Accent with an Image of Elegance

There was a time when vanity mirrors were fundamental decorative elements found in the finest homes in Europe. From the 17th to the 19th century, home decor schemes relied on vanity mirrors with beautiful frames made of ivory, silver, and exotic materials such as ebony and tortoiseshell. Today's vanity mirrors aren't nearly as decadent, but they remain the best choice to accent any room with an image of elegance.

Vanity Mirrors and Decor Vanity mirrors don't always have to be placed above a vanity. There are free-standing body-length vanity mirrors, portable tabletop vanity mirrors, as well as wall-mounted vanity mirrors in a variety of shapes and sizes. Vanity mirrors can add to a room's decor in subtle or bold ways, enhancing space, reflecting light, or drawing attention to other design features. Vanity of Vanities Of course, most decorators prefer to place a vanity mirror above a bedroom or bathroom vanity. But even in that traditional space, doing something out of the ordinary with your vanity mirror could be enough to make yours the "vanity of vanities," to paraphrase a world-weary author.

There are a few guidelines to follow to get the best decorative use out of your vanity mirror. Owners of contemporary bathrooms or vanities should generally avoid large vanity mirrors with frames. A thin or sleek vanity mirror frame might work, but unframed vanity mirrors will provide a more modern sense of space. Framed vanity mirrors are fine with more traditional designs.

Don't install a vanity mirror larger than your vanity. Nor should you feel you have to select a vanity mirror that fills up the entire area above your vanity. Sometimes the smallest vanity mirrors are the most beautiful.

Smaller vanity mirrors used together could provide a more striking and unusual look than just a single piece of glass. Consider using oval vanity mirrors, or even setting rectangular vanity mirrors side by side in a diagonal fashion to create a jagged, vertical reflective space.