Using Mirrors To Create The Illusion Of Space In
Your Home
Author: Jessica Ackerman

Want to make your living space even more appealing and appear
larger in a really easy way? Add the magic of mirrors!

Mirrors have been a strong design element ever since they were
first invented. Consider the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of
Versailles, for example, or the huge mirrors hung in the palaces
of Florentine princes. See them once and you'll remember them
always!

More recently, the great American decorator Billy Baldwin
created stunning rooms using mirrors to bounce light off of
already shiny, dark brown lacquered walls — an interior both
dramatic and comfortable at the same time.

The fact is that beautiful mirrors can be used creatively to
make a small room seem larger, to make a space more light filled
by reflecting sunlight around a room. Beyond these functional
purposes, mirrors also add beauty and elegance to home décor.

Mirrors can make any room appear larger, and placing them
judiciously not only increases visual space but can make them an
integral part of your décor as well. Baldwin, for example,
always hung mirrors so they would bring wonderful exterior views
into a room whenever possible. When outdoor views weren't worth
bringing inside, Baldwin positioned mirrors to reflect art on
other interior walls.

Hanging mirrors is an important part of the Chinese design
system known as Feng Shui, too. For example, many Feng Shui
consultants advise affixing a strip of mirror above the working
level of the sink and stove to avoid being taken by surprise
when people enter the room behind you.

Regardless of whether the space you call home is a small
apartment or a huge loft, you can use mirrors effectively to
increase visual space, bring light and desirable views inside
and visually correct architectural design flaws. Here are a few
ways of using mirrors you might want to consider:

• To make a hallway or stairway appear wider than it is, hang
mirrors in a staggered sequence on both sides of the walls;

• To make the same hallway appear longer, hang mirrors at its
ends instead of on its sides;

• Place a mirror across from a source of light such as a window
or under a skylight to bring more light into the room;

• Multiply the decorative value of accessories such as candles,
flowers and plants by hanging a gorgeous wall mirror to reflect
them;

• Hanging a mirror on the wall adjacent to a great piece of
artwork will both reflect the image of the art and increase the
feeling of space;

• Painting one wall of a room in a dark color and hanging a
decorative mirror on the dark wall will increase the visual
depth of the room;

• Top a large wall mirror with a floral swag in your foyer. The
floral swag will lend a charming note when checking your
appearance on your way in or out of the front door;

• Create a grouping of different sized mirrors for an
interesting wall arrangement. They will bounce light off the
opposite walls as well!

Mirrors were originally intended for cosmetic and vanity
purposes to allow us to see ourselves, fix our makeup and back
up a car. Now you know that mirrors in your home are one of the
best kept secrets used by interior designers to add impact,
illusion and light into a home. Try it and see!


About The Author: Jessica Ackerman is a popular contributor at
http://www.walldecorandhomeaccents.com