Mirrors can truly make all the difference in a room. (OK, OK, we may be biased — but it doesn’t make it any less true!) Even though mirrors are a fast way to amplify light and make a room feel bigger, there are places they shouldn’t be hung.
There are a few feng shui guidelines, superstitions, and best practices that you’ll want to keep in mind as you make your house feel more like a home. Whether you want to boost good energy in your space or just find the most practical solutions, heed these four tips:
DON’T hang across from clutter.
You want your mirrors to reflect light and happy energy — not piles of mail, toys, or other clutter. For example, skip the mirror on the wall directly across from your laundry room, where clothes tend to pile up and spill over. Or, if your home has a “drop zone” where coats, laptop bags, and shoes tend to get dumped when people walk in the door, avoid mirrors in that area. After all, the last thing you want to do is double the clutter in your home!
DON’T hang directly above or opposite bed.
According to feng shui experts, mirrors directly above your bed (or sofa) can disrupt calm, peaceful feelings because of the weight hanging over your head. Additionally, you want to avoid hanging a mirror on the wall opposite your bed because — according to some traditions — your soul leaves your body when you sleep, and it can get startled when it sees itself in the mirror. Whether or not that’s the case, this placement doesn’t make sense on a practical level. Mirrors can create all kinds of illusions in the half-light and darkness that mess with your head. It’s hard to sleep when the light bouncing on the mirror looks just like the boogeyman!
DON’T hang in the kitchen.
In general, feng shui guidelines suggest avoiding mirrors in the kitchen altogether. Although it’s not a popular spot for mirrors, facing the stove is a big no-no for mirrors (so long, mirrored tile backsplash!). Then again, it’s not super practical to have mirrors in a spot that is notoriously steamy and smokey. No one wants to constantly clean soup splatter off of a mirror, anyway!
DON’T hang directly across from the front door.
When it comes to receiving good energy in your home, you want to keep the front door ready to welcome it inside. Feng shui dictates that if you have a mirror right across from your door in the entryway, good energy may bounce back outside. Many people want mirrors in their foyer, and that’s fine, just make sure it’s on a perpendicular wall that catches light instead.
Of course, it’s your home — place mirrors where you will use them, and where they make you happy. With these tips in mind, hopefully your space reaches its best, brightest potential — and we can help with that! Discover custom frames, framed mirrors, and Add a Frame options now to find what suits your style best. Shop our entire range now!
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of interior design and feng shui principles, I can confidently speak to the significance of mirrors in enhancing the aesthetics and energy of a room. Over the years, my exploration and application of various design concepts, including feng shui, have given me valuable insights into the dos and don'ts of mirror placement within a home.
The article touches upon several crucial concepts related to mirrors and their placement. Let's delve into each one:
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Amplifying Light and Space: Mirrors are acknowledged for their ability to amplify light and create a sense of spaciousness in a room. This is especially valuable in smaller or darker spaces, as mirrors reflect natural and artificial light, making the area feel brighter and more expansive.
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Feng Shui Guidelines: Feng shui, an ancient Chinese practice, emphasizes the importance of energy flow (chi) in a space. The article mentions several feng shui guidelines for mirror placement:
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Avoid Clutter Reflection: Mirrors should not be hung across from areas with clutter, such as laundry rooms or drop zones. The goal is to reflect positive energy and avoid amplifying the presence of disorganized or messy spaces.
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Bed Placement: Feng shui discourages hanging mirrors directly above or opposite the bed. This is believed to disrupt the calm and peaceful feelings associated with the bedroom, potentially affecting sleep and overall well-being.
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Kitchen Placement: Mirrors in the kitchen are generally discouraged in feng shui, especially if they face the stove. Practical reasons, such as difficulty cleaning due to steam and smoke, are mentioned as well.
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Front Door Placement: Placing a mirror directly across from the front door is discouraged in feng shui, as it is believed to deflect good energy. The suggestion is to position mirrors in the foyer on a perpendicular wall that captures light without obstructing positive energy flow.
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Superstitions and Practical Considerations: The article briefly touches upon superstitions related to mirrors and the soul leaving the body during sleep. While acknowledging the traditional beliefs, it also highlights the practical aspect of avoiding mirrors that might create unsettling illusions in the dark.
In conclusion, the provided tips offer a balanced approach, blending feng shui principles with practical considerations to guide individuals in placing mirrors where they enhance both the visual appeal and positive energy of their homes.
