How to Choose a Mirror for a Small Space (Designer Tricks to Make Rooms Feel Bigger)
Introduction: Small Spaces Need Smart Design
Small rooms are one of the biggest design challenges for homeowners. Whether it’s a narrow entryway, a compact bedroom, or a small condo living room, the wrong décor can make it feel even tighter. The good news? A mirror is one of the most powerful tools designers use to enlarge a space visually — instantly, and without any renovation.
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to choose the right mirror for a small space, how to place it, and what shapes, sizes, and frames work best if your goal is to make your home feel more open, brighter, and more luxurious.
1. Why Mirrors Are the #1 Secret for Expanding Small Rooms
Interior designers rely on mirrors for three reasons:
✔ They create visual depth
A well-placed mirror creates the illusion of an extra window or doorway, making the room feel more open.
✔ They amplify natural light
A mirror across from a window can double the brightness in a space — one of the fastest ways to make a room feel bigger.
✔ They pull attention upward
Vertical mirrors elongate walls, while horizontal mirrors stretch the room visually.
✔ They add luxury without clutter
Unlike heavy décor, a mirror adds presence without taking up visual space.
2. Best Mirror Shapes for Small Spaces
Different mirror shapes create different visual effects. For tight rooms, choosing the right one makes all the difference.
▪ Round Mirrors — The Small-Space Superstar
Round mirrors soften the sharp edges of small rooms. They create balanced lines and visually “open” the space.
Best for: tight entryways, bedrooms, above console tables.
Why it works: No corners = no visual weight. Perfect for minimal, airy design.
▪ Oval Mirrors — Elegant and Space-Friendly
Oval mirrors combine the softness of a round mirror with the height of a rectangle.
Best for: narrow bathrooms, above small vanities, hallways.
Why it works: The elongated shape lifts the eye, making ceilings appear higher.
▪ Arch Mirrors — Instantly Add Depth
Arch mirrors are trending for a reason. They mimic the look of an arched window, creating a sense of architecture where none exists.
Best for: living rooms, bedrooms, above dressers or consoles.
Why it works: The arch shape adds vertical depth and a window-like effect that expands the room.
▪ Rectangle Mirrors — Clean, Modern, and Flexible
Rectangle mirrors are the most versatile and can be oriented vertically or horizontally.
Best for: living rooms, dining rooms, narrow spaces.
Why it works: A horizontal rectangle widens the room; a vertical one increases height.
3. What Size Mirror Should You Choose?
This is the #1 mistake people make: choosing a mirror that’s too small.
Designers follow one rule:
→ When in doubt, GO BIGGER.
In a small room, a large mirror doesn’t overwhelm — it expands.
Here are simple sizing guidelines:
▪ Over a console table or dresser:
Choose a mirror that is 60–80% the width of the furniture.
▪ Over a sink or vanity:
Mirror should be as wide as the vanity, or slightly smaller.
▪ Full-length mirrors:
If you have the floor space, a full-length mirror will make any small room feel taller and more spacious.
▪ For narrow spaces:
Go vertical. A tall mirror draws the eye upward and opens the room.
4. Best Places to Put a Mirror in a Small Space
Placement matters more than anything else. The goal is to reflect light and create the illusion of depth.
Here’s what designers recommend:
✔ Across from a window
This doubles natural light and makes the room appear brighter and bigger.
✔ At the end of a hallway
Instantly lengthens a narrow corridor.
✔ Behind a lamp or light source
Multiplies the brightness without adding more fixtures.
✔ Above a console table in a small entryway
Perfect focal point that also opens up the tightest areas.
✔ Opposite an open doorway
Creates the illusion of more space and extended sightlines.
5. Frame Colors and Materials That Work Best
When working in small spaces, the frame becomes part of the strategy.
▪ Black Frames — Clean and Modern
A thin black frame adds definition without heaviness.
Best for: modern, minimal interiors.
▪ Gold Frames — Adds Light + Luxury
Gold mirrors brighten the room and add a soft touch of luxury.
Best for: warm interiors, entryways, bedrooms.
▪ Frameless Mirrors — Pure Expansion
For the smallest spaces, frameless or thin-frame mirrors make the room feel bigger than anything else.
▪ Wood Frames — Warmth and Texture
Use lightly colored wood in small spaces to avoid visual weight.
6. Lighting + Mirror Strategy (The Designer Combo)
Mirrors don’t work alone — lighting can amplify the effect dramatically.
Tip 1: Use LED mirrors in small bathrooms
They eliminate shadows and instantly brighten the entire room.
Tip 2: Place a lamp in front of a mirror
The light bounces and fills the whole space.
Tip 3: Use warm white lighting (2700K–3000K)
Small rooms feel cozier and more inviting with warm light instead of harsh white.
7. Small-Space Mirror Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common errors:
❌ Buying a mirror that’s too small
Makes the room feel even smaller.
❌ Placing the mirror too high
Breaks the visual line. Mirrors should be at eye level (center at ~60").
❌ Facing a cluttered area
Mirrors magnify whatever they reflect — so keep it intentional.
❌ Using heavy, bulky frames
Adds unnecessary visual weight.
8. Why Quality Matters (Especially in Small Spaces)
Cheap mirrors warp and distort the reflection, which can ruin the look of a small room. High-quality mirrors (like the ones in your Tuscan Mirrors store):
✔ have distortion-free glass
✔ offer perfect edge finishing
✔ use premium frame materials
✔ reflect light more evenly
✔ last longer
In a small space, every detail counts — which is why homeowners should choose a mirror that elevates the whole room.
Conclusion
Mirrors are one of the easiest, most effective ways to enlarge a small space without renovation. By choosing the right shape, size, frame color, and placement, you can instantly brighten your room, improve sightlines, and create a more open, luxurious environment.
Small space or not — the right mirror is transformative.
