Double a Room's Apparent Size Just Like Myles Washington!

A lot of us decorating on a tight budget know the pain of having a limited amount of space.  Even when we have the room decorated as well as we can, it can still seem cramped and claustrophobic.  Myles Washington used the following trick in his SHGC entry to expand the appearance of the room.  He's essentially getting twice the apparent size!

Mirrors, mirrors, mirrors!  The largest impact will be achieved by using mirrors that cover the entire wall, as Myles did.  However, if you don't have the money to invest in full size mirrors, don't despair!  A large mirror over the fireplace or as a focal point on a wall still gives the illusion of a larger room.

When placing the mirror, first consider where the mirror itself will fit as a design element.  Myles used the wall that has the fireplace.  This adds impact to a wall that is already a focal point and makes a larger impression.  However, you will also want to decide how you need to expand the appearance of the room.  If you have a long thin room, making it appear even longer may also make it appear thinner.  Not the most attractive option.  In that case, it's best to place the mirror(s) so that the room appears wider than it would otherwise.

My one caution is to be careful with the number and placement of mirrors.  Keep it to the minimum required to achieve your goal and please please please do not place mirrors opposite eachother.  I know it's interesting to see ourselves dwindle into infinity, but the effect can also be headache-inducing and does not lend itself to a sense of comfort.  The one exception to this is in a bathroom or dressing room where you may actually want to see the back of your own head, but it's still better to have one fixed mirror and a second that can be used as needed.

Thank you to Myles for showing us this tip!