5 Tips For Using Mirrors To Make Your Small Bedroom Feel Bright And Spacious

According to Brown University, reflective surfaces made of polished obsidian date back to 4,000 BCE. Ancient illustrations discovered on antique pottery around 500 BCE shows evidence of Greeks using a mirror for personal grooming. Apparently, some things never change because, in the 21st century, we use much more advanced mirrors for the same purpose. Glass mirrors did not emerge for around 700 more years when they appeared as small jewelry pieces in the 3rd century AD. Although it was an arduous process, humankind never gave up its desire to create a reliable, reflective surface. Finally, around 1250 AD, glassmakers in Venice, Italy, discovered a process that allowed large panes of mirrored surfaces, and the ornamental mirror was born.

In modern life, we see mirrors everywhere. Some works of art, disco balls, and our cars all possess fabulous and functional mirrored surfaces. Of course, we also have mirrors all around the home, especially in the bathroom and bedroom, adding function and form to our space. If you have a small bedroom, a few well-placed mirrors can help brighten your space and make it feel bigger.

There are many options for wall art for your home, but large pieces of framed art and heavy tapestries in a small room can make the space feel undersized and dark. Instead, consider using a cluster of small mirrors to lighten up your space. Central Glass Utah suggests using mirrors on prominent walls. Create a quick and easy focal point above your bed with a collection of small, round mirrors like the Light In The Dark Medium Round Mirror Wall from Amazon. In contrast to framed art, these mirrors will reflect light while making the space feel bright and airy. By using mirrors without thick frames, you reduce the visual weight of the wall art while still creating an appealing spot that draws the eye.

If you have limited wall space, you can use small peel-and-stick mirrors almost anywhere in the room to add a bit of brightness. Narrow walls by doorways or closet doors are great spots for small mirrors.

Make the most of the combination of light and mirrors by placing a small mirror above your bedside table to reflect the light of your table lamp. Sure, you could buy brighter bulbs, but that would create a harsh light instead of a reflection of a soft, diffused glow.

Home Furniture DIY suggests hanging mirrors about 5 inches above your nightstand, so it is low enough to reflect light from your lamp. If you have extra tall lamps, you can hang your mirrors higher. If you have a very tall headboard, a short mirror might look out of balance, so select an option that fills in the space between your headboard and nightstand. In this situation, you may need a tall and narrow mirror. Likewise, if your headboard is relatively short, a small square or round mirror will make the space feel complete without the mirrors and bed competing for visual attention.

A large mirror in a small space may seem illogical, but if you have an extra room or wall space, a full-length mirror is a beautiful way to reflect a lot of light. This option is especially beneficial if you have a large window. According to Decorated Life, a mirror attached to a wall beside the window helps reflect even more light in a small space. For the best results, select a mirror that is close to the same size as your window to create the illusion of an additional window.

Leaning or hanging statement mirrors can also create a unique focal point. If you want to move attention away from your bed, an ornate mirror in the corner of a reading nook or other small furniture arrangement reflects light while attracting the eye, making the space feel larger. A large mirror in a sleek metal frame offers the same benefits if you prefer a more minimalist style. 

For rooms in which space is at a premium, mirrored furniture is functional while giving your room a spacious feel, according to Contempo Space. There are several ways to incorporate mirrored furniture in a room, but remember that less is more. A room with multiple reflective pieces might make you feel like you are sleeping in a fun house — which would not be amusing! Select the pieces that are most important to you to create a focal point with mirrored furniture.

Mirrored headboards are the ultimate statement piece in a bedroom, but this option depends on how you feel about being so close to a mirror when you first wake up. If you like the idea of a mirrored headboard but not a clear reflection, frosted glass still brightens a space without worrying about an alarming 5 a.m. bedhead scare. Other mirrored bedroom options include dressers, nightstands, and wardrobes with mirrored doors.

In the 1980s, mirrored closet doors were in nearly every bedroom. As fads tend to do, this style is making a comeback, according to Alumcomplete, but with a modern twist. Stylish doors may be the simplest way to use mirrors to reflect light in a small bedroom. They take up no extra wall space or square footage, yet they can make your room feel significantly larger.

Unlike the gold-rimmed, sliding closet doors from the '80s, new options come in a variety of styles and metals. Mirrored closet doors may slide or pivot out and you can choose from clear mirrored glass to frosted tinted glass and everything in between to match the style of your room. For those on a budget, a DIY option from the home improvement store will instantly make your room feel more spacious, or you can work with a specialist to create something entirely unique. If you're one of those folks still living with the '80s mirrored doors, consider yourself lucky because now they're back in style — but we wouldn't blame you for updating the hardware.