Mirrors of all shapes and sizes have always been a designer’s favorite accessory to transform any room. Living room mirror ideas can make all the difference in a décor, whether they make small spaces appear larger or act as a focal point over a fireplace in a larger hall.
Best of all, not only do mirrors have the power of being a valuable living room wall decorating idea, but they provide that transformative flair on a budget too! Especially if you shop smart and pick up a used bargain or treasure.
living room mirror ideas
“A mirror cleverly placed in a living room can create light and the illusion of more space and personality,” says Nicki Bamford-Bowes, interior designer. (Opens in a new tab). However, you can make the most of these effects only if you know the tricks of the trade. The magic of mirrors is their ability to create a portal into a different world. Bring the outdoors inside, or to peek into another room.
It’s only fair that we share with you some of these design tricks, to help you make your living room that much more.
1. Reflected back into a small space
(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)
Even the smallest of living spaces can benefit greatly from a simple mirror. In a small living room, adding reflection will welcome more light into the space, to make it appear airy and larger. It also adds a sense of depth to the limited volume but tricks the eye with a reflection of the surrounding decor.
2. Breaking the wall panels in a circular motion
(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Whitmore)
When investing in a mirror for your living room, consider how the space will function as it is. In this rustic-style living room, the idea of wall panels gives the rooms a solid structure, so a round mirror welcomes a change of shape and adds an element of freedom to the look.
Round mirrors are very popular right now, thanks to the dimensional curved designs that welcome the “niche” on the walls.
3. Decorative wall display design
(Image credit: Future PLC)
Aside from being very practical mirrors, they can also be fun and playful. Use a group, using the designer’s rule of three, of different shapes or sizes to create an alternative living room wall decorating idea. Mirrors grouped into the artwork space avoid confusing the décor, simply welcoming in more light rather than imposing it.
4. Balance planning
(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Whitmore)
Placing a mirror directly above the fireplace is usually to create a clearly defined focal point within a room, but sometimes it’s there to add balance. In a living room with crowded alcove ideas, like this one with a custom-made living room shelving idea on one side and a desk solution on the other, graceful mirrors help balance the flow.
A mirror adds a decorative touch without overwhelming the wall, because the crowded alcoves on either side of the fireplace can be too much with alternative artwork for the space.
5. Use the full length to lighten a dark corner
(Photo credit: Lol Johnson Photography)
Living room mirror ideas are not just about fireplaces and hanging on the walls – try the tilt method, which is most appropriate in bedrooms as a direction. ‘For my living room, I chose the Home Essentials Greystoke Arch Leaner mirror to go into the alcove by the fire,’ says Nicki Bamford-Bowes, interior designer and HomeEssentials.co.uk brand ambassador.
Here, she takes pictures outdoors and brings life and light into the dark corner. The arched mirrors are very trendy and I love the way the brass trim on the dark wall is lit.
Copy appearance: Greystoke Arch Leaner Mirror, £179, Home Essentials (Opens in a new tab)
6. Dressing the wall above the sofa
(Image credit: Future PLC)
A tall, narrow mirror is a great wall decoration idea above the sofa – it adds décor without overpowering the decor.
This is especially effective in the design of a small living room, where the presence of a mirror becomes very practical by using a minimalist design as large as possible to create a sense of space. Choosing a tall, wide mirror helps elongate the space, helping to welcome light and a sense of depth in the surroundings.
7. Choose a distressed finish for a more subtle touch
(Photo credit: Future Plc/David Giles)
Old mirrors have a certain charm that a completely new shiny mirror cannot emulate. Old glass often has a lower appearance and thus provides a more subtle way to hang a wall mirror. Due to the frameless nature of the antique mirror, the look is also less impactful, with the edges feeling softer.
8. Fake window
(Image credit: Future PLC)
Welcome a touch of the outdoors into your life by creating the illusion of a smart glass mirror window. This tricks the eye into thinking the room extends outward, when in fact it’s just a clever accessory to brighten up the walls.
Place your window effect mirror on the wall opposite the real window, in order to catch the light directly – immersing it back into the room. Pair the design with this nature-inspired living room wallpaper idea to make the outside even more welcoming.
9. Break the wall
(Image credit: Future PLC/Dan Duchars)
Use the halfway point of a two-tone wall to place a mirror to make the dive point more significant – as a way to push the ceiling away to create a sense of height. A shelf positioned in the middle of the point provides a perfect location for said mirror, along with a decorative object to attract the eye.
10. Broken wall feature
(Image credit: Future PLC/Jeremy Phillips)
Use a well-placed mirror to break up a wallpapered wall. Using a mirror helps give another dimension to the wall without distracting from the pattern in a way that an alternative decorative accessory, such as artwork, can.
Place the mirror near the window to make the mirror work harder by inviting more light into the rest of the room.
11. Set the fireplace as a focal point with a mirror
(Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole)
Sometimes classic design tricks work best, as this double backyard living room proves. A simple mirror that blends in with the gray living room’s aesthetic creates a focal point for the fireplace, enhancing its presence as an anchor for the rest of the furnishings to gather around.
12. Add mirrored artwork to illuminate
(Image credit: Future PLC)
How’s that for a clever design trick, a decorative wall art idea that is also a mirror. Not quite as mirror level admittedly, but it’s still a wall mirror of sorts that works wonders for adding decor while attracting light to the darker end of the room where natural light is lacking.
Where should the mirror be placed in the living room?
“Where you put the mirror is really important,” says Nikki Bamford Bowes, interior designer. Owner & then went Wild as the HomeEssentials.co.uk brand ambassador. Sometimes I like to put a mirror where it reflects the greenery in the garden, or to catch the light at a certain part of the day. Midday light will brighten a dark room, or the midday sun will add warmth.
I also love it when you can walk into a room and instantly see the reflection of a beautiful piece of art or light. So, think not only of what the mirror will look like but what you will see in it when you are in your home.
How do you use living room mirrors?
Everyone’s living room is different, so have fun when choosing and placing a mirror – or mirrors. If you have a small living room, don’t be afraid to play with the scale. A larger mirror can add grandeur and impact, as well as make a room appear larger and brighter,” advises Nikki.
To add an accent piece to your wall, dare you choose a textured or round mirror. A traditional mirror above a shelf always looks good, but for a more laid-back look, try propping a tall mirror on a wall or even on a sideboard.
You can create photo gallery effect with a selection of different mirrors in different sizes. Also consider offering small side tables or coffee tables with a mirrored finish. Or as I did in my house, back shelves with mirrors for a little extra sparkle. Tinted mirrors — like smoked glass or even rose gold — are fun.