Mirrors play an important role in the home. They can enhance space and create decorative aspects in rooms that might otherwise lack interest. Though there is some debate over whether a mirror even belongs in a bedroom at all, Feng Shui aside, a mirror's reflective and highly aesthetic qualities mean that it lends itself naturally to this space.
Inviting one into your bedroom is a sound idea. And there are many beautiful ways to hang your mirror for style and intrigue, by day and by night.
Where to hang a mirror in a bedroom
We're seeing lots of elegant ways to position mirrors in a bedroom. Jamie Young, Founder and President of Jamie Young Co. actually suggests that bedroom mirrors might be more important than we think. 'Along with the bathroom, mirrors in the bedroom serve more of a functional purpose than elsewhere in a house.'
Much will depend on the size of your space, the natural light levels you are working with, and the layout of your room. Where you think you might choose to position yours will no doubt impact the shape of the mirror also, and this can work both ways. For beautiful inspiration and styling insight, we turned to more industry experts.
Jamie, born and bred in California, loves to bring non-traditional yet approachable design into the home. Finding inspiration from her home, she elevates the joy and warmth of coastal living with modern yet comfortable design. But it was through travel, around the country and around the world, that Jamie found a harmony between her and her husband's sculptural aesthetics. Together they started Jamie Young Co. to bring their vision to life, and into the homes of others.
1. In the space above a headboard, as a work of art
Joshua Smith, Principal and Founder of Joshua Smith Inc proves that above your headboard can make an illustrious spot for a mirror in the bedroom. Perhaps even more than artwork. Make sure you fill this blank space with a mirror that brings character, or more sunshine to be precise.
'Hanging a mirror above the bed is a great way to fill that space above the headboard,' says Joshua. 'So many mirrors come in fun shapes and sizes, allowing them to act like a 3D sculpture. This is a great alternative to hanging art above the bed, which can sometimes be hard to fully appreciate due to the distance you must admire it at!'
With projects on both coasts, Joshua Smith Inc, offers full-service residential interior design – and life-changing spaces. Joshua draws on decades of experience transforming functional spaces into inspiring environments that engage the senses and nourish the soul. By cultivating the connections between mind, body, spirit, and space, he helps his clients elevate their experience each day. He was named a Rising Star by House Beautiful and is part of Traditional Home's New Trad Class of '23.
2. Over both nightstands, for more height
Quite a fresh look for bedrooms, we've been noticing nightstand decor getting the limelight with mirrors acting as a stylish backdrop. Jamie notes how mirrors in this space 'reflect ambient light from lamps, giving the room a cozy atmosphere.'
Lauren Lerner used mirrors on either side of this beautiful teal headboard, to play with the proportions of the bed itself. 'Adding mirrors to both sides of the bed can be a good option to add height to the side of a bed with a tall headboard,' shares Lauren. For a similar effect, look to position your mirrors in line with the top of your headboard. This is a simple and effective way to make a small bedroom look bigger and make your bed the focal point.
Lauren Lerner is the principal designer and founder of Living with Lolo, the interior design firm based in Scottsdale, AZ, since 2017. Fueled by her love for clean lines, mixed metals, colors, and timeless pieces, Lerner thrives on bringing a client’s home to life from the very beginning.
For a more striking finish, experiment with shape, says interior designer Victoria Holly, who suggests placing 'taller, thinner mirrors on either side of a bed above nightstands to add elegance and drama to your headboard.
'If you have a clearly defined bed wall or a bed wall nook, you can create a gorgeous all-mirror backdrop behind your bed to reflect the luxury!' She adds.
Victoria Holly Interiors is a full-service interior design firm that specializes in creating beautiful and functional spaces for both residential and commercial clients. They pride themselves on their ability to deliver high-quality projects that meet the unique needs and preferences of their clients. Victoria Holly Interiors offers a wide range of professional services, including project management, interior design, construction assistance, and renovations.
This mirror is crafted from mango wood and finished with antique brass, giving it both a vintage and beachy look. The porthole-style roundness is a welcome change from standard rectangles and complements a coastal scheme.
Adding a mirror like this is almost like having another window in the room. It's a great way to embellish your perceived space. The elegant arches make a great pairing with an entryway or mantel. The brass frame, because it taps into so many different style trends too.
The soft, rounded edges of this mirror establish a subtle yet elegant design detail, and the rustic, natural wood finish creates a timeless look that can seamlessly integrate into spaces of all styles.
3. Close to a window to enhance natural light
Whether your bedroom is on the dim side or not, you can help pour more daylight into your bedroom with a carefully positioned mirror, opposite or adjacent to a window. Much like you would see in a living room to create more space.
Victoria is an advocate of using mirrors for both practical and aesthetic purposes: 'First, you can always place a larger mirror opposite a window, especially if you have a view. This helps reflect natural light and lets you see your view from all angles. It’s a great way to double your amount of natural light, too.'
Try to position it in such a way that you can enjoy the view from the bed, without the mirror in your sight-line directly as is recommended by Feng Shui experts for a bedroom layout.
4. Atop your dressing table
A bedroom is, for many, the place where you might get ready, at least a little bit. In which case, placing a stunning mirror above a dresser as Lauren Lerner has done in this space, is the epitome of practical luxury.
'Hanging a mirror above a dresser or vanity can create a functional and stylish area for getting ready in the morning,' adds Jamie. Choose one that is in proportion to your dresser and be considerate of what it will reflect. We appreciate the view of the houseplant here, it's a sublime way to enhance a biophilic feel in the room and create a loftier feeling space.
5. At the foot of the bed
Positioning the mirror at the foot of or alongside the bed is another charming look we have come across. This bedroom by Urbanology Designs is dramatic and elegant, with just the right amount of light filtering in through the indoor tree.
Urbanology Design's founder, Ginger Curtis, reminds us that, 'A bedroom mirror serves more than its utilitarian purpose. Positioning it near a window harnesses light to create a tranquil haven.'
Rooted in simplicity and elevated by extraordinary beauty, interiors by Dallas-based Urbanology Designs bring organic luxury to life. Their soft, modern approach allows clients to relax in the warmth of a comfortable and crafted home. Their design-forward sensibility looks beyond today’s times, trends, and whims to create homes with longevity and intention.
Especially when positioning your mirror here, consider what you will see in its reflection, aside from your toes. For instance, keeping a sculptural lampshade in view will add artistic flair. And bringing multiple reflective surfaces together will gently transport light around the room.
Make it a trio of mirrors, as Brad Ramsay has done in this bedroom space and you'll be able to capture more beautiful detail, be that from the light coming through the window or from a ceiling lamp by night.
Brad Ramsey landed in Nashville, TN in 1999 after leaving his Georgia roots and began his design career in 2008 at a Nashville interior design studio that went on to have its own feature television show on HGTV. He would eventually launch his namesake firm, Brad Ramsey Interiors, in 2012. Since its formation, the BRI team has built and reimagined homes and commercial spaces around the country with their intuitive approach to design and creativity.
What mistakes can you make when hanging a mirror in a bedroom?
As when hanging mirrors anywhere in the home, being conscious of what yours will reflect is of paramount importance. Victoria Holly shares how we often get this wrong: 'One common error people make when placing mirrors in bedrooms is not considering what the mirror will reflect. Avoid placing mirrors where they will reflect clutter or less aesthetically pleasing parts of the room.'
Furthermore, though not an error, remember that you don't have to necessarily 'hang' a mirror anywhere. 'Leaning a large floor mirror against the wall is a more dramatic design element, plus it’s useful if wall hanging isn't an option,' says Jamie Young.
So a floor mirror in the right position might be just as impactful, if not more, as one on the wall, after all.
What are the best shapes for bedroom mirrors?
As well as the positioning of your mirrors, their shape can define the mood of a bedroom space too. Ginger tells us about the relationship between geometry and light. 'The shape of a bedroom and its light play a symphonic role in mirror placement.
'Round mirrors soften sharp edges, while elongated mirrors complement spaciousness,' she says.
For this, consider round mirrors or designs with curved edges where furniture is noticeably angular. Whereas larger bedroom spaces with more curves might benefit from straighter-edged designs.
If you are pro keeping a mirror in the bedroom, consider the size and shape of your room first, as well as both the decorative and functional purpose the mirror will bring to the space. This will help you make the wisest and most aesthetically pleasing choice.
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