You know how mirrors can open up a space? They reflect light, space, and movement to make a small room look more expansive. These are a few mirrors that add one more bonus to this phenomenon: they look like windows. With a mirror like one of these, you visually add a valuable architectural feature to your home, in a cinch...
- 1 Just the placement of this mirror makes it feel like a window. It plays off of the large real window, reflecting natural light and greenery. Image originally from Homes & Gardens via House to Home
- 2 The Eagan Multipanel Mirror is $699 at Pottery Barn. That's not cheap, but this is a big mirror.
- 3 The Grand Palais Mirror from Ballard Designs is a 24x48" rectangle that can be paired with another to create a square "window" or topped with an arched version to create a Palladian "window". Each mirror is $189.
- 4 One more from Ballard Designs: this one's a giant and could make quite an impact as a mirror "window". It's the Amiel Arch Leaner Mirror, for $699.
- 5 Many window-like mirrors purchased from retailers are large, heavy, and expensive to ship. This mirror is from a how-to on making your own from a salvaged window frame, via Craftynest.
- 6 The Factory Mirrors from Sundance are inspired by the steel-framed windows found in factories. They're available in three sizes and prices from $245 to $495.
- 7 The Herrion Mirror at Target is made up of 9 beveled panels. It doens't have "mullions", so the divisions in the "window" are subtle. This one costs $299.
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I'm relying on mirrors to open up my small recessed basement windows. They work great inside the window ledge (about 1 ft deep for me) to reflect the outdoors and make the light from my windows more intense.
For a cheaper version of these mirrors, just get the little square 4 pack of mirrors at Ikea (9.99/4 pack) and group them together either directly on the wall as you wish, or onto a piece of board with trim to mount onto the wall.
Great idea. I just had a carpenter come in and give me a price for adding a window in my living room and was blown away by the price. this is a much better option.
Why can't you buy an old window sash from a salvage yard, and have a glazier put in a mirror (or do it yourself).
Project done for minimal DIY effort, and probably less than $50.
this is a really good tip!
although all those price tags hurt.
or... buy a mirror, surround it with a thick moulding, then use a thin molding to "separate the panes". $40. Woot.
In my antiquing decorating family, mirrors are always called "eye of light" because they bring in so much light (or seem to). Mirror placement is such an old old desire. Placing them to the best effect is a science.