Reflections on Using Mirrors in Your Outdoor Space
A typical ingredient of our hallways, bedrooms and bathrooms, mirrors also work beautifully in the garden as a practical and witty detail
It’s always fun to take an object or piece of furniture that’s strongly associated with a certain room in the house and put it in an unexpected place. Mirrors are no exception. Typically found over mantelpieces or basins, inside cupboard doors or hanging in the hallway, mirrors suddenly become an exciting design element when relocated to the garden.
Once outside, mirrors are not used for checking your appearance, but for a host of practical and pretty effects. They can increase the feeling of space, create interesting reflections and bounce light around, all while looking fabulous! So head outdoors and hang a mirror today…
Once outside, mirrors are not used for checking your appearance, but for a host of practical and pretty effects. They can increase the feeling of space, create interesting reflections and bounce light around, all while looking fabulous! So head outdoors and hang a mirror today…
Prop it up
There is no need to hang mirrors on house walls or garden fences. You can achieve the same stylish effect by simply propping a large-scale mirror against a wall. This is flexible, too, allowing you to move it around if, for example, the sun hits it directly at a certain time of day.
There is no need to hang mirrors on house walls or garden fences. You can achieve the same stylish effect by simply propping a large-scale mirror against a wall. This is flexible, too, allowing you to move it around if, for example, the sun hits it directly at a certain time of day.
Punctuate a dark wall
A mirror can beautifully punctuate a dark painted fence or wall, reflecting light and colour from the garden beyond to become a kind of living artwork. When people relax here, they can still enjoy the garden, even when turned away from it. It’s a genius way to bring vibrant, natural colour to a wall without planting a thing!
See compact stylish courtyards
A mirror can beautifully punctuate a dark painted fence or wall, reflecting light and colour from the garden beyond to become a kind of living artwork. When people relax here, they can still enjoy the garden, even when turned away from it. It’s a genius way to bring vibrant, natural colour to a wall without planting a thing!
See compact stylish courtyards
Just add water
A water feature makes a great focal point in a garden, but incorporating one that’s made from reflective metal, like this design, adds an extra shot of style. When the water is running against this mirrored backdrop, it looks wonderfully sparkly and cool.
A water feature makes a great focal point in a garden, but incorporating one that’s made from reflective metal, like this design, adds an extra shot of style. When the water is running against this mirrored backdrop, it looks wonderfully sparkly and cool.
Work into a wall
This bespoke outdoor seating area is a sheltered and stylish place to dine alfresco. A mirror fitted into the woodwork on the wall surround is a lovely detail, reflecting the house and acting as an artwork.
Check out 10 clever ideas for small gardens
This bespoke outdoor seating area is a sheltered and stylish place to dine alfresco. A mirror fitted into the woodwork on the wall surround is a lovely detail, reflecting the house and acting as an artwork.
Check out 10 clever ideas for small gardens
Do a double
Go for a symmetrical look and hang two mirrors. These tall, simple designs look almost like doorways, tricking the eye into thinking there is more garden beyond. Two olive trees placed in front look doubly attractive, too.
Go for a symmetrical look and hang two mirrors. These tall, simple designs look almost like doorways, tricking the eye into thinking there is more garden beyond. Two olive trees placed in front look doubly attractive, too.
Pick out a statue
Propping up a mirror behind a much-loved statue or feature draws attention to it and allows you to see it from all angles, even when it’s backed up close to a fence.
Propping up a mirror behind a much-loved statue or feature draws attention to it and allows you to see it from all angles, even when it’s backed up close to a fence.
Copy indoor schemes
This lovely covered outdoor space has been decorated using the same design approach as might be used indoors. The rectangular shape of this attractive sofa is matched by a long mirror of a similar size, creating a clear seating zone. With the addition of a coffee table, candles and flowers, this space feels a lot like a living room.
This lovely covered outdoor space has been decorated using the same design approach as might be used indoors. The rectangular shape of this attractive sofa is matched by a long mirror of a similar size, creating a clear seating zone. With the addition of a coffee table, candles and flowers, this space feels a lot like a living room.
Find a fantastic frame
Let the frame, rather than the mirror, make the design statement by choosing one with an elaborate design. The mirror then functions as outdoor artwork and, here, brings a splash of interest to a plain brick wall.
Let the frame, rather than the mirror, make the design statement by choosing one with an elaborate design. The mirror then functions as outdoor artwork and, here, brings a splash of interest to a plain brick wall.
Seek out reflective surfaces
You don’t need to hang a mirror to bring some of its reflected glory to your garden. Find objects made from reflective materials instead. These beautiful globes are made from shiny metal, and add a soft lustre and a trio of small reflections to this patio space.
You don’t need to hang a mirror to bring some of its reflected glory to your garden. Find objects made from reflective materials instead. These beautiful globes are made from shiny metal, and add a soft lustre and a trio of small reflections to this patio space.
Approach your garden as though it were a room, looking for walls on which you can hang mirrors. Here, the wall is a dense conifer hedge with an array of vintage mirrors fixed to it, for a true blurring of inside and outside décor.