Framed vs. Frameless Mirrors: Which Style Suits Your Decor?
Walk into any well-styled room and there is a good chance a mirror had something to do with it. A well-placed mirror can give the illusion of space, anchor a wall, add light to the corners of a darkened space through reflection and add personality and elegance to a room in a way that other decorative elements can’t do. Before you start measuring up wall space in your home, you have a choice to make- framed or frameless mirror?
Both mirror styles certainly have their strengths. The best choice for you really comes down to the space you wish to decorate, your aesthetic and how bold of a statement you want to make.
If you’re after a custom made mirror in Sydney for a new build, or a classic mirror to incorporate into your renovation, knowing the differences between the two types of mirrors can help tie a room together with spectacular results.
In this article, the team at Master Framers will reflect upon both options and discuss how they look, where they work best and how you can decide which one would best frame your home.
What's the Difference Between Framed and Frameless Mirrors?
The differences between framed and unframed mirrors is really about aesthetics and how they fit in with your decor. Each type of mirror does what mirrors do- reflect light and show a mirrored image of you, so the functionality is the same. How they feel in your home, that is where the differences begin.
A framed mirror adds texture and colour to your walls. The frame itself is a focal point and can complement wallpaper, cornices or furniture. While a frameless mirror allows the wall and the space around it to do the bulk of the talking.
In a way, a framed mirror contains the light and the reflection within the frame. There is a clear boundary between what the mirror reflects and the wall behind, while a frameless mirror blurs this boundary by appearing to be a pool of light, or an imaginary window, making smaller spaces feel bigger.
Framed mirrors need more care when it comes to cleaning, as dust and grit can get caught in the corners between the mirror and the frame, but they can be more durable than frameless mirrors as this frame then protects the edges of the mirror.
Almost the complete opposite of that, cleaning a frameless mirror is an easy wipe with a soft cloth and a cleaning agent, all the way to the edge and behind. However the exposed edges can be vulnerable to chips and bumps if you’re not careful.
Framed Mirrors: Style, Warmth and Character
Much like works of art, the frame of a mirror can be a style statement on its own. It can either follow the decor of a room or dictate the style around it.
The Elements of Style
- Modern. Slim metal frames in matte black or brushed metal give you a sleek, modern and industrial look without adding bulk to the room.
- Classic. Ornate frames of gold or polished brass enhance a luxurious look or old-world elegance.
- Coastal and Boho. Woven materials, rattan or organic frames bring a natural softness to your home, bridging a casual modern vibe with a beachy aesthetic.
Warmth and Character
Adding a wood frame to your mirror, such as reclaimed oak, cherry or mahogany, can bring a natural warmth to your home. The grains and knots in the wood add a natural tone that nothing manufactured ever could. Hanging a significant mirror, with a natural wood frame, above a fireplace can balance out modern, streamlined furnishings and give a rustic feel to the space.
Spatial Benefits
Framed mirrors can perform a practical spatial role in interior design. They can amplify the light in a room. Placing a mirror opposite a window can reflect sunlight around to make a space feel bigger and brighter and warmer.
A framed mirror can create a focal point, much like a framed piece of art, while leaving your floor clutter-free.
As well as having a large framed mirror on the wall, if you have the space, a relaxed, floor-leaning mirror can create a very luxurious vibe
How to Match a Frame to Your Decor
The framed mirror will only look great in your home if you’ve coordinated the style of the frame with the feel of your home. Having a Boho style house with a severe, industrial framed mirror might be jarring.
If your home is full of wood tones, then so too should your framed mirror. Matching the grain and stain of the frame with your home can be done with the help of the team here at Master Framing. You can match the cornices or the hardwood floor, or look to connect your dining room to the frame of the mirror.
Contrasting textures can also work with decor. Woven textures or even leather can be an unexpected win when paired with organic themes or coastal home vibes.
Understand the size of the mirror for the space it is in. A large wall with a small mirror is just as awkward as a large framed mirror that dominates a room.
Balance the shapes and lines of a room. If the room in which you will hang the framed mirror is all sharp lines and severe angles, consider a softer shaped mirror, oval or round. The flipside to that is, if your space is flowing lines and luxurious curves, then a slim, rectangular mirror can provide a grounding for the eye.
Frameless Mirrors: Clean Lines and Versatility
There is a cleanliness and a minimalistic feel to frameless mirrors. They have an uncluttered appearance, and can allow the decor around them to speak clearly.
They fit a minimalist aesthetic, such as a Scandinavian decor, and slip in neatly to a contemporary or modern styling. With no visual boundaries the eye travels across them and onto the wall behind. This can help highlight a textured wallpaper, or an artistic tile backsplash. The focus is the space around the mirror.
Practical Benefits
A frameless mirror maximises space and light. With no room needed for a frame, you have more room for a mirror. They can sometimes trick the mind into thinking it is another window, hence giving small spaces, such as a small hallway or the smallest bedroom, the illusion of size.
Where Frameless Mirrors Work Best in the Home
Frameless mirrors work wonders in the smaller spaces. The townhouses that are long and narrow, small one bedroom apartments and such like. Compact bathrooms are great places for a frameless mirror. Not only can they help make the space feel bigger, the ease of cleaning, without getting into the nooks and crannies of the frame, make it so much more convenient.
Narrow entryways and hallways, especially in the turn of the century townhouses, benefit from a frameless mirror. A quick check on the hat and scarf before going out the door, the reflection of light to brighten up the dark hallway, perfect times for a frameless mirror.
When a Custom Made Mirror is the Right Call
Square, round or oval mirrors work well when used to their strengths. But what happens if you have an angled ceiling, or curved nooks? Off-the-shelf mirrors leave gaps. A custom-built mirror from Master Framing Sydney can fit perfectly.
For unusual wall shapes or wall fits, a custom mirror can complement the space, fit it perfectly, or intentionally look awkward, depending on your vibe.
Custom mirrors over vanities are common. People find the perfect vanity for their bathroom or ensuite, and then can’t find a mirror to match. We can help fit a mirror to the size of your vanity and one that matches the tapware and decor of the entire bathroom.
We can customise cutouts for your mirror to fit electrical outlets, switch plates or door handles.
You can move beyond regular shapes such as squares and rectangles, and venture into geometric shapes, or more organic curves and lines to totally match the decor of your room.
Further customisation for mirrors can include lighting and technology. You can have a mirror that is backlit by LED. For mirrors in the bathroom you can integrate defoggers, and you can even have smart-touch controls.
Framed Mirrors or Frameless Mirrors in Sydney. Which One Should You Choose?
Boiling everything down for you, we have three pieces of advice for you:
- Choose framed mirrors if you want to match or complement other design elements in your home. These can include light fixtures, cabinetry or wallpaper. Or choose framed mirrors if you want to have an anchor feature on a large wall.
- Choose a frameless mirror if you have tilework or a bold wallpaper you wish to accentuate. Choose frameless mirrors if you have a compact space which you want full of light and space.
- Choose what you want that makes you feel happy. If there is a frame that speaks to you but you have a tiny studio, choose what makes you happy. Do you have a space on the wall that won’t fit a frame, but needs a mirror? Choose what makes you feel happy.
While there are many fashions and styles for interior design, ultimately you decorate the space how you want, and how you want the space to make you feel.
Working With a Master Framing to Get It Right
Finding the perfect mirror to fit your space or complement your design can be time consuming. Often the best way to land on the right decision is to talk it out with an expert, such as one of our team at Master Framing Sydney.
We are experts in custom frames for mirrors, and even custom mirrors themselves, working with homeowners and interior designers to create mirrors that are built for the space they’re going into. If you want a sleek, frameless design for your ensuite, or a beautifully framed statement piece for your living room, our team can guide you through size, style and finish, to get you exactly what you want.
As an experienced Sydney frame shop, Master Framing offers made-to-measure solutions that off-the-shelf options simply can't match. No compromising on size, no settling for a style that's almost right.
Get in touch with the team at Master Framing today to discuss your next mirror project.
