Learning how to use mirrors to make a room look bigger is one of the oldest and most reliable tricks in the interior designer's toolkit and when executed with the right mirror, the effect can be genuinely remarkable. At Elysium Home, we work exclusively with Deknudt Mirrors, crafted in Belgium since 1946, whose deep copper-free glass and sculptural frames deliver the kind of clarity and presence that makes the space expanding illusion truly convincing.

The Mirror Illusion Explained

Mirrors create the perception of additional space through a combination of depth, light reflection, and visual continuity. When you look at a large mirror on a wall, the brain interprets the reflected image as an extension of the actual room, the reflected version appears to be an adjacent space of equal dimension, effectively doubling the perceived square footage.

This is not merely a pleasant illusion it is grounded in how human vision processes spatial information. The eye follows lines and light to determine boundaries. A mirror removes a visual boundary and replaces it with what appears to be open space. The larger and clearer the mirror, the more convincing the effect.

The quality of the mirror glass matters enormously here. Deknudt's copper-free glass provides exceptional clarity and true colour rendition, there is no greenish tint, no distortion, and no cloudiness that would betray the illusion. In a small room, a lesser mirror can actually make a space feel smaller and dingier, a Deknudt mirror does precisely the opposite.

Explore our full designer mirror collection to see the range available or keep reading to learn exactly where and how to place a mirror for maximum spatial effect.

Placement Tips: Opposite Windows, Hallways & Entryways

Opposite a window this is the single most effective placement for a space expanding mirror. Position a large mirror directly on the wall facing the main window in a room, and it will capture the full breadth of natural light and the outdoor view, reflecting it back across the room. The room will feel brighter and appear to have an additional window or garden view. This is particularly powerful in apartments where natural light is at a premium.

The Haussmann Mirror from Deknudt at 175cm is ideal for this technique. Its vertical orientation maximises light capture, while the clean architectural frame keeps the focus on the reflection itself rather than drawing attention to the boundary between room and mirror.

In hallways and entryways narrow corridors are among the most challenging spaces in any home. They feel inherently confined by their proportions. A large rectangular mirror hung on one of the long walls of a hallway creates the appearance of a parallel space running alongside the actual corridor instantly doubling its perceived width. For a hallway leading from a front door, a dramatic tall mirror also creates a powerful first impression on arrival.

On a side wall in a living room or dining room even when a window facing placement is not possible, positioning a large mirror on a side wall (perpendicular to the main light source) still draws and distributes natural light effectively. The reflected image of the opposite wall also creates the impression of additional depth.

At the end of a dead end corridor a large mirror placed at the terminating wall of a corridor creates an extraordinary sense of visual extension. The corridor appears to continue beyond the wall. This technique is widely used in luxury hospitality design and works equally well in residential spaces.

Mirror Size Matters

When it comes to using mirrors to expand space, bigger is almost always better. This is counterintuitive for many people as there is an instinct to choose a smaller mirror in a small room to avoid "crowding" the wall. But this instinct is misguided. A small mirror in a small room merely reflects a small portion of that room. An oversized mirror reflects the majority of the room, creating the visual doubling effect that actually makes the space feel larger.

The Void XL Mirror from Deknudt is a compelling example of this principle in action. Its generous scale, combined with the exceptional depth and clarity of Deknudt's copper-free glass, creates a reflection so convincing that rooms appear to extend significantly beyond their actual dimensions.

For a small apartment living room or bedroom, aim for a mirror that occupies at least 50–60% of the wall height. In a room with 2.7m ceilings, that means a mirror of at least 135–162cm in height. In rooms with higher ceilings, the effect of an extremely tall mirror can be dramatic and architectural.

Browse our XL mirror collection for the most impactful options these pieces are specifically chosen for their ability to transform a space through scale.

For those who need a full wall solution, the most effective approach is a combination of two or three large rectangular mirrors hung edge to edge, or a single floor to ceiling mirror. Visit our rectangle mirror collection for the finest options in this category.

Frame Choices for Small Rooms

In a small room, the frame is more than decoration it affects how much of the visual "work" the mirror can do. Here are the key principles:

Slim frames maximise the reflective area. A thin metal frame or a frameless mirror maximises the reflective surface relative to the overall mirror dimensions. In a very small room, this can make a meaningful difference to the amount of light and space reflected.

Sculptural frames make the mirror itself a destination. Even in a small room, a sculptural or artistic frame like the Calco Gold can serve as the room's decorative centrepiece. In this case, the mirror does not need to be maximally large as the frame creates interest and draws the eye, making the room feel more curated and therefore more spacious in feel if not in fact.

Light coloured frames reflect light rather than absorbing it. In a dark or north facing room that receives little natural light, a mirror with a lighter frame such as gold, champagne, white, or natural will contribute more warmth and luminosity to the space than a dark framed mirror.

Whatever your frame preference, the entire Deknudt collection at Elysium Home is available to view in person at our Lane Cove showroom (open by appointment). Call John or Natalie on 02 9879 6670 or contact us online.

Room by Room Guide to Placement

Small apartment living room: Position a large rectangular or round mirror directly opposite the main window. Aim for a mirror at least 100–130cm in its largest dimension. Lean it at floor level for a relaxed, gallery feel, or hang it centred on the wall at standard height.

Narrow hallway: Hang a tall rectangular mirror on one of the long walls, extending as close to floor and ceiling as is practical. Keep the opposite wall clear of clutter to maximise the reflection's coherence.

Small bedroom: A large mirror opposite the foot of the bed (or on an adjacent wall if the foot of bed placement feels uncomfortable) works well. Many clients at Elysium Home choose a floor leaning option for bedrooms, as it creates a sense of space without the need to locate wall studs.

Small dining room: Mirroring one complete wall of a dining room is a classic technique in restaurant and hospitality design. In a residential dining room, a single large mirror hung at table height on the main wall creates a sense of a much larger, more animated space particularly effective when candles or pendants are reflected in the surface.

Frequently Asked Questions