Decorating and designing a small living room comes with its own set of challenges. With limited floor space to work with, every furnishing and decor choice needs to be purposeful and strategic. One element that can make a real visual impact in a tiny living room is the creative use of mirrors. Like a mini decor magic trick, mirrors can optically enlarge a room, reflect light, and add lovely style. Read on for plenty of tips, tricks, and inspiration for incorporating mirrors into small living room spaces.
Strategic Mirror Placement Creates the Illusion of Added Space
One of the best tricks mirrors can play in a small living room is creating the illusion of added space. By reflecting furnishings, windows, and decor, mirrors can make a room feel significantly larger and more expansive. But haphazard, random mirror placement won’t have the desired effect. The key is strategic positioning, using mirrors to reflect elements that amplify openness.
Reflect Natural Light with Window Mirrors
One very effective mirror placement is on the wall opposite a window. The mirror will reflect outside light and greenery, filling the room with brightness and the feeling of a view. You can also place a mirror on a wall perpendicular to a window. This will bounce natural light deeper into the room’s interior. Experiment with the angle – adjust until you find the lighting sweet spot.
Use Mirrors Behind Furniture to Expand the View
Mirrors placed behind sofas, chairs and other furniture have the effect of extending what’s reflected in them, thereby expanding the visual space. This makes the room feel more open and airy. Angle the mirror to reflect artwork on an adjacent wall, or decor on shelving behind a sofa for instance. This creates the illusion that the furnishings are not flush against the wall, opening up the room.
Cluster Mirrors on Accent Walls for Added Dimension
Instead of hanging one large mirror, consider clustering several smaller mirrors together on one wall. When grouped in an arrangement on an accent wall, the mirrors add dimension and visual interest. Get creative with the pattern and placement – go for bold geometrics or frame the mirrors for an eclectic gallery wall effect. The reflective qualities will make the wall an eye-catching focal point and bounce more light around, making the room feel more spacious.
Choosing Frames and Mirror Styles to Suit Your Decor
Mirrors come framed and frameless, in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. Selecting mirror styles that work with your existing living room decor is key. The frame and shape impact the mirror’s visual weight and appearance.
Frameless Mirrors Seamlessly Blend into the Background
Frameless mirrors have a clean, contemporary look, with the glass being the sole focus. Their slim profile blends into the background more seamlessly. Positioned on an accent wall or opposite windows, frameless mirrors put the emphasis on the reflection. They work with modern and minimalist room styles.
Framed Mirrors Draw More Attention as a Decor Element
Framed mirrors add more visual interest as an actual decor element in the room. Ornate antique-looking frames create an opulent feel. Distressed wood frames give a rustic vibe. Sleek metallic frames read modern. Pick mirror frames that align with your living room’s style – farmhouse, industrial, traditional, etc. The frame will be more noticeable, drawing attention.
Mix and Match Frames and Styles for an Eclectic Feel
Why choose one mirror style when you can have an eclectic mix? Layering framed and frameless mirrors together creates a dynamic gallery wall collage. Try round and rectangular mirrors with metal, wood and painted frames. The reflection remains uniform, while the mirrors complement each other. This adds personality and whimsy to a small living room.
Mirror Shapes and Sizing for Small Living Rooms
In addition to the frame, the mirror’s shape and proportions make an impact. Tailor mirror shapes and sizing appropriately to your small living room’s dimensions and furnishings. Oversize mirrors can overwhelm in a petite space.
Rectangular Mirrors – Versatile and Easily Sized
Rectangular mirrors are classic, versatile and easily sized to suit different wall dimensions. Landscape oriented rectangles help elongate the look of the space. Portrait oriented rectangles draw the eyes upward, which can make ceilings appear taller. Lean rectangular mirrors in entryways or corners for additional shaping possibilities.
Round Mirrors Soften Lines and Add Curve Appeal
The round mirror’s curved lines create a softening effect, different from the sharper edges of square and rectangular mirrors. Round mirrors work nicely centered over beds and furnishings. Clustered round mirrors make for an approachable gallery wall. Add one large round mirror as an accent in a small living room.
Oval Mirrors – A Hybrid Option
Oval mirrors combine aspects of round and rectangular mirrors. The elliptical shape splits the difference, with some soft curve and some straight line. Layer oval mirrors together on a wall for an eye-catching arrangement. An oval mirror above a console table can reflect a pretty vignette.
Scale Mirrors Proportionally to Avoid Overwhelming
When selecting mirror sizes, be sure to keep them proportional to the size of the wall, as well as nearby furnishings. A mirror that is overly large can be jarring in a small space. Conversely, a tiny mirror floating alone on a large wall might get visually lost. Find the appropriate mid-sized scale for your mirrors.
Tips for Placement – Hanging Mirrors Strategically
Where and how you hang mirrors also impacts their effect in a small living room. Follow these guidelines for optimal mirror placement.
Hang Mirrors at Eye Level for Functionality
Hanging a mirror too high or low on a wall diminishes its functionality. For a mirror that will actually be used for reflection, the best height is approximately at eye level. This allows the user’s full shape to be reflected back to them. Hang standalone full length mirrors at eye level as well.
Allow Mirrored Furnishings Breathing Room
When hanging mirrors above furnishings, allow a 2-3 inch gap between the top of a dresser or sideboard and the bottom of the mirror. This breathing room prevents the pairing from feeling too crowded or heavy. The gap adds balance and lift.
Align Mirror Edges with Artwork or Decor
When grouping a mirror among other wall hangings, aligning the edges creates cohesion. Hang a mirror and painting with their sides lined up parallel. Or flank a central mirror with matching sconces spaced evenly. The symmetrical alignment looks polished.
Mind the Layout of Grouped Mirrors
If clustering multiple mirrors together, pay attention to the overall arrangement and layout. Evenly spaced mirrors have visual flow. Fill in awkward blank spots for a cohesive collage. Try frames that fit together like puzzle pieces. Be strategic with layout to reflect light and focal points.
Avoid Opposing Mirror Reflections
It’s best not to hang mirrors directly opposite one another. This creates an disorienting infinite reflection effect. Position mirrors at slight angles to avoid directly facing their counterparts across a room. The reflections will still brighten the space without the tunnel vision effect.
Caring for Mirrors – Keep Them Clean and Intact
Once your perfectly placed small living room mirrors are up, you’ll want to keep them looking pristine. Follow these maintenance tips.
Gentle Cleaning Prevents Smudges and Streaks
Clean mirrors using a damp microfiber cloth and a mild glass cleaner formulated for mirrors. Spray the cleaner directly onto the cloth, then wipe the mirror gently with the cloth. Overlapping strokes work well. Make sure no harsh liquid pools near the edges. Buff the mirror dry with a fresh microfiber cloth.
Securely Installing Mirrors Prevents Damage
Take care when hanging mirrors to fully secure them to studs in the wall, using specialized mirror mounting hardware. This keeps the weight properly supported and prevents mirrors from loosening or detaching from the wall over time. Move mirrors very gently during cleaning to avoid cracking or chipping.
Use Non-Abrasive Cleaners to Avoid Scratches
Do not use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners on mirrors which might damage the surface. Avoid acidic cleaners in particular. Ammonia-free cleaners formulated specifically for mirrors and glass are ideal. Use soft, lint-free cloths always.
Mirror Inspiration for Various Decor Styles
Not sure where to start with mirrors in your tiny living room? Here are some stylish and strategic mirror ideas suited to popular interior design tastes.
Modern Mirrors – Clean Lines and Simple Framing
For a contemporary modern space, lean into angular mirrors with clean lines. Frameless rectangular mirrors really amplify the sleek vibe. Position large geometric mirrors above the fireplace or flanking windows. Use modern materials like acrylic in streamlined mirror frames.
Rustic Mirrors – Weathered and Natural Elements
Rustic farmhouse style comes to life with distressed wood-framed mirrors. Cluster them together for visual texture and interest. Weathered antique mirrors also work here. Keep things natural with jute, linen and wood tones surrounding rustic mirrors.
Eclectic Mirrors – Vintage Finds and Creative Pairings
Eclectic rooms are the perfect place for mirrors with personality. Source fun vintage mirrors from thrift shops to mix into the fold. Display them leaning against walls or on easels. Try bold colorful mirror frames. Pair antique mirrors with modern geometric ones – anything goes in eclectic style.
Strategically leveraging mirrors’ reflective qualities can help maximize the sense of space in a small living room. Illuminate dark corners by bouncing light around. Visually expand snug layouts by reflecting furnishings and decor. Achieve variety through creative mirror styling and arrangements. With clever placement and care, mirrors can create a mini decor miracle for tiny living spaces. Reflect on these tips next time you’re designing a petite living room. The mirrors will make the room feel double its actual size!
