Keep this rule in mind: A mirror that is around two-thirds to three-quarters the width of the furniture piece is a perfect size. A mirror smaller or larger than this will look disproportionate. This applies to entryway furniture, like console tables or benches, or to living room pieces, like a sofa or credenza.
How high to hang the mirror. Hanging your mirror at the right height above the sofa is important so that it looks anchored to the furniture. Typically, we hang wall décor items about 8 - 10” above a couch.
When hanging your pictures, always hang them in relation to the furniture sitting below. With your couch off-centered on the wall, focus on hanging your painting centered above the couch to create a great focal point for your living room.
A way to ensure this is to hang the artwork at an appropriate height from the sofa. Generally you need the bottom of the artwork to be no less than 6 inches and no more than 12 inches from the back of the couch. This maintains a visual connection to the sofa so the artwork doesn't appear lost on the wall.
If your room is dark and you want to bring more light into your space, considering hanging several mirrors over your sofa. Not only will they bounce light around the room and add depth to your space, they also look chic and simple and go with any color palette you chose!
'Decorating with mirrors will make any space feel bigger, as they allow natural light to bounce around the room,' explains Camilla Clarke, Creative Director at Albion Nord. 'Hang a large mirror on a wall opposite a window, or very near one, to reflect the outdoors, broadening the feel of your room. '
However, placement is key when working with mirrors in the living room. For the best results, choose a spot that will reflect a good view, such as over a fireplace, over a mantle, next to a piece of artwork, or on a gallery wall.
'Others say you should cover your mirror to avoid bad luck or negative attraction. If you are in a negative space or dealing with a negative situation, mirrors can double the energy in a room and expand the current vibration and frequency. '
What is the right size? As a general rule of thumb, your picture should not be wider than the couch as this will overwhelm the furniture rather than enhancing it. In order to create balance in your space, your artwork or gallery should be close to 2/3 the length of the couch.
Large Ottomans
Really, an ottoman is just a large padded or upholstered stool or bench. It's a perfect piece to use in front of a sofa, as its soft-top offers comfort for legs, the upholstery fabric contributes color and texture to the room, and the large flat top is ideal for placing a tray or books.
'The sofa should be placed in the commanding position,' recommends Feng Shui expert Johanna Augusta. 'This is the position where you can see the door but are not in line with it. This gives you a sense of security and ease. '
As per vastu shastra, the best directions for sofa set furniture placement are facing East or South.
According to Vastu, mirrors should not face north or east. This may reflect away positive energy entering from the north or east direction. For a good health and peaceful sleep, mirrors should be avoided in bedrooms. According to Vastu, if there is a mirror in the bedroom then it should not face the bed.
Over the sink is the most popular place. Shaving and applying makeup are much easier with a good-sized mirror mounted in a frame or directly to the wall. Try installing one with a magnifying side hanging from the wall, and you'll love it!
Generally you'll want to hang your mirror at eye level, approximately 60”-65” from the floor. Position the mirror on the wall where you want to hang it, centering it on the wall or to a piece of furniture beneath it (couch or console table).
Regular mirrors have the panes straight up and down, but if they're curved slightly inward, your figure instantly appears slimmer. Conversely, glass that's bowed out makes you look bigger (think of the whacky mirrors in fun houses).
An oversized mirror (the larger, the better) is a cure-all for cramped quarters since it expands the sense of visual space—so long as you stick with a fairly simple frame. “An ornate one can hamper your goal of making the place feel bigger,” says Yip.
As a general rule I recommend hanging your art so the bottom of the frame hangs 8” to 10” above the back of the sofa.
If you have a long sectional sofa, place it in a corner pocket. Whether you have a small living room or a comfortably large room, pushing your L-shaped to the corner of the room is another best idea. Because when you move it to a corner, you create a dedicated lounge in an open-concept space.