One of the easiest ways to make any room seem more spacious is to
use iron mirrors or panel mirrors when decorating the walls. Mirrors
are wonderful decorating tools that have long been used to catch and
reflect light, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in any room, and
increasing the perceived size of the room.
In fact, one of the best reasons to use mirrors when decorating is
to "open up" the available space, and make the best use of your walls.
The simplest ways to do this are to hang iron nears in a foyer or
entrance, on a bedroom wall, or at the end of a hallway. But mirrors
can be used in many other ways when decorating your home -- some that
may even surprise you.
Apartment or condo dwellers often have a limited amount of natural
light available because of the layout of standard apartments. Adding a
group of mirrors to walls without windows can create an open space,
which gives the illusion of full-length windows.
To take this faux window decorating tip one step further, you can
even mount an iron mirror inside an old window frame on the wall, and
use curtains or blinds to create the optical illusions of an actual
window on the wall.
In many homes, the sitting room walls are traditionally used to hang
art. Walls behind sofas or recliner chairs are often decorated with
prints and paintings,
but you can also decorate this space with a collection of mirrors. For
a modern, minimalist style, try hanging various sizes of mirrors in an
informal pattern on the sitting room walls.
Besides improving the available natural light in the room, this will
also lend an artsy, eclectic style to your living room. You can choose
to use mirrors with the same frame types, or mix and match the mirror
frame styles for a more casual, attention-getting look.
If you love antiques, and have decorated your home with many classic
pieces, you will likely want to use antique-style mirror frames that
will complement your existing décor. Fortunately, antique iron mirrors
are plentiful at many secondhand stores, yard sales and even flea
markets. Sometimes, you may even find whitewashed frames, which can be
easily spruced up with a coat of paint or by applying gold leaf over
the frame.
Besides using the traditional "wall of mirrors" effect, you can
achieve a similar but more modern design by placing a row of tall, thin
mirrors spaced evenly across one wall of the room. This "on and off"
effect can be striking, and as well as giving the appearance of a much
larger room, it also creates a very original light and shade pattern
that can be very appealing.
But you don't have to limit your decorating with iron mirrors to
walls. For example, custom fitted mirrors can be used to cover coffee
tables, or even formal dining room tables. One well-known trick is to
custom fit a mirror to sit on top of each lamp table in your living
room. You will find that adding mirror tops beneath your lamps
will substantially increase the amount of light available in the room
and create wonderfully atmospheric shadows on the ceiling, similar to a
"chandelier type" effect.
And there are many more simple ways to beautify your home using mirrors. Iron mirrors, in particular, are easy to decorate with, and will make the best use of any natural light available.
