Entryway Mirror Ideas: Shapes, Sizes and Styling

The best entryway mirror is one that fits the wall you have, shows you head to toe or at least face and shoulders, and sits where it reflects something pleasant, like a window or a lamp. Pick a shape that contrasts with the lines around it, hang it so the center sits near eye level, and keep what it reflects tidy.

Below are the ideas I'd start with, from tight hallways to roomy foyers.

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What shape of mirror is best for an entryway?

Entryways are full of straight lines: door frames, baseboards, console tables. A curved mirror softens that. Arched and round mirrors are the easy choices, and an oval or an organic, wavy outline works if you want something less formal.

Rectangles still make sense when the wall is narrow or you want a full-length view. If your hall is mostly square and hard-edged, go curved. If the hall already has arches or round light fixtures, a tall rectangle can calm things down.

Mirror above a console table

This is the classic setup, and it works because the table gives you a place for keys, mail and a lamp, while the mirror catches the lamp's glow. Make the mirror about two-thirds to three-quarters of the table's width so it looks anchored, and hang it 6-10 inches above the tabletop.

A centered mirror over a centered table is symmetrical. Cornell's Principles of Design notes describe symmetrical balance as equal "weight" on equal sides of a centrally placed fulcrum. That is why this arrangement reads as calm and formal without much effort. For a looser look, offset a lamp on one side and a plant or a bowl on the other.

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Full-length mirror in a corner

An entryway mirror full length is the most useful kind if you check your outfit on the way out. Lean it against the wall in a corner, or mount it on the back of a closet door. A leaning mirror needs a secure anchor: use the wall strap or bracket that comes with it, especially if kids or pets run through the hall.

Tall mirrors also draw the eye up. In a room with a low ceiling, that helps. If you're also thinking about storage nearby, my post on small closet ideas covers how to keep that side of the house organized.

Small entryway mirror ideas

Narrow halls and apartment landings don't need a huge mirror. A few options that work in tight spaces:

• A tall, slim mirror, about 12-18 inches wide, that takes almost no floor space.
• A round mirror hung beside the door, so you see yourself as you turn to leave.
• A mirror placed on the wall that faces a window, which bounces daylight down the hall.

Keep the area in front of the mirror clear. In a small entry, a walkway of about 36 inches is a comfortable target, and a mirror that makes you squeeze past a bench defeats the purpose.

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Mirror with hooks or a shelf

If your entry has no closet, an entryway mirror with hooks saves floor space and gives coats, leashes and bags a home. A mirror with a shelf holds keys and sunglasses at the exact spot where you reach for them. Both are worth it in a narrow hall where a console table would stick out too far.

Two cautions. Heavy coats pull on a wall, so mount hooks into studs or use proper anchors. And a pile of jackets reflected in the mirror just doubles the clutter, so I recommend limiting each hook to one item.

Cluster of mirrors as a gallery wall

Several small mirrors in mixed shapes can fill a wide wall that a single mirror would swallow. Keep the frames in one finish, such as all brass or all dark wood, and vary the shapes. Space them about 2-3 inches apart and lay them on the floor first to settle the arrangement before drilling.

Frames and finishes: metal, sunburst, wood

Thin metal frames feel modern and light. Gold and brass warm up a cool, white entry, and a sunburst adds a bit of drama above a console. Wood frames suit rustic and farmhouse halls. If you like the contrast of glass and warm wood, take a look at how I handle it in a modern farmhouse living room.

Match one element nearby, like the lamp base or the door hardware, to the frame. That single repeat is enough to make the mirror look planned.

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How to style an entryway mirror

1. Check what it reflects. Stand at the door and look. A window, art or a plant is a good view; a laundry basket is not.
2. Hang it with the center around 57-60 inches from the floor, a bit lower for a shorter household.
3. Add a light source nearby, such as a lamp or sconce, ideally at face level so it lights you and not just the ceiling.
4. Put a rug or runner below to ground the area, and a bench if there is room.
5. Leave breathing room. A mirror needs some empty wall around it.

Charlotte Jirousek of Cornell writes in Principles of Design: "Our most universal standard of measurement is the human body; that is, our experience of living in our own bodies." It's a good reminder to size and hang a mirror by how you use it, not by how it looks in a catalog.

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Is a mirror in the entryway a good idea?

Yes, with one caveat: avoid facing it directly at the front door if you dislike seeing the doorway doubled. Hang it on the side wall instead. A mirror there gives you a last check before leaving, brightens a dim hall and makes a tight space feel wider. In a dog household, keep the lower edge of a leaning mirror out of tail range, or hang it a few inches off the floor.

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