10 Kitchen Mirror Ideas to Reflect On
Whether they're bouncing light or adding the illusion of space, mirrors are a great addition to the kitchen. Mull over these sparkling ideas
Kitchen design has celebrated glossy and sparkling surfaces for years, whether it’s through a shimmering fleck in a benchtop or the metallic brilliance of stainless steel and chrome appliances. Recent forays into using other metals, such as copper and gold, for taps and light fittings have reinforced our love of shiny objects in an essentially functional room. Now we’re seeing the best reflector of them all – mirrored glass.
2. Embrace awkward features
Unusual nib walls and support posts in the middle of a room could feel like a design dilemma, but sometimes the best way to deal with these structural elements is by highlighting them. This pillar has been clad in mirrored tiles to give it some character. It does a fine job of sending light around the room and giving some texture to the space.
Mirrored tiles are relatively inexpensive and widely available, so they’re a wise alternative to sourcing bespoke mirrored surfaces for the budget conscious.
Unusual nib walls and support posts in the middle of a room could feel like a design dilemma, but sometimes the best way to deal with these structural elements is by highlighting them. This pillar has been clad in mirrored tiles to give it some character. It does a fine job of sending light around the room and giving some texture to the space.
Mirrored tiles are relatively inexpensive and widely available, so they’re a wise alternative to sourcing bespoke mirrored surfaces for the budget conscious.
3. Extend your kitchen the easy way
Do you have a tiny kitchen, or a long, thin layout with no option to build out? Take the virtual plunge to extend your room by adding a mirrored wall, as these homeowners have done in this neat galley kitchen. The room has been seemingly doubled in size, feels more luxurious, and benefits from the light flooding in from the roof window being reflected by the mirror.
It’s now possible to source mirrors to your exact size requirements, and many manufacturers offer advice, measuring tips and even an installation service.
Do you have a tiny kitchen, or a long, thin layout with no option to build out? Take the virtual plunge to extend your room by adding a mirrored wall, as these homeowners have done in this neat galley kitchen. The room has been seemingly doubled in size, feels more luxurious, and benefits from the light flooding in from the roof window being reflected by the mirror.
It’s now possible to source mirrors to your exact size requirements, and many manufacturers offer advice, measuring tips and even an installation service.
4. Build in some furniture glamour
Your kitchen cabinets do certainly need to be sturdy and practical, but that doesn’t mean they should look heavy or dull. Adding mirror strips to your doors can lift the whole look of a kitchen, taking cabinet design out of the mainstream and into the realms of the bespoke.
A mirrored plinth also give the illusion the island is floating.
Why do designers love mirrors?
Your kitchen cabinets do certainly need to be sturdy and practical, but that doesn’t mean they should look heavy or dull. Adding mirror strips to your doors can lift the whole look of a kitchen, taking cabinet design out of the mainstream and into the realms of the bespoke.
A mirrored plinth also give the illusion the island is floating.
Why do designers love mirrors?
5. Channel a Great Gatsby vibe
When is a kitchen completely unlike a regular kitchen? When it’s draped in vibrant foliage, ornate plasterwork, unique leaded windows, chequered marble floor tiles, gold accents and a huge, decadent mirror.
Many people now consider their kitchen to be more than just a catering space. Indulge in some 1920s, orangery-inspired design and dress your kitchen up to the nines. This one certainly looks as though it could handle a social occasion, and of course the grand, decadent mirror sets it all off beautifully.
When is a kitchen completely unlike a regular kitchen? When it’s draped in vibrant foliage, ornate plasterwork, unique leaded windows, chequered marble floor tiles, gold accents and a huge, decadent mirror.
Many people now consider their kitchen to be more than just a catering space. Indulge in some 1920s, orangery-inspired design and dress your kitchen up to the nines. This one certainly looks as though it could handle a social occasion, and of course the grand, decadent mirror sets it all off beautifully.
6. Bring light into shady places
Consider your light sources and employ the periscope effect by reflecting illumination into the darkest corners of the room. This kitchen draws down natural light from above to the area of the kitchen with a lower ceiling, preventing it from feeling too dark or gloomy.
The wall cabinets are taller than usual, and these sleek light-projecting mirrored doors provide a direct link with the next level up. The mirrors work particularly well alongside dark cabinets, to provide a dramatic contrast.
How to get kitchen lighting right
Consider your light sources and employ the periscope effect by reflecting illumination into the darkest corners of the room. This kitchen draws down natural light from above to the area of the kitchen with a lower ceiling, preventing it from feeling too dark or gloomy.
The wall cabinets are taller than usual, and these sleek light-projecting mirrored doors provide a direct link with the next level up. The mirrors work particularly well alongside dark cabinets, to provide a dramatic contrast.
How to get kitchen lighting right
7. Open up your cupboards
You don’t need to keep your mirrors on show. They can provide a little intrigue when set inside a cupboard – a kitchen version of Narnia’s wardrobe, if you will. What seems like an innocuous cabinet door when shut becomes a mini coffee workstation when open, displaying a calming view of the garden from its mirror-clad back panel.
You don’t need to keep your mirrors on show. They can provide a little intrigue when set inside a cupboard – a kitchen version of Narnia’s wardrobe, if you will. What seems like an innocuous cabinet door when shut becomes a mini coffee workstation when open, displaying a calming view of the garden from its mirror-clad back panel.
8. Take it to the top
Mirror-infused light fittings can add a dramatic layer of decadence to a kitchen scheme. Chandeliers with crystals and shining metals send the light dancing around the room.
For a more modern and dazzling effect, take a look at this bespoke ceiling lighting made from angled squares of mirror and scattered light bulbs. Alongside the bold Moroccan wall and floor tiles, the extra reflections from above really pack a punch.
Mirror-infused light fittings can add a dramatic layer of decadence to a kitchen scheme. Chandeliers with crystals and shining metals send the light dancing around the room.
For a more modern and dazzling effect, take a look at this bespoke ceiling lighting made from angled squares of mirror and scattered light bulbs. Alongside the bold Moroccan wall and floor tiles, the extra reflections from above really pack a punch.
9. Have some tricks up your sleeve
You can be the master of illusion and play with the mirrors in your design. In this kitchen extension, the eye is tricked into seeing two brick walls and a reflection of the garden. With so many large panes of glass and mirror on show, you really do need to look twice to work out what is real.
You can be the master of illusion and play with the mirrors in your design. In this kitchen extension, the eye is tricked into seeing two brick walls and a reflection of the garden. With so many large panes of glass and mirror on show, you really do need to look twice to work out what is real.
10. Pause and reflect
Think about what will be reflected in your mirror. Feng shui suggests that whatever you reflect will be doubled in your life, so perhaps avoid putting a mirror against your washing-up area! Here, the reflection of a beautiful sun mirror on the wall opposite is perfectly positioned to be centre-frame, like a picture.
TELL US
Have you used mirrors in your kitchen? Share your tips or photos in the Comments below.
MORE
See mirrored kitchen splashbacks
Think about what will be reflected in your mirror. Feng shui suggests that whatever you reflect will be doubled in your life, so perhaps avoid putting a mirror against your washing-up area! Here, the reflection of a beautiful sun mirror on the wall opposite is perfectly positioned to be centre-frame, like a picture.
TELL US
Have you used mirrors in your kitchen? Share your tips or photos in the Comments below.
MORE
See mirrored kitchen splashbacks
Splashbacks have long given us an opportunity to add interest to a kitchen theme, from the tough, industrial statement of stainless steel to the jaunty flair of colourful tiles. Mirrors that have been toughened (to withstand temperatures of up to 240ºC) are now proving to be a great splashback choice, ensuring the work area is bright and gleaming.
You could also use an antique mirror surface. It’s more forgiving on cooking spatters and creates some lovely reflective patterns.