Mirrors in the house: yes or no? Let's see how to choose them and where to put them up

by Mark Bennett

December 21, 2023

Mirrors in the house: yes or no? Let's see how to choose them and where to put them up
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Mirrors serve as wonderful enhancements to our home decor, contributing in numerous ways to create a distinctive atmosphere. With a variety of shapes and sizes, each mirror has the potential to harmonize with our personal style seamlessly. It's crucial, as advised by experts, to be mindful of the chosen mirror model and, most importantly, consider the room in which it will be placed.

Let's explore how to select the appropriate mirror shape and identify areas where reflective surfaces should be avoided at all costs.

The importance of having a mirror at home

The importance of having a mirror at home

Max Rahubovskiy/Pexels

Mirrors serve as captivating additions to home decor, imparting elegance, creating a spacious feel, reflecting light, and adding charm to the surroundings. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, mirrors are practical to check ourselves before stepping outside. There are numerous compelling reasons to have mirrors at home, and the great thing is the opportunity to play with colors and shapes, harmonizing them with both the decor and your personal style.

While mirrors elevate the elegance of rooms, it's important to note that there are situations and settings where introducing a reflective surface should be approached with caution. Let's delve into the various reasons behind this advice:

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Where to put a mirror - or not

Where to put a mirror - or not

Max Rahubovskiy/Pexels

Having a mirror in your home brings many positive aspects, and it goes beyond just aesthetics. Numerous interior designers have researched this matter, advising on where it's best - or not - to place mirrors, considering both the visual impact on the environment and emotional balance. According to the ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui, the strategic placement of mirrors in your home is crucial. While not an exact science, many individuals find inspiration in this philosophy, believing that a well-distributed arrangement of objects in the home can contribute to inner peace.

Considering this and insights from experts, mirrors, are highly recommended for the living room and bathroom. In the living room, they serve decorative and functional purposes, enhancing space and styles. In the bathroom, mirrors play a practical role in hairstyling, makeup, and personal care.

However, in the kitchen, bedroom, and entryway, mirrors are generally discouraged. Why is this?

Why avoid having mirrors in some rooms?

Why avoid having mirrors in some rooms?

Aleph500Adam/Wikimedia Commons - CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED

  • Kitchen: According to experts, placing a mirror in the kitchen is not advisable or elegant at all. Firstly, the steam from cooking would make the mirror constantly fogged up. Additionally, it's not aesthetically pleasing to see (reflected) dirty surfaces covered in splashes or stains. It's better to avoid mirrors in the kitchen to save time on frequent cleaning them.
  • Bedroom: When it comes to the bedroom and the home entrance, the reasons are primarily rooted in the principles of Feng Shui, mentioned earlier. In the bedroom, it's recommended to avoid mirrors as they could disrupt sleep. Mirrors reflect even the slightest rays of light, potentially causing disturbance during sleep. They might attract negative energies, destabilize emotions, and lead to "grumpiness". Mirrors in the bedroom can shift our focus towards aesthetic aspects, distracting us from our personal and shared intimacy. Moreover, having a mirror above the bed might create uneasiness, giving the sensation of something looming constantly overhead during a state of "unconsciousness."
  • Entrance: Regarding the entrance, placing a mirror that reflects the exterior of our home as we open the door could lead to a "leakage" of positive energies, destabilizing emotional balance. It's better to have the mirror elsewhere if we use it for a final check of ourselves before leaving the house.

Willing to give it a try?

Having mirrors at home is fine, but as we've seen, it's essential to place them in the right locations and avoid problems arising. Too many mirrors could create distractions and encourage narcissism. It's better to reduce their quantity and use just a few in strategic places.

These are small suggestions that each of us, based on our sensitivity and preferences, can choose to follow or not. Why not give it a try? Your serenity could benefit from it, don't you think?

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