Mirrors occupy a curious and contentious place in our culture. Over the past few centuries, they’ve gone from a symbol of vanity and moral decadence to a necessary part of many people’s morning routines to a piece of simple, beautiful decor. Yes, we love having mirrors in our spaces, and it’s not because we love our own reflections.
There are many different types of mirrors you can buy for your home, each of which is best suited for different rooms and purposes. Are you curious about what those types might be? Let’s reflect on the various mirror options you can use to decorate your home below.
What Are the Basic Types of Mirrors?
Before we dig into the different kinds of mirrors for your home, let us first discuss the basic types of mirrors overall. Mirrors, by and large, come in four varieties: plane, concave, convex, and non-reversing.
Plane Mirrors
Plane mirrors are by far the most common shape and construction. These mirrors are flat planes of glass covered by some sort of reflective alloy. Silver used to be the most common, but more modern mirrors use aluminum.
You’ll find plane mirrors pretty much everywhere in home decor. Plane mirrors reproduce what’s in front of them, except flipped laterally. That’s the reason why, when you raise your left hand in front of a mirror, it looks like the right hand instead.
Concave Mirrors
Concave mirrors, as the name might suggest, have a concave (or curved inward) shape. Due to their ability to pull light to a single point, these mirrors get used to help focus light. Concave mirrors also tend to make objects appear much larger than they are, which makes them a common make-up mirror for bathrooms.
Convex Mirrors
Convex mirrors, on the other hand, curve outward and can make objects in them look smaller than they are. This makes them the best mirrors for safety purposes since they give you a wider field of view than a plane mirror. Car passenger mirrors are one common use for convex mirrors, though some department stores use them in dressing rooms to make their customers appear thinner and taller.
Non-Reversing Mirrors
This mirror type can be pricey and, let’s be frank, rather strange to see in action. As the name might suggest, these mirrors are plane mirrors that, through pure scientific wizardry otherwise only seen on phone apps, show your reflection as it actually looks. This means the image won’t be flipped.
Mirror Options for Your Home
Now that we’ve established the three basic mirror shapes, let’s talk about the various types of mirrors you can use in your home. Some of the most common mirror types used in the home include:
Decorative Mirrors
Decorative mirrors get used, as one might imagine, for decoration. These (typically plane) mirrors come in a wide variety of shapes and can be framed or left as-is. You can find decorative mirrors to suit almost any taste.
You can place decorative mirrors as the central focal point of your room, or accentuate other elements. Sometimes, the frame is more of a decorative focus, while the mirror is a nice bonus element. Using mirrors in interior design can have a variety of effects, depending on placement.
Floor Mirrors
Floor mirrors are full-length mirrors that stand alone from the wall. These make the best mirrors for fashion fanatics and selfie snappers, as you can adjust their angle on the fly. You can find floor mirrors suited to any height and decor style.
Mirrored Surfaces
Mirrored surfaces like tables and vanities can add a touch of glamour and elegance to any room they’re in. However, these aren’t the best decor choice for families with kids or pets, as the glass gets smudged, stained, or smashed with ease. If you don’t have small children, they can make a gorgeous addition to your home.
Wall Mirrors
Wall mirrors, as you might imagine, are mirrors that hang on the wall. These mirrors can be framed or frameless, and most often get used in interior decor to add depth to a room.
If you have a home dance studio or gym, a massive wall mirror can prove a godsend for checking your form while you exercise. If you’re willing to invest a bit more, you can get wall mirrors with decorative etching or beveled edges.
Bathroom Mirrors
Bathroom mirrors are ubiquitous to the point that any public bathroom without one becomes suspicious. Bathroom mirrors can come in any shape and style, framed or frameless. You’ll most often see a bathroom mirror with vanity lighting above it so that you have a better view of what you’re doing while you go through your morning routine.
Tips for Decorating With Mirrors
Now that we’ve established all the various types of mirrors you can buy for your home, you might be wondering how you can decorate with them. Here are some pro tips for decorating with mirrors:
- Place mirrors to reflect great views from outside
- Make sure your mirrors are at eye level
- Entryway mirrors are your best friend for last-minute appearance adjustments
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with odd shapes or large sizes
- Placing small mirrors on the backs of bookshelves makes them look deeper
If you keep these tips from professional interior designers in mind, you can ensure that you get the best use out of your home mirrors.
Reflecting on What We’ve Learned
Let’s take a moment to reflect on what we’ve learned about the different types of mirrors. Mirrors can come in four main types, though plane gets used most often. You can find mirrors for decor, form-checking, and appearance adjustments.
Through careful placement, mirrors in your home can make rooms feel larger and extend gorgeous vistas. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find the best mirrors for your personal needs.
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