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How to Use Decorative Mirrors to Transform Your Ottawa Home
A perfect decorative mirror can transform both the look and feel of a room. Using mirrors in interior design is relatively simple — all you need is a clear vision of how your mirrors should function in your home. Should they reflect light, enlarge a space, or serve as a stunning centrepiece? Anything is possible with mirrors, and it’s cost-effective too.
If you’re an Ottawa homeowner looking for tips on how to use mirrors throughout your home, this post will give you clear, actionable ideas.
Creative Ways to Use Mirrors in Your Home Design
Enlarge Your Living Space
Mirrors can visually enlarge a room, making them perfect for smaller Ottawa homes and condos. If you have a small living space with blank walls you wish to decorate, mirrors are the ideal solution. Place a mirror on an empty wall to open up a cramped room instantly. In smaller apartments with compact living rooms, positioning a mirror on the wall across from a window will not only catch the light but also give the illusion of a much larger, well-lit space.
Here’s a tip — instead of going for a dresser, invest in a large wall mirror. You can browse the cut and framed mirror gallery at Centennial Glass for inspiration on sizes and styles that suit your space.
Natural Illumination
Windows are normally used to add light and depth to a room. If your home doesn’t have many windows and you wish for more natural light, mirrors can help bridge that gap. Large mirrors placed in front of a light source reflect light into darker corners of the room. This technique works especially well in basements and north-facing rooms. Mirrors can also be placed near lamps to brighten poorly lit areas.
For rooms that do benefit from windows, pairing mirrors with energy-efficient low-e glass windows maximizes both natural light and thermal performance — giving you brightness without heat loss.
Accentuate Hues and Statement Walls
Looking to bring your accent wall into focus? Use mirrors to direct the gaze toward your statement wall. A well-placed mirror opposite a colourful feature wall amplifies the colour and depth of the space. You can also explore unique mirrors called sun-catchers that refract sunlight into rainbow colours, adding a playful decorative touch.
Create a Focal Point
It’s not only the mirror that counts — the frame can be equally arresting. Bold, colourfully framed mirrors work beautifully as the focal point in a room, positioned as the centre of attention just like an art piece or chandelier.
When used as a decorative art piece, mirrors are far less expensive compared to high-end artwork. A well-framed mirror can be your go-to centrepiece if you’re working within a budget. For a truly custom look, consider pairing your mirror with textured glass elements or a sandblasted and etched border for added elegance.
Create a Dramatic Effect
Mirrors can uplift the entire mood of a room. Large mirrors look stately and elegant, while smaller mirrors add a playful peek-a-boo effect. For dramatic visual impact, create a mirror wall with an arrangement of small mirrors — you can easily find affordable options at thrift shops.
For a grander effect upon entrance, place a large mirror directly in your foyer to elevate not just the look but the feeling of space. If you’re considering a full mirrored wall, gym and studio mirrors from Centennial Glass offer high-quality, large-format options that work beautifully in residential settings as well.
Vintage Touches
Placing an 18th or 19th-century style mirror in a room gives it an elegant, historical character. The mirror can feature a rustic wood finish or baroque frame for a more vintage appeal. If you’re on a budget, a well-crafted reproduction can achieve the same effect — or you can score thrift shops for old dresser mirrors with character. You’re sure to find something that fits your vision.
Hide Imperfections
Interior designers frequently use mirrors to hide imperfections and distract from problem areas. A carefully positioned mirror can conceal wall scratches, uneven surfaces, blemishes, and even minor foundation cracks — turning a flaw into a design feature.
Create Hidden Rooms and Unique Entries
Mirrors can be added to a door to create the illusion of a hidden room. To everyone else, it’s just a mirror — but for the homeowner, it’s the entrance to a secret space. For these applications, using high-quality tempered glass mirrors ensures both durability and safety in high-traffic doorways.
Display Objects and Enhance Architectural Features
Place a mirror behind a beautiful vase or decorative object to create a reflective backdrop. The mirror enhances the displayed item and makes it pop visually. This technique is also popular behind glass shelving units to add depth and showcase collectibles.
Additionally, mirrors can be used to highlight a specific architectural style or period. An art deco mirror styled in Spanish or French Baroque fashion can perfectly complement a home of similar architectural character. Pairing decorative mirrors with complementary glass furniture pieces — such as a glass table top — creates a cohesive, polished look throughout the room.
Added Functionality
A large mirror added to a walk-in closet not only enlarges the space but also gives it a luxurious boutique-style look. A full-length mirror in a bathroom, closet, or by the front door adds both style and daily function.
In bathrooms specifically, combining mirrors with a glass shower enclosure and quality shower hardware creates a spa-like atmosphere that feels cohesive and intentional. For a truly personalized bathroom, explore our shower design tool to plan your layout alongside your mirror placement.
Need Help Choosing Your Mirrors?
Talk to the experts at Centennial Glass to find the best quality mirrors in Ottawa and create a room to your exact specifications. Whether you need a single statement piece or mirrors throughout your entire home, our team will help you choose options that fit your space perfectly and elevate your home design.
We proudly serve homeowners across Ottawa, Kanata, Nepean, and all surrounding areas.
Contact Centennial Glass today and let’s get started!