I’ve been in a real pickle in our bedroom when it comes to the mirror arrangement. Across from the bay-window is a large wall that would generally absorb so much light throughout the day! That’s what walls across from windows do–absorb the light so much that they can appear flat. It’s because there are generally no shadows, you know? There’s also a narrow walk-way between the wall and the bed, and to me, it’s the obvious wall for a mirror! I’ve done it over and over, in many spaces. The wall across from a window gets a mirror of some shape–regardless of the room. It’s a great design tip to eliminate a “flat” looking wall. In our room, we have it leaning against that wall currently and it checks all the design boxes I want: bounces light throughout the room, makes the room look bigger, plus it takes up substantial space on the otherwise, blank narrow wall.
Rug | Bed | Mirror | Bench | Swivel Chairs | Chandelier | Bedding
Here’s the dilemma… As gorgeous as the mirror is across from the window, when it comes to actually *using* the mirror, it’s a dud. Let me explain! Every time I stand in front of the mirror (the ONLY full length mirror downstairs) to go get a good look at myself, I’m completely backlit! Basically, I become a silhouette standing in between the window and the mirror! It feels like a silly problem to have, but when I was talking to my sisters about it–it seems like we’ve all experienced the same thing. See what I’m talking about?
A mirror on the same wall as a window is ideal, because you’re perfectly lit when facing it! I’ve thought about swapping out the small dresser with a mirror, putting it ON the window wall! Then I’m not sure where to move the dresser, and also the wall across from the window goes back to absorbing all the light in the room… Am I destined for backlit glances in the mirror in our bedroom??
A Mirror on the Window Wall
Dresser | Vase | Jewelry Boxes
A side-lit wall would also be a solution, but the only wall that could work for that is the wall where our bed is… Do we move the bed into the window bay?… Again?!
It would solve the mirror dilemma. And the TV dilemma. AND the dresser dilemma.
We’ve solved this mirror problem once before. In the primary closet of our last house, the mirror swiveled. A simple swivel of the mirror, and the lighting was great. Problem solved, and it was genius if I do say so myself!
A Swivel Mirror
F&B Lamp Room Gray | Chandelier | Ottoman | Knobs
Sometimes I see mirrors in other people’s spaces online and I can tell right away if it is a functional mirror for bouncing light, or can they actually use it to see themselves. Maybe I’ll rearrange…again. Or maybe I’ll just hunt for a different wall in a different room. That seems to be the most likely option at the moment, and in the meantime, I’m open to suggestions!
Shop Our Bedroom
Sooo the photographer in me needs to say something lol. A white wall is like a giant reflector reflecting white light back into the room. Any other color is going to have a slight cast to the light reflected, red being one of the most noticeable. A black wall is going to absorb the light. Sooooo don’t let this feeling that the wall is going to absorb the light stop you from moving it!
We’re big supporters of the leaning mirror. The styling is intentional and purposeful. It’s also surprisingly still quite unconventional as most people would hang their mirror on the wall. Plus, leaning your mirror allows you to creatively place wall art in the space. Your large statement piece above the bed looks great by the way!
I am no designer at all but have decided I like to place mirrors so that they reflect the window as you walk into the room. Which may be opposite the window, or may not, depending where the door is placed. It makes it sort of feel like 2 windows, and I’m all about more windows!
So maybe no mirror at all? I thought I’d totally miss a full length mirror in our current bedroom but nope … I just use the bathroom mirror for a quick check and assume I’m gonna remember to put some pants and shoes on …
For the time being Can you hang a mirror on the back of the bedroom door? Or maybe on the back of the bathroom door ? Not sure where thise doors are in the room if they face the window etc but it could be temporary solution