Integrating a thoughtfully selected mirror into your kitchen design is a smart choice. Beyond adding a touch of glamour, a mirror offers several practical advantages. Its reflective surface helps bounce light around the room, enhancing brightness and creating a sense of depth.
Using mirrors in the home is a straightforward yet highly effective method to visually expand your space. Depending on the type of mirror you choose, it can be a cost-effective way to enhance your kitchen area.
Below we have put together some creative ideas on how to incorporate a mirrored glass into your kitchen. Get creative and build your dream kitchen with the team at Planet Furniture.
The Planet Furniture team are on hand to answer any of your questions and design a bespoke handmade kitchen for you and your home. Contact us today.
Every kitchen is handmade in our Hertfordshire workshop and installed across Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Bedfordshire, London and the wider Home Counties. For finishes, safety and colours, read our antique mirror splashback guide, or book an appointment at our Hitchin showroom to see one in person.
The Short Answer
Adding a mirror to a kitchen bounces light around the room and makes the space feel larger and brighter, which is especially useful in smaller or darker kitchens. The most popular options are a mirrored splashback behind the hob or sink, a full mirrored wall, a statement wall-hung mirror or reflective pendants above the island. A mirror used as a splashback must be toughened glass, antiqued finishes suit traditional kitchens and tinted mirrors suit contemporary ones, and it is always worth checking what the mirror will actually reflect.
Fill an entire wall with a mirror to create a striking optical illusion
Covering an entire wall with custom-cut mirrors creates a striking optical illusion that becomes a focal point in the room. This can also be particularly effective in smaller kitchens, as it visually expands the space, making it feel larger and more open. How about keeping within a traditional design, and adding a wall-hung or freestanding mirror that can effectively brighten your space? This design idea can create a sense of openness, often at a more affordable price point. In addition to its functional benefits, a mirror with a stylish or eye-catching frame offers an opportunity to showcase your own style and add a personalised touch to your kitchen decor. Royston Project Our client in Royston achieved an optical illusion of more space in their dining room. They hung a large decorative mirror on a blank wall, which soon became the focal point of the space.
Add reflective pendants above the island
Embrace reflective pendant lighting to make a bold statement in your kitchen. Consider oversized lights like classic copper or chrome pendants suspended above an island or dining table – they draw attention and cast bright and intriguing reflections. Similarly, light fittings adorned with mirrored details or chandelier crystals will reflect light beautifully, creating soft patterns across your kitchen walls and instantly setting a cosy evening ambience. Welwyn Garden City Project We transformed this kitchen with just the right amount of reflective accessories. The copper pendants suspended above the breakfast bar and glass mirrored splashback, both draw attention and portray interesting reflections.
Place a mirror behind the hob
Place a mirror behind your hob to enhance your kitchen’s design in multiple ways. Installing a mirrored splashback allows you to continue conversations with friends while cooking or keep an eye on small children without the need to turn around. Hinxworth Project This mirrored splashback not only reflects the garden, creating the illusion of more outdoor space, but it also visually amplifies the presence of beautiful solid wood frames. This light and space-enhancing effect is further heightened by combining it with large windows and vaulted ceilings.
…or sink
As previously discussed, mirrors are excellent for reflecting light and enhancing the sense of space, openness, and brightness in a kitchen. They are particularly effective in smaller or darker kitchens, where they can completely transform a dim area into a welcoming space for cooking, working, and socialising. Baldock Project In this instance, the mirror reflects our handsome cabinetry and the open-plan space, significantly expanding the room and creating an inviting atmosphere.
Selecting the appropriate mirror finish is essential
If your style is traditional, opt for an antiqued mirror design, which features a mottled appearance and imparts a soft, vintage charm (this can also complement modern kitchens). For a sleek contemporary look, tinted mirrors are an excellent choice, available in various colours. When using mirrored glass for a splashback, it must be made from toughened or tempered glass to withstand exposure to heat or accidental impacts without cracking or breaking. Mirrored glass splashbacks are more costly due to their intricate manufacturing process, but the investment may be worthwhile if you consider the significant impact they have on enhancing the kitchen’s ambience. Hitchin Project Adding to the grandeur of the property, our clients opted for an antiqued mirrored splashback. It reflects the surrounding space and helps bounce light around the room.
What’s in the mirror reflection?
When selecting the type of mirror and its placement, especially to maximise its light-reflective properties, it’s crucial not to overlook the most obvious factor: the mirror will be looked into. The last thing you want is to invest time, money, and effort in planning your layout, to have it marry with a reflection of a kitchen bin, dirty sink, laundry room or garden shed. Take a moment to look into the mirror and ensure that the view reflected enhances your space rather than adding clutter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a mirror a good idea in a kitchen?
Yes. A mirror reflects light around the room, adds a sense of depth and makes the kitchen feel larger and more open. It is particularly effective in smaller or darker kitchens, where it can transform a dim area into a welcoming space.
Can you have a mirror splashback behind a hob?
Yes, provided it is made from toughened or tempered glass so it can withstand heat and accidental knocks without cracking. A mirrored splashback behind the hob also lets you keep an eye on the room, or on small children, without turning around.
Should I choose an antiqued or tinted mirror?
An antiqued mirror has a mottled appearance and a soft, vintage charm that suits traditional kitchens and can also complement modern ones. Tinted mirrors, available in various colours, give a sleek contemporary look.
Are mirrored splashbacks expensive?
Mirrored glass splashbacks cost more than many alternatives because of their more intricate manufacturing process, but many clients feel the effect on the room is worth it. A wall-hung or freestanding mirror is a more affordable way to add reflection.
Where is the best place for a mirror in a kitchen?
Behind the hob or sink, across an entire wall or on a blank dining wall all work well. Before deciding, check what the mirror will reflect, so it shows the garden or your cabinetry rather than the bin, the sink or the laundry room.
Does Planet Furniture design kitchens with mirrored splashbacks?
Yes. We have designed mirrored and antiqued mirror splashbacks into projects in Hitchin, Hinxworth, Baldock and Welwyn Garden City, positioned to reflect light and the best views of each room.
