In apartments with a regular layout, there is an entrance hall immediately behind the front door. Guests first of all study with interest how this room is furnished. The interior of the hallway can tell a lot about the owners of the apartment. Therefore, the design of the room should be taken seriously and every detail taken into account.
Many consider mirrors to be one of the essential interior items, because they decorate and visually enlarge any space. In addition, it is very practical and convenient to be able to look at your reflection before leaving your home. Most often, people do not think about how and where to properly hang a mirror in the hallway. But in vain, because this attribute of furniture is endowed with mysterious magical powers that can bring benefit or harm to the owners of the apartment.
Is it possible to hang a mirror opposite the front door?
According to the beliefs of our ancestors, placing this object in front of the door is extremely frivolous and dangerous. It has long been believed that this would result in illness and poverty for family members. To preserve material well-being and good luck, it is not recommended to display valuables.
In the old days, when even the smallest mirror was considered a luxury, the owners tried to keep it out of the eyes of an envious person, otherwise they could bring trouble to the residents of the house.
There are several signs that explain why a reflective surface should not hang opposite the front door:
- Superstitious people believe that when you return home and look at the mirror surface located at the end of the corridor, you run the risk of seeing there the deceased who previously owned this apartment.
- At night, you can mistake your own reflection for the silhouette of a robber. It is a bad omen to look in the mirror and think of yourself as a criminal.
- For young children, especially before baptism, the sign forbids them from looking at their reflection using this piece of furniture. But if it hangs opposite the entrance, the child cannot be protected.
According to the beliefs of the ancient Slavs, behind the reflective surface lives the guardian of the home - the Looking Glass. The otherworldly entity treats a person favorably and rewards him with good luck if he smiles at his own reflection with good intentions. If the front door is constantly opened, the spirit may leave its refuge and never return.
Design options
It is not necessary to decorate the mirror with a frame or using unusual shapes. Alternatively, you can apply a design directly to its surface. Execution techniques can be as follows:
- sandblasting - the surface of the mirror will be matte and rough;
- photo printing - the drawing will be colored, but the mirror surface will remain smooth.
Additionally, decor can be applied using the decoupage technique, which will give the mirror a stylistic direction. The advantage of this solution is the possibility of bringing the idea to life with your own hands. If you show your imagination, you can decorate the frame or mirror surface with multi-colored decorative stones, a beautiful oriental-style mosaic of broken tiles, or stucco elements.
The decor can also be themed. For example, on New Year's Eve, coniferous tree branches decorated with Christmas tree decorations and shiny ribbons will look spectacular at the top of the mirror. If there is any holiday taking place at home, you can further emphasize the event by placing a colorful inscription made from tinted toothpaste on a smooth surface. This technique will create a good mood immediately upon entering home.
Sandblasting
Photo printing
Decoupage
Mosaic Thematic design
How to hang or install a mirror in the hallway
Proper placement of a reflective surface can work wonders. Using the recommendations, you can not only visually change the size, lighting and appearance of the hallway, but also attract financial wealth and family well-being.
Inappropriate areas
When arranging a room, you need to focus not only on your own taste and the designer’s advice, but also on folk signs. Of course, the size and other parameters of the room largely determine the choice, but you should try not to install mirrors in such places:
- Between the cabinets. Furniture blocks the flow of positive energy and has a bad effect on a person’s psychological state.
- Opposite window openings and entrance doors. Happiness, luck and material well-being, striving for home, are blocked by the mirror, thus depriving a person of the chance to improve his life.
- In places where something negative will be reflected. An unfinished renovation, a piece of torn wallpaper or a mess in the hallway - all this causes flows of negative energy, which is returned in full to the room.
- Opposite the work area. The mirror generously gives away everything that is displayed in it, including doubling the amount of work.
- Opposite another mirror. This creates a looking-glass effect, due to which illnesses and deterioration of relationships can enter the family.
Which mirror to choose
Each element of the interior in the house must be selected correctly. A mirror in the hallway should have the following characteristics:
- Big sizes. Experts in omens believe that the reflection should be completely visible, so you should focus on the tallest member of the family. A person whose reflection remains free space can count on rapid professional growth or success in the business sphere.
- It is undesirable to hang a mirror with sharp corners; an oval is considered the most acceptable shape. The smooth outlines of the object give the atmosphere calmness.
- There should be no cracks, chips or scratches on the surface. You should get rid of a damaged product, as it attracts misfortune into the house.
- The reflective surface must be framed. Sharp edges provoke the appearance of obstacles and troubles in life.
The mirror will serve you faithfully if you keep it clean and wash it regularly. Otherwise, it will take revenge on its careless owners. A person who often looks at a dusty reflective surface dooms himself to failure, illness and disappointment.
It is not recommended to buy or accept old mirrors as a gift. An antique item can play a cruel joke on its new owner. Such an antique item has a special energy. In addition, along with the product, you can bring into the house the restless soul imprisoned in it. This happens if a murder or suicide was committed in a room with a mirror, or the object was not covered in time when a dead person was lying in the apartment.
How to hang it correctly
To properly hang a mirror in the hallway, you need to adhere to the following recommendations:
- The optimal place is a wall located on the side of the front door. It is convenient, visually increases the space and does not interfere with the flow of positive energy.
- It is recommended to leave free space between the top edge and the ceiling. This will provide an opportunity for spiritual development and career growth.
- Installation on an entrance door that opens inwards is allowed.
- Furniture is also suitable for placing a mirror. For example, it is built into a cabinet door or used as a dressing table.
- By placing a reflective surface at an angle of more than 90 degrees from the floor or slightly away from the wall, you can create positive changes in your life by trapping positive energy and reflecting negative energy.
- In a long corridor you can place several mirrors. The main thing is that they are not directed at each other; for this they are hung in a checkerboard pattern. It is believed that the positive energy entering such a corridor successfully fills the space of the apartment.
- You can put a photograph or painting with a pleasant plot in front of the mirror. This will allow the mirror to accumulate positive energy and distribute it throughout the home.
Product shape
What about the shape of the reflective surface? Previously, everything was simple - oval and rectangular models dominated. New types of mirrors have now been added:
- round;
- wavy;
- triangular;
- consisting of stripes.
Growth vertical mirrors are more common. Designers also try not to forget the classic shape - in stores we see ovals framed by fancy frames.
The trend is curved surfaces that fit perfectly into eclectic interiors.
Most mirrors are framed. But there are also extremely minimalistic models, thanks to which you get the feeling of “failure” deep into the wall. The feeling is very strange, but many people like it.
Based on the type of design, mirrors are conventionally divided into rotating, oval, narrow and floor-standing. The list is constantly expanding. Let's take a closer look at this classification.
Photo of an unusually shaped mirror in the hallway
Narrow
The narrow mirrors in the corridor are vertically oriented panels that have a purely practical function - to reflect the entire figure of the owner. This item is designed for small, square-shaped hallways. A narrow mirror is conveniently placed in the space between the door and the wall; it has a number of advantages:
- sleek design;
- acceptable price;
- compactness;
- versatility.
Photo of a narrow mirror in the hallway
Oval
The ideal solution for a hallway in country or Provence style would be an oval mirror. This shape is quite common and, along with the rectangle, is considered classic. The rounded shape allows you to “soften” the space, create an atmosphere of comfort and add light colors to your corridor.
It is believed that the oval shape brings feminine energy into the house - it dilutes the angularity that dominates the interiors
It is important to consider: the oval shape is not suitable for modern and high-tech stylistic solutions; it is unlikely to fit into a Japanese interior
Photo of an oval mirror in the hallway
Rotary model
A very interesting decorative solution can be called a rotating mirror in the hallway. Models of such mirrors are available in any form. In essence, we are talking about floor structures with a special mechanism that allows you to adjust the angles of inclination of the reflective surface. The mechanism is quite primitive - it usually consists of a pair of pins connecting the mirror frame to the legs of the stand.
In addition to free-standing rotating mirrors, there are models that are attached to the wall with special brackets. Rotating mirrors are functional, but they have a significant drawback - they are not suitable for tight corridors.
Rotating mirror in the hallway
Other
The classification of hallway mirrors is extensive. We list other known types of these interior items:
- Hanging mirrors. They are distinguished by a wide variety of shapes. The main feature is that they are attached directly to the hallway wall.
- Floor solutions. This category also includes rotary structures. Floor mirrors are placed on the walls of large hallways and are quite expensive.
- Within the framework. In modern hallways, frameless mirrors are often found - they fit perfectly into minimalist spaces. But classic frame designs are still in price.
- With backlight. Some of the mirrors are equipped with LED lighting - an incredibly beautiful sight.
- Mirror walls. This is a special class that consists of full-wall reflective panels. The main thing is not to overdo it with panels, otherwise you will get a Looking Glass effect.
Next we will talk about the sizes of mirrors in the hallway.
To make it easier for you to make a choice in favor of one product or another, we recommend watching the following video:
Feng Shui meaning of mirrors
If you adhere to Eastern teachings, the reflective surface symbolizes family well-being, health and material wealth. Residents of China have no doubt that following the rules of Feng Shui, with the help of mysterious forces, you can change your destiny for the better. Therefore, the population of the Celestial Empire carefully monitors the correct arrangement of any pieces of furniture in the apartment.
According to the teachings of Feng Shui, a mirror not only brings changes to the design of living rooms and hallways, it is considered:
- a connecting link between the material and spiritual world;
- conductor and corrector of energy flows.
In the east, this mystical object has long been endowed with the properties of a home amulet, which can charge the home with positivity, bring harmony to family relationships, bring financial wealth and protect against illnesses.
Do you want to achieve success in business, but fortune has turned away from you? Do you dream of finding family happiness, but something constantly goes wrong? Perhaps the reason lies in an incorrectly positioned mirror. If you previously did not attach due importance to this item hanging in the hallway, try placing the mirror according to the rules of Feng Shui. In the near future you will feel positive changes: your most secret dreams will come true, your financial situation will improve, and luck will become your constant companion.
Features of backlit products
It’s rare that an owner can boast of having a window in the hallway.
Therefore, most often it is necessary to install additional lighting here. You can select the mirror area to place the backlight. Examples of successful solutions: spotlights on the ceiling are a traditional option, but it is important to remember that light falling on the face directly from above leaves large shadows; sconces on the sides, with which you can emphasize the color or stylistic design; a floor lamp, which is the main attribute of creating comfort; rotating spots, the lamps of which can become the main source of lighting; LED strips creating a soft, pleasant light.
The choice of lighting devices should be made in accordance with the style of the hallway and the color of the walls. In a classic interior, where bronze color predominates, steel spots would be inappropriate. And in a high-tech style, it would not be the best idea to place cute sconces in folded fabric lampshades with ribbons.
Spotlights on the ceiling
Sconces on the sides
Floor lamp
Rotating spots
LED strips
Mystical nature of the item
Since ancient times, people have been superstitious, and many things and household items were endowed with magical properties. Mirrors were no exception, so with their help they performed secret rituals, fortune-telling for the betrothed, and summoned spirits and souls of the departed. It is still believed that the sparkling surface makes it possible to bifurcate reality, creating two different, parallel worlds. In addition, it preserves the energy of objects and people reflected there.
At all times, many signs and beliefs have been associated with the mirror. According to Russian tradition, it was considered a diabolical creation, claiming that Satan gave this object to people so that they could communicate with their other self, and not with God. The Old Believers were generally forbidden to bring mirrors home.
Many signs and customs have much in common in the cultures of different countries:
- For most nationalities, a broken mirror foretells the death of someone close, the loss of a friend, or seven years of grief and misfortune.
- The Scots, like the Russians, cover reflective surfaces if a family member dies. Similar superstitions are found among representatives of African and Indian tribes.
- Brides should not look in the mirror. It is believed that the wedding will be unsuccessful and the married life will be short. To neutralize the negativity, it was necessary to remove the glove from one hand.
- The mirror surface poses a terrible danger at night. It is believed that it is capable of reflecting a trait. Therefore, most Slavic peoples were forbidden to look into a mirror or water surface after sunset.
Rus' also had its own signs:
- Children under one year old were not allowed to look in the mirror, nor were two girlfriends at the same time; it was believed that one would steal the groom from the other.
- A long look directed deep into the reflective panel could cause premature fading.
- In order not to look ugly and not give away your beauty to the other world, you had to refrain from eating in front of the mirror.
- When a person left the house, he lingered in front of the mirror, looked at himself from head to toe, at the same time unconsciously giving the order to his reflection to protect his home.
Eastern practices endow this item with the ability to fill the home with the right energy and create a cozy atmosphere. According to Feng Shui, reflective fabrics can attract and distribute invisible currents, affecting health and influencing life. That is why ancient teachings do not recommend placing mirrors opposite mirrors. It’s not for nothing that Chinese wisdom says: “If you want to change something, look in the mirror.”
Unfavorable places to place a mirror according to Feng Shui
In this part we will look at the worst places to place a mirror. There are few such places, but if at least one mirror in the house hangs at such a point, then this upsets the energy balance in the entire house and can lead to catastrophic consequences.
If you already have a mirror hanging in any of the listed places, you need to wipe it thoroughly in order to remove any remaining negative energy. Then hang it in one of the most successful areas in the apartment, which we already talked about earlier.
Feng Shui mirror opposite the window
A common mistake that Feng Shui considers unacceptable is a mirror opposite the window. Windows, like doors, are the entry points for the flow of Qi into the home. By placing a mirror opposite the window, you seem to create a barrier for incoming energy, reflecting it outward.
In turn, negative energy, reflected, enters the house, and then spreads throughout all rooms and premises.
Feng Shui mirror opposite the toilet
Above in the article it was said that it is necessary to hang a small mirror on the door of the restroom on one side or the other. So why doesn't the reflective surface opposite the door work?
The fact is that a mirror installed in this way drives all the positive energy inside the toilet, from where it flows into the sewer. We independently “dig” a trench that carries our flow of favorable Qi out of the house.
At the same time, this arrangement of the mirror surface does not cover the negative Sha oozing from the sewer, unlike the example when the mirror hangs on the toilet door.
Mirror opposite mirror according to feng shui
Even children know that if you place one mirror opposite another, you can create an endless optical tunnel. Now imagine that a flow of favorable Qi will flow into such an infinitely long tunnel. This kind of thing should be avoided most of all.
Even when you accidentally direct Qi into the bathroom or toilet through mirrors, it does not flow there completely. Infinity, created by two mirrors, devours all Qi without leaving a drop. Avoid having one mirror surface reflect another (even partially).
Feng Shui mirror opposite the bed
Feng Shui experts believe that if a mirror is installed in the bedroom and a sleeping married couple is reflected in it, then the mirror surface acts as a third partner in their relationship. This certainly entails betrayal, quarrels and discord in any relationship, no matter how strong they are.
The mystery of sleep is a rather sensitive thing, and placing such a powerful conductor of energy as a mirror next to you when you and your spirit are defenseless is not very wise.
Feng Shui mirror opposite the front door
A mirror opposite the entrance is strictly prohibited by Feng Shui. It was said earlier that the front door is the mouth of the Qi River in your home. By placing the mirror opposite these energy gates, we simply send all the positive force back out, and the negative Sha penetrates into the home without any difficulty.
The situation is absolutely similar to the case when the mirror hangs opposite the window.
