Decorative mirrors
Best Decorative Mirrors
By Joan Bardot · Updated
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How I choose products.
On this page
A decorative mirror earns its place twice: it is a piece of art on the wall, and it moves light around the room. The right one makes a narrow entryway feel wider and a dark living room brighter; the wrong size or the wrong height looks like an afterthought, however pretty the frame.
These eight decorative wall mirrors cover the shapes people ask me about most: a large modern round, a baroque arch, a gold sunburst, a natural wood round, a farmhouse windowpane, a full-length baroque arch, a classic oval and a gold octagon. Below the reviews you will find how big to go and how high to hang. For lower spends, see my cheap decorative mirrors.
My top picks
- Editor's choice
-
Best Traditional
Kate and Laurel Arendahl 24x36 Arch Mirror
- Mid-range
- Arched, garland crown
- 24 x 36 in
-
Best Sunburst
Stonebriar 23" Gold Starburst Mirror
- Mid-range
- Starburst
- 23 in, 8.8 in mirror
Decorative Mirrors Compared
Sizes are as each maker lists them. For the sunburst, the frame and the mirror are very different sizes, so I give both.
| Decorative Mirror | Umbra Hub 37" Editor's Choice | Kate and Laurel Arendahl Arch | Stonebriar Starburst | Kate and Laurel Hutton | Kate and Laurel Boldmere | Arendahl Full Length | Uttermost Sherise | Kate and Laurel Rhodes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Shape | Round | Arched, garland crown | Starburst | Round, inset glass | Windowpane arch | Arched, full length | Oval | Octagon |
| Size | 37 in round | 24 x 36 in | 23 in, 8.8 in mirror | 30 in round | 28 x 44 in | 18 x 58 in | 30.75 x 20.75 in mirror | 24.75 x 24.75 in |
| Frame | Rubber, black | Iron, resin crown, bronze | Gold wire metal | 2 in wood, natural | Wood, rustic brown | Iron, gold | Not stated | Gold, beveled glass |
| Hanging | Hanging wire | Not stated | Keyhole bracket | D-rings and wire | D-rings | D-rings | Vertical or horizontal | D-rings |
| Best for | Above sofas and consoles | Traditional glam | Accent walls | Warm, natural rooms | Farmhouse walls | A statement dressing wall | Vanities, refined rooms | Small walls, entryways |
| Price tier | $$ | $$ | $$ | $$ | $$ | $$$ | $$$ | $ |
| Buy | Check price | Check price | Check price | Check price | Check price | Check price | Check price | Check price |
Editor's Choice
Umbra Hub 37"
- Shape
- Round
- Size
- 37 in round
- Frame
- Rubber, black
- Hanging
- Hanging wire
- Best for
- Above sofas and consoles
- Price tier
- $$
Kate and Laurel Arendahl Arch
- Shape
- Arched, garland crown
- Size
- 24 x 36 in
- Frame
- Iron, resin crown, bronze
- Hanging
- Not stated
- Best for
- Traditional glam
- Price tier
- $$
Stonebriar Starburst
- Shape
- Starburst
- Size
- 23 in, 8.8 in mirror
- Frame
- Gold wire metal
- Hanging
- Keyhole bracket
- Best for
- Accent walls
- Price tier
- $$
Kate and Laurel Hutton
- Shape
- Round, inset glass
- Size
- 30 in round
- Frame
- 2 in wood, natural
- Hanging
- D-rings and wire
- Best for
- Warm, natural rooms
- Price tier
- $$
Kate and Laurel Boldmere
- Shape
- Windowpane arch
- Size
- 28 x 44 in
- Frame
- Wood, rustic brown
- Hanging
- D-rings
- Best for
- Farmhouse walls
- Price tier
- $$
Arendahl Full Length
- Shape
- Arched, full length
- Size
- 18 x 58 in
- Frame
- Iron, gold
- Hanging
- D-rings
- Best for
- A statement dressing wall
- Price tier
- $$$
Uttermost Sherise
- Shape
- Oval
- Size
- 30.75 x 20.75 in mirror
- Frame
- Not stated
- Hanging
- Vertical or horizontal
- Best for
- Vanities, refined rooms
- Price tier
- $$$
Kate and Laurel Rhodes
- Shape
- Octagon
- Size
- 24.75 x 24.75 in
- Frame
- Gold, beveled glass
- Hanging
- D-rings
- Best for
- Small walls, entryways
- Price tier
- $
Decorative Mirror Reviews
I have had each of these on a wall, and they are ordered by how often I would recommend them: the modern round first, then the traditional and statement pieces, and one budget octagon to finish.
Editor's choice · Best Overall
Umbra Hub 37" Round Mirror
- Mid-range
- Shape Round
- Size 37 in round
- Frame Rubber, black
- Hanging Hanging wire
The Umbra Hub is the decorative mirror I would put on more walls than any other, and the one I point people to when they say they want a round mirror but do not know which. Umbra designed it and sells it as the original, and at 37 inches across it has the scale that makes a mirror look planned: one Hub over a sofa, a console or a bed reads as a finished wall.
The frame is what sets it apart. A thick black rubber surround gives a soft, matte outline that works with modern, industrial and Scandinavian rooms alike, and because Umbra sells it as a bathroom mirror too, it is one of the few decorative pieces I am happy to hang over a sink. In a small room it does exactly what a big round should: it bounces the window light back into the space and makes the walls feel further away.
Hanging is simple, with a strong wire across the back. I hang it from two hooks rather than one so it stays level. If you want one mirror that suits almost any room and still looks like a design choice, this is it.
What I like
- 37 inches across: fills a wall on its own
- Distinctive rubber frame with a clean modern look
- At home in a bathroom as well as a living room
- Strong hanging wire, quick to hang
Keep in mind
- A wire hang can tilt: use two hooks
- Black only in this listing
Best Traditional
Kate and Laurel Arendahl 24x36 Arch Mirror
- Mid-range
- Shape Arched, garland crown
- Size 24 x 36 in
- Frame Iron, resin crown, bronze
If your taste runs traditional, the Arendahl is the arch I reach for. It is a 24 by 36 inch baroque-inspired mirror with an iron frame and a cascading garland crown in lightweight resin, finished in bronze. The crown is what gives it presence: it turns a plain arch into something that looks like it came from an old house.
Kate and Laurel hand-finish each one, so small variations from piece to piece are expected, and to me that is part of the charm. It suits a living room, a bedroom or an entryway, and it makes a convincing baroque-style bathroom mirror above a vanity. Pair it with warm metals and wood; next to a very minimal room it can look out of place.
What I like
- Baroque arch with a garland crown
- Resilient iron frame, hand-finished
- 24 x 36 in: big enough to anchor a wall
- Works over a vanity as well as a mantel
Keep in mind
- Ornate: needs a room that suits it
- Hanging hardware not described by the maker
Best Sunburst
Stonebriar 23" Gold Starburst Mirror
- Mid-range
- Shape Starburst
- Size 23 in, 8.8 in mirror
- Frame Gold wire metal
- Hanging Keyhole bracket
A starburst is a mirror you buy for the frame, and the Stonebriar does it with a light touch: thin wire rays in an antique gold finish, 23 inches across, around a beveled glass mirror 8.8 inches wide. It looks like jewelry on the wall rather than a heavy carved piece.
Think of it as wall art that happens to reflect. I like it above a bedside table, in a powder room or as the centerpiece of a gallery wall, where the rays catch the light. The keyhole bracket is attached to the back, so you only need one screw, which Stonebriar does not include.
What I like
- Delicate antique gold wire rays
- Beveled glass center
- Keyhole bracket already attached
- Easy accent for a gallery wall
Keep in mind
- 8.8 in mirror: decor more than use
- Screw not included
Best Wood Frame
Kate and Laurel Hutton 30" Wood Mirror
- Mid-range
- Shape Round, inset glass
- Size 30 in round
- Frame 2 in wood, natural
- Hanging D-rings and wire
The Hutton is a 30 inch round with the glass set deep inside a 2 inch wooden frame, so the wood reads like a picture frame around the reflection. The natural rustic finish has an art deco simplicity that sits well in boho, Scandinavian and farmhouse rooms.
It hangs on two elbow D-rings with a wire and stays flat against the wall, which matters with a round mirror that would otherwise tilt. I use this size above a dresser, a narrow console or in an entryway; over a long sofa, go for the larger Umbra instead.
What I like
- Natural rustic wood that warms a room
- Deep inset glass with a 2 in frame
- D-rings and wire: hangs flat and secure
Keep in mind
- Keep wood out of steamy bathrooms
- 30 in is modest over a long sofa
Best Farmhouse
Kate and Laurel Boldmere 28x44 Windowpane
- Mid-range
- Shape Windowpane arch
- Size 28 x 44 in
- Frame Wood, rustic brown
- Hanging D-rings
A windowpane mirror imitates an old arched window, and on a wall without a real one it adds that sense of an opening while it bounces light around. The Boldmere does it with more character than most: a rustic brown wood frame, a window-style grid and two decorative doors, at 28 by 44 inches and 1.5 inches deep.
It is decor first. The panes break up your reflection, so I hang it where it is seen, not used: above a farmhouse console, at the end of a hallway or over a bed. It hangs on metal D-rings and cleans with a soft, dry cloth.
What I like
- Window-inspired arch with two decorative doors
- Solid wood construction in rustic brown
- Large 28 x 44 in: adds real dimension
- D-ring hangers already attached
Keep in mind
- Pane dividers break up the reflection
- Rustic finish will not suit a sleek room
Best Statement Piece
Kate and Laurel Arendahl 18x58 Full Length
- Premium
- Shape Arched, full length
- Size 18 x 58 in
- Frame Iron, gold
- Hanging D-rings
This is the Arendahl design stretched to 18 by 58 inches, and in gold it becomes the most dramatic mirror on the page. It is a full-length mirror you can actually dress in front of, with the ornate garland crown turning a dressing corner or a bedroom wall into the focal point of the room.
The frame is iron, and it feels like the kind of piece you keep and move from home to home. It hangs on attached D-rings. At 18 inches wide it shows one person at a time, which is plenty for an outfit check, and its height makes a low-ceilinged room look taller.
What I like
- Baroque arch at full-length height
- Iron frame built to last
- Gold garland crown with real presence
- Attached D-rings for a secure hang
Keep in mind
- 18 in wide: a slim full-length view
Best Splurge
Uttermost Sherise 32" Oval Mirror
- Premium
- Shape Oval
- Size 30.75 x 20.75 in mirror
- Hanging Vertical or horizontal
The Sherise is the splurge: a 32 inch oval from Uttermost, designed by Carolyn Kinder, with a mirror of 30.75 by 20.75 inches. An oval is the softest shape you can put on a wall, and it is the one I find most flattering over a vanity, because it frames a face rather than boxing it in.
It hangs either vertically or horizontally, so the same mirror works tall above a bathroom vanity or long above a console or a bench. It suits classic and transitional rooms, where a refined shape matters more than a bold frame. The maker shares little about the frame itself, so study the photos to make sure the finish suits your metals.
What I like
- Designer piece by Carolyn Kinder
- Hangs vertically or horizontally
- Generous 30.75 x 20.75 in mirror
- Classic oval that flatters a face
Keep in mind
- Few frame details in the listing: check photos
Best Budget
Kate and Laurel Rhodes 25" Octagon Mirror
- Budget
- Shape Octagon
- Size 24.75 x 24.75 in
- Frame Gold, beveled glass
- Hanging D-rings
The Rhodes proves a decorative mirror does not have to be expensive to look considered. It is a 24.75 inch octagon in gold with beveled glass, a contemporary shape that stands out from the rounds and arches without being fussy.
It comes ready to hang on D-rings, in either orientation. I like it in an entryway, a powder room or above a small dresser, and two side by side make a neat pair over a console. If you are furnishing on a tighter budget, it is also on my list of budget decorative mirrors.
What I like
- Modern octagon in gold
- Beveled glass adds light and depth
- Ready to hang on D-rings
- Budget tier from a decor brand
Keep in mind
- Mid-size: will not fill a large wall alone
- Gold only in this listing
How I Chose These Decorative Mirrors
Decorative mirrors are bought with the eye, so I started with shape and finish and made sure the list covers the main styles: round, arched, sunburst, windowpane, oval and octagon. Then I judged each one on the wall for the practical things that decide whether you will be happy with it:
- Hanging hardware. Wire, D-rings or an attached bracket, and whether screws are included.
- Glass. Beveled glass where the maker uses it, and a clear, undistorted reflection.
- Real mirror size. Frame size and mirror size can be very different, as the sunburst shows.
- Frame material. Rubber, iron and metal for busier or damper rooms, wood for dry ones.
- Quality. The finish and construction had to look right up close, not only in a photo.
Decorative Mirror Buying Guide
How big should a decorative mirror be?
Above furniture, a common designer rule of thumb is a mirror about two-thirds the width of the piece below it. A 55 inch console takes a mirror around 37 inches wide, which is why the Umbra Hub suits a sofa or a long console. On a bare wall, go bigger than you think: a small mirror alone on a large wall looks lost. Several smaller mirrors grouped together can replace one large one.
How high to hang it
On an open wall, galleries and many designers hang art with its center about 57 to 60 inches from the floor, roughly eye level, and mirrors follow the same rule. Above a console or dresser, leave a gap of a few inches up to about a hand's width between the furniture and the bottom of the mirror so they read as one group.
Frame and finish
Match a metal already in the room, such as door handles, light fittings or picture frames, or contrast on purpose. Gold and black are both easy; wood warms a cool room. In a bathroom, choose frames that cope with steam and keep raw wood for dry rooms.
Weight and hanging
Large decorative mirrors are heavier than they look, especially with iron or wood frames. Hang anything substantial into studs or anchors rated for its weight; my guide on how to hang a heavy mirror walks through it.
What the mirror reflects
A mirror doubles whatever is opposite. Place it to reflect a window, a lamp or a favorite piece, not a bare wall or a cluttered shelf.
Decorative Mirror Ideas by Room
Living room
Above the sofa or the fireplace is the classic spot. A large round or a sunburst works as the focal point; a tall arch makes the room feel taller.
Entryway
A round, octagon or arched mirror over a narrow console gives you a last look before leaving and makes a tight hall feel wider.
Dining room
A mirror on the wall facing the window brings light to the table. My guide to mirrors in the dining room covers placement and size.
Bedroom
Above a dresser is the safe choice, and a full-length arch makes a dressing corner. Where to avoid a mirror is a matter of taste and, for some, feng shui, which I go through in where to put a mirror in the bedroom.
Bathroom
A decorative mirror can replace a plain one over the sink if the frame copes with steam. For mirrors made for the job, see my bathroom wall mirrors.
Keep reading: Cheap decorative mirrors · How to hang a heavy mirror · Mirrors in the dining room · Full-length floor mirrors · Why are mirrors so expensive?
The MirroRank letter
New mirror picks, sizing and lighting tips from Joan, about once a month.