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Small bedrooms pose many design challenges, and there is a fine line between making the most out of the space available and ending up with a room that feels cramped and cluttered.
There are many techniques that you can use to optimize the space in your small bedroom, whether it be through organizing the bedroom effectively, choosing the correct lighting for your space, or finding necessary storage solutions.
According to designers, one of the most impactful ways to make your small bedroom look and feel bigger is mirror placement.
Interior designers explain where to hang a bedroom mirror and why
The bedroom mirror has a huge role to play in your compact bedroom. You do not want to overlook these mirror-hanging tips and tricks from the experts.
(Image credit: Future)
1. Opposite a window
Place a mirror on the wall directly across from a window if possible. This will work by reflecting all the natural light that you get from the window back into the room and creating the illusion of expanded space.
‘The mirror acts as a radiant amplifier, infusing your space with the natural light produced by the window’ says Jacky Chou, principal designer and director at Archute.
Hanging a mirror in this position is a simple trick that instantly makes the room feel bright and airy. It also presents the illusion of an extra window which in turn creates a sense of depth.
Similarly, positioning a mirror adjacent to a window will refract natural light across the room, a particularly handy trick for darker or north-facing bedrooms. Opt for an oval or circular mirror, available at Wayfair, to offset harsh angles and edges of beds, windows, dressers and the room itself.
Jacky Chou is the principal and director at Laurel & Wolf online interior design agency. Jacky is also the principal and director at Archute, an editorial magazine about architecture, homes and gardens. They have been referenced by The New York Times, Bustle, House & Home, Bloomberg, and Angi.
2. Alongside furniture
(Image credit: Future)
Strategically placing a mirror alongside furniture in your bedroom can create a sense of extended visual depth, says Emily Yeates, principal designer at Urban Revival.
When you design your bedroom consider placing a tall mirror next to a dresser or a chest of drawers, this will work by elongating the lines in the room making the area look larger.
As you walk into your small bedroom the mirror will visually extend the room. ‘Placing it next to a large piece of furniture will deceive the eye into thinking that there is more space to explore than there is,’ Emily shares. Expand your space by safely attaching a full-length mirror to the wall, like this classic arched mirror at Anthropologie.
Emily Yeates is the principal designer of her design firm, Urban Revival, based in Phoenix, AZ. With features in HGTV and properties featured on Forbes Global, she is known as the go-to designer and project liaison for young professional families around Arizona and beyond.
3. Behind the bed
(Image credit: Thomas Guy Interiors)
Hanging a mirror behind your bed is a great way to maximize your bedroom space potential, says Samantha Pratt, owner and founder of Samantha Ashley Designs.
‘It creates the illusion of a bigger bed by extending the headboard, if your room looks like you have a bigger bed, the room automatically feels bigger whilst adding grandeur to your space,’ Samantha says.
Using this design trick also means that the light from your bedside table lamps will also be reflected back into the room, which allows your bedroom to feel more spacious in the evening as well as the day. Note that according to feng shui bedroom mirror rules, positioning a mirror opposite the bed can ‘double’ the energy and interfere with the quality of our sleep.
Samantha is an experienced interior designer with a history of working in the textiles and ceramics industry, having started her career in set design for theatre. She started her design company nearly four years ago, with the goal of carrying the skills she had learned in the past to her own business and developing her style.
4. Opposite artwork
(Image credit: Future PLC)
If you have a piece of artwork that you particularly love in the bedroom, you can use a mirror to amplify its impact, says Brad Smith, interior designer and CEO of Omni Home Ideas.
‘By adding a mirror opposite artwork it not only adds depth and dimension to the room, but it also works by enhancing the visual appeal of your chosen feature.’
Having the artwork reflected in the mirror offers the illusion of space due to the eye catching the image twice in one room, this is a trick all good designers rely on when amplifying small rooms.
Brad Smith is a professional outdoor living space designer with over 10 years of experience in creating and maintaining decks, patios, and other outdoor spaces. He holds a degree in Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Interior Design and has a passion for helping homeowners transform their outdoor living areas into functional, beautiful spaces that can be enjoyed year-round. Brad is dedicated to providing expert advice on outdoor design, maintenance, and sustainability.
5. On your closet doors
(Image credit: Future/Mel Yates)
Whether your small bedroom has built-in closet doors or freestanding ones, consider replacing one or both doors with a mirror on the outside; these can fill the whole door space or can be smaller and simply hang over the door.
Emily Yeates, principal designer at Urban Revival says that using mirrors in this way not only serves a functional purpose but they reflect the room back onto itself, creating an illusion of double dimensions and making your bedroom feel more expansive and spacious.
These are also very practical when getting ready to go out in the mornings, so say goodbye to a cramped space and say hello to a fabulous closet that opens up your room.
FAQs
Does a mirrored wall make a bedroom look bigger?
Yes, a mirrored wall can make your bedroom look bigger, this is due to the light that bounces off it. It also will reflect the entire room therefore making the space look double the size.
Using mirrors to enhance space is a very easy way to make a room look and feel bigger. Through incorporating these interior designers tips and tricks you will achieve a spacious feeling bedroom in no time no matter what size it is.