How to Choose a Mirror For a Bedroom

First question to think about is do you already have a wall mirror as part of your bedroom furniture? If yes, the question of adding a mirror may not need to be answered. If yes, but I also want another mirror, then the question remains – which one and how do I choose? Of course if you have no mirror then the question about do I want one is easy. So now that you know you want a mirror, try standing in the room and look around. What do you want to accomplish with the mirror? Even if you have a mirror you may want to add a full length mirror. Then the next question may be what style mirror, decorative wall mirror or perhaps a round mirror or square or rectangle. So many to choose from.

It seems like too many questions, but take them one at a time. What do you want to accomplish? Take an example of a rectangle shaped master bedroom with cherry wood finish furniture and a double mirror over the triple dresser. This wall mirror is quite adequate if you want to see yourself from the waist up. Pretty much this wall mirror shows you the same as the bathroom mirror. So again, what is the goal? If it were me I would say that you might like to see how you look from head to toe so consider alternatives.

A full length mirror comes in several styles – either a cheval or a leaner mirror. Oh yes, there is the simple hang on the back of the door mirror, but that is 100% practical and 0% decorative. Part of your decision process is just what to you want to accomplish. If just practical stop right here. If decorative then continue. The cheval full length mirror sits in a stand, It can be oval or rectangle. It can be taller or shorter. Frequently these are made with a wood frame and stand alone wherever you want to put it. In this bedroom I would suggest that it be placed near a window on the opposite side of the room from the dresser wall mirror. Each can provide a reflection of the other, as well as reflecting light. Now your goal is expanded to create reflection.

If your goal is to really create reflection, a leaner mirror is something to consider for the dramatic effect. Leaner mirrors are very large mirrors that sit on the floor and lean against the wall. If you take the same bedroom example then place the dresser and mirror at the far end of the rectangle room. Next, place the leaner mirror somewhere close to the entrance to the room. Imagine that your doorway is at the end of the room with the leaner mirror close to it. As you walk in the two mirrors reflect each other expanding the width and depth of the room. If the doorway is in the middle of the room placing the mirrors at the far end from each other would still catch your eye as you look right to left.

So by taking it a little at a time it appears that selecting the full length mirror and placing it are all tied to your goal. In the beginning you may have known one part of your goal, but by choosing style and placement you expanded it to understand that reflection/light and illusion of size are also involved.

One can buy any mirror and try to fit it to the room. Often we unconsciously pick exactly what will fit in the room. Equally as often one can sit there with a wall mirror or a decorative wall mirror with no place to put it that it looks or feels “right”. Asking yourself some simple questions while standing in the room often eliminates that “no place to put it” syndrome. It is the simple things that count when making a purchase. Just by answering some simple questions for yourself you can eliminate the confusion and know exactly what you want to place in the room.