Mirrors in Business Décor: Your Guide to Success

Don’t overlook mirror glass if you’re getting a new commercial space ready or remodeling an existing gym, office, store, restaurant, etc. Because mirrors are both ornamental and functional, they can improve the appeal of many different business settings. In fact, mirrors are always decorative – even when they’re installed for a practical purpose – so the mirrors you choose for your business can impact its image. Also, custom mirrors can be tailored to your needs and tastes and put the perfect finishing touch on your company’s interior design. 

1. Why do mirrors make sense in commercial décor?
2. How can mirrors be customized to my company’s image and brand?
3. What if there are already fixtures or decorative moulding on the walls?
4. What are my options for gym wall mirrors?
5. How can mirrors be used in office spaces?
6. Does mirror décor make sense in a store?
7. What types of mirrors are used in restaurants?
8. Are there other businesses that could benefit from custom mirrors?
9. How should I decide which walls get mirrors?
10. What is the best way to keep mirrors looking their best in a business setting?
11. How can I have custom mirrors delivered and installed at my site?

1. Why do mirrors make sense in commercial décor?

We are all used to mirrors in our homes – vanity mirrors, dressing mirrors, framed mirror wall hangings, and so on – but they might not be the first thing that comes to mind when brainstorming for business décor ideas. However, mirrors can improve the ambiance of a commercial space in many of the same ways they benefit our homes:

• Mirrors give the impression of depth and make rooms feel larger.
• Reflective glass illumines a room by enhancing light, whether it’s sunshine streaming through the window or the glow of a ceiling lamp.
• The smooth, glistening surface of mirror glass is visually appealing in its own right.
• Mirrors serve a wide range of practical purposes, such as letting you see how an outfit looks on you before buying it.
• The smooth surface and clean lines of a mirror bring an upscale vibe to any space.
• A mirror is a wall hanging that you can keep using even if you decorate in a different palette or mode later on.
• Mirrors can be located strategically to reflect another favorite feature of your space.

As you can see, an office wall mirror can be an effective tool for sprucing up your company’s space and making it more inviting to both employees and clients.

2. How can mirrors be customized to my company’s image and brand?

Custom mirrors allow you to decorate with reflective glass in a way that enhances branding and your company’s desired image. Different mirror designs make different impressions and evoke different emotions. For example, an antique mirror wrapped in black metal has a totally different feel than a modern frameless circular mirror. Choose the former to convey strength and deep roots in your industry or the latter to show that your shop is fresh, modern, and fun. A glass shop like ABC Glass & Mirror can personalize mirrors in many ways, including:

• Small, medium, and large mirrors can be fabricated with non-standard dimensions.
• Traditional mirror shapes like round, square, and rectangle are available, and so are less commonly used shapes like triangle, half circle, and teardrop.
• Many unique and asymmetrical shapes can also be created.
• Mirrors can be installed flat against the wall, but spacers can also be used to hold the mirror off from the wall.
• A custom glass shop such as ABC Glass & Mirror provides antique mirror as well, which is mirror glass that’s been acid washed for a timeworn look.

Another important aspect of mirror customization is edgework. Your choice for the mirror’s perimeter will impact its style and character. Pick from:

• Polished Edge: These mirrors have simple machine-polished edges without any border or framing. Their look is understated, sleek, and versatile, so they fit in with many decorating themes. Also, a polished edge is frequently chosen for mirrors that are primarily functional in purpose.
• Beveled Edge: Mirror can also be fabricated with a beveled border around its perimeter. This makes the mirror a bit more fancy and decorative, but it’s also a look that matches many interior designs.
• Metal Wrapped Edge: Another ornamental border consists of a thin strip of metal framing the mirror. Finishes available from ABC Glass & Mirror are matte black, oil rubbed bronze, brushed nickel, and chrome.

Framed mirrors are another type of on-trend wall hanging, and you can order a mirror to fit in a specific frame that you’d like to use in your business.

3. What if there are already fixtures or decorative molding on the walls?

If you choose custom mirrors, they can typically be installed even if there are existing fixtures or detailing on your walls. Let’s delve into the possibilities with some FAQs.

4. What are my options for gym wall mirrors?

For gyms, dance studios, and health clubs, wall mirrors are more of a necessity than an optional décor element. Patrons and members expect to be able to observe themselves as they work out and practice, so that they can fix mistakes and use better form. Gym wall mirror options include:

• One large mirror
• Multiple large mirrors installed adjacent to one another
• A wall completely covered with mirror glass from floor to ceiling and side to side
• A wall covered with mirror glass with a small gap between the mirrors and the adjoining surfaces
• Multiple large mirrors installed in a row with spaces between them

Thus, while gym mirrors are primarily practical, they do impact the atmosphere of your gym, studio, or club by creating the illusion of space and by reflecting and maximizing light. Standard polished edge mirror is most commonly used in these settings. However, if you want your establishment to have a country club feel, consider metal wrapping, beveled edges, or antique style mirrors.

5. How can mirrors be used in office spaces?

While mirrors aren’t absolutely necessary in an office, there are many reasons to integrate them into your decorating. A custom glass shop like ABC can not only install mirrors large and small but will help with design as well. A few ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

• Mirrored walls are perfect for improving the vibe of a lobby, waiting room, or small office space. A wall of reflective glass also gives a conference room or meeting area a more upscale feel.
• Smaller mirrors are ideal for office wall hangings. Behind the front desk, above a low cabinet, and in a windowless office are just some of the locations where a mirror is an effective decorating tool.
• Using mirrors as wall hangings is also a smart move because they won’t go out of style as color and décor trends evolve.
• Mirror glass is timeless and classic, but you can still tailor your mirrors to your company’s brand. For example, your choice of edgework will impact whether the mirror is more modern or more traditional.

Thoughtful touches, like hanging beautiful mirrors in the reception area or using them to brighten up individual workstations, help your staff and clients feel valued and appreciated.

6. Does mirror décor make sense in a store?

Apparel and footwear retailers typically provide mirrors throughout the store as well as in dressing rooms (if applicable). Once again, custom mirrors allow you to improve the shop’s décor while giving your customers this functional mirror space. Specific design ideas include:

• Have a mirrored wall installed on one side of your shop to evoke the feeling of a larger store while making it easy for customers to see how they look in different shoes, hats, jackets, etc. 
• Hang large beveled mirrors near the dressing rooms at angles that allow customers to see an outfit from the front, back, and sides.
• Upgrade the dressing room mirrors to metal wrapped mirrors for a boutique feel.
• Glam up the store’s bathroom with individual beveled mirrors hanging over each sink.

Stores that sell other items can also benefit from mirror walls as design elements, mirrors to improve the feel of cramped areas, and decorative mirrors that simply make your shop more pleasant to be in.

7. What types of mirrors are used in restaurants?

In a small cafe, mirrors visually expand the space and lighten its aura. In a bigger restaurant, they are statements pieces that uplift its look and feel. It’s important to remember that standard mirror glass is not your only option. Antique mirror is perfect for maintaining harmony amid historic architecture, adding warmth and character to a contemporary space, or creating a mirrored wall with a softened appearance.  In fact, antique mirrors lend charm to any dining area. 

Whether you opt for normal or antique mirror, places to use reflective glass in a restaurant include:

• Above each of a line booths
• In the restaurant’s lobby or front desk area
• Where it will reflect a window or a piece of wall art
• Perpendicular to a window for maximum light enhancement
• Anywhere you need a tasteful wall ornament 

8. Are there other businesses that could benefit from custom mirrors?

Absolutely! Just like a custom mirror can enhance any room in your house, mirrors also have a place in just about any commercial space, regardless of the specific business. Remember that by thoughtfully choosing even practical mirrors you can make them double as on-trend wall ornaments. Consider some specific examples of other ways mirrors can be used in business settings:

• Hair salons: This is another business model that pretty much requires mirrors. However, you can choose custom mirrors that simultaneously serve as wall art by choosing decorative edgework or unique mirror shapes.
• Art gallery: In a gallery of paintings or sculptures, a mirror can amplify the impact of beautiful artwork and make individual pieces visible from more parts of the room.
• Tattoo studio: Mirrors are important here so clients can approve the design before it is permanently applied and then check out their new ink.
• Any business with a public restroom: The state of a business’s restrooms can impact customers’ perceptions, research suggests. Keeping the restroom clean and well-stocked is most important, but you can also style it up through your choice of vanity mirrors. For example, choosing beveled mirrors, metal wrapped mirrors, or mirrors that extend up to the ceiling can give even a public bathroom a luxe feel. Check out some of the style options in the video below.

9. How should I decide which walls get mirrors?

Professional glaziers can add some form of mirror glass to most walls. Of course the ideal wall has a nice even surface and few, if any, existing fixtures. Small mirrors can usually be hung where they avoid structural irregularities, light switches, and the like. But if you want a large mirror or mirrors, see if you can find a bare, flat section of wall without significant irregularities. If not, keep in mind that there are possible work-arounds:

• Cut-outs can be made in the mirror to accommodate fixtures.
• Mirror dimensions can be tweaked for a good fit in an out of square corner.
• Spacers can be used for “floating” installation in which the mirror stands off from the wall’s surface.
• Minor dips and rises in a wall can be dealt with by using shims when installing the mirror.

It’s also crucial to be mindful of what the mirror will reflect. In an office, for instance, you probably don’t want to visually duplicate the entrance to the bathroom or someone’s chronically messy work site. Try to hang mirrors where they will reflect lovely architecture, other décor elements, company logos, and the like. Mirrors can also form the backdrop for shelves of unboxed merchandise such shoes and knick-knacks. With regard to windows, you can hang a mirror opposite a window to replicate an outdoor view or at right angles to a window to most effectively increase natural lighting.

10. What is the best way to keep mirrors looking their best in a business setting?

For starters, be thoughtful about mirror placement. For example, suppose you want to decorate your lobby with a mirrored wall. Who usually sits in the lobby? If it’s adults coming in for business meetings, feel free to use ceiling to floor mirrors. However, if your lobby is the waiting room for a dentist or pediatrician, think about the fact that little kids will be irresistibly drawn to touch and smudge the mirror glass. In this case, it would be better to cover only the upper portion of the wall with mirrors.

Likewise, in a gym, dance studio, or other fitness center, it’s important to consider the type of activity taking place in each space. If mirrors reaching down to the floor are likely to be kicked or scuffed, have them stop sooner. Regardless of the business, always consider personal safety – ie you don’t want the mirror to be struck and broken – as well as where the mirror is most likely to stay clean for longer.

Of course regular cleaning is going to be needed to keep mirrors looking their best (although you can decrease frequency by smart placement.) Tips for mirror care include:

• Avoid ammonia based cleaners which can damage mirror backing. (Or ensure that they only touch the glass by following the tip below.)
• Apply the cleaning agent to the cloth or paper towel instead of spraying it on the glass. This keeps the liquid from dripping down the mirror and possibly damaging the reflective backing or a surface below the mirror.
• Stay away from harsh or abrasive products and use only appropriate glass cleansers.
• Use paper towels or soft cloths – never scratchy or abrasive sponges, scrubbers, etc.
• Keep buffing the mirror until all the glass cleaner has disappeared.
• If the mirror is heavily soiled, you may need to repeat this process a few times.

11. How can I have custom mirrors delivered and installed at my site?

Partnering with another business – a custom glass company – ensures proper installation and a good fit for your mirrors. This is especially important when you’re adding large mirrors, making a mirrored wall, or need non-standard mirrors shapes or dimensions. ABC Glass & Mirror offers:

• A free consultation and measure at your site.
• Help with project design. 
• Many options for customization.
• Professional installation of mirrors large and small.

We’d love the chance to earn your business! Get in touch with ABC Glass & Mirror at (703)257-7150 to speak with a glass specialist or schedule a free meeting.