Decorating: 10 Ways to Work Antique Mirror into your Décor
Beautiful, light boosting and luxurious, antique mirror glass adds depth and interest. Check out these ways to work a hit into your home
If you’re a fan of using mirrors as decoration, but want something different to the standard, then antique mirror glass could be just what you’re looking for. Distressed to create a mottled – or foxed – effect, antique mirror offers more richness and depth than standard mirror, and comes in numerous styles and tones. From subtle touches to ceiling-high panels, here are 10 creative ways you can use antique mirror to enhance your home.
Tweak the traditional
The look of this bathroom would be completely different had the designers left out the chandelier and used a regular mirror – indulgent as full-length wall mirrors may be. The twinkling but muted glass adds glamour without being hard-edged, and has turned this smart bathroom into a luxurious bathing space.
The look of this bathroom would be completely different had the designers left out the chandelier and used a regular mirror – indulgent as full-length wall mirrors may be. The twinkling but muted glass adds glamour without being hard-edged, and has turned this smart bathroom into a luxurious bathing space.
Create a shining first impression
Hallways are some of the trickiest spaces to decorate, largely because they tend to be narrow. The owners of this home have solved the problem of a slim space with an entire wall of foxed mirror glass panels. Not only do they make a stylish first impression, they bounce the light around and deepen the space without startling visitors with a full view of themselves the moment they walk through the door!
Hallways are some of the trickiest spaces to decorate, largely because they tend to be narrow. The owners of this home have solved the problem of a slim space with an entire wall of foxed mirror glass panels. Not only do they make a stylish first impression, they bounce the light around and deepen the space without startling visitors with a full view of themselves the moment they walk through the door!
Provide some privacy
Sliding doors are good for when space is tight but you still want distinguishable rooms. Speckled mirror glass ‘windows’ like these work well, boosting light but providing privacy where clear glass wouldn’t, while breaking up the wood panelling so the space doesn’t feel too enclosed.
Discover how to use dividers to separate open-plan rooms
Sliding doors are good for when space is tight but you still want distinguishable rooms. Speckled mirror glass ‘windows’ like these work well, boosting light but providing privacy where clear glass wouldn’t, while breaking up the wood panelling so the space doesn’t feel too enclosed.
Discover how to use dividers to separate open-plan rooms
Make it majestic
There are few things more extravagant than a lavish bathing space at home. Add in some double doors and, well, you’ve taken it to another level. The use of antique mirror on these doors adds oodles of glamour – and don’t even get me started on the gold diamond pattern and leather walls! To make a look like this work, the style should be followed through both adjoining spaces.
There are few things more extravagant than a lavish bathing space at home. Add in some double doors and, well, you’ve taken it to another level. The use of antique mirror on these doors adds oodles of glamour – and don’t even get me started on the gold diamond pattern and leather walls! To make a look like this work, the style should be followed through both adjoining spaces.
Let it link materials
The colour of this antique mirror glass eases the transition between the dark base units and white wall cabinets, while still being in keeping with the moody vibe. Use a splashback like this to prevent the room from being top- or bottom-heavy – the idea works if the colours are flipped, too.
The colour of this antique mirror glass eases the transition between the dark base units and white wall cabinets, while still being in keeping with the moody vibe. Use a splashback like this to prevent the room from being top- or bottom-heavy – the idea works if the colours are flipped, too.
Anchor a tableau
This lightly foxed mirror forms the centrepiece of a pleasing tableau, drawing together the lights, table and accessories into a cohesive arrangement. The colours are key here, with the soft greys of the antique mirror chiming with the metalwork, and the brass frame uniting the warm metals of the lighting and reflected overmantel mirror frame in the room opposite.
This lightly foxed mirror forms the centrepiece of a pleasing tableau, drawing together the lights, table and accessories into a cohesive arrangement. The colours are key here, with the soft greys of the antique mirror chiming with the metalwork, and the brass frame uniting the warm metals of the lighting and reflected overmantel mirror frame in the room opposite.
Keep it subtle
Vintage-style antique mirrors come in myriad finishes, including speckled, marbled and mottled. If you have several items in a room that could be the focal point, maybe go for one of the subtler finishes, as in this speckled chimney breast, so they don’t fight for attention and instead work together in coherent style.
Vintage-style antique mirrors come in myriad finishes, including speckled, marbled and mottled. If you have several items in a room that could be the focal point, maybe go for one of the subtler finishes, as in this speckled chimney breast, so they don’t fight for attention and instead work together in coherent style.
Use as artwork
Elegance and simplicity in design often go hand in hand. The marbled antique mirror glass in this dining room is simplicity itself, but the designer has added detail and glamour by using tiles with bevelled edges rather than one plain sheet. The patterns and colours are as pleasing as any artwork and would give dinner party gatherings a real sense of occasion.
Ready to use mirrors outside? Here’s how to do it well
Elegance and simplicity in design often go hand in hand. The marbled antique mirror glass in this dining room is simplicity itself, but the designer has added detail and glamour by using tiles with bevelled edges rather than one plain sheet. The patterns and colours are as pleasing as any artwork and would give dinner party gatherings a real sense of occasion.
Ready to use mirrors outside? Here’s how to do it well
Make a small space feel bigger
It’s no secret that using mirrors can create the illusion that a room is bigger than it is. The designers of this house decided not to place a mirror on the more obvious side wall, which could have been intrusive, and instead opted for a smaller panel of seductively smoky mirror behind the bed to give the impression of a bedroom that goes on and on…
TELL US…
Have you used, or would you use, antique mirror glass in your home? Share your tips and ideas in the Comments below.
It’s no secret that using mirrors can create the illusion that a room is bigger than it is. The designers of this house decided not to place a mirror on the more obvious side wall, which could have been intrusive, and instead opted for a smaller panel of seductively smoky mirror behind the bed to give the impression of a bedroom that goes on and on…
TELL US…
Have you used, or would you use, antique mirror glass in your home? Share your tips and ideas in the Comments below.
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We’ve grown used to back-painted, patterned and even mirrored glass splashbacks, but why not try antique mirror for a slightly different look? Here, a panel adds visual texture to the kitchen’s smooth surfaces and clean lines. Pair it with a panel in a different material for subtle contrast; in this kitchen, a glorious slab of white marble creates pleasing symmetry.