Decorating with mirrors is a great way to increase natural light and maximise a sense of space. With so many nifty design features and amazing shapes, styles and sizes, mirrors have become much more than just a looking glass and a useful tool to help you get ready. Here are some of our favourite places to hang mirrors. We hope these examples will help you make the most of their potential.

Mirrors behind bookshelves…

Installing mirrors at the back of a bookshelf can add an illusion of depth. This is especially useful if the shelves are shallow. In the below residential project, an antique mirror has been placed behind the shelves at each side of the fireplace and opposite the windows, helping to reflect light back into the room. This creates a bright and uplifting drawing room.

Mirrors in alcoves…

In another residential project we have used mirrors in a similar way. This time bespoke antique glass mirror panels have been placed in alcoves each side of the chimney breast. They have tinted surfaces which diffuse light, helping to create a sophisticated living room.

Mirrors for a splashback… 

We like to use toughened mirrors for kitchen splashbacks due to their wipeable surfaces. Their strong resistance to heat also makes them suitable for use behind any type of kitchen hob. They look sleek, streamlined and work brilliantly in smaller kitchens by making the area look bigger by shining light around the space.

You’ll also notice we’ve incorporated this design trick at many of our bar areas including Haymarket Hotel’s Brumus Bar & Restaurant. Here we’ve also directed spotlights onto the bottles and mirrored splashback. Find our tips on ‘How to Light a Bar’ here.

Mirrors as accessories…

We love to incorporate collections of mirrors to make more of an artistic feature on a wall and to liven up a space. At Sandy Lane Beach Bar in Barbados we have used a group of shell mirrors which inject some texture and fun into the room. When hanging these it is important to treat them in the same manner as artwork and take proportion into consideration. Having enough space between the mirrors is key to making this work.

Decorative antique mirrors…

We often hang mirrors above sofas where there are wide spaces which lend themselves well to large decorative mirrors. Opting for an antique mirror can add visual interest and character to the room. In this bedroom at Covent Garden Hotel, we have used a wooden framed antique mirror above the sofa which balances the room’s other warm tones. We have positioned the mirror opposite a beautiful four-poster bed and this allows the bed to become the main feature of the bedroom.

Mirrors in entrance halls…

One of our favourite places to hang a mirror is in an entrance hall. This is a great space as it is often small and needs opening up. A mirror can be especially handy by the front door as it offers the perfect place to check yourself before leaving the house! In these residential projects we have used large decorative mirrors to inject some fun and charm.

We hope you’ll get creative with using mirrors in many wonderful ways! Explore more examples and ideas with Dos and Don’ts: It’s All Smoke and Mirrors.