Architecture
Decorating
Why Architects and Interior Designers Love Using Mirrors
The magical invisible cloak, also known as the mirror, manages to reflect and deceive in equal measures
Well, how about that, Harry Potter, the invisible cloak has in fact been around for thousands of years. Mirrors, you see, date back to ancient times when shiny metals and even still pools of water were used to see one’s own image. However, mirrors are more than shards of glass that reflect the image in front. Designers long ago discovered the wonderful properties of mirrors, and use them to not only reflect but to hide and even to deceive. Mirrors, like the invisible cloak made famous in J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, are able to cloak objects and hide them from view, while everything else around the cloaked object appears undisturbed. The modern day silver glass mirror, invented in 1835 by German chemist Justus von Liebig, allows for the mass use of mirrors at an affordable price, and has unleashed the imagination of designers ever since.
To create an endless ceiling
Transforming this former church into a luxurious home was a challenge for my own architectural practice, and more so was the dilemma of how to retain the form of the original vast timber ceiling while simultaneously creating private rooms within. We didn’t want to destroy the continuity of the timber structure by chopping it up with room dividers. Our solution was the use of mirrors. The bedhead plaster wall appears to stop short of the ceiling, revealing the room beyond. In fact, mirrors were installed across the entire width of the room at the ceiling junction, reflecting the ceiling as it exactly appears on the other side of the room. This technique was so successful that very few people visiting the home realised the existence of the mirrors and often asked how the privacy of each room was retained. Deception and trickery, that’s how.
Transforming this former church into a luxurious home was a challenge for my own architectural practice, and more so was the dilemma of how to retain the form of the original vast timber ceiling while simultaneously creating private rooms within. We didn’t want to destroy the continuity of the timber structure by chopping it up with room dividers. Our solution was the use of mirrors. The bedhead plaster wall appears to stop short of the ceiling, revealing the room beyond. In fact, mirrors were installed across the entire width of the room at the ceiling junction, reflecting the ceiling as it exactly appears on the other side of the room. This technique was so successful that very few people visiting the home realised the existence of the mirrors and often asked how the privacy of each room was retained. Deception and trickery, that’s how.
To magnify the space
The inclusion of mirrors is an excellent way to make a small space feel larger. The interior designers at Jado Decor have used a variety of techniques to give this bedroom more visual space. Firstly, to simplify the room of clutter, they have hidden the robes behind the mirrored doors. The mirrors themselves are installed floor to ceiling and in slim vertical panels. This technique is important as the mirror will reflect the floor and the ceiling, giving the illusion that the space is larger than the true reality.
The inclusion of mirrors is an excellent way to make a small space feel larger. The interior designers at Jado Decor have used a variety of techniques to give this bedroom more visual space. Firstly, to simplify the room of clutter, they have hidden the robes behind the mirrored doors. The mirrors themselves are installed floor to ceiling and in slim vertical panels. This technique is important as the mirror will reflect the floor and the ceiling, giving the illusion that the space is larger than the true reality.
So objects float
How is it that the ceramic white basin and toilet appear to float? The answer: mirrors. It’s all an illusion. Architects such as Ian Moore employ this technique to create minimal inspired spaces where the removal of unwanted objects and the deletion of all unnecessary clutter allows the designer to focus in on a few selected pieces on which drama is built on. The fixtures, of course, are not really floating. They are carefully staged against an entire wall of mirrors that hover above the floor, where their fixing points to the wall are not apparent and the mirror itself reflects the entire contents of the room. It’s as if the room continues past the fixtures, thus giving the appearance of floating objects.
How is it that the ceramic white basin and toilet appear to float? The answer: mirrors. It’s all an illusion. Architects such as Ian Moore employ this technique to create minimal inspired spaces where the removal of unwanted objects and the deletion of all unnecessary clutter allows the designer to focus in on a few selected pieces on which drama is built on. The fixtures, of course, are not really floating. They are carefully staged against an entire wall of mirrors that hover above the floor, where their fixing points to the wall are not apparent and the mirror itself reflects the entire contents of the room. It’s as if the room continues past the fixtures, thus giving the appearance of floating objects.
To conceal
With the dining room situated in a narrow space, Rudolfsson Alliker Architects devised a clever solution to make the space between the kitchen and outdoor courtyard appear larger, while at the same time solving the issue of storage in such a tight space. The mirrors hide storage cupboards in the island bench, which have been raised off the floor to provide the illusion that the dining space extends beyond the kitchen bench, when in fact the mirror just reflects the space in front.
With the dining room situated in a narrow space, Rudolfsson Alliker Architects devised a clever solution to make the space between the kitchen and outdoor courtyard appear larger, while at the same time solving the issue of storage in such a tight space. The mirrors hide storage cupboards in the island bench, which have been raised off the floor to provide the illusion that the dining space extends beyond the kitchen bench, when in fact the mirror just reflects the space in front.
To reflect
You will notice that most kitchen designs place the sink on the bench adjacent to the window that provides light and a view to the outside world. However, there are times when design dictates that the kitchen is situated in a corner of the house devoid of any light and outside windows. A mirrored splashback allows it to act as one long window, reflecting a view and allowing light to bounce off for the task at hand. You can also cook or prepare food while looking into the mirror and having a conversation with guests seated at the island bench.
You will notice that most kitchen designs place the sink on the bench adjacent to the window that provides light and a view to the outside world. However, there are times when design dictates that the kitchen is situated in a corner of the house devoid of any light and outside windows. A mirrored splashback allows it to act as one long window, reflecting a view and allowing light to bounce off for the task at hand. You can also cook or prepare food while looking into the mirror and having a conversation with guests seated at the island bench.
To create interest
It’s strange to believe that a mirror in front of another mirror could provide architectural interest, however, in another one of our projects, the client wanted to highlight a beautiful round mirror that greets guests in the home’s entry. The background mirror is actually a bronze colour and is complementary to the muted tones of the adjacent paint and tile finishes.
It’s strange to believe that a mirror in front of another mirror could provide architectural interest, however, in another one of our projects, the client wanted to highlight a beautiful round mirror that greets guests in the home’s entry. The background mirror is actually a bronze colour and is complementary to the muted tones of the adjacent paint and tile finishes.
To display
When our practice was commissioned to modernise this period home and open up dark rooms without losing the essence of its history, our client was extremely nervous. The thought of knocking down walls to reveal rooms beyond was daunting. A technique we used and discussed previously was to install large mirrors on either side of the fireplace to give the illusion that the fireplace itself was a standalone feature between two rooms. The ceiling appears to float right past the face of the fireplace to the room behind. More importantly, the mirrors provided a transparent backdrop to display the oversized ceramic vases while at the same time reflecting light into the now bright room.
When our practice was commissioned to modernise this period home and open up dark rooms without losing the essence of its history, our client was extremely nervous. The thought of knocking down walls to reveal rooms beyond was daunting. A technique we used and discussed previously was to install large mirrors on either side of the fireplace to give the illusion that the fireplace itself was a standalone feature between two rooms. The ceiling appears to float right past the face of the fireplace to the room behind. More importantly, the mirrors provided a transparent backdrop to display the oversized ceramic vases while at the same time reflecting light into the now bright room.
To add opulence
Mirrors have long been used for their reflective qualities, however, they are no longer limited to the traditional silver colour. Technological advancement has allowed for mirrors to be manufactured in small and larger sizes, but also in various colour tones and finishes such as silver grey, bronze, black and antique finishes.
This former dining room was converted into an opulent formal lounge. The client wanted the look and feel of a bygone era using not only furnishings to achieve this, but architectural detail, too. The fireplace was clad in an antique-finish mirror to match its age while giving a focal point to the room. A silver mirror would have been too contemporary for the space.
Mirrors have long been used for their reflective qualities, however, they are no longer limited to the traditional silver colour. Technological advancement has allowed for mirrors to be manufactured in small and larger sizes, but also in various colour tones and finishes such as silver grey, bronze, black and antique finishes.
This former dining room was converted into an opulent formal lounge. The client wanted the look and feel of a bygone era using not only furnishings to achieve this, but architectural detail, too. The fireplace was clad in an antique-finish mirror to match its age while giving a focal point to the room. A silver mirror would have been too contemporary for the space.
For architectural style
To enhance the architectural features of a space and complement the style of this bathroom, the French Interior Design Studio selected a mirror that had undertones of Art Deco style. The mirror, along with the patterned tile in the shower recess and the wall light, was enough to provide the ambience of this period’s architecture.
To enhance the architectural features of a space and complement the style of this bathroom, the French Interior Design Studio selected a mirror that had undertones of Art Deco style. The mirror, along with the patterned tile in the shower recess and the wall light, was enough to provide the ambience of this period’s architecture.
For reflection
Mirrors are great for covering endless walls where one’s own appearance and achievements can be seen firsthand. This gymnasium is not designed to make the room feel large, but to provide a way for the user to reflect on their exercise technique and gain inspiration at the results they have achieved.
Mirrors are great for covering endless walls where one’s own appearance and achievements can be seen firsthand. This gymnasium is not designed to make the room feel large, but to provide a way for the user to reflect on their exercise technique and gain inspiration at the results they have achieved.
For functionality
There is nothing more functional than a full length mirror in your walk-in wardrobe to stop, admire, contemplate and change your mind about that perfect outfit before departing into the big, wide world. At their most basic, mirrors allow you to see yourself exactly how you are. They are functional and add a little bit of that glamorous clothing store couture appeal.
There is nothing more functional than a full length mirror in your walk-in wardrobe to stop, admire, contemplate and change your mind about that perfect outfit before departing into the big, wide world. At their most basic, mirrors allow you to see yourself exactly how you are. They are functional and add a little bit of that glamorous clothing store couture appeal.
To mirror a hidden world
Mirrors in gardens are like small portholes to a hidden world. Although they are seldom seen in gardens, when they are used, they’re very effective at camouflaging themselves into the surrounding landscape and creating a gateway into a world beyond. They add visual interest and curiosity, and extend the boundaries of any garden space.
YOUR SAY
Have you used mirrors in your home in an interesting way? Attach a photo or share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE ON MIRRORS
10 Ways to Make Your Statement Mirror the Fairest of Them All
Magical Bathroom Mirrors That Reflect the Real You
Mirrors in gardens are like small portholes to a hidden world. Although they are seldom seen in gardens, when they are used, they’re very effective at camouflaging themselves into the surrounding landscape and creating a gateway into a world beyond. They add visual interest and curiosity, and extend the boundaries of any garden space.
YOUR SAY
Have you used mirrors in your home in an interesting way? Attach a photo or share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE ON MIRRORS
10 Ways to Make Your Statement Mirror the Fairest of Them All
Magical Bathroom Mirrors That Reflect the Real You
If you blink you’ll miss it, but Lee Hardcastle, the designer of this contemporary industrial-inspired kitchen, has created a visually exciting space that is further enhanced with the use of a large mirror-clad sliding door that appears to be transparent. In its open position you will discover a hidden walk-in butler’s pantry, but when closed, the room behind simply disappears, leaving only a magical mirrored wall.