Interior Decorating With Mirrored Walls and Mirrors
Does your new house have old mirrors? If you recently invested in a new home, you might adore the property itself, but the decor may not exactly be your style. If the not-so-stylish interior design includes full mirror walls or a similarly permanent piece of glass, take a look at what you need to know about replacement and renovations.
Should You Leave a Mirrored Wall As-Is?
There’s no universal answer to this question. If your new home came with a dated mirrored wall that’s far from your personal sense of style, chances are high that you’ll want to remove it ASAP. But some new homeowners may have mixed feelings about what to do next. If you’re not completely sure what to do, consider:
- The condition of the mirrors. Are the mirrors tarnished around the edges, cracked, or chipped? If the mirrors are in poor condition, you will need to replace them to prevent further damage.
- The decor options. Can you cover the mirrors almost completely with furniture, artwork, or drapery? A camouflage strategy can temporarily change the look of the room while you decide what to do next.
- Your budget. Does your home improvement budget have enough room to adequately cover the costs of this project? Even though a do-it-yourself mirror replacement may seem like a money-saving option, this is a job that’s best left to the professionals.
You will also need to consider the wall or material that’s behind the mirrors. It’s possible the mirrors are hiding holes in the original wall or other issues. If the material underneath the glass isn’t suitable for show, you may need to either replace old mirrors with a new floor-to-ceiling mirror or hire another contractor to repair the wall first.
Should You Re-Decorate With Mirrors?
Now that you know what to consider before removing the mirrors, you’re ready to make an informed decision. If this decision is to take the wall of mirrors down, you also need to think about whether you want to re-decorate with mirrors or not.
What new mirror options do you have to replace the old dated ones? While the possibilities are almost limitless, some of the most popular options include:
- Gallery style mirrors. Instead of a mirrored wall, create a wall of mirrors. Replace the full-length mirrors with painted drywall (or another building material of your choice). Hire a pro to install custom-cut framed mirrors in different sizes and shapes in a gallery style pattern.
- Partial wall. Is part of the wall under the original mirrors in good or acceptable condition? Expose this area or cover it with a new coat of paint. Hire a mirror contractor to install a horizontal or vertical partial wall mirror to cover the remaining space.
- Hang one mirror. You don’t have to completely re-cover the mirrored wall with new mirrors. Instead of major coverage, hang one artwork-like display mirror above a low bookshelf or across from a window. This can create the visual illusion of added space without the need for a floor-to-ceiling reflection.
You don’t necessarily have to hang a mirror on the wall. If you don’t want to disturb or damage a newly painted wall or you prefer to keep new drywall intact, lean a full-length mirror artfully against a wall.
Should You Get Creative?
If your home is a traditionally classic style, the answer to this question is probably no. But if you prefer a modern or eclectic aesthetic, you can get creative with the existing mirrors or by adding new custom-cut glass. Some types of craft paint will stick firmly on a mirrored surface. This makes it possible to change the color, add patterns, or re-decorate the mirrors in imaginative ways.
Another creative option is to remove the mirror and use glass in unexpected ways. Create mirrored tile borders around the windows, hang mirrored strips, or design a custom-shaped mirror to hang on the wall.
Do you need help with a major mirror project? Contact Central Glass Company for more information.