By: Wanda Simone
Last Updated: August 12, 2024
Mirrors are one of the easiest ways to update your home decor. They are so versatile and add a decorative touch to any interior design style. But once you have one on your wall, it can be hard to figure out what else to put with it. So we came up with some ideas on how to decorate around a mirror.
I love to decorate with mirrors!
They reflect light that brightens up dark corners.
They make small spaces feel bigger.
And they can create a focal point in room.
But once you’ve hung the mirror on your wall, then what?
If you’re using a large mirror with an interesting frame or a full length mirror, it may be enough to make a statement on its own.
However, if you have a smaller-sized mirror (or a large wall to fill), you’ll want to combine your mirror with some other accessories.
Which is where these ideas for how to decorate around a mirror will come in handy.
Note: Some of the images below cannot be pinned due to copyright restrictions.
1 | Create a mirror gallery wall
What’s better than one mirror? A whole bunch of mirrors!
Just like with pictures, you can create a gallery wall of framed mirrors.
To get them to co-ordinate, try to choose frames that all have the same style, shape and/or color.
The main difference between a mirror gallery wall and a picture gallery wall is all the reflection.
So this tends to work well in spaces that aren’t too busy (like a hallway).
Otherwise, the reflection may make your room feel too crowded.
Related: How To Decorate With Mirrors (25+ Mirror Decorating Ideas)
2 | Create a gallery wall with pictures
If you like the idea of a gallery wall, but don’t want (or have) that many mirrors, you can add them to a picture gallery wall.
Just substitute one (or more) of the pictures with a mirror in a coordinating frame.
Lay out your gallery as you normally would by positioning the largest frames first and then adding in the smaller ones.
Related: 15 + Living Room Wall Decor Ideas You’ll Love
3 | Hang pictures on either side
Another option for decorating around a mirror is to hang pictures on either side.
For the most cohesive look, try to get pictures that are proportional in size, and use frames that coordinate.
4 | Repeat the same mirror multiple times
Repeating the same mirror multiple times is an easy way to make a smaller mirror into a statement.
This technique works really well for tall thin mirrors, and mirrors that have an interesting shape or frame.
5 | Put up asymmetrical mirrors
For a more modern look, try grouping mirrors in an asymmetrical arrangement.
To feel balanced, the visual weight of each group should be about the same.
For example, in this picture the combined size of the two mirrors on the left is about the same as the size of the big mirror on the right.
6 | Hang sconces on either side
For a more traditional decorating approach, hang two sconces on either side of a large mirror.
This will automatically create a balanced look.
And since the light fixtures are so close to the mirror, a lot of the light will get reflected back into the room, making it brighter. Which is great for rooms that tend to be dark.
If the mirror is hanging above a console table (a common scenario for an entryway), you could also use lamps instead of sconces.
Related: How To Brighten A Dark Room (Even If It Has No Windows)
7 | Add flowers
In my opinion, nothing looks more romantic than a fireplace mantel with a pretty mirror and some flowers on it.
Especially if the mirror is reflecting a chandelier 🙂
If you don’t want to splurge on fresh flowers all the time, you can find some really pretty faux flower arrangements that will do the trick.
8 | Layer it
If you don’t mind putting in a little more work, you can decorate around a mirror with layers.
Try placing a picture partially covering the front of your mirror.
Then add some candles, a tall vase with flowers and some shorter figurines to fill out the vignette.
I usually need to play with it a little bit to get an arrangement that looks right, but it’s worth it in the end.
9 | Add lamps in front
If you want to keep things simple, you can also put a table under your mirror and add a couple of lamps on either side.
The light will get reflected back into the room and brighten up the space.
And the 3 items together create a grouping that takes up more visual weight so the mirror doesn’t look so bare.
10 | Add candles and greenery
For creating a romantic ambiance, you can’t beat decorating around your mirror with candles.
The warmth of the candle light will be amplified by the reflection.
And adding some greenery to the vignette will help soften the edges.
11 | Use co-ordinating furniture
For mirrors with a more ornate frame, adding some coordinating furniture may be all you need.
Repeating the style and color of the mirror in a table beneath it creates a cohesive grouping that looks like it belongs together.
12 | Group floor mirrors with furniture
Similarly, placing floor length mirrors behind a smaller piece of furniture (like this desk) makes it part of a grouping, rather than a stand-alone item.
Which ties it into your room decor and makes it look like it belongs.
13 | Surround it with books
Whether surrounded by books or more styled shelves, mirrors also look good hung either inside or on the front of a bookshelf.
The reflection in the mirror adds some depth to the space and bounces back light. Both of which give a large, flat piece of furniture more life.
Related: Bookshelf Styling Ideas: How To Decorate A Bookcase
14 | Put it on an accent wall
A super-easy way to make a mirror stand out is to hang it on an accent wall.
Whether that wall is painted a different color or wallpapered in a fun pattern, the mirror helps to break up the wall surface.
And adds some extra interest with whatever you can see reflecting in it.
Pro tip: In this scenario, a larger mirror with a noticeable frame will make more of an impact than a smaller one.
More decorating ideas
- DIY Mirrored Nightstand (A Gorgeous Glam Bedside Table)
- How To Arrange Living Room Furniture With A TV And Fireplace
- Small Space Decorating Ideas (How To Make A Small Room Look Bigger)
Have comments or questions about how to decorate around a mirror? Tell us in the section below.
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This post was originally published on February 21, 2021 but was updated with new content on August 12, 2024.