How to Choose the Right Antique Mirror

An antique mirror is one of the most useful pieces you can bring into a room. It adds light, age, and a sense of architecture without taking up much visual weight.

When I am looking at mirrors, I pay attention to the frame first. A giltwood frame can bring warmth and formality. A painted frame can feel quieter and more Swedish. A foxed or aged glass surface can make the whole room feel older.

What to consider: height, width, frame depth, finish, patina, and where the mirror will reflect light. A mirror should reflect something worth seeing: a window, a lamp, art, books, or a pretty corner.

Do not be afraid of a little wear. Small losses, rubbed edges, and old surface are often what make an antique mirror feel real.

The right mirror does more than fill a wall. It changes the atmosphere of the room.