I have a real passion for mirrors — they can make a small room seem bigger and a dark room seem lighter — and hang them all over my house.
Further to my earlier post on how to hang artwork, here are some tips on hanging mirrors. As with artwork, many people make the mistake of hanging mirrors too high. In fact, not all mirrors (or artwork for that matter) are meant to be hung: they can simply lean against a wall.
A cable wire hung across a single hook isn't really the most secure way to hang a mirror. It is advisable to use a "D hook" which then needs its own hook in the wall.
Where to hang your mirrors at home
Above the mantelpiece
Some advise to hang the mirror at least 4-5 inches above the top of the mantelpiece, but I have rested my mirror on the mantelpiece so that it fits between the mantelpiece and the picture rail.
In the bathroom
Many bathrooms have frameless mirrors mounted on the wall with adhesive above the sink as I have done in my bathroom. However, you could add a frame to that mirror which would add visual interest.
For rooms with southern exposure
Southern exposure (northern hemisphere so northern exposure if you live in the southern hemisphere). In a sitting room place the mirror on the wall opposite the window which will bounce afternoon light. In a bedroom you want to maximise morning light so place a mirror on an adjacent window.
The dining room
One of the most popular spaces for dramatic mirrors is the dining room, especially if there's a beautiful chandelier to reflect. It is not always necessary to hang the mirror. In the photo below the huge dramatic mirror is leaning against the wall and beautifully reflects the table and chandeliers.
An entry hall
One of the best places in the house for a mirror is the entry hall. It makes the space look larger and lighter and also creates an accent. In the first photo below the mirror just inside my front door gives an unexpected element and the curvature of the mirror softens the lines of the stair runner and the space.
In the next photo below is another mirror that I have placed at the top of the entrance stairs. Again it is round which softens the shape of the square table beneath it and the horizontal lines of the hanging rug.
If it's a bedroom, or somewhere you want to capitalise on morning light, try the adjacent window. The chandelier has exposed bulbs, so, to soften the reflection, which can be a bit glaring, I've hung an antiqued mirror to diffuse it.
Using mirrors to enhance a space
In this living room a wall of antique mirrored mercury-glass panels serves as a backdrop for the seating area as well as for the painting.
The bedroom below has a fabulous collection of circular antique framed convex mirrors over the bed which works beautifully with the striped wall covering.
Two convex mirrors flank the fireplace in the dining hall below emphasising the room’s symmetry and play off the circular shape of the mahogany dining table. A Francis Bacon print is displayed over the mantel piece.
A bronze mirror serves as a reflective work of art in the bedroom below.
This sunburst mirror is a focal point in the room below.
A Venetian-style mirror adds elegance to a bathroom