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Mirrors 101
Choosing Size, Styles, and Features
Because mirrors are the perfect accent to reflect both your décor and style, you want to make sure you choose the right mirror for your settings. In order to help you select the perfect mirror, our helpful CSN Mirrors staff created this guide to help you choose the best piece for your home.
Step 1: Select your Mirror Type
The first step to buying the perfect mirror consists of determining what type of mirror will best fit you. To start, you should consider where you would like to locate your mirror to understand what use you want from it. When selecting a mirror, it is important to consider the reflection that will be seen in the mirror. Make use of position and accent pieces for a truly beautiful reflection.
Wall Mirrors – Wall mirrors can technically be mounted on any wall of the house. However, your choices will change depending on the use. For the bathroom, convenience and viewing space may be very important factors. In contrast, smaller mirrors with intricate designs may be used to decorate a wall and accent other pieces.
Fixture Mirrors – If you want to use your mirror as a combination of another piece, fixture mirrors offer the convenience to be attached to dressers or bureaus rather than hung on the wall. When considering those pieces, the main benefit will be the fact that it matches the furniture it attaches to, and it does not take up wall space.
Floor/Cheval Mirrors – These vertical mirrors perfectly stand by themselves anywhere in a room. Often used in bedrooms, they can help you to sharply dress in the morning. Cheval mirrors are popular kinds of floor mirrors that can be angled to better reflect differnt people of varying heights.
Tri-Fold Mirrors – These mirrors are a combination of three mirrors hinged to each other. They can be lightly angled facing one another to render a beautiful, total reflection. They are intricate accent pieces.
Makeup/Shaving Mirrors – These mirrors are of smaller size and are made to conveniently stand on a table or vanity to help you with your cosmetic activities. Often featuring a magnifying mirror on one side and a standard mirror on another, they allow you to look your best.
Wall Mirrors – Wall mirrors can technically be mounted on any wall of the house. However, your choices will change depending on the use. For the bathroom, convenience and viewing space may be very important factors. In contrast, smaller mirrors with intricate designs may be used to decorate a wall and accent other pieces.
Fixture Mirrors – If you want to use your mirror as a combination of another piece, fixture mirrors offer the convenience to be attached to dressers or bureaus rather than hung on the wall. When considering those pieces, the main benefit will be the fact that it matches the furniture it attaches to, and it does not take up wall space.
Floor/Cheval Mirrors – These vertical mirrors perfectly stand by themselves anywhere in a room. Often used in bedrooms, they can help you to sharply dress in the morning. Cheval mirrors are popular kinds of floor mirrors that can be angled to better reflect differnt people of varying heights.
Tri-Fold Mirrors – These mirrors are a combination of three mirrors hinged to each other. They can be lightly angled facing one another to render a beautiful, total reflection. They are intricate accent pieces.
Makeup/Shaving Mirrors – These mirrors are of smaller size and are made to conveniently stand on a table or vanity to help you with your cosmetic activities. Often featuring a magnifying mirror on one side and a standard mirror on another, they allow you to look your best.
Step 2: Select your Mirror Shape
After understanding the use and the type of mirror you need, aesthetic questions need to be asked. First, consider the lines and curves of your desired décor to choose the shape of your mirror. This will help match your mirror with your room's style.
Square – A contemporary look that fits well in rooms with straight lines and rectangular shapes.
Geometric – Novel shapes with a consistent geometric pattern provide movement and added life to a room.
Sunburst – Shaped like a bright sun, this shape will bring light to any room.
No Frame – This shape often includes a beautiful natural "frame" with carved or bevelled glass.
Oval – Perfect shape for curvy décor with oval and round accents.
Rectangle – Classic, straight lines make this perfect for all spaces.
Arch – Arched top provide movement and personality without becoming too busy or losing mirror area.
Circle – Beautiful shape that saves space and accents many styles.
Square – A contemporary look that fits well in rooms with straight lines and rectangular shapes.
Geometric – Novel shapes with a consistent geometric pattern provide movement and added life to a room.
Sunburst – Shaped like a bright sun, this shape will bring light to any room.
No Frame – This shape often includes a beautiful natural "frame" with carved or bevelled glass.
Oval – Perfect shape for curvy décor with oval and round accents.
Rectangle – Classic, straight lines make this perfect for all spaces.
Arch – Arched top provide movement and personality without becoming too busy or losing mirror area.
Circle – Beautiful shape that saves space and accents many styles.
Step 3: Select your Mirror Style
From contemporary to traditional, mirror styles are often abstract and difficult to understand. To help you identify what style fits your room’s décor, you should consider the message you want to send or the feelings you want to evoke.
Traditional Mirrors - Based on historic design models, this style is characteristically ordered and symmetrical. Straight lines are often contrasted with curved details, brass, iron, and hand painted wood. Showing sophistication, these mirrors feature dark or richly grained woods, and often have on old world flair.
Contemporary Mirrors – These are not quite "traditional," not quite "casual." This style tends to have straight, clean lines and edges, open curvature and very little carving or decorative touches.
Modern Mirrors – Modern mirrors have clean lines, smooth accents (glass, stainless steel), and new concepts. You often see pieces that are inspired by the "space age", curved metal appears, and an updated retro look is popular.
Country Mirrors –These mirrors are casual and unpretentious. They will combine simplicity and traditional designs. Almost exclusively light and warm colored woods, they can be thought of having "rustic class".
Exotic Mirrors – These mirrors find their style inspiration from some exotic location of the world. This includes mirrors with a tropical or earthy design, and often make use of organic materials such as wicker, rattan, or bamboo.
Ornate Mirrors – These mirrors frames are intricately designed with beautiful materials. Often designed with shiny finishes, the ornatestyle displays very complex accents or makes use of bold color. This style evokes a feeling of luxury or grand tradition.
Children's Mirrors – These mirrors have simple shape and are perfect for children’s bedrooms. Some even display bright or whimsical designs and colors to excite childrens' imaginations.
Traditional Mirrors - Based on historic design models, this style is characteristically ordered and symmetrical. Straight lines are often contrasted with curved details, brass, iron, and hand painted wood. Showing sophistication, these mirrors feature dark or richly grained woods, and often have on old world flair.
Contemporary Mirrors – These are not quite "traditional," not quite "casual." This style tends to have straight, clean lines and edges, open curvature and very little carving or decorative touches.
Modern Mirrors – Modern mirrors have clean lines, smooth accents (glass, stainless steel), and new concepts. You often see pieces that are inspired by the "space age", curved metal appears, and an updated retro look is popular.
Country Mirrors –These mirrors are casual and unpretentious. They will combine simplicity and traditional designs. Almost exclusively light and warm colored woods, they can be thought of having "rustic class".
Exotic Mirrors – These mirrors find their style inspiration from some exotic location of the world. This includes mirrors with a tropical or earthy design, and often make use of organic materials such as wicker, rattan, or bamboo.
Ornate Mirrors – These mirrors frames are intricately designed with beautiful materials. Often designed with shiny finishes, the ornatestyle displays very complex accents or makes use of bold color. This style evokes a feeling of luxury or grand tradition.
Children's Mirrors – These mirrors have simple shape and are perfect for children’s bedrooms. Some even display bright or whimsical designs and colors to excite childrens' imaginations.
Step 4: Position Your Mirror and Enjoy!
If you'd like a little more advice from our service representatives, or have a specific question that we haven't answered here, feel free to give us a call at (800) 632-1966. Our friendly staff at Bathroom Furniture Direct is always happy to help!
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