It's common knowledge that mirrors are an excellent way to brighten a space, we use their reflective surfaces to bounce light around and make small spaces feel bigger, but did you know that, according to the Chinese practice of Feng Shui, the placement of a mirror is crucial to your home’s energy flow? This week’s Style Note takes a look at this fascinating set of principles and shares a few key tips on how to maximise your home’s good energy in style.
Choosing the right mirror
Before you choose your new mirror, it’s important to consider how you want it to serve you. Do you want a functional, full-length mirror, or one primarily for decoration with a wide, statement frame? Do you want your new mirror to be free-standing, wall-hanging or leaning with an anti-topple kit for stability? If you want to place your mirror in a room with plenty of natural light, feel free to be bold with the thickness and width of the frame, however, if the room you have in mind is quite dark, think about purchasing a mirror with plenty of surface area and a slim frame. Remember, Feng Shui is all about positive energy, so make sure that, whichever mirror you choose, it should make you feel good.
The right mirror placement
If you’re considering hanging your mirror in a hallway or up a staircase, this can be an excellent choice for your home’s Feng Shui, as these are often small, dim areas that can be made to feel brighter and more spacious with the simple addition of a reflective surface. However, there are a few things to be mindful of here. Try to place mirrors perpendicular to doorways instead of opposite them, especially your front door, as this can disrupt the flow of fresh energy into your home. It is also considered to be bad for Feng Shui if a mirror is placed above a seat or bed, as it is difficult to relax with something weighty above you. When it comes to bathroom mirrors, ensure the toilet is not visible in the reflection… for obvious reasons!
Consider the height of your mirror
According to Feng Shui, to achieve the best possible flow of energy through your home, your mirrors should be placed about 4 or 5 feet above the ground. This will translate differently depending on the size of the mirror, your height and how the mirror is serving you, as the thinking behind this principle is that each mirror should show the clearest possible reflection of the person stood before it. So, don’t worry if your dressing table mirror needs to be lower or your full-length mirror needs to be higher, just make sure they are all clean and positioned to take your home and height into account.
“A carefully placed mirror can dictate a whole new feel in a room - one propped against a wall (and secured safely!) adds an effortless laid back mood.”
Consider what is being reflected in your mirror
Mirrors double what they reflect. So, another way to decide on your mirror placement is to think about what you would like to see two of! It is generally considered to be good for Feng Shui if a mirror is placed opposite a window, because greenery, sky and natural light will always create positive energy. Placing mirrors in social spaces such as dining rooms, living rooms and even gardens is also a great idea, as they can make it feel as though there are more people. However, remember that mirrors reflect energy as well as appearances, so be careful who you invite over and make sure everyone leaves their drama at home!
The best place for a mirror in the bedroom
The bedroom is a very sensitive area for Feng Shui, as it is believed that misplaced mirrors can disrupt sleep. There are many different schools of thought and vast amounts of advice (some of which is contradictory) regarding mirror placement in bedrooms – for example, whether a mirror should face your bed or not is a much-debated subject. Try starting with the aforementioned rules. You may need to try a few different placements before you find the one that looks and feels best, and if you find that some of these Feng Shui principles don’t work for you, don’t worry! At the end of the day, you need to go with whatever makes you feel your best.