12 Mirror Decor Ideas to Enhance Your Space

Because mirrors aren't just for bathrooms and vanities.

Things like paint, hardware, and lighting may be integral parts of a room’s decor scheme, but it’s the decorative elements that really help bring your design to life. While there are many ways to accessorize a room, there are certain pieces pros turn to time and time again to bring both function and beauty to a space. One such item? Mirrors.

Available in nearly endless shapes and styles, mirrors have the ability to lighten and brighten any space, as well as increase a room’s decorative appeal. Their ability to trick the eye can work wonders when trying to add sunny spark to a dark corner or mimic the architecture in a storied home—you can even use them in place of a window to fake a view of the outdoors. To help open your eyes to all the ways in which this simple item can play a large role in your home, we’re rounding up 12 mirror decor ideas straight from designers. From fashionable focal points and graphic layouts to a mirrored backsplash that brings the funk, these creative ideas will enhance how you live in—and enjoy—every room of your home.

Related: 30 Easy and Unexpected Living Room Decorating Ideas

Style a Gallery Wall

For a fun twist on the standard art-packed gallery wall, swap out illustrations and paintings for a collection of vintage mirrors. The key to making the scene feel cohesive instead of chaotic lies in choosing a unifying element—like the shape or finish—to tie everything together. Here, designer Corey Damen Jenkins hung a collection of vintage gilded mirrors cascading up a stairwell for an eye-catching and illuminating scene.

Add Relief to a Busy Wallpaper

Statement wallpaper is such a trend right now, and for good reason—it’s an easy and impactful way to add serious personality to your space. Still, quality design is all about juxtaposition, so it’s always a good idea to work in moments of “relief” when papering a room with a bold pattern. In this project from designer Shannon Eddings, a bleached carved wood mirror brings quiet elegance to a dining room covered in Morris & Co.’s bird and pomegranate wallpaper.

Grab Attention on a Mantel

There’s a reason why mirrors make for an ideal focal point above a fireplace: they blend into the scene more than a piece of artwork and can help bounce light around the room from a nearby fixture or window. The Art Deco-inspired mirror in this project by Salt Design Co. perfectly complements the room's moodier color palette while allowing all the attention to fall on the standout light fixture at the center of the room.

Give New Life to an Antique Find

Next time you hit up a flea market, keep your eyes peeled for a luxe mirror that matches your existing decor. Not only are you likely to find something more inexpensive than what’s currently on the market, but you’ll be able to bring added patina and charm to your space in an easy and achievable way. In this living room, creator Courtney Davey of Tuft and Trim highlighted an antique trumeau mirror amongst other classic design elements, like gilded sconces and an upholstered arm chair.

Enhance Your Art

When laying out a room, it's common to focus most of your design attention towards whichever way your primary seating is facing—but that inevitably means that there are some spots in the room that don’t get a peek at a pretty piece of artwork or gain light from a nearby lamp. To solve this issue, hang a mirror in a way that reflects your desired object throughout the rest of the space. In this sweet nursery, designer Bethany Adams used a minimalistic mirror to reflect a nearby gallery wall, maximizing the art’s impact in the playful space.

Mirror an Entire Wall

For maximum impact—and maximum light—why stop at a single mirror when you can cover the whole wall? This high-impact design, dreamed up by the team at Kelsey Leigh Design Co., mimics the look of a real window, thanks to bespoke framing and iron details. The end result is a stunning space that bottles all the sleek vibes of your favorite luxe restaurant.

Make it a Permanent Fixture

If you’re debating between a mirror and another design element, we’re here with some good news—you don’t need to pick between the two. It’s totally possible to incorporate mirrors into your existing design scheme, even if that means hanging them in unconventional ways. In this luxury primary bathroom, designer Kristen Forgione of The Lifestyled Co. installed two expansive mirrors in front of a wall of windows for an area that boasts not one but two great views.

Add Sparkle to Your Backsplash

For a kitchen that gleams in all its glory, swap traditional tile for a glistening mirror backsplash instead. The treatment is particularly fun in smaller spaces, like a tight apartment galley kitchen, butler’s pantry, or even a wet bar off the living room. The key to nailing the look? Choosing the right mirror effect—you don’t want something that feels too “new,” which can (ironically) skew a bit ‘80s. Instead, look for panels of antiqued mirrors, like the ones seen in this sleek space by Houston-based designer Chandos Dodson Epley of Chandos Collective, which will appear a bit smokey and lend an effortless patina.

Choose a Standout Style

Mirrors can either be made to blend into your design or chosen to stand out. If the latter is more your vibe, be sure to select a style that incorporates an unexpected shape or color (or both!) to bring a fresh twist to your space. These ameba-like mirrors—designed by artist Rachel Burnstein for her company Bad Glass Shop—feature unique shapes and a nuanced pastel palette that prime them for center stage in any room.

Create a Subtle Focal Point

When working out how to style a mirror into your home, it’s helpful to think of each individual opportunity as a little vignette just awaiting its star player. Mirrors are a great way to anchor larger decor scenes, whether that means dressing up a powder room or holding court at the end of a long hallway. Here, designer Rayana Schmitz of Firefinish Interiors creates an intriguing scene in the transition space of a home, proving even the tiniest moments can have a big impact.

Mimic Your Home’s Architecture

Choosing the right mirror for your space is about more than picking a finish or size. Think of the accessory as an opportunity to reinforce shapes around your home that you love, particularly when it comes to architecture. Here, designer Shelby Van Daley of Daley Home chose a mirror with an arched top, hanging it close to the entryway where a door of the same shape is prominently featured. The end result is a synergistic design scheme that feels classic and cohesive.

Add Function to Your Bedroom

Everyone wants their bedroom to feel bright, airy, and relaxing, but it also has to be functional. By hanging a mirror above each nightstand—as seen here in a project by designer Meredith Owen—you can up the warm glow created by your table lamps and make it easier to get ready for work in the morning without having to battle with your spouse for a spot at the bathroom vanity.

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