Choosing a wall mirror

The mirror is an independent element and a key figure in interior design. In addition to its practical function, it serves as an excellent decoration for the room.

Wall mirrors have not gone out of style and have remained popular over the years. they are comfortable, stylish and have a number of undeniable advantages:

• Visually increase the space and make it lighter.

• The mirror is able to neutralize layout flaws and hide wall defects.
• Wall-mounted models do not take up space, which allows them to be placed in small rooms in hallways, bathrooms and corridors.

• These products are securely fixed to the wall and are less prone to damage than floor types. This allows you to place wall models in rooms with a fairly heavy traffic (for example, gyms, theaters, museums, medical, educational institutions). Such a mirror cannot be dropped and broken by an awkward movement, which minimizes the risk of injury and allows the use of wall models in children's institutions.

• Mirrors are mobile enough, if necessary, the product can be easily moved to another place.
• A wide range of models with a wide variety of sizes, shapes and designs will allow you to choose a product for any interior and implement the most daring design solutions.

Modern manufacturers produce a huge number of different models of mirrors, differing in decorative and functional qualities. Due to the huge selection and wide price range, there is a choice of mirrors for every taste and budget.

Many models have a decorative frame, which is the main element in shaping the look and style of the product. Frames can be forged, plastic, metal and wood. The most budgetary are the frames made of chipboard. Such products will be a good option for decorating hallways and bathrooms. More expensive and sophisticated frames are made of natural wood or forging. Some varieties perform without a frame.

The mirror itself can be coated with aluminum or silver (amalgam), which is a mirror film and creates a reflection effect. Aluminum models are less durable and have low moisture resistance, as a result of which they cannot be used in rooms with high humidity. Silver coated mirrors have perfect reflectivity, no distortion effect and a long service life.

According to their dimensions, wall mirrors are of several types. The larger varieties are designed to reflect a person at full height. Their height should be at least one meter, and the width varies from 80 to 100 cm.In trellis options, individual canvases can be narrower and have a width of 30 cm.The upper edge of long mirrors should be at a distance of 1.7 to two meters from the floor. This will allow a person to see himself in full growth at any distance from the mirror.

Medium mirrors are designed to reflect a person to the waist.The height of such models is 40 - 80 centimeters, and the upper edge should be located from the floor at a height of 1.7 to 2 meters. This placement will allow a person to see himself up to the waist (in a standing position). Small models up to 40 cm in height can be designed to reflect while sitting and standing. In the first case, the mirror should be placed at a comfortable level, depending on the height of the person in a sitting position, the height and shape of the table. In the second case, the placement is also made individually, taking into account the anthropological data of the user.

Modern trends in interior design imply the use of wall mirrors not only in their traditional functional quality, but also as an element of decor. Modular groups of mirrors are gaining popularity, which are classic round, rectangular shapes, made in the form of drops, fragments and ovals, exactly repeating the shape of each other, but differing in size.

Curly models provide great opportunities for creativity and allow you to embody the most daring design ideas. Mirrors made in the form of silhouettes of various objects of the living and inanimate world are quite in demand. It can be the contour of a branchy tree with a gorgeous crown or a high wave of the sea surf, images of couples in love or flower buds.

Today, a large number of various wall mirrors are produced that can successfully fit into any style and color of the interior. For the popular retro style, an artificially aged model is ideal, visually indistinguishable from an antique mirror of the 19th century. The amalgam of such products is covered with a layer of special acidic compounds, which allows you to get the reflection typical of old photographs. Mirrors with the effect of gold, silver and bronze surfaces are in demand, which perfectly match the wall decoration and decor of the classic style.

Colored mirrors are suitable for modern styles with multi-colored amalgam or a colored film pasted on top of it. Facet models, known since the times of Venice of the Middle Ages, are also experiencing a rebirth. The surface of such a mirror has a multifaceted structure, due to which the room begins to play with bright glare of the sun, which is reflected in numerous facets.

Panoramic mirrors are quite popular models; they are of flat and hemispherical design. Flat specimens have a large work surface area, often reaching the size of a wall. Such models are appropriate for huge halls and spacious living rooms of country houses. Hemispherical models are medium in size and can reflect the entire room. Such models, as a rule, do not have a frame, they are used in modern futuristic interiors, sales areas.

Backlit models are often used in bathrooms and hallways. The luminaire is installed behind a reflective surface, creating the effect of soft diffused lighting. Internal illumination is convenient because the lamp is protected by a mirror screen, the risk of damage to the device from water drops is completely excluded. The light beams spread evenly around the mirror, creating an atmosphere of warmth and comfort. An interesting invention is the TV mirror. In the off state, the device is an ordinary mirror surface, which, when turned on, turns into a TV screen.

In order for the mirror to be successfully combined with the decor, it is necessary to take into account its stylistic design and design. For the Empire and Baroque styles, oval models in gilded frames, repeating the framing of paintings, elements of wall and ceiling decor, are suitable.Models of curved shapes with carved wooden or bronze frames, decorated with decorative stucco molding and embossed ornaments, will successfully fit into the Rococo style. For Art Nouveau, a slightly curved mirror with a frame decorated with floral patterns would be a good solution. When painting frames, instead of gilding, transparent varnish is used, which emphasizes the naturalness of the frame and focuses on the aesthetics of the wood grain pattern.

For techno and hi-tech, models with a thin frame made of matte or chrome-plated metal are suitable. Both single copies and modular compositions consisting of separate elements are appropriate.

Before you start choosing a wall mirror, you need to decide on its size. For bathrooms, a hinged mirror with convenient shelves adapted to accommodate hygiene items is suitable. It is usually placed over a washbasin. On the reverse side, the surface of the product should be blue or dark green, which guarantees high moisture-resistant properties of the amalgam and assumes a long service life. A growth mirror is appropriate for large bathrooms, it should not have a frame made of wood or chipboard, it can be equipped with interior lighting or colored inserts.

In the living room, mirrors are more decorative., they are chosen as one of the independent elements of the interior, corresponding to the style of the room. Several products of an unusual shape, formed into a panel and occupying the entire wall, will visually increase the space and, thanks to the reflection of interior items, create a beautiful effect. The mirror frames for the living room have the main decorative function and participate in the formation of the image of the room. Their choice must be given special attention. Framing should be combined with picture frames, pieces of furniture and decorative elements.

Models should be placed in the living room on a wall that is not cluttered with furniture, away from pictures. If the room has a fireplace, a mantelpiece is the best placement option. If the room has a desk or piano, a mirror can be placed above them. This will allow the working person to see what is happening in the room without turning around, which contributes to full psychological comfort.

The "storyboard" technique is popular. It consists in placing several large rectangular or square models side by side. Frames in such copies can be replaced by sandblasting framing of canvases or diamond engraving of contours. In small living rooms, you can place two identical mirrors on opposite walls: this will visually expand the room and allow you to see your reflection from all sides.

In the girl's bedroom, you can choose a romantic flower-shaped model or an oval mirror with pink amalgam. When choosing, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the certificates of conformity, which exclude the presence of lead in the coating composition and guarantee safe operation. Particular attention should be paid to the edge of the product, to pay enough attention to the reliable fixing of the mirror. These measures will prevent damage to the product and injury to the child.

It is recommended to purchase medium-sized specimens for the bedroom and arrange them in such a way that the sleeping place is not reflected in the mirror. A good option would be to purchase a small model with interior lighting. It can be positioned above the dressing table.An original solution will be a designer mirror in a forged frame, harmoniously combined with the delicate and ornate legs of tables and beds.

For placement in hallways, a tall growth mirror is well suited, in which you can see your reflection in full growth. Wall-mounted three-leaf models are often used with a swivel mechanism for the movement of side panels. If necessary, the side mirrors can be set at a certain angle, which makes it possible to view from different angles. In narrow hallways, the mirror should be fixed on the side wall: this will visually expand the walls and increase the space.

In kitchens, the mirror can be placed further away from the stove and sink. It will look appropriate on a free wall or in the dining area. The mirror will fill the kitchen with light and make it more spacious. When choosing a background for a wall mirror, it should be borne in mind that a dark color creates the effect of an additional window, and light walls allow the mirror to merge with the interior and fill the room with light.

So that the mirror does not lose its original appearance, does not become cloudy and last as long as possible, it is necessary to carry out regular care for him and follow some rules:

• To avoid stains, the mirror should be protected from direct sunlight and high temperatures.

• The reverse side of the mirrors requires delicate care. It cannot be washed with a wet cloth or cleaned with glass cleaning liquids. The silver coating is sensitive to chemical compounds and ammonia, so the back should be treated with a dry napkin or a cloth dipped in a weak vinegar solution.
• To wash the front surface, you can use a home remedy: prepare a mixture of two glasses of hot water, 50 g of vinegar and the same amount of chalk. The components must be mixed well and the mixture must be allowed to settle. Then you need to moisten a soft cloth in this solution and wipe the mirror surface.

• Folk recipes advise wiping the mirror with tea infusion, milk, salt water or a weak blue solution. These products will add freshness and shine to the surface. A solution of one tablespoon of vinegar and a glass of warm water will help to remove the stains that appear.
• Hairspray drops can be removed well with cheap cologne. Fly stains should be wiped off with an onion cut in half, and then wiped with a rag dipped in a solution of water and blue. Next, rub the surface to a shine with a dry soft cloth.

• To improve the moisture-resistant qualities of the mirror, you need to rub the back side with a mixture of melted wax and turpentine, taken in a 1: 2 ratio.

A wall mirror is an irreplaceable element of decor, it perfectly transforms the interior and makes the room spacious and light:

• a large mirror in a stylish wooden frame goes well with any modern interior;

• an exclusive designer model will become the center of attention and bring notes of luxury and aristocracy to the room;

• decorative design of the edge of the canvas will make the room stylish and unusual;

• installation of several mirrors will create a unique atmosphere of warmth and comfort in the room;

• a simple model of a classic round shape will harmoniously fit into the hallway or corridor;

• wall clock mirror is an ideal solution for office or apartment decoration.

For information on how to hang a mirror, see the next video.