Why We Obsess Over Mirrors (and 20 Ways to Use Mirrors in Your Home)

Why did you click to read about mirrors?

Mirror content is everywhere. Articles, videos, Instagram feeds and Pinterest boards. We eat it up!!

But why? Maybe it’s psychology…mirrors double what we see, and we love spaces that feel like more than they are. Mirrors also offer us light where there was little before. They reflect beauty back at us (yes, that’s thanks to you)! They turn even the simplest hallway into something layered, elusive, or theatrical.

For all their magic, though, the mirror ideas streaming into our social feeds are often predictable. The internet is a hall of mirrors itself!! There are certain uses of mirrors that are staples for good reason, but they are NOT the full story.

This list of mirror ideas dives sooo much deeper. The first section covers some “classic” (but not toopredictable) applications we use to elevate a space.

Then, the rest of the ideas flip the script. After all…mirrors can bend light, stretch perspective, and play with perception. You know there’s more potential than the same tired “mirror ideas” would suggest!!

You clicked to read about mirrors. Now find out how they’ll really change your space…

These Arteriors Homes mirrors, and dozens of others, can be acquired directly from the manufacturer by your professional interior designer or accredited remodeler.

Fundamental Mirror Concepts

These are the classic mirror ideas that we use often in high-end homes to elevate a space. They go beyond the obvious, but are nevertheless considered staples that you’ll see frequently in design magazines.

It’s important to include the crème de la crème of the truly timeless mirror ideas, because they are considered “classics” for a reason!!

1. Create the illusion of windows in windowless spaces.
   Mount tall, paned mirrors (like antiqued French window mirrors) where windows should be, for example in a dark hallway or small bathroom. The shape and mullion detail (what we call the separation of the panes) tricks the eye into seeing an architectural opening. This brightens AND expands the space.
2. Double the drama behind your statement piece!!
   Install a large mirror behind a statement piece to reflect the object, making it the centerpiece from every angle in the room.
3. Place a mirror behind seating to expand conversation areas.
   In dining rooms or sitting areas, install mirrors behind seating reflect the backs of chairs and the room beyond, visually enlarging the space. This makes gatherings feel more dynamic. (And don’t forget these other design “musts” for entertaining…)
4. Use full-length floor mirrors as architectural anchors.
   An “architectural anchor” is one element that makes all the other architectural features “fit” together. And a mirror can do this!! Instead of artwork, place a heavy-framed floor mirror leaning against the wall to visually “ground” a corner—or fill vertical space. This works especially well in transitional areas like landings or dressing nooks…
5. Line a narrow entryway with mirrors to reduce visual congestion…
   Mount several narrow, vertical mirrors in repetition along a tight hallway. The reflected light and broken symmetry reduce the “tunnel” effect and stretches the perceived width of the corridor.
6. Create sightlines to beautiful views!!
   Position mirrors strategically and you can reflect a window view from a closed-off room or hallway. This borrowed scenery draws the eye outward and connects rooms to the outdoors. (Hello, biophilic design!!)
7. Bounce light across dark rooms with paired mirrors.
   Place mirrors opposite each other to bounce natural or lamp light around a dark room. This increases both brightness and depth and tends to be a graceful enhancement for north-facing rooms that always seem dusky.
8. Use mirrored furniture to “lighten” visual bulk.
   Yes, in today’s multi-material and maximalist world, you have LOTS of furniture with mirrored surfaces. Incorporate any nightstands, buffets, or coffee tables with embedded mirror surfaces into your smallest or “busiest” rooms. These pieces reflect their surroundings and prevent visual clutter.

These Brewster Wall Covering mirrors, and dozens of others, can be acquired directly from the manufacturer by your professional interior designer or accredited remodeler.

Advanced, Unexpected, and Mind-Bending Mirror Applications…

You’ve graduated from the basics.

These are the home design mirror ideas you’ll have to buckle up for, because you’re about to travel to a completely new dimension…

9. Install floating mirror “portals” in shadowy corners.
   Mount frameless, circular mirrors just a few inches off the wall using hidden brackets and backlighting. The soft halo creates a portal-like effect, adding glowing mystique to what was once a dead corner.
10. Mount ceiling mirrors that allude to infinite height.
    Install a ceiling panel of mirror above a dining table or staircase. (This is NOT just a Vegas idea for a hotel room.) The reflection doubles the vertical dimension of the space, making the ceiling feel endlessly tall.
11. Add mirrored kickplates or toe kicks in cabinetry.
    If you’re going with custom cabinets, why not make them exquisite?! Add a strip of mirror just above the floor on your cabinets, built-ins, or kitchen island. The floor appears to flow under the cabinetry.
12. Add fragmented reflections on a curved wall.
    Why a curved wall? This gives you an all-angles way to play with light!! Cover a curved wall with a mosaic of mirrored shards or mirror pieces in irregular shapes. Instead of a clear reflection, this refracts light in scattered patterns, evoking movement and abstract light play.
13. Build concealed mirror panels into bookcases.
    Install mirrors at the back of a bookshelf (behind the books and objects). This unexpected sparkle adds depth and luminosity to shelving. I never get tired of this one!!
14. Consider mirror-topped pedestals for art or sculptures.
    You’ll know if this is the idea for you…if you have art pieces you display, whether on a console or a dedicated pedestal, top the surface with a mirror. Set the art on top, and the base disappears into the space, letting the object “hover,” drawing even more attention to its shape and shadow play.
15. Create mirrored walls that “disappear” behind slatted screens.
    Follow me here…you can combine a full mirrored wall with vertical slatted wood or metal screens in front. From a distance, the slats visually cut the reflection, creating a shifting visual interplay between reality and illusion. The eyes WILL play tricks on you with this one!!
16. Add outdoor mirrors framing garden vignettes.
    Which of today’s top outdoor design trends would go best with an artfully-placed mirror?! Place any antique-style mirror against hedges, a fence, or a brick wall. The mirror can make small gardens feel twice as lush or suggest secret passageways through the greenery.
17. Place mirrored doors in unexpected places.
    Add a mirrored surface to the interior side of a pantry door, linen closet, or even a utility room entrance. The surprise reflection introduces light into utilitarian areas and makes tight corners feel open!!
18. Use angled mirror planes to skew perception.
    Mount angled mirrors at 30 or 45 degrees along a stairwell or in a corner niche. This can capture movement and light, distorting orientation just enough to intrigue. (Not every great mirror idea has to be flashy.)
19. Put double reflection mirrors behind a source of water or flames.
    Place a mirror behind a water feature or an area with multiple candles on display. The layered reflection of movement and glow doubles the visual texture (and with it, the calming or warming effect of the water or fire).
20. Add invisible passageways via full wall mirrors.
    In spaces with clean-lined modern designs, a full mirrored wall can hide a flush doorway. This creates a functional entry that looks like a seamless reflection…until opened. Perfect for secret rooms or minimalist retreats. Have a walk-in safe room that’s not for show? This is how to camouflage it.

These Uttermost mirrors, and dozens of others, can be acquired directly from the manufacturer by your professional interior designer or accredited remodeler.

Now you know what’s possible…but what’s practical?

Mirrors bend light, double space, redirect views, and trick the eye into seeing height or movement where there’s none.

But before you go mounting reflective panels or backlighting a floating mirror, it’s worth choosing the right idea for YOUR home and lifestyle (and how your home functions day-to-day).

Here are some essential questions to ask yourself to choose which ideas to try…

• “Where do I have the most underused wall space?” Large mirrors need breathing room to shine…literally.
• “Are there beautiful views around my home that I’d like to reflect or redirect?” Mirrors can steal scenery from windows, gardens, or artwork.
• “Do I need to bring more natural light into certain spaces?” Think north-facing rooms, interior bathrooms, long hallways…
• “Will mirrors be safe in this area with kids or pets?” Avoid leaning mirrors in play zones, or fragile glass in high-traffic areas.
• “Am I trying to create drama, or more something more subtle?” Certain ideas are showstoppers, and others quietly open up a space.
• “Can my existing furniture or lighting be upscaled with reflection?” A well-placed mirror can double the glow of a lamp, for example, or emphasize sculptural lines.

You just need the right mirror in the right place, doing exactly the magic the room needs.

Want to visualize what some of these ideas would look like in YOUR home with YOUR mirror selections?! That’s what our 3D design renderings are for…start a conversation with us today and tell us which of these ideas you’d like to see in your next project!!

These Mirror Home mirrors, and dozens of others, can be acquired directly from the manufacturer by your professional interior designer or accredited remodeler.

About the author:

Robin Burrill, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, IDS, CAPS, is an award-winning professional kitchen, bath, and interior designer. Robin and her husband, Robert Mathews, have owned Signature Home Services, Inc. for over three decades, establishing a superior in-house team with a widespread reputation for delivering meticulous design to their many repeat clients.

In 2022, the national publication, Kitchen and Bath Design News magazine, named Robin to their Top Innovator list in recognition of her achievements in the field of kitchen and bath design. In 2024, she was named one of the Fall 2024 Market Pros and “tastemakers” by ANDMORE at High Point Market. Also in 2024, Fixr identified her as one of the Top Professional Interior Designers for their nationwide audience. At the start of 2025, she then acted as one of Dallas Market’s “Style Eyes” at Lightovation and Total Home & Gift Market.

Over her extensive career, Robin has been quoted in Architectural Digest and Forbes multiple times; her design work has been featured in top national trade publications; and she has been interviewed for Designers Today magazine’s “Profiles in Design” video series, among others. Widely respected for the depth of her knowledge, Robin is a sought after speaker and judge for many design industry events.

In 2023, Robin designed a bench for Charleston Forge, making her foray into product design. Robin currently serves as a volunteer on the board of the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of the Interior Design Society.