Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Transform Your Dining Room with Mirrors
The right mirror can enhance your dining room, adding both style and light. Here's how to choose the perfect one for your space.
Mirrors do more than decorate; they expand and brighten your space.
With so many designs available, picking the perfect dining room mirror can be tough. Here are some tips to help you choose the best one.
How to Choose the Right Mirror for Your Dining Room
Before deciding on the design, size, and shape of your dining room mirror, understand the space it's meant for. Know your room's dimensions, the decor style, and what you want from the mirror.
1. Measurements: Choose the wall for your mirror, usually one. Too many mirrors can be overbearing. Preferably, place it on the room's main wall, the one you first see when entering.
But be cautious: Check what the mirror will reflect as it doubles everything. Avoid reflecting clutter or anything unpleasant.
2. Style: Your dining room decor should guide your mirror choice, especially the frame. For classic styles, opt for wooden, carved frames. Modern styles work well with frameless or thin-framed mirrors in neutral colors like black or white.
3. Functionality: Know your dining room's dimensions and style, then ask yourself why you need a mirror. Is it purely decorative, or to brighten and enlarge the space? If decorative only, select a standout frame and place it prominently. But if you want to add light and space, choose a mirror that starts at table height and reaches the ceiling.
Positioning mirrors opposite windows also works to reflect more light, but beware: Excess light reflections might overwhelm the room's ambiance.
4. Shape: Shape matters. Round mirrors focus attention and suit soft, classic styles; square mirrors are ideal for luxury and elegance; rectangular ones are best for creating a sense of space; irregular mirrors fit well in modern rooms for added dynamism.
5. Size: In small dining rooms, avoid floor-length mirrors to prevent making the room feel smaller. Opt for small to medium mirrors, placed on sideboards or at table height.
In medium to large dining rooms, experiment with mirror sizes. Cover an entire wall or choose a large mirror with a defined frame.
6. Ways to Use Mirrors in the Dining Room: The most common use of mirrors in dining rooms is on sideboards, but feel free to get creative in their placement.
On a whole wall—to enlarge a large dining room, add a mirror to an entire wall; choose plain ones or mix and match styles for an artistic touch.
Tammy Rotenberg is an architect and interior designer. For questions or comments: office@tammyrotenberg.com
