Mirrored Effects

Mirrors can enhance the beauty of interiors and also give the illusion of space. Mirrors make the space appear bigger by reflecting the depth and height of a room and sometimes by bringing a pleasant outdoor view inside. They can also brighten a dark room or corner by reflecting light from a window or fixture. This article provides tips on how to use mirrors, positioning, measurement of mirrors and more ...

Mirrors are great for knotting ties and putting on makeup. But when installed on a wall or ceiling anywhere in your home—whether in a hall foyer or on the kitchen backsplash—mirrors can make almost any room look bigger. How? They expand the space you see by reflecting the depth and height of a room and sometimes by bringing a pleasant outdoor view inside. They can also brighten a dark room or corner by reflecting light from a window or fixture. And, in a pinch, they even cover surface imperfections or a dated wall treatment.

Home centers sell precut, full-length mirrors that are ready to install on the back of a closet, bedroom or bathroom door. But if you want to mirror a wall or replace the broken mirror above your bath vanity, you’ll need a local shop that specializes in cutting and installing mirror and glass. As a rule of thumb, consider hiring a glazier if you’re dealing with a mirror bigger than about 2x3 ft. Trying to transport, cut and mount anything much larger is risky and not really cost effective given the capabilities and prices of most glaziers. But before calling a glass shop, consider these tips from designers and installers on how to make the most of a mirror’s space-stretching ability and how to tell if you’re getting a quality installation.

Options and prices

Glaziers stock mirror in sheets as large as 110x144 in., cutting it to size with large specialty saws. Mirror stock is available in three thickness: 1/8 and 3/16 inches, both used in frames, and 1/4 inches, which can be attached to walls in large sections with mastic and mechanical fasteners. The variation in price depends not on the mirror stock but on the complexity of the installation, how the edges are finished and if the mirror is carved or decorated. The finishing and installation determine how it looks and what it costs.

Sandblasted or carved designs and gold or silver inlays also add to the cost. Mirrors installed as single, large pieces with hidden mountings cost more than several pieces held in place with molding. And seams concealed by beveled glass strips cost more than plain-butted seams.

Expensive mirrors are those, which are carved, decorated switched, plumbing and molding work done on them. And because mirror is difficult to ship, the farther you are from the manufacturer, the more you’ll pay.

Tips on how to use mirrors

* To bring light into a small kitchen, mirror the wall from top of the counter to the bottom of the cabinets.

* If you’re on a budget, buy mirrors at flea markets and hang them in a grouping. This is an especially apt use for old mirrors that have some imperfections. And remember: There’s beauty in imperfection.

* Use mirrors on a tabletop, especially for a party or during the holidays. Consider having a mirror made to cover the entire top, or have a strip made to run the length of the table center.

* Place a folding mirrored screen in the corner of a living or dining room to brighten it. Such a screen, which may need to be fabricated, can be used as a three-way mirror, as seen in dressing rooms.

* Mirroring the long side enhances long, narrow rooms or hallways. A mirrored hallway will appear wider if you place a semicircular or diminuend table against the mirror. The table will then look like a full circle.

* Resting a tall mirror against a wall is not only trendy; it’s a flexible design tool because changing the tilt of the mirror changes the reflected view.

* Hang a decorative, framed mirror on top of a plate glass mirrored wall. Or hang empty picture frames on the mirrored wall.

* Hang a single mirror by a chain, cording or a ribbon can help set it off.

Where they look best

How large a mirror you choose and where you put it depend on the size of the room and what you want the mirror to do. So start by defining your goal: expand space, multiply light, add drama - or all three. For example, to create the illusion of more space, use a few large panels.

If you must use more than one piece of mirror, use an odd number of panels. And, avoid dividing the wall evenly, or furnishings and light fixtures centered in the room will align with seams and call attention to them. For example, use three 4-ft.-wide mirror panels or one 6-ft.-wide panel flanked by two 3-ft.-wide panels on a 12-ft.-wide wall. Remember, the mirror must fit through all the doors that lead to the installation site.

If adding drama is your top priority, try several narrow strips applied to walls or ceiling. To multiply the effect of light, be sure the light source is reflected in the mirror. Also consider installing lattice over the mirror—the mirror will reflect light and the lattice will diffuse it. And don’t use smoked mirrors, which darken spaces.

Also be sure you know what you’re reflecting. For example, if you locate the mirror opposite a large picture window, is the view attractive? And will the mirror reflect glare elsewhere in the room? Find out by propping up a large framed mirror in
the space. Waldron suggests you move it around for a day or two to be sure you’re comfortable with the effect. And if you’re adding a bathroom mirror, stay away from floor-to-ceiling installations. Begin the mirror at waist height or higher to avoid reflecting plumbing or the toilet.

One final point: You’ll find that less is more when it comes to mirrors. To avoid visual confusion, don’t mirror more than two walls in the same room.

Getting it installed : Glaziers are listed in the yellow pages under "Glass" and "Mirrors." Ask how long the company has been in business and, as always, check references for service level and work quality. Then narrow your choice by getting satisfactory answers to the following questions:

Who will do the measuring?

A professional should be responsible for this crucial phase. Cutting the mirror as little as 1/4 in. too short or narrow will create a visible gap that’s hard to conceal and looks shabby. And cutting it even 1/4 in. too long will necessitate trimming. Because walls rarely are plumb, mirrors must also be shimmed during installation—often with a tar like bedding compound—or they end up buckled and bowed.

How are the edges finished?

Smaller glazier shops often hand-polish mirror edges; larger companies polish with machines. Both methods ensure smooth, chip-free edges. Better mirror shops go a step further by coating the cut edges with sealant to keep moisture from getting through to the reflective back and eventually tarnishing or oxidizing the mirror. Sealed edges are a must when mirror is installed in a home in a humid climate or along a kitchen backsplash or bath vanity.

How will the mirror be hung?

Mirrors must be bonded to the wall with special mastic. Experienced installers know which mastic to use under what circumstances. Several factors determine the types of mastic that are used. Among them is the size of the mirror, whether it is on a wall or ceiling and the type of surface it’s being installed over - painted or unpainted drywall, wood, tile or plaster.

For safety’s sake, manufacturers recommend that all unframed mirrors be installed with at least one type of mastic and a mechanical fastener, such as a decorative molding, unobtrusive plastic or metal clips or screws. If plastic fasteners bother you, plan to install decorative light fixtures on the mirror. The fixture fasteners will hold the mirror up should the glue ever fail. Or, have the mirror trimmed with wood molding that will hold it in place. Once the mirror is installed, look at the opposite ceiling line reflected in the mirror; you should see one continuous plane. If the mirror looks wavy or there’s a low spot, bulge or a broken plane, it is not installed properly.

With a quality installation and proper care, a mirror will stretch a space and brighten your home—and expand your visual horizons for years to come.

As a general rule, frameless mirrors suit contemporary settings while framed mirrors suit traditional ones. However, the exception — hanging an a heavily embellished old mirror in a modern environment — can be striking.