Mirror wall or a stylish solution to visually expand the space
Decorating apartment walls with mirrors is the latest trend in interior fashion. Designers often use this bright and unusual accent in their projects. After all, this design allows you to easily and naturally expand the space of the room and make it interesting. They are easily mounted on the wall and retain an attractive appearance for many years. However, even the most expensive finishing material can ruin the interior if used incorrectly.
Advantages and disadvantages of this decor
Like any finishing materials, mirror tiles have their advantages and disadvantages.
- durability;
- fire resistance - such tiles do not burn ;
- wide range - design possibilities are limited only by imagination;
- environmental friendliness - no hazardous impurities are used in production;
- allows you to visually expand small rooms;
- ease of care;
- appearance.
- there must be good ventilation in the room, otherwise the tiles will fade and become stained;
- Care must be taken during transportation as the material is very fragile;
- price: this design is not the cheapest pleasure.
Mirror panels on the wall: when used in the interior
Mirror panels in the interior look beautiful and stylish. They make the apartment design more unusual and attractive. In addition, such a design helps solve some problems in space planning.
Properties of mirror walls:
- Such panels can visually expand the space. By finishing one wall, you get a room that will look more spacious.
- Mirror panels will help correct incorrect layout. By installing such a covering on the desired walls, you will make the room wider or longer.
- A wall decorated with mirrors will decorate the interior. At the same time, it will not look too pretentious or intrusive.
You should not decorate parallel walls in the same room with mirrors. The fact is that such a design move will not only not add space, but will also make the room depressing and uncomfortable, creating the impression of double space.
Modern mirror room (video)
A mirror in the bathroom is an interesting stylish idea. If you're willing to deal with the hassle of constantly cleaning mirrors and endlessly spending money on glass cleaners, then here's your chance to take the plunge and create your own ice palace in the bathroom. Just try not to go overboard by decorating the room with too many mirrors. This has a detrimental effect on the human psyche, causes aggression, and can even drive you crazy. It’s better to limit yourself to one mirrored wall, where instead of ordinary tiles there will be a large, tastefully decorated mirror or a chic panel.
For what rooms in the apartment is it used?
You can decorate almost any room in the house with mirrors.
In every room this decoration looks stylish and appropriate. However, it is important to take into account the features of the space when planning the design. Much depends on the technical characteristics of a particular room. For example, if any material is suitable for decorating a living room, then in the kitchen the finish must be moisture and temperature resistant, and it is also extremely important that the housewife has the opportunity to clean it.
Mirrors and interior styles
An important aspect of choosing the right mirror is the correspondence of its external data to the style of the interior. The main role here is played by the shape of the canvas and the aesthetics of the frame.
For example, a luxurious classic bathroom is characterized by rectangular (oval) mirrors in luxurious frames made of wood or with forged elements. There may be gilding or fragments of artificial aging.
For the Provence style, it is difficult to come up with anything better than a mirror in an antique wooden frame, decorated with carved decor. Sometimes the surface of the mirror itself has coating defects, which makes the design as believable as possible. The most successful shape is round, but others may be present. Mirror panels placed on forged stands look beautiful.
The idea of minimalism in interiors does not imply luxury - order, rigor and laconic design reign here. Mirrors may not have frames at all and surprise with their unexpected shapes. The maximum number of mirror surfaces is welcome to make the room seem spacious and free. High-tech interiors will be successfully complemented by illuminated and heated mirrors, and for a loft-style bathroom you can choose the design of a floor mirror with a rough frame.
Decor with mirrors
It is important to use mirror panels correctly when decorating rooms. There are popular options for decorating walls with this type of finish.
Options for using mirror finishes:
- Covering one wall with a continuous mirror sheet. This decoration will visually expand the room and make it stylish.
- Finish the mirror on the top of one wall. This option is suitable for those who want to make the room stylish, but not overload it with mirror details.
- Decorating the wall with mirror strips or slabs. In this case, you can alternate mirror areas with other materials, such as paint, wallpaper or wood panels. This way of decorating a room will help focus attention on one wall.
- Covering several walls with mirror material. With this design option you need to be careful not to overload the interior. In this way, two adjacent walls are decorated.
- Decorating part of the wall with a mirror cloth. This finishing option allows you to create a stylish accent.
In the corridor and hallway
Corridors and hallways, especially in old houses, are rarely large.
Such rooms are cramped, so when decorating them, designers often use various tricks to visually expand them. The vestibule space is also decorated with mirror panels. However, to do this, consider the shape of the room.
Decorating a hallway with mirrors depending on the shape:
- In a long and narrow corridor, one wall is lined with a mirror. In this case, it is possible to cover both part and its entire height with the material. In order for such a design to give the effect of expansion, it is necessary to take care of high-quality lighting throughout the entire length of the room. It is also desirable that companion materials be selected in light colors.
- A small square hallway needs to be decorated differently. Here they either decorate one of the walls adjacent to the door, or partially decorate two walls adjacent to each other with mirrors.
- Spacious hallways are also decorated with mirrors. However, in this case it is advisable to use partial cladding.
When designing a corridor, you need to take into account that the lower part of the walls is especially susceptible to contamination. Therefore, it is better to decorate only their upper part with such material.
Feng Shui adherents believe that there should not be a mirror opposite the front door. This arrangement of the reflective surface, in their opinion, attracts bad energy into the house.
Decorative mirror panels in the bathroom and kitchen
The bathroom and kitchen are rooms with high humidity and constant temperature changes.
In addition, the finishing of such premises is especially susceptible to contamination. Mirror panels are not afraid of high humidity and temperature changes in the range in which this factor is present in the kitchen and bathroom. Unfortunately, dirt on mirror material is very noticeable. Therefore, you need to decide in advance in which area this factor will have less influence on the finishing.
Bathroom and kitchen mirror decoration:
- In the kitchen, it is better not to place a mirror surface where the cooking area is located. This wall will look best above the dining table. In this case, it is advisable to decorate only the upper part with reflective material. In this case, it will be possible to increase the space of the room without reducing its practicality. You can also find interiors with kitchen aprons made of mirror tiles. This design looks very beautiful, but this finish will constantly leave stains and drops of water and grease that will need to be cleaned.
- In the bathroom, the best place to place a mirror is on the top of the wall above the sink. In this case, you can reproduce this design along the entire length.
Decorating with mirror inserts in the bedroom
This decoration can also decorate the bedroom.
At the same time, both a solid canvas and mirror inserts will look good here. There are signs about the presence of mirrors in the bedroom. There are many myths and legends about decorating the wall opposite the bed with such decor.
Options for placing mirrors in the bedroom:
- It would look best to decorate the upper part of the wall at the head of the bed with such inserts.
- You can also decorate the wall near which the boudoir table will be located with a mirror.
- Fans of bold experiments decorate the wall opposite the bed with mirror inserts.
- Built-in furniture with mirror cladding will also fit perfectly into the interior.
In the bedroom, it is best to choose one of the described options. A rest room with an abundance of mirrors will not be cozy.
Mirrored bathroom: coating features
Mirror surfaces in the bathroom interior
All designers love to include mirrors in the interiors they create. And the size and shape of the room are completely unimportant. A bathroom with mirror surfaces has many advantages, for example, mirrors allow you to:
- zone the premises;
- “raise” the ceilings and “expand/enlarge” the walls;
- hide imperfections in finishing and uneven surfaces;
- add light to a dark room;
- improve the interior;
- create your own unique style.
The presence of mirrors is not always a whim; often it is this accessory that favorably emphasizes the dignity of the room and even allows you to slightly change the shape of the bathroom. In addition, mirror tiles or mosaics can beautifully decorate any surface.
Advice! Carefully thought out lighting will show off all the possibilities of mirrors. Therefore, it is worth considering not only the cladding, but also the lighting design of the room.
What are the different types of wall mirror panels?
There are different types of materials with a reflective surface.
First of all, they differ in materials of manufacture. Materials for making mirror panels:
- Acrylic.
- Plastic.
Mirror panels also differ in their release form. There are several variations of this finish.
Acrylic mirrors
Advantages of acrylic walls:
- They are characterized by high strength.
- They are temperature resistant and can be used at temperatures up to +70 degrees.
- Do not change appearance when exposed to sunlight.
- Flexible, making them easy to work with.
- They look almost the same as a glass mirror.
Despite its advantages, such products also have disadvantages. The mirror surface is easy to damage.
Tile
The tiles can be made from ordinary impact-resistant glass.
This material is characterized by increased durability and special beauty, and has different shapes and sizes. Thanks to this, you can use it to lay out patterns. However, this finishing option will be quite expensive. In addition, it is quite difficult to work with.
Flexible plastic film
Mirror-coated PVC panels are another option.
This material also has many advantages. Advantages of plastic mirror coating:
- Durable, not afraid of impacts.
- This is a flexible material that is easy to cut into the desired shape.
- Plastic panels are moisture resistant. In addition, they are not afraid of chemicals.
Disadvantages include the fragility of this material and its instability to ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, it is not very expensive.
Stripes
Strips of mirror material can be made of either plastic or acrylic.
With this finishing you can create a very interesting design. The mirror goes well with paint, wallpaper, wood, tiles and even decorative stone and brick. It is not necessary to buy ready-made strips. You can buy a flexible mirror sheet and cut it into strips.
One-piece fabric
You can decorate an entire wall with a single piece of canvas. The required sizes can be ordered from the seller. However, plastic sheets are sold in rolls, which allows you to cut the desired length and width yourself.
Types of bathroom mirrors
As we have already said, there are quite a few options for designing reflective surfaces in the bathroom. Even the most ordinary mirror on the wall can become an original decorative element, dressed in a stylish frame. Modern mirrors have not gone unnoticed by technological progress, and today there are panels equipped with glass heating devices that prevent them from fogging, magnifying glasses, temperature sensors, radios and other bells and whistles. Let's look at the most popular of them.
Wall mirror
This concept combines two ways of installing a mirror. In the first case, we are talking about mirror panels with or without frames, which are mounted to the wall surface with special fasteners. They do not have structural additional elements, but due to the selected frames they look quite stylish. In the second option, the mirror is installed directly into the wall (“recessed” into the finishing material). Edging the mirror with tiles or moldings will add a special aesthetic.
Corner mirror
Placing a cabinet with a mirror in an empty corner is an excellent solution for small bathrooms. At the same time, the cabinet is long enough to accommodate hygiene items and does not take up much space.
Mirror with shelf
This model can rightfully be called the most popular, having passed the long test of time. The design is suitable for decorating any interior; it is convenient and practical, often complemented by decorative inserts and lighting. Some designs have additional hooks and stands, which makes them as convenient as possible. Moreover, the shelves themselves can be made of any material - the same mirror, glass, plastic. A mirror with additional design elements will allow you to place and keep personal hygiene products in perfect order.
Mirror in cabinet design
From the name it is already clear that it means the presence of a hanging cabinet, on the outside of the door of which there is a mirror. This design is usually attached above the washbasin, making it easy to get the necessary accessories while applying makeup or other procedures. The advantage is that cosmetics and personal care products remain hidden from prying eyes and do not create a feeling of clutter when laid out in plain sight. When choosing such a cabinet, you need to pay attention to its size - for small rooms, single-door designs with a shallow depth are preferable.
Illuminated mirror
This option can be called the most modern and, in general, expedient solution. There are several lighting options - it can be an LED strip running along the entire perimeter of the canvas, a traditional lamp directly above the mirror, or side lighting fixtures. In any case, such local lighting brings additional convenience during facial skin care or makeup, eliminates the need to use centralized lighting, and also creates a soft, romantic atmosphere while taking water treatments.
Heated glass mirror
A convenient modern model that features new technologies that help avoid the accumulation of fogging and condensation on the surface of the mirror. It doesn’t matter at all how high the temperature and humidity in the bathroom are. The mirror heating system is similar to analogues placed when organizing floor heating: on the back of the mirror panel there is a thin film with wires that are infrared heaters. In operating condition, the current passing through these wires can heat the surface in a short time. Mirrors are often complemented with lighting.
Tile wall in the interior: how to install it yourself
Mirror tiles are glued using regular tile adhesive. The glue can be applied in a layer of 5 mm to the inside of the tile, carefully leveling it with a special spatula. Next, the elements are applied to the wall in the required order and pressed. Between them it is necessary to place special crosses that will help make an even seam.
After gluing, the tile seam is rubbed with a special compound. After it dries, the wall is washed.
How to glue plastic panels
Plastic panels usually have a self-adhesive backing.
This greatly simplifies installation. However, there are also pitfalls here. The nuances of gluing mirror tiles:
- The wall that will be lined with this material must be perfectly flat. Otherwise, the panels simply won't stick.
- Before gluing, the panels must be laid out on the floor for 3 days.
- Next, the wall is covered with a primer. After this, you can glue the material.
The mirror cloth is cut along the front part.
How to lay mirror panels on a profile
Mirror panels can also be mounted on profile sheathing. Of course, this method is more expensive. In addition, it is more difficult to do it yourself.
In this case, a frame is built from hangers and metal profiles. The material is attached to it. This method is used if the surface on which the material is attached cannot be leveled.
How to attach wall panels to the ceiling
The ceiling can also be finished with mirror panels.
In this case, you can use several fastening methods. Methods for attaching mirrors to the ceiling:
- Frame mounting.
- Installation with screws.
- Gluing.
The last two options are only suitable for a perfectly flat surface. Therefore, in the case of a ceiling, frame fastening of mirror plates is most often used.
Laying mirror tiles in the bathroom
When installing mirror tiles in the bathroom, keep in mind that there is always high humidity here. Therefore, the adhesive composition should not be destroyed under the influence of this factor. Special mastics are used for bathrooms.