The impression of the owners of the house and their habits is formed already at the entrance to the apartment. An important role here is played by correctly arranged furniture, tastefully selected interior items and a suitable mirror surface that can visually adjust the space. It is not for nothing that modern designers actively use these designs when arranging the interior of premises; a mirror in the hallway is both a decoration, an additional source of light, and a useful element that allows you to evaluate your appearance before going out. And in order to fully enjoy the versatility of the products, unobtrusively place accents and stylistically transform the corridor, you should take a responsible approach to the choice and placement of the reflective surface.
Product Features
A hallway without a mirror looks empty and boring. Even the most stylish interior will leave an impression of incompleteness if this item is missing. When looking in a beautiful mirror before going out, only the most positive thoughts arise that remain with a person for a long time. In addition to the emotional component, this item can adjust the geometry of the hallway or change the accents in the color design. It also has a number of additional functions:
- covers mechanical defects on the decorative coating of walls, if any;
- visually increases the area of the room;
- helps to shade or complement the overall design solution;
- in combination with a baguette it gives the hallway solidity, and in combination with an LED strip it becomes another source of light.
A wide range of models and a variety of design options make it possible to choose a product, focusing on individual needs and interior features.
A well-chosen mirror can completely change the appearance of the hallway. It places and changes accents, reflects light, and performs a lot of other useful functions.
What are the main types of mirrors?
Each of the well-known manufacturers of such products tries to quickly respond to the wishes, comments and advice of their customers, so users can buy a product that fits perfectly into the design. You can familiarize yourself with their 5 main types:
- With beautiful wooden frames for furniture;
- With original forged frames;
- With bindings (in appearance they resemble a window);
- Models - stained glass;
- With mosaics, decoration or unusual painting.
Classification
Today, a mirror in the hallway has become a must-have item, without which it is difficult to imagine a modern interior. When leaving the house, you must take a look at yourself to be sure of the neatness of your appearance. Without the opportunity to look at yourself from the outside, a feeling of uncertainty arises, which often leaves an imprint on your mood and performance. It’s not for nothing that, according to popular belief, when you return home to get a forgotten item, you need to look at yourself in the mirror. The dimensions and shape are not as important as the fact that it is located next to the entrance.
By installation method
The method of installing a mirror in the hallway can be different. It is not necessary to resort to the labor-intensive drilling process or look for other ways to hang the product on the wall; you can simply install the mirror on the floor. An additional advantage of this solution is the ability to see your reflection in full height. It is advisable to choose a floor structure when the hallway area allows, since in a small room it will not look very appropriate. Among the advantages of this product:
- stylish appearance;
- good review;
- the ability to easily move around the apartment.
Floor-standing options, due to their large size, can make the room visually larger and lighter. To make the structure stable, it is fixed to a frame, which is tilted and leans against a special stand. The baguette can be selected to match the color and stylistic scheme of the interior.
If there is free space on the wall and the area of the room is limited, you can hang a mirror. The sizes of wall reflective surfaces can be different - from small to large, and their location can be either horizontal or vertical. Based on your preferences and needs, you can choose a floor-length mirror or a small composition of several elements of different shapes. They are located either separately or together with pieces of furniture: a shoe rack or a bench.
The wall mirror must be carefully secured. To install it, it is not enough to simply drive in nails, which may fall out over time, causing the product to fall. It is recommended to use a screwdriver, screws and dowels.
If the hallway area is very small, you can mount a mirror into the furniture structure using liquid nails. Options for arranging products on folding cabinets of tall shoe racks are common, which also helps save space by connecting two functionally important items. An interesting design technique is the use of mirror finishes, for example, in the form of tiles. The product acts as both a decorative element and a reflective surface, solving several important problems at once.
Floor
Wall mounted
Piece of furniture
Mirror finish
By shape
Modern hallway mirrors differ not only in the installation method. Designers suggest using different product shapes to enhance the stylistic effect. In this simple way, you can organically fit a mirror into any interior design.
The rectangular shape is considered traditional. It looks laconic, helps structure the lines of the room, and creates a sense of geometric order. Often this form is provided with large wall or floor options. They are stable and give you the opportunity to look at yourself in full height. They can also be used to visually change the perception of space:
- extend a room with a low ceiling in a vertical position;
- expand the boundaries of tight spaces when hung horizontally.
The square mirror looks less familiar, despite its usual shape. It is often decorated with designer elements and complements interiors made in modern or ethno-style. Without decoration, it looks rustic because all sides are the same length.
If you need to smooth out the clarity of the lines and give the room softness, you should pay attention to shapes that do not have corners. The oval mirror in the hallway looks especially elegant and sophisticated, organically fits into classic, Scandinavian and art deco styles. Can be hung on a wall or installed as a floor stand. For this form it is not necessary to use flashy decor.
Another option could be a round mirror. It looks more concise and is smaller in size. Placing a circle of large diameter requires a lot of space even on an empty wall, so designers suggest using small round mirrors connected by a collage.
When attaching several mirrors to the wall using liquid nails, it will not be possible to change the location of the composition elements without damaging the finishing material. Therefore, before final fixation, you need to carefully consider their location.
Non-standard forms can be chosen for compositions. If the interior allows, and you want to make it more original, you can order a mirror in the shape of an animal or a star. Another option is wavy lines on one or more sides. An unusual option would be a full-wall mirror, decorated with bevel. This technique allows you to:
- visually expand the boundaries of the room;
- provide the opportunity to view a large area;
- decorate the interior.
More often, a rhombus is chosen as the shape of the distribution of lines, since its elongated configuration allows you to see the face from a distance, but at the same time it looks structured and lively. If such a structure is placed in a frame, you will get a real panel that can be used not only for a functional purpose, but also as a decoration. For this type of decor, various forms of external structure and internal bevel pattern can be used, and the design of the mirror can also be different.
Rectangular
Square
Round
Oval
With facet
Non-standard shape
To size
The sizes of mirrors in hallway interiors are also different. For large rooms, you don’t have to hesitate in choosing. Here it is worth placing a voluminous round mirror or hanging a beveled panel in a massive baguette on the wall. For a small hallway, small compositions are recommended, for example, a collage of geometric shapes on the wall or a product of compact dimensions suspended above the console.
When choosing a suitable option for the corridor, you need to decide what degree of reflection it is desirable to obtain. The size of the mirrors in the hallway and the dimensions of other interior items directly depend on this. If you need to see yourself in full height, and there is an opportunity to leave the wall free, you can decorate it with a solid or prefabricated product from floor to ceiling. In this version, the design of hallways with a mirror allows you to expand the space, since the reflection is perceived as a continuation of the corridor. It is also worth considering a long oval or rectangular product. Long mirrors can be:
- included in the factory design of hallway furniture;
- hung separately on the wall;
- placed on the floor.
If there is not enough space to place a large mirror, you should give preference to the option with a waist-high reflection, which will make it possible to get a fairly complete picture of the appearance. In addition, such a model will not take up a large area in the corridor. Most often, these mirrors are oval or rectangular in shape. Even less space will be needed for a product where you can only see yourself up to your chest. These are small round mirrors that are placed on the wall. The minimum comfortable size can be considered a diameter of 30 cm.
Big
Average
Small
Variety of sizes
By frame
Mirror design options are offered both with factory-cut edges and with a frame in which the most daring design ideas can be embodied. They help to decorate the hallway in accordance with a certain style or give it a bright color accent. You need to select the thickness according to your taste preferences, as well as being guided by the general stylistic direction. Most often frames are:
- baguette - gold, copper or silver color, with or without patina;
- wooden – imitating the texture of different wood species;
- leather - made from natural or artificial raw materials of different colors and textures;
- forged - made to look like dark gold with patina, bronze or copper.
Modern interiors often feature bright or contrasting colors such as white, black or wenge. They help to emphasize the overall color scheme, blending harmoniously into the space, or vice versa, to form an accent spot. Colors familiar to metal products are also popular - gold, silver, copper and bronze. Such frames, depending on the shade, give the room a brutal, modern, or, on the contrary, a classic, sophisticated look.
Baguette frame
Wooden
Leather
Forged
Hallway functions
Transit. Outerwear and outdoor items are left here. The main routes of a house or apartment pass through the space - to the kitchen, living room, pantry, and to the upper floors. This is usually where the entrances to the bathroom are located.
Storage space. To store clothes and shoes in the front room there are built-in wardrobes or a wall, cabinets for shoes.
Security. Modern hallways house electronics - intercoms, intercoms, video cameras, control panels for home engineering systems.
Representative. A meeting place and farewell to guests. Therefore, the hallway should be welcoming and comfortable, and the interior should emphasize the atmosphere of the house.
A significant detail in the decoration of the front room of an apartment or house is the mirror. This is a necessary element both for owners going out, working, meeting, and for guests who come to share the holiday.
Today's article is devoted to the topic of mirrors in the hallway, their main purposes and types.
Features of backlit products
It’s rare that an owner can boast of having a window in the hallway. Therefore, most often it is necessary to install additional lighting here. You can select the mirror area to place the backlight. Examples of successful solutions:
- spotlights on the ceiling are a traditional option, but it is important to remember that light falling on the face directly from above leaves large shadows;
- sconces on the sides, with which you can emphasize the color or stylistic design;
- a floor lamp, which is the main attribute of creating comfort;
- rotating spots, the lamps of which can become the main source of lighting;
- LED strips creating a soft, pleasant light.
The choice of lighting devices should be made in accordance with the style of the hallway and the color of the walls. In a classic interior, where bronze color predominates, steel spots would be inappropriate. And in a high-tech style, it would not be the best idea to place cute sconces in folded fabric lampshades with ribbons.
Spotlights on the ceiling
Sconces on the sides
Floor lamp
Rotating spots
LED strips
Bottom line
As you can see, choosing a mirror of the right size is not such a difficult task, and you can cope with it by following simple rules:
- The mirror should match the piece of furniture located underneath it;
- For the bathroom, you can select the product according to the size of the sink;
- If you have two sinks, you can use not one large one, but several identical mirrors. A large double product is also suitable;
- The reflective canvas in the hallway should be such that the viewer can see himself entirely in the reflection;
- For the dressing area, the mirror should be the same as in the hallway.
Now you can choose the right mirror for your interior without fear that it will look bad or break from the overall concept. If you still have any questions, please contact us. Our managers will be happy to help you choose the ideal mirror for you and advise on many other issues.
Design options
It is not necessary to decorate the mirror with a frame or using unusual shapes. Alternatively, you can apply a design directly to its surface. Execution techniques can be as follows:
- sandblasting - the surface of the mirror will be matte and rough;
- photo printing - the drawing will be colored, but the mirror surface will remain smooth.
Additionally, decor can be applied using the decoupage technique, which will give the mirror a stylistic direction. The advantage of this solution is the possibility of bringing the idea to life with your own hands. If you show your imagination, you can decorate the frame or mirror surface with multi-colored decorative stones, a beautiful oriental-style mosaic of broken tiles, or stucco elements.
The decor can also be themed. For example, on New Year's Eve, coniferous tree branches decorated with Christmas tree decorations and shiny ribbons will look spectacular at the top of the mirror. If there is any holiday taking place at home, you can further emphasize the event by placing a colorful inscription made from tinted toothpaste on a smooth surface. This technique will create a good mood immediately upon entering home.
Sandblasting
Photo printing
Decoupage
Mosaic
Thematic design
Design
One-piece – it is more reliable and easier to install than a composite model. It has design limitations and is less convenient to transport.
Composite – requires assembly and allows elements to be combined. This design provides ample scope for design solutions and is easy to transport. On the other hand, a composite mirror is more difficult to install (many fasteners are required to connect the parts) and less reliable.
How and where to hang a mirror
When planning the interior of the hallway, you need to take care of the location of the mirror in advance. The attached product should not touch your hands when putting it on, so that there is no risk of it falling. Therefore, it is better to place the mirror in such a way that there is enough space for movement:
- on the wall near the front door, where there is no chance of accidentally touching it;
- in the corner, since this is the place with the least traffic;
- in a niche, placing the lighting;
- decorate the entire wall;
- above a shoe rack, chest of drawers or bench.
A mirror can be placed on the front door only in exceptional cases, after properly gluing it with liquid nails. At the same time, it is better that it is not too large and heavy. Since this is a place with maximum traffic and minimal static, the risk of the product falling is very high.
When choosing a location, you also need to take into account the lighting - the light should fall on the face from the front, and not from the side. It is better not to hang the product directly in front of the front door; according to ancient beliefs and Feng Shui, this is not the best place for a mirror. At the very least, a flickering reflection at the moment of exit and entry can be annoying, causing unnecessary emotions.
To securely mount a mirror on the wall, you need to drill a hole with a screwdriver, drive in a dowel, and then screw in a self-tapping screw or fasteners on which you can hang the product.
On the wall near the front door
In the corner
In a niche
Decorate the wall
Above the chest of drawers
On the front door
Layer (amalgam)
Aluminum is cheap, but has low reflectivity (no more than 77%) and is sensitive to external influences. Such a mirror becomes stained and darkens during use.
Aluminum mirrors have size restrictions, which makes it impossible to install them in wardrobes and other furniture where large mirrors are used, as well as to use them for interior decoration.
Silver – has high reflectivity (87-98%) and resistance to environmental influences, such as moisture. Silver mirrors can be produced in any required size. The disadvantage is the high price.
Mirror in the hallway according to Feng Shui
Since it is the hallway that “meets” the guests of the apartment, this is where you should start applying the principles of Feng Shui in practice. The basic rule is the accumulation and increase of positive energy. In order to stimulate the process, you need to consider the following rules:
- you cannot place a mirror strictly opposite the entrance, since favorable flows will be reflected and go in the opposite direction;
- the shape of the product should resemble a circle or oval;
- a person should see himself in it in full;
- It is better if the mirror is clean, without drawings or inscriptions that change the positive energy;
- you can hang several reflective surfaces on the sides of the front door;
- mirrors should reflect beautiful seascapes of paintings or money talismans.
Arrangement of the hallway is an important stage in creating a “cozy nest”. By correctly positioning the mirror, you can make this room as comfortable as possible, creating a positive mood immediately upon returning home. If it is not possible to place the product according to the recommendations of experts and popular teachings, you should simply decorate it more often with a sincere smile, filling it with positive energy.
A person should see himself in full height
The mirrors should reflect landscapes of paintings or money talismans
Smile at your reflection
Frame
The frame plays a decorative role and from it you can determine the style in which the mirror is made. Typically, the frame is made of wood, metal or plastic. Wooden frames are often varnished or stained. Some models do not have a frame.
Baroque/Rococo - an elegant forged metal frame of a curvilinear shape with gilding and rich ornamentation (“curls”). A frame decorated with stucco would also be appropriate.
Classic/English – finely crafted, varnished and carved wooden frame.
Country - a roughly processed or completely untreated wooden frame. This frame in white or light blue will suit well in a hallway decorated in Provence style.
Modern – forged metal oval frame. Frameless models are also available.
High-tech/minimalism - a metal or plastic frame of a simple shape, devoid of decor. A vertical mirror will fit especially well into the minimalist style.
Ethnic – wooden frame upholstered in leather.
Ecological - bamboo or rattan frame.
Modern - frameless models with or without matte coating (ornament).
Bright shades are good for a modern interior, pastel colors are suitable for classic, rococo and other historical styles. For Provence, the ideal solution would be an aged frame (first the frame is painted, then it is treated with sandpaper to give it a rough texture).
Decoration
- You can stick vinyl stickers (ornament, various shapes) onto the mirror canvas. At the same time, it is important to maintain a balance between decorativeness and practicality - it is better to leave most of the mirror free.
- The mirror surface can also be covered with sandblasting patterns of any complexity. This product turns into a real painting.
- The edges of the mirror can also be processed (beveled) to give the product a finished look. Composite models made from several beveled mirrors look especially impressive.
