Affordable Modern Mirrored Closet Doors Design Ideas You Can Do Now

The simplest entryway mirror idea is also the most reliable: hang one at eye level on the wall that catches the most light, and give it something to sit with, like a console, a bench or a row of hooks. A mirror there bounces light into a space that is usually small and dim, and it gives you a last look before you head out.

Below are the placements, shapes and combinations I recommend, with notes for small foyers, narrow halls and homes with dogs that greet you at the door.

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What shape is best for an entryway mirror?

There's no single best mirror shape for an entryway. It depends on the walls around it. Entryways are full of hard edges (door frames, console tables, shelves), so a curved mirror softens them. Rectangles suit tight, straight-lined halls, since they echo the proportions around them.

• Round: a good default above a console. It reads as a soft focal point and works at almost any size.
• Arched: tall and gentle, it suits narrow walls and makes ceilings feel a little higher.
• Rectangular: the practical choice for a full-length mirror, because it shows your whole outfit.
• Organic or wavy: fun for a modern look, best kept to one mirror so the wall doesn't feel busy.

Where should you hang an entryway mirror?

Above a console table

This is the classic. Hang the mirror so its center sits around eye level, roughly 57-60 inches from the floor, and keep the bottom edge a hand's width or so above the table. Make the mirror about two-thirds the width of the console so it doesn't look lost or crowded.

Opposite or beside a window

A mirror facing a window or a bright doorway carries daylight deeper into the hall. Check what it will reflect first. A cluttered shoe pile doubled in glass is not the goal.

In a corner

An entryway mirror full length can lean in a corner and take up very little floor. Choose a heavy frame and secure it to the wall with the manufacturer's anchor, especially if a dog or child tends to bump it.

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Small entryway mirror ideas

Tight foyers need a mirror that adds light without adding bulk. A few options:

• Hang a tall, narrow mirror on the wall beside the door, so it doubles the sense of width without blocking the walkway. Keep about 30-36 inches clear for passing through.
• Use one large mirror instead of several small ones. One piece reads calmer in a small room.
• Choose a slim frame. A thick frame eats visual space you don't have.
• Mount the mirror flat to the wall rather than leaning it, so it doesn't stick out into the path.

Renters can use a leaning mirror or strong removable hanging strips rated for the mirror's weight. Check the weight on the package before you trust it.

Mirrors that work harder: hooks, shelves and benches

An entryway mirror with hooks gives you a place for leashes, bags and coats in a single footprint. Look for a solid backing and screw it into studs, because a wall of wet coats and a dog harness is heavier than it looks. An entryway mirror with shelf adds a landing spot for keys and sunglasses; a shelf about 6-8 inches deep is enough for that job.

If you have room for a bench, put the mirror above it. You sit to put on shoes, so hang the mirror high enough that it still works when you're standing. A basket or shoe tray under the bench keeps the floor clear, and a washable mat handles muddy paws.

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How to style an entryway mirror

Styling is mostly about balance. Cornell's Principles of Design describes symmetrical balance as having equal "weight" on equal sides of a centrally placed fulcrum. In an entryway, that means a centered mirror with a matching lamp or plant on each side of the console looks formal and calm. Move the mirror off center and balance it with a taller object on the other side for a looser feel.

• Pair the glossy surface with something matte or textured: a wood console, a woven basket, a plaster-finish wall.
• Put a lamp near the mirror. Warm light reflected in glass makes the entry feel welcoming at night.
• Keep the console top to two or three objects so the mirror stays the focus.
• Repeat the frame finish elsewhere, such as the hook plate or the lamp base.

As an architect, I'd always check the scale against your body before choosing. Charlotte Jirousek of Cornell University writes, "Our most universal standard of measurement is the human body; that is, our experience of living in our own bodies." A mirror should be sized for the person using it, so stand where you'll stand and see whether your head and shoulders land in the glass.

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Modern frames and finishes

For a modern entryway mirror, thin black or brushed metal frames and frameless edges look clean against painted walls. Gold or brass frames warm up a cool-toned hall. Wood frames suit rustic and vintage rooms. Whatever you pick, match the metal with another fixture in sight, like a pendant or cabinet pull, so the mirror looks planned rather than added.

Cluster or single mirror?

A cluster of small mirrors can work as a gallery wall, but it needs a tight, even gap (about 2-3 inches) and a shared finish. In a small foyer I recommend one larger mirror; clusters suit wide walls.

Cleaning and safety

Wipe with a microfiber cloth and a glass cleaner, and spray the cloth rather than the mirror so liquid doesn't creep behind the edge. For heavy mirrors, use anchors rated for the weight, and ask a licensed professional if you're unsure about your wall type.

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If you're planning the rest of the home's mirrors too, the ideas in decorating with modern mirror closet doors carry over to bedrooms, and window treatment ideas for French doors help if your foyer has glass doors that need softening.

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