Hallway Mirrors

Sizing a hallway mirror to your wall

Start with a tape measure and the wall itself. Note the space between doors, light switches and coat hooks, and anything that will sit below the mirror, such as a console table or radiator. Over furniture, a mirror looks settled when it is a little narrower than the piece beneath it, with a margin of bare wall on either side.

In a narrow hall, height tends to help more than width. A tall, slim mirror draws the eye upwards without crowding a small wall. Check the depth on the product page as well: in a tight passage, a shallow frame is less likely to catch a shoulder or a bag as you squeeze past.

Round, arched and rectangular hallway mirrors

A rectangular mirror is the easiest starting point. Hung portrait, it suits a narrow wall, and hung landscape, it sits neatly above a console table. If you have a particular way in mind, check the hanging orientations on the product page before you order.

Round mirrors soften a hall full of straight lines, from door frames to stair spindles, and look right above a slim table or a row of hooks. Arched mirrors echo a fanlight or an arched doorway, so they sit happily in a period hall and add interest to a plain modern one. We also stock oval and irregular shapes for a relaxed, organic feel.

Full-length hallway mirrors for a last look

A full-length mirror by the front door lets you check coat, shoes and bag at a glance before you leave. We stock full-length designs for halls with a stretch of clear wall, such as the space beside the door or at the foot of the stairs.

Hanging a full-length mirror is the safer choice in a busy hall. If the product page says a mirror can lean, we still suggest securing it to the wall with a safety fixing, especially with children, pets or a pushchair passing by. A few are cheval mirrors, which stand on their own frame, so they suit renters or anyone who would rather not drill.

Framed and frameless hallway mirrors

A frame decides how much the mirror says on its own. Our frameless mirrors give a clean, light look that lets your hall do the talking, and they take up no extra width on a tight wall. Bevelled mirrors, with the glass cut at an angle around the edge, throw a little sparkle as you pass.

Frames come in metal, wood, resin, MDF and mirrored glass, and the material settles both the look and the weight. Metal suits a modern hall, wood brings warmth to a rustic or Scandinavian scheme, and a mirrored glass frame adds a touch of glamour. We also stock ornate and traditional frames, which sit well in a period hall.

Hallway mirror finishes and styles

Most of the hallway mirrors we stock have a modern style, and we also stock classic, traditional, rustic, industrial and Scandinavian designs. If your hall opens into a living space, carry the same style through so the rooms feel joined up.

Finishes are worth matching to the metal already in your hall, such as door handles, switch plates and stair rods. Black gives a crisp outline against pale walls, gold and bronze add warmth, and silver, grey and white sit quietly in a cool or neutral scheme. Wood finishes suit natural floors and a softer look. A few have an antique finish, for a gently aged, lived-in feel.

Placing a hallway mirror to catch the light

Where you hang the mirror matters as much as which one you choose. On a wall that faces or sits beside a window or a glazed front door, a mirror picks up daylight and carries it further into the hall. Hung at the end of a long, narrow passage, it makes the space feel deeper.

Think about what it will reflect, too. A view of the stairs or a favourite print is nicer to come home to than a pile of coats and shoes. A few designs are backlit, which can help in a hall with no window; if you like the idea, plan a power supply to that wall before you buy.

Hanging a hallway mirror safely

Before you drill, check the weight and any fixings supplied on the product page, then match them to your wall. Solid brick takes standard wall plugs, while plasterboard needs cavity fixings rated for the load or a timber stud behind it. A heavy mirror is also easier and safer to lift into place with a helper.

Look at the hanging details too, such as hooks or keyhole slots on the back, because they tell you where your fixings need to go. Use a spirit level, mark your points in pencil and check for pipes and cables before drilling. Hang it so the centre of the glass sits around eye level for whoever uses it day to day.