All You Need To Know About Buying Mirrors

Our lives have been made so much easier because of the existence of mirrors. We use mirrors everywhere, from our homes to our cars and offices. Even our phone screens and car windows are like additional mirrors. Since mirrors are so important, it only makes sense for you to get one that is perfect for you. But there are so many different options available online that finding the right one can be slightly difficult. You have to take many factors into consideration before purchasing a mirror for yourself.

We have gathered all the information you will need to buy a mirror for yourself. Whether it is a dressing mirror or a decorative one, this article will give you details on the different types of mirrors. Additionally, you might just learn different ways you can use mirrors around the house. So, keep on reading.

Different Types of Mirrors

There are many different types of mirrors out there. The two most commonly found types are floor mirrors and wall mirrors. Additionally, there are built-in mirrors on dressing tables and mirrored bathroom cabinets that are also quite popular choices.

Floor

Free-standing or floor mirrors are long and narrow mirrors meant to give you a full-length reflection. These are great for people who need a complete outfit check before leaving the house every morning.

Wall Mirrors

The name gives it away. Wall mirrors are meant to be hung on the wall. They are available in various shapes and sizes. These mirrors can actually be used in different rooms for different purposes. Since they are often used as decorative pieces, they come with really stylish frame styles as well.

Mirrored bathroom cabinets

Bathroom cabinets are a very common installation in bathrooms nowadays. They offer storage and mirrored bathroom cabinets come with the additional feature of a mirror.

Dressing table mirror

These mirrors usually come attached to a dressing table and can be of different shapes. Round, oval, square, rectangular and full-length mirrors are all the different kinds of mirrors that come with dressing tables.

What kind of mirror should I get?

Your preference for mirrors depends on how you will be using them and the location of the mirror. Mirrors can be used for different purposes around the house which is why there are different styles and designs of mirrors available in the market. If you’re looking for some wall art or wall decoration, mirrors are a great choice. There are so many different styles that you can use as decoration for your living room, hallway/entryway and dining room walls.

On the other hand, you can get bathroom and dressing room mirrors. These mirrors require the right kind of lighting. Rectangular and square wall mirrors are the most common type of bathroom mirrors but nowadays backlit round mirrors are quite popular. Additionally, it is very common to have square or rectangular bathroom mirrored cabinets.

What size mirror should I get?

A mirror should not be of an overwhelming size as it is not the centre of attention in any room. Even the smallest of mirrors can grab your attention because of the fact that you can see your reflection. So, it doesn’t need to be a centrepiece. Hence, keep in mind that a mirror, whether it is in the bathroom or any other room, should be at least two-thirds of the size of its surrounding furniture.

Additionally, the colour of the room’s furniture, accessories and walls will play a huge role in the size and shape of the mirror you should choose. Along with that, the amount of natural and artificial light the room has will make a lot of difference. Sizes of the mirrors vary a lot but.

Small Mirrors

Small round mirrors are not great for the bathroom or for dressing purposes. They are usually big enough for your face which is why they are commonly used for decoration. Rectangular and square small mirrors can be used anywhere. Their shape allows them to reflect a little more than just the face. So, if you want a mirror big enough to do your makeup, small rectangular and square shapes are great.

Medium and Large

Whether it is round, oval, square, hexagonal or rectangular, a medium or large mirror can be used anywhere in the house. The one fact that plays a major role when selecting a big mirror is the size of the room, furniture and lighting.

Different Mirrors For Different Rooms

Bathroom

One of the most important factors when selecting bathroom mirrors is lighting. These mirrors are usually used for doing makeup, spotting those next to invisible blackheads on your nose and just admiring your face. Hence, you need the lights to reflect perfectly on these mirrors in order to see those small details of your face.

Backlit mirrors are quite popular nowadays and great for bathrooms. They provide the perfect amount of lighting for mirrors. If you don’t want to go for a backlit mirror then just a traditional small or medium-sized mirror does the job. But make sure that your lights are not directly facing the mirror but are reflecting on it at an angle. Furthermore, we recommend going for wall mirrors for the bathroom but if you have a lot of space in the bathroom you can go for a full-length floor mirror. If your bathroom is mega-sized, you can actually have two large mirrors- one for the wall and one free-standing mirror.

Dressing Mirrors

There is quite a variety of styles when it comes to dressing mirrors. Wall mirrors are great if you have the wall space to hang a mirror. These mirrors can also be hooked behind a closet door saving you some space. Full-length floor mirrors are great for small or big rooms. You can place them in the corner where you will always get some light making the room look bigger with the help of the mirror.

Additionally, you have the option of buying a dressing table with an attached mirror. This takes up some space so make you are not overcrowding the room. If the dressing table is in your bedroom, we recommend going for a lean design with a full-length mirror attached to the side. This should be placed in a location where there is a lot of natural light. The same goes for dressing tables with smaller mirrors. The natural light will make the room look bigger and will allow you to do your make-up in better lighting.

Decorating the house with different mirrors

Using mirrors to enhance the size and look of the room is a great decoration trick. Mirrors add a sense of mystic and luxury to a room. Living rooms, entryways and dining rooms are the places that use mirrors for decoration. Whether you’re going for a single mirror on top of a sideboard or a collage of mirrors to cover up an entire wall, mirrors can look great in any form.

Decorative mirrors come in all shapes and sizes. What makes them different from bathroom or dressing mirrors is usually the frame. While bathroom and dressing mirrors can also have fancy frames or no frames, they are usually on the simpler side. With decorative mirrors, there is no limit to creativity.

Mirror Frames

When it comes to mirror frames the first thing you should look at is the material. If you are trying to match the mirror with the rest of your furniture, wooden frames are the best way to go. However, if you are using a mirror for decoration, metal frames offer a lot of styles as well.

Backlit

These mirrors offer the perfect balance between light and reflection. While they are quite commonly used in the bathroom, nobody is stopping you from using them as decoration. Backlit mirrors use LED lights behind the mirror giving it a certain depth. You can change things up with different coloured lights.

Baroque and Antique

These two styles can be found on either wood or metal frames. If you’re going for a sophisticated look baroque style fits the bill. The detailed work on the frame looks best in the colour white and can be placed in the dining area or entryway. Antique style has various forms of its own. The slightly discoloured or oxidised look is great for just about any room. It can suit an antique bathroom theme, looks great in a hallway, dining or living area. This style would look best in a dimly lit room.

Abstract

Round mirrors are available with interesting frame designs. Branches of a tree, metal spokes, sun-like designs, antlers, geometric frames and fringe mirrors, there are a lot of styles to choose from. Round mirrors have the most versatile frame designs, it’s why they are used for decoration purposes the most. Choosing the right one totally depends on the look you are going for. You can go for a simple frame if the mirror is being used as an enhancer for other decoration pieces. If you want an art deco look, go for an elaborate frame. These wall mirrors will transform the wall and the look of the room. Believe us when we say, just one mirror with an abstract frame design will be enough to make your living or dining room look beautiful.

Collage

A collage of mirrors is an interesting way of transforming your walls. You can either cover an entire wall or just a small part of it. These mirrors usually come with an adhesive at back, so they can be directly stuck to the wall. Also, these mirrors usually don’t have a frame and come in multiple shapes and sizes. Putting them together but leaving a small gap to let the wall peek through makes this style look extremely unique.