Many people think of a mirror as a fairly basic household item. Many don’t know there are actually different types of mirrors that have a variety of uses. They are definitely more versatile than simply allowing you to make sure your hair is not out of place!
In today’s article we will look at the different types of mirrors, the styles and the uses for each type.
Lastly, we’ll end the article with our favorite way to spice up a plain builder mirror in your home!
Types of Mirrors
Most of us are familiar with the first type of mirror on our list, the plane mirror, but read on to learn a few things you may not know about them.
1.Plane Mirrors
When you think of a mirror, a plane mirror is probably what you think of.
This is a flat or planar reflective surface that reflects back the same size image as the object being reflected in it.
These mirrors generate a reflection that is laterally inverted. This means when you hold up your left hand, the image you see makes it appear that your right hand is raised.
2.Spherical Mirrors
Spherical Mirrors are curved either inward or outward. Carnivals, fun houses and mirror mazes often use these types of mirror to distort or confuse people for entertainment purposes.
Concave or converging mirrors are shaped like a spoon. You are likely familiar with this type of mirror as they are often used in shaving or makeup mirrors to magnify an area for you to get a closer view.
Convex mirrors, on the other hand, bulge outward and makes the image that is reflected a bit smaller, but has the benefit of a wider angle. You might recognize this type of mirror from the passenger side mirror in your car.
3.One or Two-Way Mirrors
Made famous by Hollywood in movies and TV shows that feature interrogation rooms, this is actually the same type of mirror with two different names.
Mirrors made in this fashion have a coating on one side with a thin reflective material. The light from a room reflects on the coated side, reflecting the room back but allowing a darkened room on the other side to see through.
Have you even seen a reflective glass window on an office building, where you can see your reflection during the day but not see inside, but when the sun goes down and there are lights on inside the office you can see everything and everyone? This is the same premise.
4.Silvered Mirrors
Just like one sided mirrors, silvered mirrors are coated with a reflective material, most commonly silver.
Today, many of your common bathroom and decorative mirrors for the home are made this way because it is a cost-effective option. Only a thin layer is needed, making it a cheap way to mass produce a versatile mirror.
5.Non-Reversing Mirrors
Non-reversing mirrors are made by joining two mirrors together at a 90 degree angle. This allows you to view the image where the mirrors meet, and reflect back the exact image in them instead of the opposite like a normal mirror.
This is also known as a true mirror, and you can often find this type of mirror in a dressing room or other commercial locations.
Uses For Mirrors
In many cases, when we were walking through the different types of mirrors we talked about their uses too, but here are some other ideas that didn’t fit in one particular category.
As a Design Feature
In our post about “Dining room mirror décor” we gave four different ways to add a mirror to a hallway, dining room, or bedroom as a style and design feature rather than just somewhere to check your appearance.
Especially in the last few years, decorative mirrors are being used more and more to liven up a room.
Add Natural Light
The effect a large mirror has when placed across from a window is staggering to lighting a room. The mirror reflects the natural light, making the space much brighter and more welcoming.
Make a Room Feel Larger
Another feature that we spoke about in our décor post was having an accent wall that is decorated with floor to ceiling mirrors, this can really enhance the feel of a space as well.
Not only can this make a room feel larger, but you can frame each mirror, or put a design border around these mirrors to really make them stand out.
Transforming a Boring Mirror
At MirrorChic, nothing makes us cringe more when it comes to home décor than a boring, unframed mirror. It’s a big reason we do what we do!
While we mostly sell mirror frames for bathroom mirrors, our easy to install, DIY frame kits are great for any room of the home.
Any flat mirror of a square or rectangular shape is a great candidate to be framed. Head over to the MirrorChic shop to see the many styles that we offer!
