Mirrors in Dining Rooms: 3 Do's and Don'ts You Should Know
Mirrors can be placed almost anywhere in the home, but beyond the bathroom and the bedroom, the dining room is the next most common place for them. The dining room provides the perfect place for a large, beautiful mirror.
So, what should you know about hanging a mirror in a dining room? One large, dramatic mirror is a classic dining room look. It should match the decor and be placed at standing eye level. Generally, it should be placed to bring in natural light from windows and reflect a great feature of the room.
We’ve compiled a list of the dos and don’ts for hanging a mirror in the dining room, along with a few other tips and tricks.
Where is the Best Place to Put a Mirror in Your Room?
It can be challenging to find the best spot to hang a mirror. Here’s a general guide to get you started:
1. Mirrors should be proportionate to the wall.
Long mirrors go on long walls, small mirrors on small walls, and so on. The mirror should feel proportionate to the space itself.
2. The shape of the mirror matters.
Similar to the above, the shape of the mirror should match the shape of the space. For example, oval and rectangular mirrors should be placed on rectangular walls. Circle and square mirrors should be placed on square walls.
3. Avoid directly facing mirrors to windows.
Mirrors facing windows can cause excess glare in a room.
However, depending on the way the window is facing, this might not be the case, so test it out yourself to see which angles best prevent a mirror from causing excess glare.
4. Hang mirrors where they’re useful
Figure out where it would be practical to use a mirror and try placing mirrors in those places. Often the hallway where you and come into the house is one good example.
Take a look at the full KARE collection of mirrors here.
Should You Have a Mirror in Your Dining Room?
Mirrors make a great accent piece for a dining room. They complement a chandelier well, adding depth to the dining experience.
The most significant purpose to a mirror in the dining room is making the room seem larger overall. They can also increase the amount of light the room gets.
In a dining room, here are a few tips of how to hang a mirror:
● The mirror should not allow guests to see themselves eating.
● Place the mirror so that it reflects a great feature of the room.
● The mirror should be placed for standing height, not seated height.
● Group the mirror with candles and other decor.
Mirrors can also provide a great focal point for a dining room, allowing you to display a kind of window of the best features of the room.
The mirror chosen should reflect the style of furnishing in the room itself. For example, an ornate room should have a regal mirror to pair with it, whereas a modern aesthetic should go for a sleeker mirror.
Take a look at the full KARE collection of mirrors here.
- How High Should You Hang a Mirror in a Dining Room?
There are some factors to consider, but generally, you should aim to hang a mirror in the dining room at standing eye level. For most people, that’s around 60 inches off the ground.
If you are placing the mirror above a buffet table or sideboard, the height should be adjusted to work with the height of the piece. There should be a gap of about four inches between the top of the buffet table and the mirror.
Take a look at the full KARE collection of mirrors here.
How to Decorate With a Mirror in the Dining Room: 3 DO’s and DON’ts
1. DO place a mirror for dramatic effect.
The dining room is the perfect place in the home for a large, dramatic mirror.
It can catch the light of a window, a chandelier or be placed with a sideboard for a great focal point.
2. DON'T place a mirror directly across from a window.
It depends on where the sun will catch your window during dinner, but essentially you should watch out that the mirror doesn’t cause glare for your guests.
Sometimes a large mirror across from a window in a small dining space works wonders, but the avoidance of glare has to be done right.
3. DO hang a mirror near windows to bring in more natural light.
While placing a mirror across from a window can cause problems, placing mirrors near windows will bring the natural light further into the room. This can add a great sense of openness and brightness to the room.
4. DON'T place the mirror so guests can see themselves eat.
It isn’t pleasant to see yourself while dining, so avoid placing the mirror at seating level.
5. DO try a variety of mirrors in the space to create dimension.
Another option besides one large, dramatic mirror is to go for a few mirrors with one as the centrepiece. This can create visual interest in the room and is an alternative to the standard style.
6. DON'T hang a mirror directly above where someone is seated.
Placing a large mirror above someone’s head can make them feel uneasy while sitting beneath it.
While it may be tightly secured to the wall, the weight of the object above them can cause some diners feel uncomfortable.
Summary
The dining room is one of the best places to hang a mirror in the house, as it can bring more natural light and create the illusion of a bigger space.
However, mirrors have to be placed carefully in the dining room to avoid glare and guests seeing themselves dine. They should be hung to accent the best features of the room and placed at eye level.
With the information in this guide, you’ll find it easier to make the right choice when decorating your dining room with mirrors. For this reason, be sure to check back here if you have any questions regarding mirrors and their placement.