A large mirror may be the simplest way to make a living room lighter and more spacious. One good spot and the right size are enough: the mirror does the rest.
3 min read · Updated 8 November 2026
What a large mirror does
A mirror reflects light and space. In a living room with few windows or a deep floor plan, a large mirror carries daylight further into the room. The space looks bigger, and in the evening it doubles the light of your lamps.
A large mirror is also a focal point. Where you might otherwise hang a work of art, a mirror with a distinctive shape or a wide frame brings the same calm to the wall, and it changes with the light of the day.
Where to hang it
The best spot is next to a window or at an angle opposite it. The mirror then catches the daylight and spreads it through the room. Directly opposite a window it mainly reflects the view: beautiful with a garden or open sky, less so with the building across the street.
Other good spots are above the sofa, above the fireplace or on an empty wall at the end of the room. Always check what the mirror shows from the sofa: a lamp, a plant or the window is nicer than the television or a crowded cabinet.
How big is big?
A mirror above a piece of furniture is narrower than the furniture, about two thirds of its width. On an empty wall it can be more generous. A few guide sizes:
Spot
Guide size
Above a 220 cm sofa
140 to 150 cm wide
Above a fireplace
slightly narrower than the mantel
Between two windows
portrait, 60 to 80 cm wide
On an empty wall
portrait, up to 120 x 200 cm
Our mirrors go up to 120 x 200 cm, with every side at least 30 cm. The collection includes Staand, 80 x 195 cm, for an empty wall or a hallway, and Scheve boog, 70 x 150 cm, for a narrower spot.
At the right height
If the mirror hangs freely on the wall, its centre sits at about eye level, around 150 to 160 cm. Above a sofa, the bottom hangs 20 to 30 cm above the backrest, so you don't lean your head against it. A tall mirror reaching down to just above the skirting board makes a room feel taller.
A large mirror is heavy. Always hang it with two people. The hanging points are already in the back and the fixings are included. On a hollow wall or plasterboard, use plugs designed for it. A tall mirror standing on the floor should also be fixed to the wall.
Shape and colour
In a living room with many straight lines, like cabinets, windows and a straight sofa, an organic mirror brings softness. A round mirror with a wide frame, like the one in the photo in BM37 Vesuvio Intense, is a calm yet strong accent.
The width of the frame matters too. A narrow frame lets the glass do the talking and suits a smaller room or a wall with many other objects. A wide frame turns the mirror into an object in its own right, with the soft nuances of hand-applied Mortex on show. For a large mirror on an empty wall, that is often exactly what the room needs.
