Adding a mirror can have a transformative effect on any space.
Though, the light-enhancing abilities of mirrors is felt more acutely in smaller spaces like the hallway.
You likely already know that your hallway would benefit hugely from a mirror, but the vast array of designs has made the selection process tricky – that’s where we come in.
From the millions of mirror designs out there, we’ve whittled them down to the 20 best hallway mirrors, as shown below.
1. Widen your field of view
Wouldn’t it be great if your hallway mirror could show you everything? Not in a fortune-telling sense, but in terms of mirroring the entire surroundings.
If this is something that speaks to your needs, start shopping around for convex mirrors whereby the surfaces bulges outward to give the observer a much wider field of view.
2. Keep it rough around the edges
Normally you would return a mirror to the store demanding a refund if you found unwanted marks all over it. The operative word being unwanted.
You can find mirrors that are specifically designed to appear weathered or ‘distressed’ and it gives the piece lots of character. A mirror with a distressed effect never fails to grab attention wherever you place it.
3. Go double duty
Since it’s not uncommon for hallways to be on the narrow side, always seek to hit two birds with one stone with your choice of decor.
For example, you can get hold of mirrors that come with hooks for hanging coats, jackets and hats etc. which removes the need for a separate coat rack and you save a bit of space as a result.
4. Mix together different shapes
There are mirrors out there which will create the illusion of a bigger, brighter space and introduce tons of drama in one fell swoop – that’s a hell of a triple threat!
Indeed, mixed form mirrors set up a dramatic clash of form between the mirror and its frame, such as a round mirror with rectangular framing. It also makes a great compromise if you love both shapes.
5. Choose a vintage design
Maybe you live in a period property and want to enhance that old-world feel by decorating the hallway with period pieces?
In this case, it makes perfect sense to opt for a vintage mirror with an ornate frame. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have the budget for a genuine antique as you can find new ‘old’ mirrors that are just as convincing.
6. Create a whirlwind
A hallway mirror that energizes the space is definitely a worthwhile investment, especially for those moments when you come home exhausted after a long day.
We strongly recommend a mirror with a whirlwind border design for this exact reason. The overlapping loops have a sense of movement about them, as if the mirror is ready takeoff at any time.
7. Express a warm sentiment
You may be familiar with positive affirmation mirrors which feature complimentary phrases about your appearance on the mirror surface.
Well, you can find mirrors that offer all kinds of commentary, including words and messages that make you feel good about being at home, making them a fine addition to your console table or entryway table.
8. Look out the window
Mirrors are super vital in windowless hallways, as you don’t have the benefit of sunlight to complement the lighting scheme.
If you really long for a window, you’ll be over the moon to know there are mirrors that simulate windows using a pane design. It may not be quite as good as the real thing, but a window mirror does help open up tight spaces.
9. Break the symmetry
There’s no question that symmetrical design is pleasing to the eye, but it certainly doesn’t sustain your attention the way an irregular silhouette does.
This comes down to the fact that irregular outlines are more in tune with the natural world – think of the shape of a rock. An asymmetrical mirror is an excellent choice if you want to adorn the hallway with an organic touch.
10. Enjoy the sunshine
Imagine this: the sun is shining every time you walk down the hallway. And that uplifting sensation is made even more intense whenever the weather outside takes a turn for the worse.
That’s the key selling point of sunburst mirrors in a nutshell. The sun-inspired design provides an instant and frequent reminder of our biggest star, invoking positive emotions in the process.
11. Multiply your reflection
A nice big expansive mirror in the hallway will be well optmized for boosting light, but a little underwhelming in terms of decorative appeal.
If your hallway is already well-lighted, you can run with impractical yet super stylish mirror designs. Think along the lines of an abstract cluster of small mirrors and you’ll have yourself a proper focal point.
12. Join them up
It shows good design sense to match up the dimensions of the mirror with the dimensions of the space. Simply put, a long hallway would benefit from a widthwise mirror.
Instead of reaching for a traditional rectangle mirror, why not take the opportunity to line up several mirrors? Better still, how about a row of overlapping diamond mirrors for something that really stands out?
13. Be beside the seaside
Now’s a good time to start collecting sea shells every time you go the beach, because it turns out they work miracles as highly decorative mirror frames.
Don’t worry if you don’t fancy getting your hands dirty – you can buy mirrors which are designed like this. But we can’t emphasize enough how easy it is to create a DIY seashell mirror.
14. Bring a farmhouse vibe
The thought of living on a farm probably doesn’t appeal to most people, but decorating their homes with farm-inspired decor is certainly an idea they can get behind.
If you count yourself as someone who likes the farmhouse aesthetic, particularly when it comes to rustic metal, you could be onto a winner by hanging up a galvanized mirror in your hallway.
15. Jump off the wall
There are two very compelling reasons why you should lose the frame and choose a 3D mirror for your entryway.
Firstly, the reflections are more interesting than what ordinary flat mirrors produce. And secondly, they are suitable as freestanding pieces, meaning you can put together a cool display with mirrors both on the wall and off it.
16. Keep tabs on it
It may surprise you that mirror frames can become the star of the show just by exhibiting a lovely, repetitive pattern.
Take metal tab mirrors as an example of what pretty patterns can do to a mirror: the way the tabs encircle the reflective glass in perfect sequence helps to establish absolute symmetry.
17. Put a frame in another frame
If you want a petite entryway mirror that can hold its own as a focal point, throw in an additional frame to enlarge its footprint on the wall.
Don’t be boring and go with a centered frame-within-a-frame design. It’s way more fashionable and pleasing to the eye to have an off-center mirror that only makes contact with one side of the frame.
18. Add an ornamental touch
A large-scale mirror will brighten a hallway with ease, but what about the decorative side of things?
As random as it sounds, choosing a big mirror with an ornamental bar running along the top of it makes the piece as a whole look more complete and up to the job of giving those bland walls a decorative voice.
19. Strap it
Hanging a small mirror using a back bracket does look clean and minimalist, but it means your mirror could end up fading into obscurity.
That’s why it’s always a good idea to hang mirrors from a higher point with some sort of strap. Not only will it enlarge the profile of the piece, it’s a chance to throw extra materials into the mix such as leather.
20. Lean it
This one is for the renters out there who are hesitant about drilling holes into the walls.
And that’s not the only reason to lean a full length mirror in the hallway: you can perform head to toe outfit checks, maximize the light-boosting potential, and you can move it or swap it out for something else when you feel like it.