Blog Design: Mirror Mirror on the Wall

One of the biggest mistakes that homeowners make 
when decorating is how they use mirrors....

 People are used to going into staged retail spaces that display home items and furniture and wanting to recreate what they see in those appealing, carefully crafted rooms ... 

The most common place that you will see mirrors placed on those sales floors are above fireplaces, across from dining room tables AND above Sofas...

Here is the trick: that's marketing. Merchandisers want to display the furniture, light fixtures and the accessories in the best way that they can...part of that is what is reflected in the mirror. You see once when you walk by and subconsciously in the mirror. It's like presenting the same item to you twice; reinforcing the desire to buy... it's all the psychology of selling.

Just because it looks good in the showroom doesn't mean that it will look good in your home. There are usually no windows in those spaces, or very few, and items are placed strategically across from mirrors are very often the most expensive merchandise in the store. Things very rarely translate from the showroom to the consumer's home.

Another problem with mirrors in the showroom, 

is that it makes it even harder for consumers to judge 

the size and scale of the 

space and the furniture displayed.... 

Making it more likely to take home furniture that 

doesn't fit properly in your home.

Another common suggestion is to hang mirrors across from windows. That is a perfect solution if your space looks like the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles in France - Mirrors used opposite the beautiful windows that ran along the hall... to make it look like there are
windows on both sides of the room....
"Mirror Image".
Great trick! But, Lovely Materials and Space to start with!

There really are only a few tricks that you need to know to properly 

incorporate mirrors into your space...

- Always ask - 

What is going to be reflected by the mirror?  

Is it something lovely that you want to present twice or to bring/introduce into the room?

When you sit in that room - what is going to be reflected? When you sit on the sofa does the mirror reflect the ceiling or the beautiful trees outside?

When You stand in that space - what is going to be reflected? Move to many positions so that you know how it will look.  An oddly reflected image can affect the feel of the space. It can make it very uncomfortable without really knowing why or without being able to pinpoint the source of the problem.

Is the Mirror Hanging at the Right Height?

When you stand in front of the mirror is it reflecting your image straight on or would it reflect an average height person or does it show the top of your head?

Size & Scale are important... But, if you consider the two questions above... 
You are well ahead of your neighbors and friends!

Kimberly R Lifestyle by Design 

Designing a life with grace and ease