apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

You should cover part of the mirror with pictures and art.

Would you consider changing the look of the mirror itself? You could place some sort of wood or metal decorative grating over the top. Another option might be to paint a repetitive design onto the mirror itself. If those don't appeal to you, I like the idea of fabric, but I would maybe hang the fabric as a curtain on a curtain rod (make a faux window).

Turn it into an art statement. Use glass frosting spray paint and tape off a series of grids. spray, remove tape and art work!

Paint the entire mirror a matching (or contrasting) color to the wall??

I wish I had a big ol' mirror. I bet it makes your place much brighter...

...but since you hate it, I'd go with transparent window film to cut down the reflectiveness, either in a grid pattern (mimicking a window), or if you are craftier, cut into pretty lacy patterns.

1/8 in. sheetrock? That's always been the answer to ghastly wood-paneling. It'd be a tricky undertaking, but I think it should be considered as a short-term solution.

I like the idea of hanging art on it. Hang a picture rail above the mirror (could you use the current frame?) and hang the art salon style... either one big piece or several smaller ones. Side comment, would you consider painting your room another color? A softer color would likely suit the mirror - a subtle silver gray, or just a toned down version of the peach you currently have, along with some white pillows on that couch, would completely change the mood of the room.

To be a little more clear, I think patterns like these would be very pretty.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/hard-flooring/concrete-art-by-transparent-house-054568

If you must do fabric, I'd pick something light-colored and put it on a curtain rod, as rhb says, so it looks like a wall of windows rather than...a piece of fabric stuck onto a mirror. You might even be able to rig up some backlighting so it looks like there's sun shining behind the fabric.

I love JodieAnn's idea-- the mirror is a great background to focus one's eye on your artwork. I would suggest lots of varied- sized framed pieces, hung salon-style. like so... http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/at-email/how-to-hang-art-in-groups-like-kate-spade-050872

And to hang from the ceiling, use a picture rail like this: http://www.picturehanging.com/

Whoops.. meant to post this link for hanging art from the ceiling... http://www.picturehanging.com/p-rail.shtml

How about adding some very cool wall decals to the mirror surface? Check out the paristic wall decals that AT has blogged about in the past.

Before you do something drastic try to hang a sheer curtain infront of it. There was a bar here in NY called XL that did this and it allowed the light to be reflected without the distraction of the reflection from the mirror. It looked great - it made a dark windowless space look light and cheerfull.

You could pull the sofa out a bit and put tall plants in front of the mirror. The reflection will "double" the plants and it might look great.

Or, you could hang a wide sheer curtain slightly wider than the mirror, so you get some light reflection through the sheer panel.

what about painting it with an interesting repeating pattern from a stencil. you could paint on the mirror itself thus turning the mirror into a work of art. also you could use wall stickers to make an interesting statement- like blik and make the thing look like a large fishtank- or alien landing- or whatever your heart desires. good luck! please post an update.

I would try putting a free standing bookcase in front of it, with no backing, to display cherished pieces. Like this: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/good-questions/good-question-where-can-i-find-someone-to-build-this-bookcase-000733

or this: http://freshome.com/2008/01/30/dedalo-bookcase/

Putting a bookcase in front of it may be easier than securing lack shelves across it.

Or paint it.

Or frame it down and put a fake fireplace in front for a focal piece like this: http://www.buildersfireplaceandsupply.com/images/product_images/mirror_mantel_lg.jpg

I think it would look pretty nice if you combined both of oliviadc's idea's. Painting the wall a color that complements the mirror such as a pale grey or silver would take a bit of the focus off. Hanging a collection of frames and artwork salon-style (with an equal distance between each) might look really nice. If you think the reflections between the frames would be too much you could frost the mirror first, just make sure that the frosted mirror complements the wall color instead of competing with it.

Curtain!
A long curtain rod right below ceiling. A nice simple curtain (creamy white, maybe? with some texture?).

Bite the bullet and take it out.

There's a show on HGTV called "Find Your Style," and recently they covered a HUGE mirror like that with some squares of wood stained to complement the room. They left borders of mirror to make it more of a statement wall or something, and it looked pretty cool.
It's this episode; you can almost see the dark wood on the mirror in the back of this photo: http://tinyurl.com/5mlfq3

I'm sorry I can't find a better photo.

gauzy curtains like the Wilma from IKEA.

Another thing you can think of doing if you choose to go the curtain route....

Pick a solid color fabric and hang a large framed piece of artwork in the center. You could hang the artwork from a wire above and run it behind the curtain. Make a tiny hole to accommodate the hook on the artwork. If the fabric and wall color are different shades of the same color then I think the eye would focus on the artwork first and make the fabric less of a statement.

Paint a giant mural on it!

you could paper it. then at least you could go back on your decision later … ;-)

Ooooh! If you have nothing but time on your hands (hah!), you could install random-patterned wood slat screening in front of the mirror. The wood could be stained or painted to contrast or match the walls as you like. This would keep some of the depth that the mirror gives the room, but still hide most of it. Maybe narrow shelving could be incorporated?

I'm thinking a random pattern a la the Spin Pizza ceiling:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/inspiration/inspiration-decor-details-from-spin-pizza-054458
... but with thinner strips of wood.

No matter what you decide, please keep us all posted--I'd love to see what you come up with!

I'm assuming you own this place. If you've lived with it several years, but hate it so much, you really should just make the commitment to have it removed.

giant graphic vinyl decals.

as patrick and jimkk said having it professionally removed will be worth it. the worst would be making something to cover the mirror that looks like you made something to cover a mirror.

Go to the hardware store and have them cut to size 4 pieces of mitred wood so that the opening is slightly larger than the mirror. Glue corners together to make a "frame" and paint it. Buy a piece of fabric you like and stretch it across the back of the frame (art!)
Hang it in front of the mirror using a d-ring on each side.

The window-film frosting sheets might help. You could keep a great deal of the light the mirror reflects without looking at yourself all the time.

Window film is in order.

Go with JPK's suggestion. Sheer curtains.

I'd third JPK's suggestion: sheers. The additional light will still be there, but your eye won't be constantly caught by the movement in the mirror.

Failing that, paint it the same colour as the wall.

I second the notion to put a curtain rod across the top, just below the ceiling and hang some curtains.

Consider an over-sized rod; one of the thick ones with decorative ends, and curtains of a natural material (to soften the otherwise stark mirror), if they have loop tops, the effect of airyness will increase.
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Alternately, make an oversized wood frame to hang over it, that will decrease the 'free area' of the mirror... can 'shrink' it by at least 10" on each side.

The latest issue of House Beautiful had a mirror with this funky, aged finish...

http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/ferrier-small-tranquil-0708

http://www.theshadestore.com/product/panel-system-woven-wood/?prcid=27828

$$ you could have panels custom made that would cover the entire wall behind the couch...see above for a selection. you would need to remove the moulding(around the mirror) so it
would lie flat. toss the valance that comes with the shades...i did.

$ remove moulding. stretch and staple fabric (be certain that it is wrinkle free) around the perimeter of the wall, covering mirror and walls. you may have to join fabric lengths to cover the entire wall. trim excess with a sharp single-edge razor blade. cover the raw edges with upholstery trim, or decorative painted wood moulding. it's difficult to ascertain exactly what your style or budget is, so two choices. you could also put a layer of batting under the fabric for an upholstered look.

I'd put removing it on the to-do list. In the meantime, rather than a sheer curtain, I would stretch the sheer fabric over a light stretcher or frame made of thin wood, and mount that over the piece of wall with the mirror over it. Or a non-sheer fabric. Just something.

Ditto Patrick (too). Second choice, the sheers thing. Sorry not an original thought in my head. Post pic's of the solution please.

I also think painting it or covering it with art is a good idea.

What loads of good solutions! Here's an idea for how to hang multiple small pieces of art on the mirror, from a decorating book (Elegant and Easy: Living Rooms):

Gather a collection of framed prints, watercolors, or drawings. Buy sticky-backed hook-and-loop tape (Velcro) in black from a fabric or hardware store. To hang each print, stick one side of the tape all the way around the back of the picture frame, make a rectangle of equal size on the mirror where you want it to hang, and press. Create a neat, geometrical arrangement on the mirror.

Just prime it with Kilz, and paint it matte like the rest of the wall.

Jeez, after all of that you could have just removed it.

You hate it, get rid of it. Any handyman can do this for you.

Cover it with mullions and make it look like multi glass panes.

If you put sheers over it, reconsider your furniture plan to make it read as a window.

I had a similar issue - only my mirror was marbled, smoked glass. I felt the need to sing J. Geils songs and smoke a cigarette every time I passed it. Eventually I will have it removed, but in the meantime....
I painted it with 2 coats of primer and 3 coats of chalkboard paint. An artist friend comes over every few months and does a new "seasonal installation" in pastels. It's pretty cool.
Chalkboard paint or not - you can paint the mirror.

I'd hang a curtain rod and get some gorgeous light and airy farbric and hang it over it OR find some decals to put on it over at http://secure.wonderfulgraffiti.com/

Put sheers over it as someone else said or get a cool decal for it from wonderful graffiti http://secure.wonderfulgraffiti.com/

i haven't read all the comment but if no one said it yet - i say go vinyl window decals.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/good-questions/good-question-privacy-without-shutting-out-the-light-035261

I agree with hazelnut that the 1/8" drywall is the way to go. You can put moulding on the edges to hide the seems, and put a square of moulding on the inside to look like a wood panel on the wall. If you want to continue the look, you can use moulding in the same shape on the other parts of your wall and add some great repetitive architectural detail.

paint over it. - in perhaps a filigree pattern.
you can use something opaque that will still reflect some light
you can even use opaque contact paper etc...
tile over it, clay tiles, glass tiles, linoleum etc
lots of things will stick to glass
there are even special adhesives

I'd chalkboard paint it...you could even do it in magnetic chalkboard paint.

I like the idea of sheers. What about combining the mullions and sheers to create a window look?

i am in the remove it camp. I think at the end of the day, after you buy curtains and rods or plants or artwork you are going to spend as much as you would to have it removed. Call a contractor and have him/her come in and give you an estimate- that doesn't cost anything except a little bit of your time.

Don't sue me if this goes wrong, but with a pair of gloves and safety glasses, I don't see what the problem with removing it is. It's not like trying to defuse a bomb.

Frame it in a thick dark frame and also look at
http://www.vicentewolf.com
(go to Residential>Upper East Side>4th photo
or Palm Beach> 5th photo
or Fifth Ave. > 3rd photo & 5th photo

Those should give you an idea.

Use this on the whole mirror:
http://www.artscape-inc.com/styles.php

Er...NOT the Disney one, thanks. Ha!