Where to Place Mirrors in a Small Living Room Area

Decorating a small living room can be challenging. With limited floor space, every piece of furniture and decor must be carefully considered to avoid clutter while maximizing function and visual appeal. Strategically placed mirrors are one design element that can work wonders in a petite living room by reflecting light and creating the illusion of more space.

But simply hanging a mirror on the wall won't necessarily achieve the desired effect. To truly enhance a small living room with mirrors, careful planning is required when determining optimal placement, style, and size.

Know Your Small Living Room Layout and Problem Areas

Before choosing mirrors, take time to analyze the existing layout and architecture of your living room space. Pay attention to narrow spaces between furniture pieces or walls, awkward corners, and areas that lack sufficient natural light from windows or other light sources.

Make note of these design problem areas so you can determine the best mirror placements to address issues like:

• Visually expanding tight spaces
• Brightening up dark, shadowed corners
• Drawing attention away from architectural flaws

Use Mirrors to Reflect More Natural Light

One of the most effective tricks mirrors can provide in a small living room is maximizing scarce natural light. Sunlight streaming in from windows bounces off mirrored surfaces, reaching deeper into dim corners of a room and brightening up the space.

Floor-Length Mirrors for Maximum Light Reflection

Tall, lean floor mirrors positioned near windows strategically aim incoming rays of sunshine into the heart of the living room, driving out shadows and dark areas.

Brighten Dark Corners With Angled Mirror Placements

For stubborn dark corners or alcoves that sunlight can't reach, carefully angled mirror placements will divert rays to gently illuminate these dead spaces.

Avoid Blocking or Covering Windows

When installing mirrors around perimeter windows in a small living room, be mindful not to fully obstruct the light source. Allow ample glazing area to remain uncovered so sunshine can pour into the space and reflect off other mirrored surfaces.

Visually Expand Room Dimensions With Mirrors

Hanging mirrors directly across from one another creates a corridor effect, giving the illusion that a petite living room stretches deeper than it really does. Layering mirror frames over accent walls or architectural elements like fireplaces and media units also makes these features appear larger.

Use Tall, Lean Mirrors to Give Illusion of Height

In rooms with low ceilings, elongating the vertical space with strategically placed slim, floor-length mirrors adds a sense of airiness and volume to a small living area. Grouping multiple slim mirrors together intensifies this expanding effect.

Hang Wide Mirrors to Create Sense of Width

Just as vertical mirrors visually raise ceilings, wide horizontal mirrors spanning large sections of walls trick the eye into perceiving expanded square footage. Arrange oversized rectangular mirrors across from one another to double the widening effect.

Angle Mirrors Across Corners for Depth

Diagonally angling mirror panels into living room corners gives the illusion of length and depth. Bounce sunlight entering from side windows throughout the space for added brightness.

Enhance Tight Spaces With the Right Mirror Styles

Certain shapes and frame designs visually widen strong angles or soften confined niches commonly found in awkward, pieced-together floorplans.

Lean Rectangular Mirrors for Narrow Walls

Highly versatile for small spaces, lean vertical mirrors introduce sleek lines that make narrow walls less imposing. Group multiple lean mirrors for amplified effect.

Round Mirrors to Soften Tight Spaces

The organic curves of round mirrors reduce sharp corners that constrain movement in a small living room. Circular mirrors also diffuse incoming light rays for a soothing ambiance.

Avoid Heavy Framed or Ornamental Mirrors

Bulky wooden frames and intricate metalwork bezel mirrors tend to dominate tiny walls and alcoves. Save these substantial styles for larger living rooms and opt for clean-lined mirrors in petite spaces.

Strategic Mirror Placements For Small Living Rooms

Beyond addressing practical lighting and spatial issues, mirrors can also serve decorative purposes like highlighting prized pieces.

Across From Windows

Position on the wall opposite brightly-lit windows to amplify sunlight streaming into the room. Coordinate with window treatments to control glare.

Above Fireplaces and Media Consoles

Extend the vertical impact of these grounding elements without encroaching on open floor space. Enhance ambient room lighting.

Behind Seating Areas

Expand perceived depth behind primary conversation groupings. Reflect views of architectural details or artwork displayed on surrounding walls.

On Accent Walls

Use mirrored panels to broaden colorful or textural feature walls without competing elements. Complement with wall sconces or picture lights.

Complement Mirrors With Proper Lighting

Well-placed lighting prevents mirrors from appearing jarringly mismatched or floating ambiguously. Consider adding:

Layered Ambient and Task Lighting

Use varied light temperatures and directional beams to illuminate mirrors as part of an overall cohesive lighting design.

Focused Illumination on Mirror Installations

Discreetly position adjustable spotlights or picture lights above mirrors to emphasize these eye-catching features after dark.

Avoid Placing Mirrors in Shadows

Hang mirrors away from dark corners lacking sufficient spill-over lighting from existing fixtures to prevent gloomy reflections.

Style Mirrors Seamlessly Into Your Decor

Well-integrated mirror frames, shapes, lines and finishes prevent a disjointed, piecemeal appearance.

Coordinate Mirror Frames With Other Finishes

Select frames made of wood tones matching floors or metal finishes echoing door knobs and lighting fixtures for a harmonious look.

Surround Mirrors with Art, Shelves and Plants

Build vignettes around mirrors to anchor them firmly within the overall room design scheme.

Repeat Mirrored Shapes and Lines in Room

Introduce other decor elements carrying through circular, rectangular, horizontal or vertical mirror aspects.

Common Mirror Mistakes to Avoid

While mirrors can work magic in a small living room, a few missteps can lead to cramped, chaotic spaces:

Hanging Too High

Placing mirrors far above eye-level misses opportunities to reflect views at normal sightlines. Mount large mirrors near mid-wall, with bottom edges no more than 36 inches from the floor.

Using Too Many Mirrors

Resist overloading every bare wall and narrow nook with a reflecting surface or the mirrored maze effect minimizes individual impact.

Excessively ornate thick wood frames or chunky metalwork overwhelm tiny walls. Save for more expansive spaces.

Mirrors are great for small living rooms. Strategizing placement and coordinating reflective surfaces into the existing layout and decor opens up tiny spaces for a roomier, brighter and more stylish look.