Tips For Placing a Mirror Above a Fireplace

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Mirrors are a great interior design accessory, and they can be used to create an illusion of space, while also brightening up a dull-looking room. If you are planning on placing a mirror above the fireplace, it should be understood that not all mirrors are designed to be hung, as some are supposed to be leaned against the wall, and with that in mind, here are a few tips for the correct placement of a mirror above a fireplace.

Correct Fixing

Mirrors are heavy objects and a single wire suspended on a nail or screw is simply inadequate and might end up with the mirror crashing down onto the mantle, which is enough to scare the daylights out of anyone. The correct way to hang a mirror is to have 3 or 4 hooks, each with their corresponding eye that is screwed into the wall, and, of course, the larger the mirror, the more robust the fixings.

Leave A Space Above The Mantel

The space should be proportionate, with at least 4 inches between the mantel and the bottom of the mirror, and for thick frames, you might want to go a little higher, so as not to cast a shadow over the décor. There are many items you can find online, such as overmantle mirrors for sale by the online antique dealer, and with his expertise and an extensive catalog of quality antique and vintage mirrors, you should be able to find something that looks like it was made for that space.

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Mirror Width

In order to retain proportions, the width of the mirror should not exceed the width of the actual fireplace, while the actual mirror frame should not extend past the width of the mantel. This means you need to measure up the wall above the mantel, then, armed with these dimensions, you can search for antique and vintage mirrors from the online antique dealer, which should result in acquiring the right-sized mirror that is in proportion with the mantel.More advice on how to hang a mirroris available with just a quick search on Google.

The Paper Template

This is a handy trick that will give you a clear picture of how the mirror will look when in place, and by cutting a piece of paper to the same dimensions as the mirror, you can affix the paper template to the wall with blue tack, then stand back and take a look. This eliminates the risk of buying the mirror, only to find it is too big or small for what you planned, and once you have centered the template correctly, take a few pictures to send to a friend, who can give you an unbiased opinion on whether the mirror would look suitable for the space.

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Placing a mirror over a mantel is a great opportunity to add some antique items to a modern or contemporary setting, and with online antique dealers who have a wide range of quality pieces, you are bound to find something that fits perfectly.

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