Entryway and Foyer Mirrors – Don’t Miss Out on this Design Element!
Adding a custom mirror to your foyer or entryway is a wonderful way to bring style and charm to an often neglected part of the home. The first space you – and your guests – see as you enter the house should be one that is inviting and welcoming. While some entrances have windows and lots of space to work with, others do not. Regardless of the size or layout of your foyer or entryway, a mirror is an excellent décor choice. Let’s look at some mirror basics and how to best incorporate them into this area of the home.
1. How do custom mirror dimensions open up more possibilities?
Stock size mirrors and department store mirrors can be lovely wall hangings. At the same time, ordering mirror from a custom glass shop does open up additional design options. When you want a one-of-a-kind design or need non-standard mirror dimensions, a custom mirror is the way to go.
If you want to totally cover a certain section of your wall with reflective glass, glaziers can typically cut a mirror that will fit over it.
Small custom mirrors can also be fabricated to your desired dimensions if you want to cover wall space with many adjoining mirrors.
At times, home decorators have beautiful frames they’d like to fill with mirror glass. A glass shop can cut mirror to fit in most frames. (The primary caveat is that sharp corners cannot be cut angling in toward the center of the mirror as this will crack the glass.)
Working with a custom glass company, you can choose the precise mirror size and shape that’s best for your design.
Unique mirrors shapes are possible including teardrop, semi-circle, crescent, triangle, and asymmetrical forms. This allows you to create an original look that sets the tone for the rest of your interior décor.
2. What mirror size is best for a foyer?
The ideal mirror size will be impacted by how large or small the foyer is, but in general, I would say this is an excellent spot for a big mirror. For one thing, foyers and entryways are smaller than many other rooms, and a large wall mirror creates the illusion of space. Also, a big mirror offers a more striking statement of style than a smaller piece. A full length mirror makes it easy to see your whole outfit on the way out the door. Finally, in a windowless entryway or foyer, a big mirror can serve as a faux window. Other points to consider in choosing the mirror size include:
The mirror should be proportional to the furniture below it (if any).
Ideally the mirror size and placement will let you check at least your hairstyle before leaving the house.
You typically don’t want to hang a tiny mirror on a large expanse of wall space unless it’s part of a vignette or a gallery wall.
ABC Glass & Mirror, for example, offers small mirrors, medium mirrors, and mirrors as large as 60” x 120”, so it’s not difficult to obtain a mirror of just the right dimensions for your particular foyer.
3. At what height should I have a small wall mirror installed?
Reference.com advises you “to place the center of the mirror about 60 to 62 inches from the floor” regardless of whether it’s a foyer mirror or some other type of mirror. Another general guideline is to hang mirrors at eye level, just like pieces of art. Other factors that might affect the exact placement of your mirror include:
Height of furniture below the mirror: If the mirror is going above a table or shelf, you will want to hang the mirror so that the bottom is a few inches above this surface.
Practical considerations: Your height and that of family members should also inform mirror placement if you want to be able to easily check your look on the way out the door.
Ceiling height: Taller ceilings might make it desirable to hang a mirror a bit higher on the wall especially if it is going above a tall table or stand.
A custom glass professional can also offer mirror placement tailored to your entryway and design goals.
4. What are my edge options for a custom entryway mirror?
One of the most important decisions you’ll make when designing a custom mirror relates to the edgework. Mirror edges from ABC Glass & Mirror can be:
Polished: Finely polished edges surrounding a level mirror surface.
Beveled: An angle cut around the mirror perimeter forming a bevel slanting down from the mirror surface.
Metal wrapped: A thin strip of metal wrapping around the mirror for a minimalist framed look.
Polished edge mirrors are understated and simple. They work especially well with modern decorating and keep the attention on the reflective glass. A beveled mirror will be a bit dressier. These mirrors match almost any style and really shine in rooms with a transitional style. Small square beveled mirrors can be used to beautifully cover a section of wall space. Finally, metal wrapped mirrors give you a framed look that is very much in vogue currently. ABC customers can choose a chrome, brushed nickel, oil rubbed bronze, or matte black finish for the metal wrapping.
5. What if I want a foyer mirror that looks antique?
If you live in a historic home or are decorating in an antique style, you may wonder if adding a brand new mirror to your foyer or entryway will be jarring and disjointed. New mirror glass that looks old is referred to as “antique mirror”, and it’s perfect for the situations we’ve just describe. Since an acid wash has eaten away some of the backing on “antique mirror”, it looks like mirror that has been worn by the passage of time. This special glass can preserve an antique vibe OR be incorporated into a more contemporary space to impart an heirloom, “gathered over time” feel. Options for antique mirror in a foyer include:
Cover all or part of a wall with antique mirrors for character and a sense of spaciousness.
Put a piece of antique mirror in an ornate frame to create an eye-catching wall hanging.
Choose a custom antique mirror wrapped in matte black metal.
If the walls have special trim or alcoves, have custom antique mirrors installed within the molding.
6. Are there tips for choosing the best wall for a mirror?
Let’s take a look at some FAQs regarding where to place a custom entryway or foyer mirror.
Where should I place a mirror in relation to a foyer window?
You have a couple options when it comes to maximizing the impact of an entryway or foyer window. If you want to reflect as much light as possible with the mirror, it should be situated on the wall perpendicular to the wall with the window. On the other hand, if you wish to duplicate the view of the window, the mirror should go across from it.
What type of wall makes mirror installation easiest?
Ideal walls for mirror installation are mostly flat with no serious ridges. Choosing a wall free of existing fixtures will also make things simpler and can help keep costs down.
How concerned should I be about what will be reflected in the mirror?
What’s reflected in the mirror glass is crucial to design success. Avoid hanging the mirror where it will give added visibility to one of the room’s problem areas, like a messy shelf or crowded coat rack. Instead, place the mirror where it will highlight one of the room’s other beautiful accents or some lovely architecture.
Are there advantages to hanging the mirror over a piece of furniture?
Yes, for one thing, hanging a mirror over a table, stand, or cabinet will make it less likely that people will touch it and smudge it with fingerprints. Also, pairing the mirror with another piece boosts its aesthetic impact on the foyer.
7. What about creating a mirrored wall in a foyer?
A mirrored wall is formed when an entire wall or a significant part of it is covered with reflective glass. Creating a mirrored wall in a foyer or entryway can dramatically change its look and feel.
A mirrored wall gives the space character and beauty – it does not feel like a purely utilitarian nook or an afterthought in your interior design.
Certain types of mirrored walls, such a those covered with large polished edge mirrors, can make a foyer or entryway appear double in size.
A mirrored wall can effectively duplicate other decorative elements – a window with a view, a table topped with a vase of flowers, a wall hanging, etc.
Mirrored wall also brighten the space by reflecting natural and electric light.
If you create a “tiled” mirrored wall by having many small geometric mirrors arranged in a repeating pattern, the wall does double duty as an artistic ornament.
There are a few different approaches you can take to making a mirrored wall. You may wish to totally cover a wall with glass, leaving no gaps between the mirrors and the adjoining surfaces. You can also create a similar look at a lower price point by covering a wall with mirror but leaving a small border of bare wall around it. (Less precise fabrication is needed for this look, so it tends to be less expensive.) Finally, you may prefer to cover just one or more large sections of a foyer wall with mirror:
A floor-to-ceiling mirrored section on a large wall.
Mirror above wainscoting or chair-rail.
Mirrors inside alcoves or molding on the wall.
8. How can I deal with light switches or outlets on the foyer wall where I want a mirror?
Discussing mirrored walls brings us to the issue of existing fixtures. What if electrical fixtures are already in place on the wall where you want a mirror? You have several choices in how to deal with this, and your decision will be informed by your project budget, design goals, and available wall space.
Option #1 is very straightforward: pick another wall! If a wall has lots of outlets and switches, it might not be the best location for a big foyer mirror. In many cases, another entryway wall is a nice alternative.
Option #2 is to stick with your chosen wall but adjust the mirror dimensions, shape, or placement as needed to avoid the outlets and switches. If your heart isn’t set on a mirrored wall or large mirror, this can be a very doable option.
Option #3 gives you what you want, but of course there’s a cost. A custom glass shop can put cutouts in a mirror so that it fits around existing wall fixtures. This allows you to have the mirror you want installed on the wall you want, but the extra customization does add to the price tag.
9. What items pair nicely with an entryway or foyer mirror?
The nice thing about mirror glass is that it matches just about everything. That being said, a foyer mirror looks especially good paired with certain furniture, wall hangings, and accents. Check out just some of the possibilities:
A polished edge, beveled, or metal wrapped mirror looks beautiful over a table or accent cabinet. This surface also gives you somewhere to set your keys when you come home, not to mention how it can be styled up with candles, sculptures, and other knick-knacks.
You may already have a very practical piece of furniture in your entryway, such as a shoe shelf or a cabinet to hold boots, hats, and scarves. Hang a mirror above it, be sure everything on its shelves are tidy, and add one or two chic accent items to transform this utilitarian piece into a décor element.
Mirrors look wonderful grouped with other wall hangings. You could create a gallery wall of various mirrors in your foyer or use a mirror as the central piece of a gallery wall that includes an eclectic collection of photos, prints, needlepoint, etc.
A full length foyer mirror looks especially nice with two tall items stationed on either side of it. These could be potted trees, large vases, or even tall stands topped with pillar candles.
Another option is to hang a softly glowing pendant light where it will be reflected in the mirror glass.
10. How should I care for a mirror in this location?
As mentioned earlier, one aspect of keeping a foyer mirror looking good is minimizing fingerprints. Mirror placement and size can help, as can putting a piece of furniture against the wall below the mirror. You’ll also want to include the entryway mirror in your weekly cleaning routine.
Apply approved glass cleaner to a microfiber cloth or paper towel. (By not spraying cleaner directly on the glass you avoid dripping that can potentially damage the mirror backing and surfaces below the mirror.)
Wipe the mirror with the dampened cloth or paper towel.
Special scrubbing may be needed for areas that are visibly soiled. (Never use anything harsh or abrasive on the mirror glass, though.)
Buff with a soft cloth until the glass is dry.
Repeat as necessary.
It’s also important to place the mirror where it’s not at high risk of damage. Consider whether it could be struck by the door knob, for example, before having it installed on a wall perpendicular to the front door.
11. What is the easiest way to have a custom mirror installed in my home’s entrance?
ABC Glass & Mirror of Manassas Park, VA will deliver and install custom mirrors for home and business owners in the Northern Virginia region. Follow these easy steps to go from wishing for the perfect foyer mirror to enjoying its beauty every time you enter or exit your home!
Call our team at (703)257-7150, Monday-Friday, between 7am and 5pm to discuss your project.
Set up a complimentary in-home consultation and estimate to have a glazier visit your house and take measurements, answer questions, and show you samples.
Get an emailed price quote, finalize your choices, and place the order.
The ABC team will prepare everything and schedule another visit to your site.
Relax as we install the foyer mirror or mirrors.
Enjoy your beautified entryway for years to come!
ABC offers additional custom glass products that can complement your wall mirror or style up other areas of your home. For example, we could install a custom glass shelf below your foyer mirror or create back painted glass wall art on the wall opposite the mirror. Items for other parts of the home include:
