Large Mirrors, Small Spaces: How to Make Your Living Space Look and Feel Huge

Australian homes are smaller than ever at the moment. In fact, the average floor space in an Australian home is smaller now than it has been in twenty years! Are you currently living in a smaller space than you're used to? Are you unsure of how to decorate it so that it feels open, spacious, and uncluttered? One of the best tricks you can utilise to open up your home is to hang up some large mirrors in strategic locations.

Read on to learn more about the ways that large mirrors can open up a small living space. 

How do Large Mirrors Open Up a Room?

Before we get into the specific ways you can make rooms look larger, let's go over the reason why mirrors are such effective decorating tools.

Large, full-length mirrors create the illusion of additional depth. This is known as the Law of Reflection.

When they're hung in a strategic way, they actually trick the brain into believing there's more space in the room than there really is. 

This happens because mirror reflect light and colour across the room. The eyes pick up on the reflections and interpret them as an increase in volume. This, in turn, causes the room to appear larger.

How to Use Large Mirrors

Okay, now let's get to the fun part. How can you use large mirrors to make the rooms in your home feel larger and more open? 

Here are some different ways you can hang mirrors that will make your home appear more spacious:

Place Them Behind Furniture

Try placing a large mirror behind a piece of furniture in your home. This will help to create the illusion of more space behind that item.

Look for a mirror that is the same width as the piece of furniture you're going to place it behind. This will ensure that it has the desired effect and doesn't just look like it was stashed there for safe keeping.

Place Them Behind a Light Source

Placing a mirror behind a light source is a great way to expand the reach of the light and make your home feel brighter and more welcoming.

You can place a mirror behind any kind of light source -- a floor lamp, a bedside lamp, or even a candle.

Create Additional Windows

You can even use a mirror to create the illusion of a window.

If you're trying to open up a room that only features one window, hang a mirror directly across from that mirror to create the illusion of a second one.

You can also use framed mirrors to mimic a window in a room that doesn't have any natural light sources.

Create a Mirror Wall

If you really want to go all out, try hanging a few large mirrors side by side to create a mirrored wall in your home. This decorating technique seems to work best when you're using several mirrors that are the same size and style. 

Expand the Kitchen

Yes, large mirrors absolutely belong in the kitchen! The kitchen is one of the most frequently used rooms in a home. Why wouldn't you want it to feel as big and open as possible? 

Try hanging a mirror behind the sink or across from a dining room window to open up the area and create the illusion of additional space.

A well-placed mirror can also allow the person who's cooking to keep an eye on what's happening at the bar or in the dining room -- this is a must if you have mischievous children.

Raise the Ceilings

Long, full-length mirrors are a great tool that can help the ceilings in your home to feel higher. If you want to create the illusion of a taller home, well-placed full-length mirrors will draw the eyes upward.

Highlight Your Hallways

In most homes, the hallway is the darkest and most cramped feeling area. Use mirrors to open up that space and bring some light and interest into a dim part of the house.

Use a Wraparound Mirror

For very small rooms, such as the bathroom, a wraparound mirror is a great strategy that will add the look of a ton of extra space. This adds visual interest and several different degrees of reflection.

Tips for Shopping for Mirrors

As you can see, there are a lot of different ways you can use mirrors in your home. But, how do you make sure you're buying the best mirrors possible? 

Listed below are some tips that will help you sort through all the different mirrors out there and find the right ones for your home:

Measure Your Rooms

Before you go out and buy a full-length, long mirrors for your home, take some measurements of the area where you want to hang it. That way, you'll know it will fit and won't have to deal with the frustration of a return.

Consider the Shape

Mirrors come in a wide range of shapes. Whether you want a rectangular mirror, an oblong mirror, or one that has more of an abstract shape, there's a shape that will suit your style perfectly.

Choose the Right Frame

Mirrors come with a wide range of frames, too. You don't have to buy a framed mirror, but this can add additional interest to your room and further enhance your decor.

You can buy gilt frames, wooden frames, or even mirrored frames that create an interesting, three-dimensional effect.

Buy Mirrors for Your Space Today

Open up your home or create the illusion of more space in your apartment, following these tips can be very helpful.

It doesn't matter how small your living space is; you can make it look dramatically larger with just a few well-placed mirrors.

Are you ready to start shopping for mirrors for your home or apartment?

If so, head to our online store today to check out our selection.

We've got mirrors of all sizes and styles, so it'll be easy for you to find something that fits your specific needs and tastes.