Illuminated Mirrors: Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the brightest of them all?

While many of us know where to hang a mirror in our home when it comes to the most obvious of choices, there are often innovative options that we have not considered. With the advent of LED technology and the opportunity to illuminate mirrors with thin SMD strips, the range of options in terms of placement and utility has grown exponentially. Is it a functional element, is it a strategy for augmenting tight spaces, is it a piece of art, is it a sconce or is it an ambient light?

Illuminated mirrors can be one the best tools to transform small spaces and you can never have too many!

7 strategies for placing your illuminated mirror:

1. Place a mirror along the wall in a narrow kitchen. If you have a narrow kitchen, it can easily feel cramped and uncomfortable. A longer mirror strategically placed along one wall can make a small kitchen feel bigger. Place a mirror running horizontally along one wall of your kitchen, keeping it above cabinets and other furniture so it’s visible. A single mirror in the kitchen is usually suitable to make your space look bigger. More than one mirror may overwhelm in the kitchen.

2. Mimic a window using a mirror. Windows can often make a small room feel larger. If you have a room with only one window, you can use a mirror to create the illusion of a window in your living space or guest room. Place a mirror directly across from one window in your home or guest room.

The mirror will reflect images of outdoors, doubling the natural light in the room. It will also make the window-less wall look less closed off. Illuminated mirrors create that illusion without the need to place the mirror opposite a window as they glow with their own internal light source.

3. Add a mirror above the bed. If you have a small bedroom or compact guest room, try hanging a large mirror over the bed. Place a bigger mirror just above the headboard. If you don’t have a headboard, you can simply keep the mirror a few feet up from the end of the mattress. A mirror over the bed creates a sense of depth. This can make a small bedroom or guest room feel more expansive. Keep the mirror on the wall of the bedroom. An LED illuminated mirror can double as a wall sconce or ambient light.

4. Use floor length mirrors behind furniture. In a small space, furniture may feel cramped or cluttered.This issue can easily be corrected by placing large mirrors just behind big pieces of furniture. Choose floor-length mirrors the same width as the furniture. Place the mirrors just behind the furniture so the top sticks out. You can use an illuminated mirror with wall mounting brackets to fix it to a wall or you can use the easel feature to use it as a free-standing piece.

5. Place a mirror near or in an art display. Densely packed collections of paintings and objects can look cramped. Try inserting small mirrors in areas where one would display artwork. If you have paintings or other artwork hung up on a wall, hang a mirror next to the paintings as well. An illuminated wall mirror can also be placed opposite art to offer different perspectives on the piece and highlight an objet.

6. Think strategically about where you place mirrors. Do not simply hang up the mirrors everywhere in a home or guest room Always take into account what the mirror is reflecting before hanging it up. You want to use mirrors to maximize light sources and emphasize space. Mirrors should reflect a light source in order to brighten a room by creating more light. A mirror facing a blank wall will not do much to brighten your space. Instead, place a mirror across from a window or a well-lit area in your home. You should also avoid placing mirrors in areas where they will reflect things like furniture and clutter. You do not want a mirror to make a room look more cluttered. Try using an illuminated mirror to brighten a dark corner as it offers its own light source.

7. Group mirrors together in a gallery: Grouping multiple mirrors in a gallery is an effective way to expand the perception of space and create more artistic wall of reflections.

8. Place a decorative mirror next to a dining room table: This allows for softer lighting to be used, while still keeping the area light and bright. Consider using the glow from an illuminated mirror as mood lighting that still allows you to see your dinner plate!