10 Creative Ways to Decorate With Mirrors
I have to admit…I have a bit of an obsession with mirrors. They are one of my favorite ways to add some personality to a space. I have at least one in every room (and usually more!) That means I’m always looking for creative ways to decorate with mirrors.
Sometimes that means a DIY project, and sometimes it’s just using a mirror in an interesting or non-traditional way. Either way, they add some extra sparkle to the area they are in.
Click Next to see my list.
Fake A Window
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If you can find an old window frame at a thrift shop or just happen to be around when they are upgrading an old building, you can put the window frame to good use. Converting it into a mirror will let you add a “window” to a wall that doesn’t have one…like the top of my stairway (you can see the rest of the stairway makeover HERE).
To do the conversion:
1. Remove the glass (if it’s still there).
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2. Strip the old finish off the frame and refinish it…I just gave mine a couple of coats of black paint*.
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3. Then have a piece of mirror cut to fit where the window glass used to be. For a simple cut, a lot of the big box hardware stores will do this for you. For more complicated cuts (like the window above), a local glass and mirror shop is probably a better bet.
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4. Add frame clips* to the back to keep the mirror in place.
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5. Then screw picture hangers* into the back of the frame and thread picture wire through them . You made need to use a few loops of the wire to make sure that it is sturdy enough to hold up the mirror.
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Then you are ready to hang your new “window”.
I use this window at the end of a very long narrow room. It helps to reflect the light from the chandelier back into the room, making everything brighter.
Trim Your Head Board
You can also add a little sparkle to your bedroom, by trimming the edge of your headboard with mirror. In this bedroom, it also matches the silver accents in the room (you can see the rest of this makeover HERE).
1. Measure the height and width of the outside of your head board. Make sure to measure accurately or the trim won’t fit.
2. Have 3″ wide pieces of mirror cut to the following lengths:
- For the sides of the head board: Cut 2 pieces that are the height plus 3″ tall. The top end of each piece should be cut at a 45 degree angle.
- For the top of the head board: Cut 1 piece that is the width plus 6″ wide. The corners should be cut at 45 degree angles.
3. Then cut a piece of 1/4″ plywood that is the same height and length as the mirror strips you had cut.
4. Glue the mirror strips onto the plywood around the edge.
5. Then you can either attach the plywood to the back of your head board or hang it on the wall behind your heard board, depending on what works best for your situation.
Glam Up Your Nightstand
If you have an old nightstand that needs a little updating, decorating it with mirrors might be just the thing!
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1. First strip, prime and paint the furniture with silver paint*. You can find the process for re-painting old tables HERE.
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2. Then have mirrors cut to fit the door on the front of the cabinet as well as the top.
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3. Glue the mirrors on with mirror adhesive*.
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4. Then replace the knobs with crystal ones, and your nightstand makeover is complete!
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Dress Up Bookshelves
If you have plain bookshelves and want to dress them up a little, glue thin strips of mirror to the vertical boards. It creates a little unexpected sparkle in the room.
In this case, it also helps to hide the fact that these are really freestanding bookshelves. The strips of mirror cover the seam where the shelves come together, making them look like they are built in.
Add Shine to Shelves
I am always looking for ways to decorate the backs of my bookshelves. I think they look so much more interesting when the background becomes part of the decor. (You can find more ways to do this HERE).
One great of doing that is to install mirrors. They make the bookshelves look brighter and make a glamorous statement at the same time. You can see how to create these shelves (and the wall unit) HERE.
Camouflage The Corner
If you want to make a wall look longer than it is, try hanging a mirror in the corner. it will reflect what’s on the opposite wall and make it look like it continues on. (To see the rest of this room, click HERE).
This is especially effective if the corner is opposite from the door to the room, since it is the first thing you see when you walk in.
Make a Small Room Seem Bigger
Because they reflect light (and the view) back into a room, large mirrors are a great way to make a small room feel bigger. In this small room, we added mirrors to the front of a floor to ceiling storage cabinet.
Not only do they conceal the storage area, but they make the room seem twice as big.
Brighten a Dark Room
If you have a room that doesn’t get much light or is painted a dark color, adding a mirror is a great way to brighten up the space. This large mirror was just what this tiny room needed to come alive. (You can see the whole room makeover HERE).
Just make sure to pick one that is big enough to make a statement.
Use a Venetian Mirror in the Bathroom
Sometimes it’s nice to vary from the standard bathroom mirror.
This venetian mirror* is a dramatic addition to my guest bathroom. You can see the rest of this bathroom makeover HERE.
Use Mirror Chargers As Trays
If you’ve seen any of my holiday tables (like this silver and white one), you know that I love to use mirror chargers as trays. They are a great way to reflect candle light that really makes the table feel special. And you don’t need very many of them to make a big impact.
The next time you’re looking for a way to make your room shine, try one of these ways to add a mirror or two.
Do you know other creative ways to decorate with mirrors? Tell us in the section below.
This post was originally published on February 10, 2017 but was updated with new content on July 28, 2020.