Placing mirror over fireplaces is become the most common trend in the past few years. In most of the houses a fireplace is generally located in a hallway or in a living room and this is the place where people use to gather for spending some quality time with their family.
Adding mirror over the fireplace can make your space more opened and create a sense of large space even if your room is small. Some interior designing experts believe adding a mirror over the fireplace not only makes your room bright, feel bigger your room and make it more attractive but it also creates a positive impact on you mental health.
In this article, I am gonna tell you everything you should know before placing mirror on the fireplace. If you want to place a mirror over your fireplace, by the end of this article you will have clarity about the fireplace and mirror.
Feng shui principle on having mirror over the fireplace
There is no need to tell how the mirror is an important element for interior designing, but you might be thinking what will be the impact of having a mirror over the fireplace according to Feng Shui and what is the opinion of the experts about the fireplace and mirror.
Well, According to Feng Shui most of the experts says placing a mirror over fireplace is one of the most powerful thing you can do to improve the chi (positive energy flow) of your room, irrespective of where you fireplace is located, whether your fireplace is in your bedroom or in livingroom of your house.
Usually a mirror is associated with the element ‘water’ which is the sign of mystery, emotion, career, wealth, and the flow of business and commerce in Feng shui and the the fireplace which is associated with fire, which has to do with creative and expansive.
In nature both fire and water elements are conflict with one another, having fireplaces with mirrors above can sound problematic, but Melissa Waite Stamps who is a member of the International Feng Shui Guild explains that there is nothing negative in putting mirror over fireplaces because fireplace is a sign of hotness, creative and expansive; if it burning too hot can have potential to burn itself and others, So having a mirror above it can control that flow of energy.
Pros of placing mirror on the fireplace
You also might be thinking that Is a mirror over a fireplace a good idea? Well, you can judge whether putting a mirror over a fireplace is a good idea or not by considering their pros and cons.
Using a mirror near or above a fireplace can be beneficial in many terms some of which I have mentioned here:
1. When we place mirrors over fireplaces, it creates an illusion of space and makes your space feel more open and bigger.
2. Since mirrors are known for their reflecting properties, Using mirrors over fireplaces can reflect the lights in your room and brighten up the room.
3. When we place a mirror near fireplace it makes the fireplace an aesthetics focal point of the room and draws attention to the fireplace and enhancing its presence in the room.
4. If we choose a perfect mirror design and place it strategically then it will enhance the room view. the mirror will reflect all pieces of art, or decorative elements, and add depth and interest to the room’s decoration.
5. In feng shui, mirror used to balance the energy flow of the room, The fireplaces with mirrors balance the positive and negative energy of the room and the room either positive or neutral.
Cons of placing mirror on the fireplace
Putting a mirror over the fireplace also have some drawbacks which might dominate over benefits in some cases. Here are some drawbacks you should know before putting a mirror over fireplaces.
1. Get damage from heat: During the burning of fire in your fireplaces. A lot of heat and smoke will be produced which will damage the glass and frame of the mirror over time.
2. Limited decor option: When you want to place mirror over fireplace, there will be much less fireplace with mirror ideas you can pursue.
3. Frequent need for cleaning: It may not be a big drawback for you. But for some people, it may. Due to the burning of wood, A lot of dust and soot will be produced which will stick over the mirror. To make your room feel fresh and attractive you need to clean your mirror Frequently.
4. Maintainance issue: Due to overheating effect of fireplace, The mirror over fireplace needs more frequent maintenance. You also may need to change your mirror in a very short period of time.
Some Best fireplace with mirror ideas
After reading the upper topics, if you decided to place a mirror over your fireplace. Then you may have a question i,e. which type of mirror should you place? Whether you should choose a rectangular shape or go through a round mirror?
Well, it totally depends on your room structure. If you want to make your room feel bigger or you are using mirror over fireplace for decor purposes then the Shape and size of the mirror will play a very important role in your interior design.
Here are some of the best fireplace with mirror ideas that are in trending nowadays, you can choose for your room any of them.
Round mirror over fireplace Ideas
Large mirror over fireplace
Modern mirror above fireplace
What are The Placement and Installation Tips?
After choosing the perfect shape of the mirror for placing over your fireplace, I recommend you to keep in mind some guidance and tips which I have mentioned below.
Find a mirror with the size of 2/3 the size of your fireplace
For a perfect look, the size of the mirror should be two-thirds the size of your fireplace. You might have this idea of placing mirror over your fireplace from any social network. But remember it is not necessary that the image or the ideas you see on the internet will shoot into your space.
So before drilling your wall pick a right-sized mirror for your fireplace.
Try to avoid small mirrors
A very small mirror can also disturb your whole room’s look. Because the smaller the mirror, the less it will reflect. That’s why you should choose a medium size or an extra-large size mirror for placing over your fireplace. You can also check my Rectangular mirrors vs round mirrors review for a better understanding.
Buy a stylish and designed frame mirror
When your ultimate purpose of placing a mirror over your fireplace is to improve your home design and to give a better look to your space. Then choosing a perfect mirror frame becomes one of the most important factors.
So choose a mirror frame according to for room’s structure and design. You can choose metallic, rustic, or any wooden frame which should be shoot to your overall room design.
Don’t hang the mirror too low
If you are hanging it or fixing it by drilling, then Don’t place your mirror too near to fireplace. When you place the mirror too near to the fireplace the reflecting ability will decrease I mean it will minimize the reflection ability of the mirror.
Things to avoid while hanging mirrors above fireplace
When you put a mirror over the fireplace there are high chance of making mistakes. Especially when your main focus in on designing your space. Here are some key points to avoid while hanging mirrors above fireplace.
Ignoring the size of the mirror
Sometimes people ignore the size of the mirror and buy any mirror and place it anywhere. But Kelly Wearstler, a famous American interior designer, says, ‘Choosing a perfect sized mirror is a significant factor we need to consider while decorating a room with a mirror.’
For different places, there are different rules for considering mirror size and when it comes to the mirror for over fireplace the size of the mirror should be two-thirds the size of your fireplace.
Placing mirror too high from the fireplace
When you place your it too high from the fireplace it starts reflecting the ceiling, a doorway, or any unnecessary things which leads to the disturbance of your space look. So try to avoid this mistake.
Ignoring Heat and Humidity
Avoid hanging mirrors directly above fireplaces that emit a lot of heat, as this can damage the frame or the mirror itself. To tackle this issue you can choose frames made of heat-resistant materials like metal or stone, and ensure the backing is also resistant.
You can also hang the mirror a little bit higher or use a deeper mantel to increase the distance from the heat source.
Ignoring the lighting of your room
The source of light in a room is also an important thing most people take it lightly. The mirror in a room enhances the room’s lighting rather than highlighting dark or shadowy areas. So place the light bulbs perfectly so that the mirror can reflect it into your room.
What are the alternatives to mirrors above fireplaces
If you are not interested in placing a mirror then you have many other options. People also used to place artwork, Shelving, stylish Clocks, or gallery walls. Some people also prefer to place a television instead of placing mirror over it. You can choose any of these according to your ease of affordability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How far above a fireplace should a mirror be mounted?
Placing a mirror over fireplace will be beneficial if the mirror is mounted not too far and not too near the fireplace. According to some experts, the ideal position of mirror should be 4 to 6 inches just above the fireplace. If you are using a big mirror then the distance can be more.
Why do people put mirrors above fireplaces?
The reason for placing mirror over fireplace can be different for different people, but the most common reason of using mirror over fireplace is that people use the mirror for Aesthetic Attractiveness, to create an Illusion of space, or to create a feel of openness. Some people also use mirrors to decorate and balance the room’s symmetry.
What is the rule for pictures over fireplace?
Centre of picture should be approximately above 55-60 inches above the fireplace but if your fireplace has a mantelpiece so you should leave some space between mantlepiece and bottom of image usually around 6-12 inches depending on size of the image.
Is it good feng shui to put mirror over fireplace?
Whether you have fireplace in bedroom or you are learning to apply feng shui but experts always advised that putting a mirror over a fireplace can attract positive energy and impact positively to the space.
What should you hang above a fireplace?
Here are some list that you should hang above a fireplace.
- Mirror
- Photographs
- Artwork
- Decorative Clock
- Sculpture or Wall Art
- Shelves
- Plants and Greenery
- Tapestry or Fabric Art
- Television
- Statement Piece
