Decorating Entrances With Mirrors

Styles

Traditional and country decorating styles often include a large mirror in the front entrance way. Typically, the ornately framed mirror is hanging over an entry table, just inside the door if the entrance is large enough, or directly across from the door opening in a smaller entrance area. The mirror may be flanked by sconces, or other lighting, on either side.

Modern or contemporary design styles also incorporate mirrors as decoration for entrances. The frame has cleaner lines and a simpler overall look than the other more decorated ones in country and traditional. Art Deco style entrance mirror shapes are very different from other decorating styles and include designs like the triple crown, triple triangle, future and classic fan. Walking into an art deco decorated entrance is immediately apparent, based on the shape of the entrance mirror.

Effects

Decorating your home entrances with mirrors reflects light and adds brightness to the space. Natural light coming through the windows in the daytime will expand and the reflection of candles or from lamps enhances the appeal of the entrance way. Place your mirror so as to take full advantage of your chandelier or other entrance lighting. If your entrance is large enough, hang two mirrors opposite each other and a bit offset for even greater light reflection. Mirrors help to make a space look larger and covering an entire wall with mirrors or mirrored tiles will significantly increase the apparent size of your entrance way.

Mirrors in the entrance way also serve as a vanity. A quick check before leaving the house or greeting a guest is a good habit to acquire.

Business

Large corporations often cover the entrance way with mirrors to expand the size of the entrance or as a decorating feature. Plants and lighting often accompany the mirrors as they do in home interiors, but a business may have seating areas placed in a mirrored corner or a display table opposite from a mirrored wall. Mirrors are excellent backgrounds for logos and other types of advertising, so you will also see large mirrors proclaiming the name of the business behind the reception desk in many business entrances. Mirrors in an entrance way that doubles as a waiting room help the receptionist have a more encompassing view of the room and its occupants. Two way mirrors may be used in certain businesses, providing a full, unobserved view of the entrance way.