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After the bedroom and bathroom, the dining room is one of the most popular places to hang a mirror in the home.
The right mirror will brighten and enhance your space, complement the décor and provide a sense of openness.
But there are a few rules you should follow before you settle on a new mirror for your space. Check out this list of do’s and don’ts to help you find the perfect mirror.
Do:
1. Maximise Natural Light by Hanging a Mirror Near a Window
One of the most obvious benefits of hanging a mirror in your dining room is the way it can brighten a space and make it feel larger. If your room is small or doesn’t benefit from lots of light, a mirror will help enhance your décor.
Place your mirror near your dining room window and it will bring the natural light further into the room. It’s a super easy way to open up your room and maximise the light.
2. Highlight Statement Pieces
A mirror is a brilliant way to accentuate the features in your room, so think about any pieces you want to highlight when choosing the size of your mirror.
For instance, if you have some large wall art you’d like to draw more attention to, a large landscape mirror placed on the adjacent or opposite wall could work incredibly well.
If you have a statement chandelier, consider hanging your mirror high enough to reflect the bottom of the light to really show it off.
3. Choose a Mirror That Complements Your Decor
When choosing a mirror for your space, look for something that reflects the style of décor and furnishing in the room. Remember, you want something that enhances your room, rather than something that overpowers it.
For example, a minimalist, Scandi space requires a sleek and simplistic mirror. But a dining room with a rich and luxurious colour palette would look fabulous with an opulent gold frame or Art Deco-style mirror.
4. Consider Using Several Mirrors
Looking for something different? Instead of hanging one large, dramatic mirror in your dining room, consider using several smaller mirrors.
Grouping a few smaller mirrors on one wall will create a striking centrepiece and bring plenty of visual interest to your décor.
5. Measure Your Space Before Buying
It’s an obvious one, but it can be easy to overlook the size of your walls. Before investing in a mirror for your home, decide which wall you would like your mirror to hang on.
Once you have settled on the wall, measure the space so you can choose a mirror to fit. If you’re torn between different designs or sizes, it’s a good idea to create some templates from cardboard so you can picture how the mirror will look in your room.
Don't:
1. Hang a Mirror Where It Creates Glare
Although you want a mirror to reflect natural light, you don’t want it to cause an uncomfortable glare for you or your guests. So, to reduce the risk of excess glare, avoid placing your mirror directly opposite a window.
Consider if your room already gets a lot of bright natural light on an evening when you’re likely to be entertaining. Depending on which direction your dining room faces, this mightn’t be an issue, but it’s best to test it out.
2. Place the Mirror So Guests Can See Themselves Eating
Honestly, nobody wants to see themselves eating. It can be distracting and take away from the enjoyment of your meal.
To make your dining experience comfortable for your family and guests alike, don’t position your mirror so people can see themselves when seated. It’s best to hang your mirror at standing eye level, rather than seated eye level.
3. Overlook the Shape
It’s easy to get caught up in the aesthetics of a mirror and frame, but don’t overlook the shape when choosing your mirror.
Get the perfect mirror for your space by taking into consideration the size and shape of your walls. On square walls, round and square mirrors look best. But if you have a wider, rectangular wall, a landscape, rectangular mirror is ideal.
4. Hang a Mirror Directly Above Where Someone Would Sit
A heavy, wall-hung dining room mirror can be a little intimidating if it’s hung above where someone would sit. Even if you know it’s securely fixed to the wall, it can still be a little unsettling for guests.
If possible, avoid placing your mirror directly above where you or your guests would be sitting. Instead, think about positioning your mirror at the ends of the table.
5. Place Mirrors Reflecting Clutter
What’s actually reflected in your mirror is an important design principle. You want your mirror to reflect beautiful accents and features you want to highlight – not ugly views or clutter in the room.
When placing your mirror, think about the best views from your dining table. You might want to reflect your gorgeous garden or a statement piece of artwork elsewhere in the room.
How High Should You Hang a Mirror in the Dining Room?
You should hang your mirror at standing eye level rather than seated. A good rule of thumb is to ensure the centre of your mirror is around 5 feet high – the same for if you were hanging a painting.
Of course, if you hang a mirror above a sideboard or fireplace, you’ll need to adjust the height appropriately.
How Big Should a Mirror Be in the Dining Room?
Make sure you choose a mirror that is big enough for your space. Too small, and you’ll make your dining room feel smaller too. If your mirror hangs above a piece of furniture, like a sideboard, your mirror shouldn’t be wider than the furniture.
Look for something smaller – about two-thirds of the size is a good rule to follow.
Where to Put a Mirror in the Dining Room?
There’s no hard and fast rule to this – the best place to put a mirror depends entirely on your space. If you want to brighten a darker room, consider placing your mirror adjacent to a window.
If you'd like to draw attention to decorative features, bear these in mind when deciding on the placement of your mirror.
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