Bedroom mirror ideas - 10 fun and functional ways with mirrors

A lot of what you choose to be in your bedroom has to be practical as well as pleasing. And this is certainly the case with bedroom mirror ideas. 

Unlike other rooms, where a mirror may be more decorative, the bedroom is often where we get ready for the day, or evening. So we're likely to need mirrored bedroom wall decor to check an outfit before heading out, as well as to make the room look good. 

'With bedroom ideas, the reality is you might need a few mirrors for different purposes,' says Abbie Ireland, Director, Patrick Ireland Frames. 'Starting with the functional mirrors, you might want a full-length mirror for dressing, then a makeup mirror on the dressing table, or on a wall near a window where there is plenty of natural light.'

'Then there is the option to have a feature mirror above the bed, which is going to be less functional and more decorative.'

Bedroom mirror ideas

'First decide how many bedroom mirror ideas you actually need, both for decorative purposes or for functionality,' says Ann Marie Cousins, Founder, AMC Design. 'You can then marry them together nicely and make sure they complement one another.'

1. Glam up a rustic mantel

A mirror and a mantelpiece are natural bedfellows, so if you're lucky enough to have a fireplace in the bedroom, make use of this space. Choosing contrasting bedroom accent wall ideas to your mirror will make it stand out. Just be sure to hang it at a height that suits.

'Finding the correct place to hang bedroom mirror ideas can be tricky, as you may be limited to wall space due to wardrobes, windows, or a headboard,' says Jen Choate, Co-Founder, Interior Fox. 

'Once you have located the best spot, consider scale and positioning, a common mistake is to hang the mirror too high, remember to measure before securing it in place.'

2. Create height and depth with panels

Placing mirrors either side of the bed will make the room feel larger and more spacious. Using panelled mirrors that resemble window panes will create an optical illusion and trick your eye.

'One of the great things about mirrors is that they bounce light around a room and can create a greater sense of space,' says Abbie from Patrick Ireland Frames. 'The mirror needs to be sizeable to be able to make a room feel a lot bigger, so don’t be shy to go big, however even small mirrors will help. '

'Placing a mirror opposite a window is a clever way of making the room feel bigger. You can also have tall bedside mirrors, which will make the ceilings seem higher and the room longer.'

3. Hang in an awkward alcove

A narrow alcove can be a good place to hang a decorative mirror. It not only makes use of a space that may be too small for furniture, it could also offer functional usage too, if there's space to stand back for a final outfit check before leaving the room. 

A mirror can act as bedroom wall art ideas in their own right -look for interesting shapes and styles to enliven an otherwise plain space.

4. Lean in a dark corner to increase light

Full length bedroom mirror ideas can be used for more than checking your reflection. If you're able to do that elsewhere, consider propping a full length mirror against a wall to flatter a dark corner.

'When looking to hang a mirror in a room it's important to first consider where the biggest natural light source is coming from,' says Siobhan McMillan, Head of Homewares Buying, MADE. 

'Mirrors should either be placed directly opposite or beside the light source as this allows maximum reflection back into the room. So no matter how gloomy the sky is outside, it will harness any available daylight. The bigger the mirror, the brighter, lighter and larger the space will feel.'

5. Make a style statement above the bed

Hanging an attractive mirror to decorate above the bed will make a style statement, however, be aware that Feng Shui practitioners would likely advise against this. 

'I’d advise against having a large mirror above the bed as it is considered bad Feng Shui, so aim for something that is narrower than your mattress or bed frame, but in scale to the rest of the room,' says Ann Marie from AMC Design. 'Something too small won’t look right either, so experiment by cutting out pieces of paper holding them against the wall so you can see the size differences.'

'If it’s less functional and more decorative, a mirror above the bed is perfect because it will bounce lots of light around the room and can be a focal point in the bedroom,' adds Abbie, Patrick Ireland Frames.

6. Add drama with contrasting tones

Whether it's decorative, functional or both, let your bedroom mirror ideas stand out by choosing a frame that contrasts with the wall behind it. Think about colours, but also shapes. For example, a round mirror will create a more dramatic contrast against bedroom wall panelling ideas than one which aligns with the linear pattern.

'The key thing to think about when hanging a mirror in the bedroom is what it’s going to be used for,' says Abbie from Patrick Ireland Frames. 'If it’s going to be a functional mirror used for getting ready in the mornings, checking your outfit etc, it needs to be in a place where there will be plenty of natural light shining on you when you’re using it.'

'A good rule of thumb when working out the size of a mirror to hang above any piece of furniture is that it should never be more than two-thirds the size of the piece of furniture. This can be applied to beds as well.'

7. Go oversized to add impact

Depending how your space is laid out, hanging bedroom mirror ideas above a chest of drawers that's opposite a window will have a dual effect. Placed here a good-sized mirror will provide a naturally well lit spot for doing your makeup, as well enhance the room.

'For decorative and practical reasons, mirrors placed above drawers, or a vanity table work perfectly,' says Jen from Interior Fox. 

'And large mirrors can make a real positive impact on any room. We love to use oversized styles, as big as possible. However, if it’s going to be placed above a console table or chest, it should be around 20-30 cm smaller in width to work proportionally.' 

8. Choose a discreet, minimal style

A narrow gap can provide a great spot for a full length mirror and there are numerous minimal styles that can be leant or fitted to the wall.  

'If you require a floor mirror, make sure you have enough space to fully step back,' says Jen from Interior Fox. 'If you don't have floor or wall space, remember long mirrors can also be incorporated inside wardrobe cabinets too.'

9. Lighten up either side of the headboard

Placing mirrors either side of a large headboard can open up a room, making it feel bigger and brighter. They can also make a decorative and practical alternative to hanging bedroom mirror ideas above the bed. 

'If you want to make a feature out of mirrors, they can be treated like artwork,' says Ann Marie from AMC Design. 'A series of mirrors with beautiful frames can really make a statement as a feature wall.'

10. Have fun with a glamorous vanity corner

Don't be afraid to have fun with your decor. Hanging Hollywood style light bulb bedroom mirror ideas above a console is a great way to create a vanity area, if you don't have a dressing table.

Both functional and fun, the bulbs around the mirror cast sufficient light when you're getting ready and add some movie star sass to your space. 

How can I decorate my bedroom with a mirror?

'One of the most impactful accessories, a mirror can make a significant difference to a bedroom,' says Ann Marie from AMC Design.

'Work out what you need for decoration and what you need for everyday use. You can then marry them together nicely and make sure they complement one another. For example, smaller decorative bedroom mirror ideas on the wall works in tandem with a full length mirror used for dressing, but doesn’t overpower the room.'

Where should a mirror be placed in a bedroom?

'Mirrors immediately add visual depth to a room so position them somewhere that either reflects more light or more space,' says Ann Marie from AMC Design. 'For example, opposite a window, opposite a light (ceiling or lamp) or opposite the largest part of the room.'

'Placing a mirror on the adjacent or opposite wall from the window will help to reflect light and brighten up the room,' adds Jen from Interior Fox. 'Oversized bedroom mirror ideas will also make the room appear bigger.'