DIY Network

Mirror Magic in Small Spaces From "DIY Decorating & Design" episode DID-107

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Floor-to-ceiling mirrors on either side of the fireplace give a feeling of space to a dark, cramped living room while adding height and architectural drama. Pier mirrors hung between windows give a sense of depth and distance. Small pier mirrors placed between windows were used by 18th-century French designers to visually minimize the massive walls common to that era. A mirror cleverly covers the damaged top of a favorite table, saving hundreds of dollars in refinishing costs and creating an interesting focal point. A freestanding mirror at a desk can be adjusted to give a more pleasing view. A small piece of mirror on a stand provides an easy way to reflect a favorite object. A glass-faceted screen placed in a small space to the left of the fireplace adds light to a lower-level dining room. Candlelight reflected in this glass-faceted screen softens the corner of the dining room and looks especially beautiful at night. Glass dishes and accessories heighten the sparkle of a mirrored place mat. A mirrored place mat topped with flowers and candles floating in glass bowls makes a stunning centerpiece.

Interior designer Pamela Heyne tells Kitty Bartholomew, host of HGTV's Kitty Bartholomew: You're Home, how she uses "mirror magic" to enlarge the rooms of her historic Georgetown townhouse.

1. Use large-scale mirrors to add a sense of space and light.

2. Put a pier or fisheye mirror between two windows to give a room added depth.

3. Use mirrors to hide blemishes.

4. Use movable mirrors to alter your view.

5. Use a mirrored screen to add light and drama to a dark corner.

6. Use mirrored place mats in many different ways for various light-catching effects.

RESOURCES :
Pamela Heyne, Interior Designer