How Mirrors Make a Small Room Look Larger

Mirrors Reflect Light

• Light, airy rooms generally feel larger and less cramped than dark, dreary rooms of the same size. Mirrors help lighten your room by reflecting light from a light source -- whether the light source is a lamp, a window or light spilling in from another room. Place mirrors in your room and strategically align them with lamps and windows to reflect the most light possible.

Mirrors Reflect Space

• Decorators regularly use mirrors to reflect space back into a room. The mirror reflects a portion of the room, fooling the eye into thinking that the reflection is an additional part of the room. A mirrored wall or a very large mirror are smart choices for this technique. Before permanently hanging your mirror, try it out in different places within the room to determine where it reflects and adds the most space.

Mirrors Reflect the Outdoors

• Placing a mirror so that it reflects the view from a window brings both natural light and the great outdoors into your room, adding the sense of extended space. Use trial-and-error to determine the best placement of your mirror -- which is, of course, the spot that allows the mirror to bring in the most light and the prettiest outdoor view. Be mindful of the view your mirror is reflecting into your home, and consider planting fresh bedding flowers or adding a small fountain, statue or bird bath to that area.

Mirrors as Clutter-free Wall Decor

• A mirror is a serene piece of wall decor that will not clutter your room. Although the frame surrounding it may be ornate or a bright color, the mirror itself is smooth, colorless and free of pattern. Unlike a large, bold painting, a mirror will not overwhelm your room, and unlike a wall clock, a mirror makes no noise and has no moving parts.

Other Considerations

• Additional ways to add visual space to a small room include using a pale, monochromatic color scheme, matching curtains to the wall color, hanging curtains as close to the ceiling as possible, and eliminating unneeded furniture and clutter. Combine these ideas with the use of mirrors to create a small space that lives big.