Mirrors and Their Functions in a Kitchen
The seemingly simple mirror can hold many functions in a kitchen, beyond just providing a place to check your appearance as you walk past. They can be elegant centrepieces in your design scheme, or form functional elements that serve a real purpose in your kitchen.
Here, we run through the functions mirrors can play in a kitchen and give you some inspiration for how to integrate mirrored surfaces into your room.
Adding the illusion of space
Hanging a mirror in your small kitchen or apartment dining space can go a long way to creating extra visual space. Even though your room might be cramped, a mirror gives the illusion that your kitchen is double the size.
Increasing light
No matter how much natural light you get – or how big your kitchen is – you’ll benefit from a large mirror hanging opposite a window. Any light entering the room will bounce directly off the mirror’s surface, meaning your kitchen will appear brighter, less cramped and more inviting.
Adding depth to your design
As well as reflecting the space back at you to create the illusion of space, mirrors can also add depth to your design scheme. When you’ve carefully chosen your paint, textures and furnishings, having them reflect back on you adds vibrancy and extra colour.
A wealth of possibilities
Choose a type of mirror that matches your aesthetic: the options truly are endless.
- For a modern feel, choose a mirrored splashback. You could go for a traditional silver mirror or add drama with a black mirrored surface.
- Hang a large, intricate antique mirror for an elegant focal point in your traditional or (otherwise) minimalist kitchen. In this case, the frame is a work of art, with the mirror inside performing multiple functions.
- Wooden frames also look beautiful in minimalist spaces.
- If you have an industrial look and feel, a sleek mirror with an iron frame could be the finishing touch for your look.
- Put up a series of smaller mirrors to form a gallery-type wall. This allows you to display different, interesting frames and experiment with placement.
Hanging safely and securely
Whichever option you choose, ensure the mirror has enough support to keep it sturdily and securely on the wall. The heavier the mirror, the more support it will need – and you’ll need to pay lots of attention to how you hang it. Here are some key tips:
- Use a stud finder to locate the studs in your walls and attach nails.
- Attach D-rings to the mirror’s frame and thread through a purpose-designed hanging wire, which will hang on the nails on the wall.
- Always make sure the mirror is supported in its middle so the weight is balanced.
A contractor will be able to make sure your mirror is hung safely and securely.
To find out more about integrating mirrors into your kitchen’s design, speak to an interiors professional at Apollo Kitchens.
