Housekeeping: Mirror effect

Whether renovating your flat or simply doing up a new one, you need versatile elements to add to your space. Mirrors are just that — they can widen the appearance of a room, add some elegance and illuminate the dark corners. A basic mirror can be customised to suit your needs and fit in with the aesthetics of your dwelling.

 Subbanshu Jaiin, director of Blackberry Overseas Pvt Ltd that imports mirrors says mirrors have now become a piece of art and an essential piece of home decor. “There are no fixed rules when it comes to decorating with mirrors. According to the space and proportion, mirrors can be aesthetically used to reflect one’s taste and create drama. They have the benefit to reflect and emphasise on colours from the artefacts or walls creating special effects,” he explains.

The location and placement of mirrors in a given space creates a focal point by avoiding undesirable reflections. “For example, mirrors in a dining room can be used to create luminosity and add a dimension to the space. To draw light in your dark rooms or corners, a mirror can be placed in front of the window so that it can make the light bounce back.”

 Mirrors today are available with all sorts of frames and ornamentation. From gold and silver leading to Swarovski crystals, there’s much to chose from. Sudan Dutta, interior designer, The Gold Leafing Studio, says mirrors when placed on room panelling can give the illusion of space. “Today the most popular is the laser cut technique where one can incorporate the colour combination of the room in the mirror piece. Good or silver leafing can also be done to add an elegant touch.” He suggests for the bedroom to use mirrors on wardrobe shutters or the back panel of the bed.