True Reflection Or Could It Be All Smoke and Fancy Mirrors?
Let’s chat about mirrors—not the rushed morning look before sprinting out the door or that famous, check-your-teeth situation at a public restroom—I’m talking about fancy mirrors. The kind that feels like an exhale the moment you walk into a room. The kind that reflects more than you—they reflect your taste, your personality, and your intent. Because here’s the thing: fancy mirrors serve far greater purpose than just functional- they’re transformative. They are practically magical. They don’t just hang there to show you your face—they shape the mood of a room, its light, and even its proportions. One well-positioned mirror has the potential to do more for your living room than to rearrange your entire furniture set-up.
Take the entryway for example—typically a narrow and forgettable area. But you hang a bold, gold, framed mirror above a small console table and suddenly, your entry hallway says, Welcome, I have taste. Plus, it reflects light, which is a fabulous gift in small, dark and tight spaces. Then there is the living room, the spectacular quiet hero! A large, arched mirror leaning back casually against a wall behind your sofa? The look is elegance defined without any effort! Or try hanging a few smaller vintage mirrors together to create a gallery wall filled with charm and character.
You are going to love this hack. Hang a mirror directly across from a window. Natural light will flood the room, plus, you get a view of the outdoors, doubled. It is like a space cheat code. And then there’s the drama. Yes, drama. Because sometimes you want a space to feel like it has a little drama. That’s precisely where a fancy mirror comes in handy. Think ornate baroque frames with carvings or some strange shape—mirrors that feel less like mirrors and more like art. When you hang one above a fireplace, or in a powder room, there is no question the room feels lifted.
But, don’t feel like you have to go all ornate. Fancy doesn’t have to mean fussy. It can mean unexpected sleek—like on the smoked glass with clean edges, or like a contemporary asymmetrical shape that keeps your room feeling interesting yet uncomplicated.
Why are Mirrors so Magical?
They Trick the Eye (In a Good Way)
One of the oldest tricks in the book when designing interiors is using mirrors to create the illusion of space. It’s old news in design, yet still, so many homes don’t get through it! Have a tiny room? Hang a strategically placed mirror and watch it instantly feel open. Have low ceilings? Hang a tall mirror and bring the eye up to create vertical space— Voilà! But mirrors are great even if you have a room that is a big room. In fact, they can help dictate the way people experience that room, they anchor visual flow. A mirror sitting across from a window does more than doubling the light, it allows the outdoors in. And if that outdoor view just happens to be your garden, a favoured tree, or even a cool skyline—well, now you have a piece of living artwork that changes with the weather.
Personality Shines Through the Frame
Frames are where mirrors begin to shine. A mirror with a proud raw or weathered wood frame gives off a cozy rustic vibe. Ornate gold scrollwork pulls off regal, romantic, even dramatic. Minimalist black matte or metal? Sleek, urban, modern. Your choice of frame is the statement, so don’t pick one because it “goes with the room”. Let it lead the room. Currently my favorite? Antique brass frames that have a lived-in and weighty. The simplicity adds warmth without being cliche or tacky. They carry a quiet confidence. Don’t shy away from unusual shapes. Round mirrors soften a space, especially if there are a lot of straight or geometric lines – bookshelves, rectangular dining tables, doorways. An oval mirror over a dresser has boutique hotel appeal. Even a slightly irregular shape can add just a little extra visual interest to feel custom and curated.
Where to put a mirror?
We all know the standard locations for mirrors–the bathroom, the bedroom, the hallway– but what about the unexpected?
Kitchen: Yes, a fancy mirror in the kitchen. Tuck a small vintage mirror on an open shelf, or hang one on any unused wall by a breakfast nook. It brings dimension and charm to room we typically think of as purely functional.
Bookshelves: Nestle a small mirror behind objects on a shelf. It adds layers, reflects light, and gives depth. Suddenly, your shelf styling looks like it came from a design magazine.
Behind the bed: Instead of a headboard, what about a bold, oversized mirror? Layer it with textiles, maybe hang a pendant light nearby, and you’ve got instant boutique hotel energy.
Outdoors: This one’s for the brave and bold—if you have a covered patio, balcony, or garden wall, try a weather-resistant mirror. It bounces sunlight around and adds a little unexpected elegance to your outdoor space.
Mirror Placement Is an Art
One mistake I see often is mirrors hung too high. We’re not all giraffes. Your average mirror should be centered at about eye level—roughly 57–60 inches from the floor to the center of the mirror. If it’s above furniture like a console or fireplace, leave about 6 to 10 inches of breathing room between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the mirror. Think of it like a conversation—your mirror and your furniture are talking to each other, not shouting across the room. For leaner mirrors (the kind you prop against a wall), anchoring is key. Even if it’s just slightly tilted back, make sure it’s secure and doesn’t feel like it’s going to fall forward. A bit of museum putty or an anti-tip kit goes a long way—especially if you have kids or pets. You can layer. Mirrors can sit behind a lamp, a piece of art, or a vase of flowers. It often looks better that way—less staged, more lived-in.
Light It Up
Want to make your fancy mirror work overtime? Light it well. Mirrors naturally reflect light, so give them something beautiful to bounce. A pair of sconces would be flattering and when paired well with a mirror, can create that soft, flattering glow we’re all looking for. Or place a mirror opposite a light fixture you love—suddenly, you’ve doubled its impact. You can also play with candles. A small mirror behind a cluster of votives on a mantle? Pure magic at night. It’s cozy, romantic, and ridiculously easy to pull off.
Fancy Mirrors on a Budget
You don’t have to spend a fortune to bring home a beautiful mirror. Yes, there are designer pieces out there that cost more than your rent—but there are also incredible finds at flea markets, estate sales, and even big box stores if you know what to look for.
A few tips for finding budget-friendly fancy mirrors:
Vintage stores are your best friend. That old frame can be cleaned, painted, or left as-is for character. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are goldmines. Search for “ornate mirror” or “vintage wall mirror” and be patient. DIY a thrift store find. Spray paint can do wonders. Or replace the glass in a cool old frame with a custom-cut mirror panel. You get something totally unique for under $50.
Style vs. Substance
A word of caution: not all fancy mirrors are created equal. Some are more about style than quality. When shopping, pay attention to the actual mirror quality. Is the reflection clear and distortion-free? Cheap mirrors often have that funhouse effect where everything looks slightly warped. That’s a no. Also, be mindful of weight. Big mirrors can be deceptively heavy, especially when framed in solid wood or metal. If you’re planning to hang it, make sure your wall can support it. If in doubt, lean it. There’s something casual and elegant about a mirror that doesn’t try too hard.
Don’t Overdo It
Yes, I love mirrors. Yes, I think most homes could use one or two more. But like anything, there’s a tipping point. You don’t want your home to feel like a funhouse or a department store dressing room. Choose mirrors with intention. Think of them as punctuation—used thoughtfully, they emphasize and elevate. Overused, they distract and dilute your design story. Here’s what I believe: mirrors are storytellers. They show where light lands, where life happens. A fancy mirror—whether it’s bold and ornate or sleek and minimal—can anchor a space and invite people into it. They’re one of those rare decor elements that blend function and beauty seamlessly. You get the practicality of a reflective surface, the emotional boost of added light, and the aesthetic power of art—all in one object.
So next time a room in your home feels like it’s missing something, don’t default to a new piece of furniture. Try a mirror. A fancy one. One that makes you pause and smile—not just because you see yourself in it, but because you see your style reflected back, crystal clear.
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