New York is one of the most diverse places in the world, but one thing almost all New Yorkers can agree on is that they probably wouldn’t mind some extra space in their apartments. New York real estate is notoriously small — even for those with big budgets. Over the years we’ve spent hanging art around the city, we’ve found that many of our customers take to optical illusions of sorts to make their rooms appear larger. One of the most common strategies: to make space look bigger with mirrors.
Here are a few tips for making it work in your home.
Hang it Across from a Window.
The most important factor in hanging a mirror to make a space look larger is where you hang it. One of the best options is on a wall directly opposite or perpendicular to a window in your home. This is because you mirror will reflect the view outside, making it look like there’s an extra window in your space, while also bouncing what natural light you do have around the room.
Hang it in Place of a Window.
Hopefully, you don’t have many windowless rooms in your apartment–but many New York homes do feature small bathrooms or powder rooms without exterior windows. A large mirror both behind the sink or vanity, and as a decorative addition on an intersecting wall can add a similar openness to the room. Another great spot to try this trick: in the kitchen, behind the sink.
Choose the right size.
In order to be effective, don’t skimp on the size of your mirror. Choose something that can hold its own on a wall. If you’re hanging the mirror above a piece of furniture, for example, pick a mirror that’s at least 2/3 the length of the piece. If you prefer a gallery-style arrangement, pick a group of mirrors that takes up a similar portion of the wall. We also love the frameless versions from a recent project we completed, above, which helps the arrangement look more like a window.