Although often considered a finish touch to a room's design, decorating with mirrors can add lots of visual appeal to a space, from maximizing natural light to making a playful design statement.
And while mirrors certainly serve a functional purpose in rooms such as bathrooms, there are endless ways to elevate your home with mirrors in all rooms — from entryways, to living spaces, and even kitchens and gardens.
Below, we've rounded up 12 ways to decorate with mirrors, as demonstrated by interior designers. Whether you're looking for an interestingly-shaped style that adds intrigue, specific living room mirror ideas, or want to use mirrors more unexpectedly as walls to double the size of your space, we're sure you'll find an idea that will inspire you.
1. Lean a Mirror Against an Entryway Wall
Not only does decorating with mirrors serve as a practical entryway idea, but it can also help to brighten the space while adding design appeal. Full-length mirrors are a great choice for these functional spaces, providing a last-minute chance to check your reflection before you leave the house.
"A decorative mirror with a unique shape creates a focal point and adds dimension to a space," says Los Angeles-based interior designer Jessica Nicastro, who designed the light and airy entryway above. "Mirrors also reflect light to really brighten up a space and make the room appear larger. For a casual look, try leaning a large floor mirror against a wall."
2. Opt for Sculptural, Organic Shapes
In this neutral and modern living room, decorating with a mirror in an organic shape balances the straight lines of the fireplace and shelving, allowing a calming, soft feel.
"There’s a misconception that mirrors are just for bouncing light, but when used well, they shape a room’s rhythm," explains London-based interior designer Melissa Read, creative director at Studio Burntwood. "I never use mirrored furniture — it’s rarely flattering and often feels like a shortcut. Instead, I look for sculptural forms, antiqued glass with organic edges, bespoke mirrors that echo a room’s geometry."
3. Create Symmetry with Matching Wall Mirrors
If space permits, rather than decorating with one large mirror, consider styling two identical mirrors side by side to create a moment of symmetry with your bathroom mirror ideas.
"In bathrooms, a framed mirror placed above a vanity offers a practical focal point, while using a pair of mirrors can create symmetry and a sense of order," concurs Fred Horlock, design director at Neptune, who notes that, "Choosing the right size and position is key to ensuring the mirror complements both the layout and function of the space.”
4. Line the Back of Cabinetry With Antiqued Mirrors
Decorating with mirrors stretches far beyond hanging them on the wall. For a bolder look, use antiqued styles to line the backs of cabinetry, as seen in this stylish home bar set-up designed by OWN LONDON.
"Lining cabinetry with antique mirrors is a beautiful way to create a standout feature," says the studio's creative director, Alicia Meireles. "Functionally, the mirrors help amplify light within the cabinet's interior, and in this instance, they reflect the rich jewel tones of the glassware and bottles, adding layers of visual intrigue."
5. Make a 'Moment' in Transitional Spaces
While decorating with mirrors serves a functional purpose in certain rooms, they can be an equally effective design element in transitional spaces such as hallways, says interior designer Kristen Thomas of Studio Thomas.
"At Studio Thomas, we consider mirrors one of the six essential elements in a well-designed space," Kristen adds. "Mirrors work especially well in transitional spaces — entries, hallways, or tucked-in places that might otherwise feel flat or forgotten. Whether subtly integrated or bold and sculptural, mirrors help tell the story of a space."
6. Layer Mirror on Mirror
Perhaps unexpected, but a whole lot of fun, why opt for one mirror when you can decorate with mirrors on top of mirrors for extra dimension?
“We love layering mirrors over mirrors — adding depth, increasing light, and giving plenty of room to see whatever is reflected in the glass, especially when used over a bathroom vanity," says interior designer Christine Carney, director of design at Blackberry Farm Design.
The bathroom featured a mirrored wall, which the designer then layered with a smaller mirror. "Layered mirrors nod to traditional, old-world elegance, but can also read as bold, modern, and maximalist," she says.
7. Go For a Playful Design with Bold Color
For a more playful way of decorating with mirrors, take inspiration from this colorful living space, which features a bobbin-edged mirror from Pooky painted in Little Greene's 'Tea with Florence'.
"We’ve styled this bobbin-edged mirror to add a playful pop of color and texture, tying in beautifully with the bold, blue sofa while reflecting the light from the glass pendant, to keep the whole area feeling fresh, not flat," explains Jo Plant, head of design at Pooky. "Shape-wise, rectangular-shaped mirrors work perfectly above a sofa as they echo the silhouette and help pull the room together harmoniously."
8. Strategically Place Mirrors to Reflect Something
In this home library by Moore House Design, the sculptural wall mirror was cleverly positioned to reflect the stair rail, creating a vignette that frames the space.
"In the 'Disco Library' of our Belgian Mid-Century Modern Project, the pill-shaped mirror was positioned to catch the curved stair rail in reflection, softening the strong geometry of the built-ins and vinyl collection with something sculptural and slightly surreal," explains the studio's principal designer Blair Moore .
"Try placing a mirror where it captures something meaningful, like a favorite corner or a glimpse of nature," she adds. "Don’t stress about perfect balance — sometimes, an off-center mirror or unexpected placement makes a space feel even more personal and lived-in."
9. Position Mirrors Next to Windows to Maximize Light
Decorating with mirrors help bounce daylight around a room, and can even make a space seem larger with mirrors positioned near windows or doors.
"Mirrors are one of the most versatile pieces of furniture that can greatly impact the look and feel of a room," explains Daniel Smith, founder of Danetti. "Positioning a mirror opposite or adjacent to large windows or garden doors is a simple but effective way to maximize natural light, especially in spaces that don’t receive much direct sunlight. This not only brightens the space but also adds a sense of depth and warmth."
10. Opt for an Oversized Bathroom Mirror
While deciding how big a bathroom mirror should be depends on your specific space, an oversized one can add visual interest while boosting natural light.
"Adding an oversized mirror is an excellent way of instantly doubling the amount of natural light and is also an easy way to make this traditionally smaller room in the home feel much bigger," explains Felix Milns, founder of HUX London.
"If you have the luxury of a double vanity, make sure you go large enough to allow each person to be able to see their reflection and have their own space, and if you’re opting for a curved mirror, why not consider taking that aesthetic through to the rest of the bathroom design with rounded basins and elegant globe lighting," Felix adds.
11. Juxtapose a Modern Interior with an Antique Mirror
No matter your interior style, you can't beat an antique mirror — while it will certainly look at home in a period property, that's not to say you can't introduce them into a more modern scheme, too. Above, a ornate gilt mirror adds opulence to the modern architecture by Chad Dorsey, creating balance between new and old.
"Antique and vintage mirrors have dual purpose — they act as pieces of art, while also dispersing light effectively around the room," says interior designer Noorein Kapoor, founder of NKD. "An ornate frame can make for a stunning centerpiece to a living area, while going gold adds a luxurious touch that works in any space."
12. More is More When It Comes to Mirrors
When it comes to decorating with mirrors, more is more. Instead of opting for one, why not replicate the design to create somewhat of an art installation, especially in poky spaces like seating nooks or awkward corners.
Not only will it make the space more eye-catching, but it will help make it feel bigger and brighter, too. And if you can't justify the cost of a larger design, buying multiple smaller styles can be more cost-effective while make a major design statement.
From choosing interesting shapes to going bolder with mirrored cabinetry and layered mirrors, there are endless ways to elevate the look and feel of a room by decorating with mirrors.
If you're looking for more help with your mirror decor, the places you didn't know needed a mirror offer unexpected yet stylish ideas.
