When designer Colman Riddell and her family moved into a converted 19th-century stable in Washington, she inherited a colossal, ornate mirror from the previous owners that was more than 8 feet tall. It was, by all accounts, a statement piece.
“It’s impossible to ignore,” she said. “It dictated just about all of the décor.”
With 23-foot ceilings, Riddell wasn’t concerned about making the space appear taller, but she did want the small living room to feel more airy. The mirror became her handiest tool. She placed it above her fireplace between two sets of stained-glass windows and, at first glance, it almost looks like a window itself.
” is 75 percent visual manipulation,” she said, “and mirrors are hands-down the best way to trick the eye.”
There are a few rules, however, when it comes to mirrors in small spaces Here are four.
1. Go big.
“The smaller the space, the bigger the mirror,” said Rockville, Md., designer Kristin Peake. “It’s one of those things that you try once and never go back. , you can never, ever, go too big.”
The advice might sound counterintuitive, but choosing a mirror that’s too small can actually make a room appear cavelike and cluttered. Large mirrors are particularly effective in tight areas such as hallways or office nooks; there, small mirrors only emphasize the lack of space. The one exception is a mirror dominated by a bulky frame. If space is tight, don’t waste it with an elaborate frame.
2. Place them creatively.
Floor mirrors shouldn’t be relegated to the bedroom or closet door. Put one in the living room behind an accent chair to open up the space, or by the front door to make a powerful first impression. Riddell says the most successful entryway she’s ever seen was a 4-by-4-foot space in which the door opened to a gigantic, leaning floor mirror. “It was the most glamorous surprise,” she said.
Peake likes to place statement mirrors in unexpected places, such as her office. Just avoid the dining room, where they could distract from conversation, or at least put them at standing eye level so they won’t distract when guests are seated.
3. Reflect and amplify light.
Mirrors are aces at this trick. Hang one directly across from a window to double the amount of light. The Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles famously uses this technique with its 357 mirrors.
4. Consider mirrored furniture.
But do it within reason — less is more, lest the room end up looking chintzy and garish. Mirrored glass is a statement material, much like clear glass and crystal, and is most glamorous when used in small doses, like a mirrored jewelry case or knobs on a white chest of drawers.
