MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL

-Ar. Puja Singh Nahar

Mirrors are immensely used in the interiors of our homes. Besides their obvious use, they magnify the expanse and the light of a space. Mirrors are available in a variety of sizes, shapes & designs and they can contribute a great extent by adding to the aesthetics of a space. Mirrors are basically a highly reflective surface viewed through a thin layer of glass that protects this reflective layer from scratching or bubbling.
The placement of mirrors along with the type of design is to be logically as well as creatively thought so that it not only serves its basic purpose but also adds multi-dimensions to the space. One does not need to be a genius to figure that out, so read on and add a new dimension to your home.

A mirror could be kept at the entranceway to your home above a console. This provides an illusion of added space the moment one enters and also one can check their appearance when entering or leaving.
If you are going in for framed mirrors make sure it complements the decor of your home. A wooden carved frame with gold leaf can be used in classical interiors. Small square framed mirrors in a row will complement the look of modern interiors
Mirror on back face of shelving units can create a visually appealing look especially for a display unit for crystal accessories.
As per vastu mirrors should never be placed in front of the bed. Mirrors in bedrooms should be restricted to the dressing table only. Also it is advisable to have mirrors on north or east walls
Mirrors placed to reflect the dining space are considered to add abundance to your home, as the food placed on the table would be viewed as twice as much.
Large mirrors used in narrow passages give us twice the visual width of the space.
A Mirror placed in the living or dining area on the wall opposite to a window giving a scenic view helps bring inside the green outdoors and blue skies. This also gives us a large amount of reflected light that would brighten up the entire space.
Placing two mirrors directly opposite to each other should be avoided as it creates a visually disturbing effect.
Placing a flowering plant or a vase of fresh flowers in front of a mirror creates an interesting composition. Since the numbers of flowers get doubled, it creates a blooming effect.
An ornate mirror can stand on its own on a wall as an art piece.
The best ways to clean mirrors are with newspapers or a soft cloth. But it is always advisable to spray the glass cleaner on the cleaning tool rather than the surface of the mirror. Avoid cleaning solutions containing ammonia, vinegar or harsh solvents
In vanity areas the mirror should never run longer than the length of the basin counter.
As per the science of vastu the mirror should never give a cut reflection of the head of a person. So adjust the height of your mirrors accordingly.
A collection of mirrors can be used instead of a traditional art piece behind the sofa. Start with a larger mirror and arrange smaller mirrors in a staggered manner around to create an informal feel. The frames may not necessarily be of the same design and size. In fact a collection of varied designs creates an interesting composition.
Mirrors can be put up with a mirror screws, araldite or more recently double sided tape. The last method is gaining importance. With mirror screws, holes need to be drilled in the mirror, which creates weak spots and the mirror may crack while the screws are tightened. Araldite tends to blacken the mirror over a period of time.
Mirrors can also be used for decorating accessories such trims of curtains and cushions and also on picture frames and lampshades.
For vanity mirrors in bathrooms and powder rooms the mirror should begin a few inches above the counter top to prevent water from damaging it. Also a resin lamination done for bathroom mirrors is costly but prevents the mirror coating from getting damaged due to moisture in the long run.
Another interesting concept is of angling mirror where numerous thins strips of mirrors with beveling are placed touching each other. In this case the image does not appear distorted but due to the mosaic effect and immense light reflecting properties it looks quiet stunning.
Instead of the traditional wall-to-wall mirrors one can arrange them in a style called fragmentation. Mirrors of equal sizes are to be placed at regular equal gaps between them either vertically or horizontally to give an elongated or heightened appearance.
Mirrors are not only to be restricted to walls. They can be used on ceiling as well as tabletops. But for ceilings make sure that the quality of mirror is very good as even a sight distortion can be very disturbing. This coupled with decorative lights gives an interesting ceiling design. For tabletops keep it restricted to a side table or corner table, as the risk of the glass breaking on center table is more. A lamp placed above the mirror tabletop completes that ‘ perfect setting’.
Etching design to mirrors can be restricted to the edge or now days the etching can be done on the entire surface with varying intensities to create a vast range of patterns, effects and design. This is called as ‘Non Reflective’. In these cases the mirror becomes solely a decorative element in interiors and looses its traditional purpose of reflection.