoy buying in thrift stores and estate sales are incredible antique mirrors with solid oak frames. With a few dollars of TLC and possibly some dark blue spray paint, a 15-dollar find will look like 150 dollars.
Mistake #5: Forgetting About Lighting (The Mood Killer)
It is here that people go wrong because they install mirrors without considering what will be reflected on them. I have a beautiful mirror that took a perfect picture of my ceiling fan that is overhead. Romantic? Not that so much.
The Reflection Reality Check
The mirrors exaggerate what they are reflecting. When you are reflecting unflattering glaring light of overhead lighting, you are compounding it twice. When you are the reflection of a blank wall all that you are doing is creating more boring space.
Production Magic in terms of Lights to create a Mirror
Use positioning mirrors to work WITH your illumination not against:
Reflect the light of table lamps or sconces to warm and ambientize it • Make light of the windows get caught during the day • Do not shine overhead fixtures directly
My favorite trick: Put a mirror in a position to reflect the light of your bedside lamp. It makes this perfect soft light, which makes things look Instagram-ready without trying too hard.
Bonus Tips That Actually Work
Since we’re having a conversation as friends here, I am going to share some off-the-record information that interior designers don’t usually talk about:
The Height Sweet Spot
To hang mirrors measure 57-60 inches off the floor to the mid-point of the mirror. This accommodates the eye level of most people and it will give a proportionate look in rooms that have a standard height of 8-9 ceilings.
The Cleaning Reality
Select mirrors which you can clean yourself. Super-blatantly-decorated frames are stunning in the shop but in your home become dust-collector hell holes. Pose a question as to knowing: ASK ME, how I do, how I know :/
The Safety Factor
Put mirrors where they will not impale you. Install proper wall anchors and do not reserve on hangings hardware. It is not bad to have a falling mirror because it is simply terrible.
Making Mirrors Work for Your Real Life
See, there is nothing rocket science about the subject of decorating with mirrors but it is not something that one would pick up intuitively either. It all comes down to planning out your space as a unit, though, How does mirror work in your everyday life, what is your lighting experience, how does it cavort with your overall energy?
Remember these golden rules:
Less is most often better on mirrors • Factor of proportion is more influential than you might believe• Quality frames make everything look expensive • Strategic placement can transform your lighting game
The Bottom Line
Make your bedroom the place you want to be in, not a living nightmare house of mirrors. These five tips alone can put you one step ahead of 90 percent of folks who attempt to use mirrors in decoration.
Make a good-sized mirror in the proper location, and go further. These proportions and placement rules are there mostly because it all makes sense and adds up to a better looking picture in the end. Trust your instincts and the math as well.
So off you go and make that dreamy, well-thought-over bedroom that you will really enjoy spending time. It is time to take your mirror game to the next serious level! 🙂