Mirrors Can be the Secret Weapon to Transform Any Room

Dec 31, 2020

Whether you are staging a new home for sale, looking to entice renters, or just looking to refresh an uninspiring space, mirrors can be your secret weapon for transforming any room. When used correctly, mirrors can effortlessly make rooms appear larger, deeper and even brighter.

The Power of Size and Shape

The right mirror in the right place is a trick that professional designers use to make a space feel entirely different. The size and shape of the mirror affects what it will do for the room. Long vertical mirrors can make rooms appear taller and more spacious. Broad horizontal mirrors can make walls appear wider. If you have a small room, try adding an oversized mirror to open it up and make it feel less confining. The bigger the mirror, the more light it will bring into the room.

Use the Reflection

What is reflected in the mirror will make a difference in how the room appears. If you angle the mirror towards a focal point in the room, it will make the room appear deeper. If it reflects a doorway, the room will have the illusion of more than one door. The same type of illusion will be created if the mirror reflects a window. If the mirror reflects a lighting fixture or chandelier, the room will appear visibly brighter. You can also create a warm and inviting effect by placing a mirror near lit candles.

Greet Guests With a Mirror

A foyer or entryway is almost always an ideal place for a mirror. It will illuminate a dark entryway and make the space look more palatial. This technique will also result in a welcoming effect for guests when they come into the home. A mirror in the entryway can also offer added convenience, as you give yourself a final once-over on your way out the door.

Create a Mirror Collage

Use a collection of different sized mirrors, as well as mirrors with different but complementary frames, to create a spectacular display that will make any room appear full of life. Mix and match to create your very own unique piece of artwork, or mix them in with a collage of framed pictures to add movement and light to the arrangement. This will also give you a fun reason to scavenge for gems at your favorite thrift stores. However, you do want to be careful to avoid going overboard so that the arrangement doesn’t get too busy or kitschy. It is helpful to start with one larger mirror and then design around it.

Do More With Mirrors

Mirrors are especially handy if you have a room that lacks windows. The mirror can serve as a replacement for a window by reflecting light and providing a focal point. 

Mirrors can also be used to bring life into otherwise boring corridors, especially decorative mirrors and uniquely shaped mirrors. Another fun idea is to place a mirror on the shelf of a large bookcase to add contrast and appeal.

If the space is used for entertaining, such as a dining room, adding a mirror can make it appear as though there are more guests in attendance, making any occasion more festive. You can also hang a mirror over a buffet, and the food will appear more abundant and appetizing.

Every homebuilder and realtor knows that the interior design of kitchens and bathrooms is a key factor in selling homes. One place that most people do not think about placing a mirror is in the kitchen. It can brighten up the kitchen and provide depth. Not to mention, mirrors are pretty easy to clean up. Adding a mirror in the bathroom will make it appear larger and brighter. Sure, most people have a mirror over the bathroom sink. But feel free to get a little more creative. For example, if you have a freestanding bathtub, placing a mirror behind it is a fabulous way to enhance the space.

Use Mirrors Outdoors

Another area where people often do not think to use mirrors is outdoors. Mirrors can make fenced-in yards appear more spacious. They can also make pathways look longer or give the illusion of a door. Mirrors can work wonders when placed in gardens, making plants look more plentiful. Because they reflect light, the garden will look brighter and the plants will benefit from the boost in light. If you have a pond or water feature in your yard, a mirror can create a dazzling effect when placed near it. Keep in mind that if you choose to use a mirror outdoors, you will want to take proper measures to weatherproof it.

What NOT to Do With Mirrors

While mirrors are an amazing design tool, there are some things that you should avoid doing with them. For example, never hang a mirror on a ceiling. Steer clear of using too many mirrors, especially in a bedroom. Be sure not to just slap a mirror up in any random spot without considering its purpose there. And avoid using so many mirrors in entertaining spaces that guests feel paranoid.

Get Design Expertise

If you would like the help of an expert with decorating your model homes, rental properties, or vacation rentals, give us a call at 813-361-2079 or by clicking below.

Take Your Room to The Next Level with Texture

Dec 23, 2020

Any room can be elevated from simply nice to simply spectacular through the incorporation of texture as a design element.

What is Texture?

What do we mean by texture? It is the surface quality of an object or material. Think about how it will feel when you touch it. Think about how its patterns or finishes appeal to the eye. It can be smooth, shiny, rough, bumpy, soft, gritty, slippery, furry, sharp…you get the idea. These different textures are going to vary based on what material from which the object is made, such as wood, metal, glass, burlap, brick, and so on. The objects can be natural or manmade.

Why Texture is Important

Texture can make objects appear more interesting, and in turn can make a room look more interesting. It can be used to create dimension, and even evoke different emotions when you walk into a room, which is crucial to staging a home. For example, soft and fluffy textures can make a room feel cozy. Shiny, smooth textures can be used to make a room feel more sleek and modern. Texture can also be the difference-maker if you have a room that just feels unfinished. If you feel like something is missing, texture is usually the answer. When it is used appropriately and tastefully, it can help you create an emotional connection for prospective buyers or renters that you want to feel welcomed into the living quarters.

Mix and Match Textures to Create Balance

It is important to create a balance when decorating with different textures in a room. Textures can be mixed and matched to create an intriguing space. You want to avoid using ALL items of the same texture. Use their differences to complement each other. It is nice to alternate between large and small objects, and use heavier and lighter textures to create balance. Rougher finishes will feel heavier. More reflective items will feel lighter. Softer items will feel warmer. For example, place a lustrous manmade vase on a distressed wood end table. Throw some soft, fuzzy pillows on a smooth leather couch. Lean an oversized mirror against a vast brick wall and pair it with a lush, green plant. Sometimes you can even use a single antique piece in a contemporary space to generate interest. These are all examples of how textures can work together to beautify and create a dynamic environment.

You want the room to feel curated, but overuse can make a room look busy or cluttered, so be careful to not go overboard. It can be helpful to stick to only a few textures in one room. The fewer you use, the more prominent those objects will appear and can be helpful in creating a focal point. The more you use, the room will be viewed more holistically.

Texture can be extremely helpful when you want to break up a space with a very similar or monochromatic color palette. Choose items with a great deal of contrast to create a sense of harmony in the room.

Textural Ideas

Let’s get the design juices flowing. For inspiration, here is just a brief list of items you can use to create texture in a room:  

• Rattan, wicker or jute
• Ornamental moldings
• Fabrics like velvet, silk, linen or satin
• Marble, granite, glass or stainless steel surfaces
• Sea shells, coral and river rocks
• Tree branches or wood carvings
• Long, flowing drapes
• Vases, platters and bowls
• Leather, fur or chenille
• Brass, copper, nickel or pewter
• Books, clocks, sculptures,
• Plants, flowers and wreaths
• Rugs, tapestries, quilts and throws
• Wallpaper, tile and masonry
• Baskets, cigar boxes or other interesting containers
• Candles, light fixtures or lanterns

The Style of the Room

When selecting the texture elements you will use in a room, it is important to keep in mind the style of the space you wish to achieve. Will it be modern? Traditional? Beachy? Woodsy? This will dictate what type of objects and materials you choose. For example, creating a beachy room for a vacation rental in Florida might include items such as driftwood and coral, more lightweight materials such as linen, and patterned fabrics created by using palm trees, anchors, or sailboats. A woodsy room for a model home in the forest or the mountains might include objects such as heavy wood furniture, a bearskin rug, and rustic light fixtures. Essentially, everything has a texture. It’s just a matter of picking the right textures for the right feel. Whatever style you choose, you are sure to have plenty of fun mixing and matching for your desired effect.   

Get Design Expertise

If you would like the help of an expert with decorating your model homes, rental properties, or vacation rentals, give us a call at 813-361-2079 or by clicking below.