Using Mirrors to Create the Illusion of Space

Studies have demonstrated that people who display mirrors dotted around their house tend to be more confident and get on better in life. In addition to helping increase your self-confidence, mirrors help you with interior decorating issues, particularly if you do not have a lot of space.

Decorating experts might advise you to hang a free standing mirror if you want to produce the illusion of having more space or room. If it is a case of a partition that isn’t as spacious as you would like it to be and you’re not thrilled at the prospect of breaking partitions or altering the entire furnishings with something that might make the space appear wider, some well-placed floor-to-ceiling mirrors could very well do the trick. By reflecting the entire room, mirrors will give the impression that there’s twice as much room available.

But, you can’t just go placing mirrors anywhere you want to. Mirrors can’t do any good if large items of furniture are blocking the mirrors, for instance. Choose a wall that will give people fewer opportunities to see their reflections because this can lessen the illusion of space you are wanting to produce – across from some good oak bookcases could be an ideal spot.

Of course, mirrors come built-in to certain items of household furniture in some rooms – vanity sinks, for example, will come with a mirror to increase the sense of space.

To create the best illusion of space, study the layout of the room and identify those parts of it that are not opposite where people will sit. Remember that the mirrors do not have to cover the entire wall surface, just the entire height. If you get it right, your floor-to-ceiling mirrors can create the illusion that there are passages into different rooms, generating the effect of more space.