Kristina Wolf's House of Design

Interior Design, Accessorizing, and DIY Tips

furniture

Marvelous Mirrored Furniture

marvelous-mirrored-furnitureMirrors are one of the oldest design tricks in the book. In addition to reflecting whether you’re having a good or bad hair day, or if a particular wardrobe ensemble is a “go”, they can also be used to enhance your living spaces. Usually, when we designers talk about mirrors, we’re talking about the typical mirrors that hang on a wall. However, mirrored furniture also has a place in the home.

Is There Room For Mirrored Furniture in Your Interior Design?

It can serve all the same purposes a traditional mirror would – amplify lighting, double the impact of a particular design feature or to make a room seem larger. The difference is that mirrored furniture does it in a unique way. A mirrored desk, dresser, dining room buffet or other pieces can be a fun way to add a little glamour while taking advantage of a tried and true interior design tip.

Here are some examples:

Go Metallic

Because mirrors are metallic by nature, they can make a dramatic splash in a spot where you already have other metallic accents or mirrors. Look at how classy this mirrored dresser looks with the mirror hanging above and the arrangement of metallic silver framed pictures on top. While this particular example is from a bedroom, I think this idea would work exceptionally well in an entryway – particularly one that is lacking natural light. It would go a long way towards brightening up (what can be) a cavernous space.

Create a See-Thru Effect

Lately, I have seen acrylic and glass furniture making a larger appearance, especially in contemporary interior designs. They are great for maintaining a more integrated look but they aren’t for everyone. Mirrored furniture can be a good alternative for those who aren’t 100% sold on clear acrylic or glass options, especially because the entire piece doesn’t have to be mirrored. In the case of a desk or buffet, you can have a single mirrored panel or two set in a beautiful piece of wood, which can give you the benefit of the “see-thru” effect while still maintaining a traditional look.

Open Up a Smaller Space. Have a smaller bedroom, office or den? Use mirrored furniture the same way you would if it were hanging on the wall. A non-mirrored desk or nightstand squished between a bed and the wall can look cramped. The same desk with a mirrored surface reflects the space back at you, creating the illusion of openness. Now, that same “squished” corner looks decidedly more spacious.

In Lieu of the Real Thing

Sometimes, a room just doesn’t have enough space to accommodate all of the furniture you want it to while leaving enough space for a nice-sized wall mirror. Guest bedrooms with a large window or two comes to mind. Choosing a mirrored armoire is a great idea because your guests still have a mirrored surface for dressing purposes and you get to keep your well-proportioned layout.

Just Because

Finally, I offer the “just because” reason. There are times where the mirrored look is stunning. Take a look at how this mirrored buffet steals the show. The mirrored panels are tucked behind that beautiful dark wood in geometric designs. It is like an optical illusion of sorts – is it glass or is it mirror? And the reflections that wink back at you from the geometric cut-outs add a visually interesting element to the space.

Not sure whether or not you want to take the mirrored plunge? Start small with a single piece and see how it strikes you.

The Couch Is For More Than Just Sitting On, It’s A Statement

The primary job of your home’s furnishings is to serve a function; the bed is for sleeping, the dressers are for storing clothes and your couch is for sitting and relaxing while you watch television, read or converse with your family and friends.

Even though these furniture pieces are functional, interior designers view them as an opportunity to make a statement. We feel their form is almost as important as their function since they add style and visual appeal to living spaces.

green sofa

Tips for Selecting a Couch That Enhances Your Living Room’s Appeal

The couch is one of the largest furniture pieces in your home. It often takes center stage in your living and family rooms. As such, it’s important that you spend time finding the right size, shape, color etc., so that it enhances your interior design. There’s no way to hide an ill-selected couch.

Here are the things you will want to keep in mind when selecting a new couch for your living room, family room or great room. By taking the time beforehand to get particular about your needs, you’ll be able to invest in a couch that will be at home in its space for years to come.

Consider the size. Perhaps the first item of business is to determine the correct size and shape for your couch. You want your living room furnishings to be proportional with the room’s dimensions, as well as with each other. If your room is larger, opt for an L- or U-shaped couch, which often includes a chaise lounge-like section for relaxing. These are also good for open floor plans as they help to create a division between living areas. Choose one that can be set up with the small end of the L on either side so its arrangement can be changed if necessary. If you have a smaller space, you will want to look for linear couches that can be integrated into a corner or form a low-profile along a wall.

What’s the couch’s function? How does your family use the couch? If you often  relax at the end of that day with your DVR line-up of favorite shows, you’ll want to make sure it’s in front of the TV. If your family enjoys reading, see if you can get it somewhere with ample natural daylighting and then have floor and table lamps on hand for nighttime.

Material options. If you have little ones or pets, we recommend choosing leather couches for their easy maintenance and clean up. You can also look for couches that are upholstered using indoor/outdoor fabrics, which are very durable and easy-to-clean, or you can find a high-quality used couch and have it reupholstered. Another good idea is to select a couch with removable and washable covers so you don’t have to hire a professional upholstery cleaner every time an unavoidable accident occurs.

Choose a couch that suits your style. If you’re a modernist you can choose something sleek and contemporary or have fun and go a little eclectic. Traditionalists will appreciate couches with curves, including sculpted legs and feet. If you fall somewhere in the middle, opt for a transitional couch that will look at home regardless of your your accents and accessories evolve over time.

Color or Pattern? If you have major reservations regarding a colorful or patterned couch, I recommend choosing a neutral couch color and changing other furnishings to get the pop of color or pattern you want. However, re-upholstering is easy and affordable so be brave and know you can always go back to conservative if necessary.