Mirrors are Better Than Art… Caitlin’s CONTROVERSIAL Hot Take (And 81 of Our New Favorites)

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Mirrors are Better Than Art… Caitlin’s CONTROVERSIAL Hot Take (And 81 of Our New Favorites)

If you’re a design blog reader, I’m sure you’ve heard the standard spiel for mirrors — they make a room look bigger. They bounce light around. They can trick the eye. They add style. ETCETERA ETCETERA. You get it. But today, I’m here with a new, quarantine-inspired argument for mirrors. I’m about to make a bold statement, so get ready: if you’re designing a space and you love to switch things up, mirrors may be a better investment than art. (At least to start.)

I KNOW. That’s a big claim. And I’m not like Narcissus over here, or trying to create my own personal Versailles, or building my own DIY infinity room…but y’all, mirrors are like the dress of the decor world. They’re one and done. A mirror makes your space look like you’ve put a ton of effort in, when in reality, you’ve just hung one thing. Say goodbye to your gallery wall stress! Just put a mirror there. It’s easy! Wanna get really fancy? Two mirrors!

photo by sara-ligorria-tramp | from: moto reveal: emily bowser’s bedroom “after” is unrecognizable from the “before”

Let me sing some more praises: A few years back, I bought *the* round Target mirror (does everyone own this, or does it just feel that way?) and it’s since hung everywhere in my home — in my living room, in the space next to my front door, in my hallway, in my bedroom…the list goes on. It’s a WORKHORSE. And since it’s reflective (breaking science news: mirrors reflect!), it always looks good. I never have to worry about colors clashing or about art just seeming a little ~off~.

I feel the same way about my full-length mirror — I’ve hung it horizontally over a sofa, used it on a north-facing wall to reflect my afternoon sun in my living room, and propped it up in my bedroom to help me get ready in the morning. Here’s the reality: when it comes to flexibility and bang for your buck, mirrors are just a more cost-efficient option. Even the most expensive floor mirrors are often cheaper than *just the frame* of a similarly-sized art piece! ARE YOU STARTING TO AGREE?

photos by sara ligorria-tramp | from: (left) julie’s huge (and diy packed) bedroom upgrade, (right) jess’ long awaited (small space) living room reveal

Julie’s bedroom and Jess’ entry are perfect examples. Both spaces called for something a bit larger, but a big piece of art in either of these spots would have overwhelmed that room and fallen a bit flat. Sure, these mirrors are bouncing light around — both are across from windows — but more importantly, they’re also sculptural and interesting. IT’S BETTER THAN ART, Y’ALL. And you know what else? Both these mirrors will continue to look good, wherever they are placed, FOREVER. That’s a worthwhile investment in my book! ARE YOU FULLY CONVERTED NOW?

Hopefully, the answer is yes because I’ve rounded up a ton of our new favorite wall, floor, and mantel mirrors. We have ones for every budget and price point so you’re guaranteed to find something that works for your space! I looked at about one million mirrors for this post (and then Jess helped me vet about a million more), so I can pretty definitively say that this is the best roundup of good-looking mirrors for good-looking people out there.

photos by sara ligorria-tramp | from: scott’s bathroom makeover with parachute

And while I’m personally rocking Target and Ikea in my home, the more expensive options included are actually thicker or made from a better grade of glass which means that they’ll last longer, won’t make you look wonky, and they’ll still reflect evenly when hung on uneven walls (because, as I learned, sometimes it’s not the mirror that’s the problem — it’s where you hang it!).

We’ve arranged by shape (and one by type) but keep in mind that there’s a ton of flexibility here! Hang a pair of two next to each other over your vanity instead of a big builder-grade option. Flip a floor-length mirror on its side and hang horizontally in a hallway. Throw up a million mirrors so your room looks like an Instagram exhibit. THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER. Let’s kick it off with the classic rectangle, yeah?

PS. At the time I’m linking these up, A WHOLE BUNCH are on sale — like, 20-40% off (the prices on the roundup are full price, so a lot will be cheaper if you click through). Apparently this is a good weekend for mirror shopping. What lucky timing for me! And maybe for you?

There’s a great customer shot on the Target site of #1 being used as a vanity mirror, but I’m really partial to #6, which is vintage and nearly 4′ tall. It’s a perfect statement piece for an entry or powder room!

The classic arch. Most of these are perfect for mantels (you can see #9 in action in Sara’s house!), but there’s something to be said for the storage options like #3 and #6, which can pull double-duty in a small entry space. Also, can you spot #8 in this shoot?

We’ve hit the true motherlode here, folks. My hands-down favorite here is #17 — it’s oversized (almost 4′ wide!) and perfect for the problem corner in my living room. I also love the super modern and organic shape of #12! And #1, #10, #20, and #22 are perfect for bringing a little extra style-able storage to your bedroom.

Round mirrors are a timeless classic — they look great in every room. The leather hang detail on #3 is so special (and potentially DIY-able, for my crafty pals out there!) and I’m really taken with the amber tint of #5. #8 is also ENORMOUS and a great deal for its size.

Y’ALL. Pill-shaped mirrors are SO MODERN and wonderful. Be sure to check the dimensions on some of these, as they can pull double-duty as a full-body mirror (looking at you, #7). The Peruvian artist behind #8 also has a ton of options and shapes available!

My favorite section! I’ve written about my love of #1 before and nothing’s changed. It’s so versatile! I’m obsessed with the scallops on #2 (especially when hung horizontally) and so delighted that #5 is basically the mirror equivalent of a bolo tie. I also have to call out #13, which is aluminum but almost looks like plaster (worth a zoom in!) and #15, which was the impetus behind writing an entire post about mirrors.

AND OKAY, HIT THE BRAKES. We’re done here. WOW. That’s a whole lotta glass and a whole lotta links, right? With all this said, when it comes to mirrors, it’s always worth checking Craigslist, your local thrift store, or your nearby flea market (if any of those are an option for you right now). You can find some really special vintage pieces at really special prices!

But in the interim, did I miss any favorites? Have I convinced you to swap out some art for a mirror? (You’re the real work of art, anyway!) (I’m not sure if I’m allowed to hit on the readers in our posts but I’m giving it a shot.) HAPPY FRIDAY. Can’t wait to chat with ya

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Published on July 17, 2020 01:00

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