How To Decorate Around A Mirror

What’s better than one mirror? A whole bunch of mirrors!

Just like with pictures, you can create a gallery wall of framed mirrors.

To get them to co-ordinate, try to choose frames that all have the same style, shape and/or color.

The main difference between a mirror gallery wall and a picture gallery wall is all the reflection.

So this tends to work well in spaces that aren’t too busy (like a hallway).

Otherwise, the reflection may make your room feel too crowded.

If you like the idea of a gallery wall, but don’t want (or have) that many mirrors, you can add them to a picture gallery wall.

Just substitute one (or more) of the pictures with a mirror in a coordinating frame.

Lay out your gallery as you normally would by positioning the largest frames first and then adding in the smaller ones.

Another option for decorating around a mirror is to hang pictures on either side.

For the most cohesive look, try to get pictures that are proportional in size, and use frames that coordinate.

Repeating the same mirror multiple times is an easy way to make a smaller mirror into a statement.

This technique works really well for tall thin mirrors, and mirrors that have an interesting shape or frame.

For a more modern look, try grouping mirrors in an asymmetrical arrangement.

To feel balanced, the visual weight of each group should be about the same.

For example, in this picture the combined size of the two mirrors on the left is about the same as the size of the big mirror on the right.

For a more traditional decorating approach, hang two sconces on either side of a large mirror.

This will automatically create a balanced look.

And since the light fixtures are so close to the mirror, a lot of the light will get reflected back into the room, making it brighter. Which is great for rooms that tend to be dark.

If the mirror is hanging above a console table (a common scenario for an entryway), you could also use lamps instead of sconces.

In my opinion, nothing looks more romantic than a fireplace mantel with a pretty mirror and some flowers on it.

Especially if the mirror is reflecting a chandelier 🙂

If you don’t want to splurge on fresh flowers all the time, you can find some really pretty faux flower arrangements that will do the trick.

If you don’t mind putting in a little more work, you can decorate around a mirror with layers.

Try placing a picture partially covering the front of your mirror.

Then add some candles, a tall vase with flowers and some shorter figurines to fill out the vignette.

I usually need to play with it a little bit to get an arrangement that looks right, but it’s worth it in the end.

If you want to keep things simple, you can also put a table under your mirror and add a couple of lamps on either side.

The light will get reflected back into the room and brighten up the space.

And the 3 items together create a grouping that takes up more visual weight so the mirror doesn’t look so bare.

For creating a romantic ambiance, you can’t beat decorating around your mirror with candles.

The warmth of the candle light will be amplified by the reflection.

And adding some greenery to the vignette will help soften the edges.

For mirrors with a more ornate frame, adding some coordinating furniture may be all you need.

Repeating the style and color of the mirror in a table beneath it creates a cohesive grouping that looks like it belongs together.

Similarly, placing floor length mirrors behind a smaller piece of furniture (like this desk) makes it part of a grouping, rather than a stand-alone item.

Which ties it into your room decor and makes it look like it belongs.

Whether surrounded by books or more styled shelves, mirrors also look good hung either inside or on the front of a bookshelf.

The reflection in the mirror adds some depth to the space and bounces back light. Both of which give a large, flat piece of furniture more life.

A super-easy way to make a mirror stand out is to hang it on an accent wall.

Whether that wall is painted a different color or wallpapered in a fun pattern, the mirror helps to break up the wall surface.

And adds some extra interest with whatever you can see reflecting in it.