Choosing a mirror for your home

The use of mirrors in the interior has many advantages. Among other things, they can add space to the room and double the amount of light in the room. However, there are also many nuances to consider if you want to find the right mirror for your home in our store in Budva:

  • where do you want to place it;
  • what task it should perform;
  • what size and frame fit, etc.

We recommend the advice of our interior design professionals.

Types of mirrors for the home

There are wall mirrors designed to be hung, and thinner mirrors that don’t need to be wall-mounted and can simply be placed on the floor. There are mirrors with a changeable angle of inclination, standing on the floor. Desktop options are the most compact. In fact, it is a portable form that allows you to take it with you. Most often used for applying makeup. They all come in different styles and sizes.

Mirror size

One of the first tasks to solve is choosing the right size according to its purpose:

  • In the dressing room, you probably want to see your full body, as well as the outfits you try on.
  • An entryway mirror can be large or medium sized so you can check your look when you leave the house.
  • If you’re just using a mirror as decoration, don’t be afraid to make the mirror the centerpiece of the room. Especially if it has a decorative frame.

The proportions of the mirror in the interior

Make sure you choose a mirror that is in proportion to the other items in the room. If you are hanging it above a sideboard or sofa, keep in mind that the mirror should be about two-thirds the size of the furniture and should never exceed the width of the furniture underneath.

The shape of the mirror in the interior

Square or rectangular mirrors are the most common and are usually a versatile choice as they are easy to place on the wall. However, other forms have their advantages. For example, an oval or round mirror can soften the look of a corner sofa in your room.

Mirror frame

Mirrors are available both without a frame and with a variety of frames: black, white, gold or wood, wide or narrow, simple or ornamented. It is the frame of the mirror that determines the style and determines the correspondence of the mirror to your interior.

However, a mirror can also be the element that gives the appropriate contrast to the overall style and decor. If the design of the room is very romantic, then a mirror with a simple frame can be the right choice. If your style is minimalistic, a mirror with a beautiful ornamental frame can highlight it.

If you want to make a small room feel more spacious, finding a frameless mirror is one of the best ways to make the space look bigger than it is.

Location on the wall

A good guideline is to place the mirror at a distance of about 150-160 cm from the floor to the center of the mirror.

If you are hanging a mirror over a sideboard or console table, place it about 25-30 cm above it.

The mirror should be centered on the wall or above the sofa or fireplace, but since mirrors can serve many purposes, there are exceptions to this rule – for example, if you want the mirror to depict the view from the window.

Make sure that the light in the room is directed not directly at the mirror, but at the person. Otherwise, you will get an additional light source, but you will not see anything in the mirror. If you need to hang a mirror opposite the window, find a position not perpendicular, but slightly at an angle.

When you need a mirror and what to avoid

It is not necessary to limit yourself to hanging a mirror only in the bathroom or hallway. Mirrors have an incredible amount of benefits. They are perfect for the living room or dining room or any small or dark room where they help expand and light up the space.

However, there are some things to avoid when decorating a room with mirrors:

  • Don’t hang a mirror in front of your bed. If you want to fall asleep, it is important that you are not disturbed by the sight of your own movements or those of your partner in a mirror image.
  • Do not hang two mirrors opposite each other. This will cause the light and reflection to bounce repeatedly from one to the other.
  • Don’t hang a mirror directly in front of a window. The mirror will reflect light into your room, resulting in glare.
  • Do not choose a bathroom mirror with a wooden frame. The mirror must withstand exposure to high humidity.
  • Mirrors, like any other element of the interior of the house, are prone to damage, especially in areas such as bathrooms or kitchens, where temperature and humidity fluctuations often occur. When choosing mirrors for rooms, make sure that the models are equipped with an additional protective layer, otherwise unsightly dark spots may appear on their surface over time.

Styles and colors

There are many options for using mirrors in different interiors. Consider the main design areas:

  • For rooms in the style of minimalism or Scandinavian style (which dominates in Montenegro), sandblasted models are perfect. Placed without frames and complemented by lighting.
  • The classic interior, on the contrary, requires a beautiful large frame for decoration. They also need to be illuminated with local lighting, sconces or floor lamps.
  • Provence or French style involves the placement of mirrors in wide gold or wooden frames such as false white with curtains or frames with floral patterns.
  • For country style, mirrors must have the correct geometric shape and be placed symmetrically. Thick wenge or sonoma oak wood frames complete the look beautifully. One option is to decorate the frame with artificial stone or shells.
  • Art Nouveau requires a bright design of mirrors. It is better to do this with the help of colored frames or with painted floral ornaments. It should be noted that its lines should be smooth and soft.
  • The whimsical and luxurious baroque requires the same solution with a mirror. It should have a metal frame covered with gilding.
  • The best solution for ethnic style is wooden frames. As an option – covered with carvings.
  • For a loft style, it is better to choose a model with a facet or no frame at all.
  • In an oriental style, an interesting solution would be to use frames in bright colors: blue, red, white, etc.

A well-chosen mirror can become an accent or the main highlight of the interior in any style.