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living room Design Dilemma Home Decorating

Does the mirror work in this living room?

5 years ago

We received an extra mirror (so we don’t have to use it but I’d like to) and I think the best place is in the living room. Does it fit the room? Is it a good height? It will be reflecting our small outside area that currently has no landscaping. The last picture is a view when standing in front of the mirror. Thanks!

Featured Answer

houssaon

5 years ago

You could mount it on the back of a bedroom door. There are mounting brackets for that purpose.

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Comments (15)

beckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally
5 years ago
We received an extra mirror

From whom?

Given what the mirror would reflect, and that corner of the room, you might prefer some framed art instead. Can you use the mirror, perhaps hung vertically, by your front door?
Sammie J
5 years ago
I don't think it will work there - it doesn't look right horizontally, and isn't the right proportion to hang vertically. Perhaps hung vertically in a bedroom?
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Thank you for all the ideas and suggestions-and you squirrel for the mock ups. I really like it both ways. I think the hard part for me is "seeing" the final product and that is why the finished pics are great. I'm off today to see if I can find some lamps and/or other things to add to this area. I still am not completely "sold" on the mirror there but I am gonna keep it cause I do like it alot. We moved in this house in August and I am having a hard time getting into a groove. No pics hung and I have kinda drug my feet on decorating. It took a lot out of me to build the house (but the BAH forum was awesome!) so I hope that I am finally getting some steam! I'm going to post some pics of my DR later for some ideas in there. Thanks again!
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Yes graywings - exactly. I think it works, but I couldn't put my finger on why. I have that problem A LOT when it comes to decor. If I were shopping for a mirror over that couch, I would think it should be rectangular (although I would probably think rectangular was a bit overdone), or I would've looked for something shaped like a platter - rectangular with rounded corners, to mimic the shape of the vase and lamps. I don't think in a million years I would've picked a round mirror, but I like it.
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Thanks for your feedback. I was kind of feeling it was too big. I will continue to look probably for a little more traditional and scaled down mirror. I have an artist friend who is custom making a large piece of art for the side wall in that room so I wanted to do a mirror above the fireplace so it would not compete with the art. Thanks
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It's the scale of the lamps that you need to concentrate on the most. I've found that most homeowners tend to purchase lamps that are too short/small. I use 28"-30" as my guide. I rarely use shorter than 28" unless maybe in a bedroom or for an occasional table, and over 30" starts to look odd in most homes. If you're looking at a lamp in person, rather than online (which has the measurements) just measure from the top of the shade down to the table. Also, purchasing inexpensive end tables and lamps first can really help change the look of a room, while you're saving up for the more expensive items (sofa, nice coffee table). Here's a before/after of a living room I did for a homeowner, where all I added were lamps, end tables and throw pillows (just reworked her other items). The end tables I used are really great, they work with a lot of furniture styles, plus they have a shelf and they're less than $100. I use them with a lot of clients! Since end tables don't get a lot of abuse, a "cheaper" one is a real budget saver. Great End Table As you can see in the Before, this furniture is large and overstuffed. A too small lamp would look silly. Using the above linked end tables and 30" lamps: You can use an end table like those (they're 24" high) and the proper size lamp, and it will work with just about any sofa you choose. Also, when choosing throw cushions I would get rid of the two red cushions on your sofa, and replace with a neutral. Maybe throw in a lumbar on one of your two chairs. And here's a room (while we were rearranging furniture) where the homeowner's furniture was not oversized/overstuffed. As you can see, these same end tables come up higher on her sofa, but still work. I can't remember how tall these lamps were, probably around 27"-28".
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Geneviève
5 years ago
If that is what you like to see in the reflection then leave it there otherwise find a spot that will give you a better image .
Geneviève
5 years ago
Take a look at this idea photo , the mirror and the light fixture .

Ridout · More Info
Marta
5 years ago
I agree with the others that that wall might not be a good place for your mirror. Would it fit over the fireplace?
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
5 years ago
No mirror there. What about the foyer?
torreykm
5 years ago
I think it fits and if the outside area were beautifully landscaped, would provide a nice reflection. My choice would be to place art on that wall.
redsilver
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
If a wide view is what you want, that is fine, but that size mirror I think would look very pretty hung vertically. It would truly look like a window. I hope you find a place to use it. If it works for you, hang it as you have it for a month or 2 and if you like it, great. If you are curious hang it vertically also for a month or 2....than you will know which one brings you the closest to your imagined benefit of having it there? Keep us posted! Such a pretty home!! You might consider having a frame put around it that mimics your window frames? I am sure you would make some do a double-take! :D
erinsean
5 years ago
Mirror vertical and a slim depth console table under it. Lamp on console (I see you have a electrical outlet there.
L Moran
Original Author
5 years ago
The mirror is a duplicate of one that was used over a double sink vanity in one of our bathrooms, the home builder gave it to us since there is a small blemish (unnoticeable to us) on the frame. It’s too large to fit in our foyer or over the fire place. It looked terrible in a vertical position in this room, but maybe the bedroom is a good idea. For those who think art would be a better fit, could we get away with smaller pieces? A singular piece that would fit that wall doesn’t seem like something we could source right now.
PRO
Anglophilia
5 years ago
An unframed mirror belongs in a bathroom and no place else. Either frame it or give it to Goodwill.
beckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally
5 years ago
It looked terrible in a vertical position in this room, but maybe the bedroom is a good idea.

I would definitely give it a try. Otherwise, see if family or friends could use it, or Goodwill/SA as Anglo suggests. It's no bargain if you end up spending any time or money trying to work around it just to make it work.

For those who think art would be a better fit, could we get away with smaller pieces?

Yes.

It might be nice to start a small gallery wall there. You don't have to finish it all at once.
L Moran
Original Author
5 years ago
Here’s the actual mirror, it’s framed. Once I get someone to help me carry it I’ll try the bedroom...
redsilver
5 years ago
I would think there is a right way to paint that frame white like your windows. I think it could be very pretty hung there vertically! I imagine it is too wide and heavy for a door mount..You can display smaller pictures or wall decor on either side of it hung vertically..

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