How to Decorate Your Dining Room With Mirrors

Bathrooms and bedrooms aren't the only living spaces to use glass. Mirrors can make a major impact in your home's eating or entertaining area. Take a look at what you need to know before you use mirrors in your dining room décor.

Why Should You Hang Mirrors in a Dining Room?

You don't need to watch yourself eat, put on lipstick, or do your hair in the dining room. Does this mean you shouldn't hang mirrors on the walls in this room? Even though a dining room mirror may seem to have no practical purpose, you can still add a reflective accent to this space. If you're not sure whether a mirror can add aesthetic value to your dining room, consider:

• The overall space. Do you have a small or narrow dining room? While mirrors won't increase the actual square footage, they can add the illusion of extra space.
• The available light. Is your dining room dim? A strategically placed mirror can amplify the natural or artificial light, brightening the room.
• The other accents. Does your dining room lack décor? If the walls are bare, mirrors can take the place of paintings, photos, or other types of artwork.

Now that you know why you should explore the idea of a dining room mirror (or a few), take the next step and decide which pieces are right for the space.

What Type of Mirrors Should You Hang in a Dining Room?

You have an array of options to choose from for your dining room décor. The types of mirrors you choose for your dining room depends on several factors. These could include:

• Visual illusions. If you want to create the illusion of more space or more light, you need a larger mirror or several smaller mirrors grouped together.
• The room's size. Small mirrors may look odd in a large space or in a dining room with high ceilings. Eliminate an off-balance interior design issue and choose a mirror that matches the room's scale. 
• The shape. What shape of mirror works best with the room's existing décor or your preferences? Mirrors are available in an array of shapes, such as squares, rectangles, ovals, or circles.

Along with hanging mirrors, a mirrored wall can accent your dining room décor and create the illusion of added space. This option requires a professional glass contractor to complete the design and installation processes.

Where Should You Hang Dining Room Mirrors?

Like mirror style and shape, the placement choice can vary depending on the room, your preferences, and the overall interior design plan. Some of the top dining room mirror placement ideas include:

• Across from the window. This type of placement reflects the natural light. If your goal is to brighten a dark or dim dining room, ask the installation technician to position your mirror on a well-lit wall.
• Near the table. A wide or horizontally positioned mirror near the table can create the illusion of more space. The reflection of the furniture and the wall behind it can double the look of the area.
• In a group or gallery style. You can hang more than one mirror in your dining room. If you want to reflect light or open the space but don't want to hang an over-sized or floor-to-ceiling mirror, create a group or gallery style wall.

Even though the dining room table may take center stage in this room, some homeowners choose to add other key pieces to the space. If you have shelves, a china cabinet, or other similar items, use the furniture to set the mirrors. Place a horizontal mirror directly above a shelving unit or reflect your dining room bar cart in a mirrored wall.

Do you need mirrors for your dining room? Contact Palmetto Glass & Mirror for more information.