Design Tips for Small Spaces: Reflective Surfaces à la 2020

(AKA: Not Your Grandma’s Mirrored Wall)

Reflective surfaces diffuse light and help small homes feel larger.  When staging a property for sale, such items can be repositioned in a home to maximize these effects.  Don’t be afraid to think beyond the mirror! Consider glass vases and bowls, decorative windows, metal surfaces, high-gloss cabinets.

Mirrors placed next to a window reflect light and unify the interior and exterior of a home. They also create the trompe l’oleil effect of an extra window. In the photograph below, the juxtaposition of the blue sofa against the mirrored sky lends an airiness to the room that is enhanced by the glass, mirrors, and glossy floor. A similar mirror can be found on this page and  this sofa is available in multiple shades of blue.

A large mirror can visually expand a room. While a mirror such as the one in the photo below would be more expensive and likely more difficult to find, a smaller version such as this would provide a similar effect. 

Transparent items, like the Ghost chairs below and the coffee tables in the first photo, both reflect and transmit light. Even in a naturally bright area, they heighten illumination and create the impression of potential space.  

High-gloss counters, cabinets, and backsplashes add light and the illusion of openness. Decluttering maximizes the effect.

These images are a starting point. Think outside the box! Clean, shiny countertops and polished stainless steel – refinished floors and objects d’art – polished furniture and an artfully placed crystal chandelier – help brighten and expand rooms.