How to Decorate Using Frameless Mirrors

Frameless mirrors are simply pieces of mirror glass that do not have a metal or wooden frame around them. They are usually mounted to the wall using picture hooks and picture wire. Once they are mounted, they add a modern touch to any room because they appear to float slightly off the wall. They are usually geometric in shape and smaller than regular mirrors, which gives you a lot of design options when it comes to decorating with frameless mirrors.

Things You'll Need

• Digital camera
• Printer
• Stud finder
• Hammer
• Picture hangers

Instructions

1. Evaluate the space where you want to hang the mirrors. The best way to do this is to step back from the space (perhaps as far as all the way across the room) and look at the angles of the furniture, the wall and any other artwork that will be interacting with the mirrors. Decide whether rounded shapes or straight edged shapes will work better in the space, and think about whether or not you want a precise, geometric pattern or you prefer a random alignment. Generally, frameless mirrors work best with a little less precision, unless you are constructing a large, symmetrical and radiating arrangement.

2. Come up with several designs. Take a picture of the mirror space with a digital camera and print several copies. Get as much of the surrounding area in as you can so that you will be better able to envision the space. Then you can draw with a pencil on the pictures to get an idea of how your mirror design will look. You will be able to see clearly what will fit well with the space and what will not. Popular looks are random, curvilinear patterns of round frameless mirrors that stretch across a wall or over a window, or vertical arrangements of square and rectangular mirrors that have one or more rows. Of course, kids rooms and kitchens can benefit from flower-like arrangements that have a round central mirror surrounded by five or six round mirrors in a circle.

3. Factor in your goals for the mirror décor. Mirrors are great for making rooms look larger, and even a collection of small frameless mirrors can give a room a lot more depth. If you place the mirrors across from a window or near a lamp, you can also magnify the levels of light in the room and give it extra dimensions. Consider putting at least part of the design at eye level, so you can see yourself.

4. Locate studs in the wall if necessary. Usually, frameless mirrors are small enough that they do not need to be mounted on studs. However, if your frameless mirror is large and heavy, then you should locate a stud in the wall to mount it on. This can alter your design, so if you have to move more than a foot in either direction, you may want to reconsider your design plan to use smaller mirrors.

5. Mount your mirrors on the wall. Use the picture hangers to make the mirrors hang more securely. If you are unhappy with the look of your design, then feel free to move the mirrors around. Picture hangers use tiny nails, and if the holes are not covered up by the mirrors they will still be nearly impossible to detect.

Tips & Warnings

• Always be careful when hanging mirrors that you are sure that the hang wire has caught.