The art of the statement mirror: how to choose and style one for any room

A statement mirror is one of the most transformative pieces you can add to a room. Unlike most furniture, it works on two levels simultaneously — it's both a functional object and a piece of wall art, and the right one can make a room feel twice the size, twice as bright, and considerably more considered.

The challenge is knowing which mirror suits which space, and how to position it for maximum effect. Here's how to approach it, room by room.

In the living room: go big, go considered

The living room is where statement mirrors earn their name. An oversized arched mirror positioned above a console table or fireplace creates an instant focal point, reflects natural light across the room, and visually extends the space. If your room is narrow, a full-length leaning mirror placed at the far end will make it feel considerably wider.

If your living room already has strong architectural features — exposed beams, high ceilings, bold wallpaper — opt for a cleaner frame (brushed brass, matte black, or frameless) so the mirror doesn't compete. If the room is relatively plain, a decorative frame with an irregular or organic silhouette does the heavy lifting of a piece of art.

In the entryway: your home's first impression

An entryway mirror serves a practical purpose — the last look before you leave — but it's also the first thing visitors see of your home's aesthetic. A tall arched mirror or a round decorative mirror positioned near the door adds depth to what's typically a narrow, underlit space.

Pair it with a slim console table and a pendant light overhead, and you've turned a functional corridor into a proper entry moment. The reflection of the light immediately doubles the perceived brightness.

In the bedroom: placement matters more than size

In a bedroom, a full-length mirror is often more useful than a wall-hung piece — especially in smaller rooms where floor space is limited. Lean it against the wall rather than fixing it, and you keep the flexibility to move it as the room evolves.

For above a dresser or bedside table, a circular or irregularly shaped mirror in a warm metallic frame works beautifully. One placement to avoid: directly opposite the bed. It can feel unsettling and tends to fragment the room visually rather than open it up.

In the dining room: borrow the light

Dining rooms are often the darkest rooms in a home. A large decorative mirror on the wall opposite a window — or opposite a chandelier — reflects light across the table and makes evening dining considerably more atmospheric.

This is where warm-framed or antique-finish mirrors come into their own. They add warmth and candlelight quality to a room, rather than the cooler, crisper effect of frameless or matte-black designs.

In the bathroom: function meets architecture

Bathroom mirrors do the most daily work of any mirror in the home, so function matters as much as form. An LED bathroom mirror with built-in lighting eliminates the shadows that standard overhead lighting creates, and a square or rectangular frameless LED mirror gives a clean, architectural look that suits both contemporary and minimal bathrooms.

If your bathroom is larger, consider an oversized frameless mirror that runs the full width of the vanity — it doubles the sense of space and gives the room a genuinely spa-like quality.

The one rule that applies everywhere: height

Regardless of room or style, the single most common mistake with mirrors is hanging them too high. The centre of a wall-hung mirror should sit at eye level — roughly 150–160cm from the floor. Going higher breaks the visual connection with the furniture below and makes the room feel top-heavy.

For a leaning mirror, position the base 15–20cm out from the wall. This creates a relaxed, intentional angle rather than a just-unpacked lean.

Explore our full collection of statement mirrors at Interior Ave → Shop statement mirrors