Skip to main content

21OAK may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

How to use mirrors to widen your entryway

Mirrors can be a great way to make your entryway pop. You can use them to enlarge the space if you have a narrow entryway or use them to bounce light off the area if there is a lot of natural light available. Strategically placed mirrors in the entryway are the easiest and cheapest way to enlarge a small space visually. Plus, there are so many options of accent mirrors for an entryway, you’ll have plenty to choose from depending on your budget and aesthetic.

Mirrors bring in light and can be used on their own above a cabinet or small table, or you can place a large wall mirror or leaning mirror if space allows. Not only can mirrors breathe new life into a closed-off room, but you can also check yourself out before you leave the house. Here are a few ways to use them.

Recommended Videos

Create a mirror wall

The entryway is a perfect space to create a wall of art using mirrors of different sizes, shapes, and colors. Not only is it visually appealing, but it also helps transform a space that is often cramped and small. You can find a lot of options on websites like Wayfair, Ballard Design, and AllModern. You can also find old mirrors at estate sales and antique shops and repaint them to give them new life. Don’t be shy about using every part of the wall to hang mirrors—there are no rules here. It will draw the eye up and down, giving the appearance of a larger room.

wall mirrorPut a mirror near the window

If you have any natural light coming into your entryway, hang a mirror near it to bounce that light across your space. This will brighten the area and offer a warm, inviting way to greet your guests when they arrive. If you have a small entryway without windows, find a mirror that’s cut and framed to look like a window. This will open up the space and give the room the feeling of being much larger and brighter than it actually is. Again, if you can find one that large (even floor-to-ceiling), it will enlarge the space even further.

Create multiple dimensions

If you have a larger entryway, you can use various parts to draw the eye in many directions. Use a small entryway mirror and hang it over a desk or writing area. Find another, larger mirror and put it on the wall opposite with a narrow table filled with picture frames or candles. Flank either side of your door with tall, narrow mirrors to offer balance and design. The mirrors will play off each other, bouncing light and creating dimension. You don’t just have to use mirrors on one wall; feel free to use them liberally throughout.

mirrored furniture entrywayUse mirrors in furniture

If your entryway doesn’t have much useable wall space, consider buying furniture that has mirrored doors or tops to offer the same benefits as a wall mirror. There are many cabinets with mirrored drawers and doors that will bounce light off the floor or windows. Often, these units come with mirrors that are antiqued or beveled, giving them even more character. Plus, they’re the perfect place to hide any items lying around the house.

As the saying goes, you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression, and nowhere is that more evident than when someone walks into your home for the first time. Having a small entryway isn’t a bad thing, and it gives you the chance to highlight it playfully using mirrors. It can provide first-time guests a window into your personality and a glimpse of what’s to come in the rest of your home.

In addition to mirrors, you can also use paint, tile, and decor to spruce up your entryway and make a statement, so it’s not just a room you pass through quickly to get inside. The only rule here is that there aren’t any! The entryway should be an extension of your home. Be playful, get creative, and look for inspiration before landing on a design.

Julie Scagell
Former Digital Trends Contributor
I am a freelance writer based in Minneapolis, MN. My passions include my dogs, talking about my dogs, and taking pictures of…
Bathroom lighting ideas that will elevate your beauty routine
Here are bathroom lighting ideas to enhance your daily routines
Industrial style bathroom

Whether you are looking to redesign a bathroom or are in need of brighter lighting when you get ready in the morning, there are tons of bathroom lighting ideas depending on your needs. Nowhere is lighting more important than in a bathroom, so you want to make sure you're choosing wisely. You need to consider bulb type, lighting direction (downlighting is key for dark bathrooms), size, and, of course, overall design.

The bathroom is where you start and end your days, a place where you put makeup on, shave, and style your hair, so you want lighting bright enough during those times, but that can also be dimmed to create a spa-like environment if you want to soak in the tub.

Read more
6 fresh ideas to update your farmhouse living room for the new year
Don't give up all of your farmhouse decor — just update it
All-white modern farmhouse living room with a beadboard ceiling

The farmhouse look has been in style for home decor for quite some time now, but one of the best things about home decor is that it can evolve. If you’re looking to bring your farmhouse living room into the new year with some fresh new touches, look no further. Farmhouse decor for the new year will be less cold neutral colors and more warm neutrals and will also feature more pops of color and personality. Keep reading to find out more about how to bring your living room into the new year.
Pottery and rustic planters

One farmhouse design trend moving in for 2025 is pottery that feels weathered or has a handmade look. Anything that looks like you found it in an old barn will do (you can probably find great pieces at yard sales or flea markets). Mason jars have definitely outstayed their welcome in the farmhouse decor world, so consider replacing any mason jars that you currently have with terrain pots to update your current farmhouse living room. Also, filling a few pots with indoor plants will bring some life and pops of color to the room.
Authentic furniture

Read more
How to decorate a living room: Incredible tips for any style
Follow these do's and don'ts for your living room design
Neutral living room with tall curtains

Have you ever walked into a living room and felt underwhelmed? Maybe the space was small and cluttered or was just bland, and the design seemed more like a collage than a curated space. If you’re struggling to decorate your living room to make a functional yet stylish space, we have some incredible tips to help you tackle this project, no matter your design style. Here are our do’s and don’ts on how to decorate a living room to make it feel luxe and intentional.
Living room do’s: How to decorate your space

To properly nail your living room design, here are some incredible tips for decorating your space.
Do make sure you have enough seating
Your sofa or couch will be one of the biggest investments in your living room design and is often the focal point of the room. You want to ensure your couch or sectional fills the space and provides ample seating for all household members and guests. As a general rule, a typical household will likely need six to eight seats.

Read more