How to Effectively Use Mirrors to Visually Enhance Your Home or Workplace

Natural Light Boost

• Whether the room in your home or office is small or large, a window on at least one of the walls adds natural light to the space. The more light in the room; the less dreary it feels. You may not be able to add windows to the space -- not without a great deal of time and money, anyway -- but a mirror can create a similar effect. Place one or more mirrors on a wall opposite a window, or even a door with a window, if that's the only natural light source -- to reflect more of that light back into the room. Add mirrors to dark corners, if the mirror catches a glimpse of a window, to lighten the atmosphere.

Space Perception

• Mirrors make even a small, stuffy room feel much more open and airy. Place mirrors opposite hallways or open areas, such as opposite a wide entrance from a living room into a dining area, to make the amount of perceived space feel much greater. Place mirrors on several walls to maximize the amount of perceived open space. Opt for light, bright or cheery colors on walls to maximize the effect, rather than dark shades; otherwise, the mirrors will simply reflect more dark space back into the room.

Mirrored Shelves

• Mirrored shelves serve as more than just storage space for bookshelf speakers, books and a few decor pieces. These mirrors also reflect light back into the room, or up, if it's reflecting the ceiling lights. Plants placed on mirrored shelving seem to multiply the amount of nature in the room due to their reflections, making the room feel more hospitable. Mirrors placed on the backs of bookshelves also reflect light back into the room, if not blocked by overly full shelves.

Mirrored Furnishings and Accents

• Mirrors can also be used as reflective surfaces for desk or tabletops, or as mosaic tiles on a wall border or vase. A mirrored tray holding a centerpiece on a table, such as an arrangement featuring a vase and several candles, creates an almost ethereal look while enhancing the light and visual space in the room. A grouping of several narrow mirrors on a wall creates the illusion of a window or a triptych-style art piece.