Rectangle Mirrors

A rectangle hung vertically draws the eye upward and makes the ceiling look higher: it is the right way round for an entryway, a hallway, a narrow stretch of wall or a bedroom with a low ceiling. Hung horizontally, a rectangle wall mirror follows a low line of furniture (sideboard, sofa, double vanity) and gives the room width. In a long, narrow living room, a horizontal rectangle on the long wall opens up the space more than any other shape.

Above furniture, keep to the rule of two thirds to three quarters of its width and 6 to 10 in (15 to 25 cm) between the top and the bottom of the frame.

A window-pane mirror, with its black muntins, creates a false opening on a blank wall: very effective in a hallway or a kitchen. An industrial black metal frame goes with raw wood and concrete. A gilded overmantel mirror with moldings belongs in a period apartment: its width follows the mantel, minus 4 to 8 in (10 to 20 cm). An antique-style gold mirror and a beveled Venetian continue this classic line. For a softer interior, a natural wood rectangle and a thin black frame remain understated.

In the living room, a rectangle hung horizontally above a sideboard or a sofa. In the entryway, a tall vertical rectangle beside the door, the top of the glass at about 71 to 75 in (180 to 190 cm). In the bedroom, a cheval or standing rectangular mirror, lit from the front. In the bathroom, an anti-fog LED model or the black mirror with shelf. In a walk-in closet, the long 65 in (164 cm) mirror. Finally, the Hollywood mirror lights the face from the front on a vanity, and the jewelry armoire hides rings and necklaces behind the glass.

A large rectangle is often heavier than it looks: count about 2 lb per square foot (10 kg per square meter) of 4 mm glass, which comes to nearly 20 lb (9 kg) for a 65 × 21 in (164 × 54 cm) mirror, frame not included. Use two fixing points aligned with a spirit level, or a French cleat that spreads the load across the full width. Check the load rating of the anchors for your wall. A rectangle leaned on the floor against the wall is always secured at the top with a strap.