The Wall That Does the Talking
Most walls don't need a painting. They need a mirror that pulls in light from somewhere else in the room and hands it back doubled. Here's how to pick the one that actually earns its spot.
Start with what the mirror needs to reflect
A mirror opposite a window multiplies daylight; a mirror opposite a lamp multiplies warmth in the evening. The Akiko Full-Length Gold Arched Mirror works especially well leaning rather than hung, so it catches light at an angle instead of head-on.
Let the shape do the work in a small space
A round mirror softens a room full of straight lines and rectangular furniture. The Rei Extra Large Round Black Circle Mirror reads as sculpture even before it's doing its job as a mirror.
Go irregular when the wall is already busy
If there's a gallery of frames or a bold wallpaper nearby, a mirror with clean, predictable edges disappears into the noise. The Izumi Black Irregular Pebble Mirror holds its own because its outline doesn't compete with anything else in straight lines.
Keep a small one in reserve
Not every mirror needs to be a statement. The Takara Black Rectangle Mirror, 70x50cm is the one to hang by the front door or above a console where a giant piece would overwhelm the space.
Quick rules for hanging
- Centre height around 150-160cm from the floor to the mirror's midpoint
- Leave at least 10-15cm of wall visible around a leaning mirror
- Pair warm metal frames (gold, brass) with warm lighting; cool frames (black, chrome) read better under daylight-toned bulbs
A good mirror is doing two jobs at once — reflecting light, and being worth looking at even when it isn't. Pick one that can hold both.