The One Item Nate Berkus Swears by for Making a Space Look Bigger
Worth the splurge.
Updated Jun 23, 2023 1:00 PM
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Time to hit up your local thrift shop: You need a vintage mirror. Aside from adding charm and a certain old-school flair that’s guaranteed to be a conversation starter, these pieces are a great way to fill up an empty wall when traditional artwork won’t do. Small-space dwellers will note another benefit of large mirrors—they open up a room and make it feel instantly larger.
This particular small-space hack comes with a ringing design celeb endorsement. Nate Berkus recommends using bigger mirrors to visually trick the eye into thinking a space is larger than it actually is, sharing this insight via a recent Instagram post.
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“Looking to invest in something special for your home?” he writes. “There’s always a place in your home for a big, beautiful vintage mirror. It always makes the room feel taller.”
While Berkus’s mirror of choice is a mid-century French oak piece from Paris, the beauty of this styling tip is that it’s customizable. If you’re big on color, look for something simple with a wood frame you can sand down and paint over in the saturated hue of your choice. If you love the antique look, hit up a vintage fair to hunt for a gilded option.
Or if you’d rather forgo the process of tracking down the perfect vintage piece altogether, you can always buy online. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite large mirrors (both contemporary and old school) that are prime for perusal—you’re sure to find one to fit your style.
Keep It Simple
![Celebrity photo](https://www.domino.com/uploads/2023/06/22/west-elm.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&width=100)
Modern minimalists, there’s nothing about this sleek, contemporary piece you won’t love.
Go With Something Old-Looking But New
![Celebrity photo](https://www.domino.com/uploads/2019/02/05/35388685_020_b5.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&width=100)
Mimic the character of an older piece without the work it takes to source one via this gold mirror.
Embrace the Curves
![Celebrity photo](https://www.domino.com/uploads/2019/02/05/TRNK-Gubi-Randaccio_Mirror-Large-Product-1200x1200.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&width=100)
If you’re looking to fill the space above your mantel, opt for something round to contrast with the horizontal line of the shelf.
Pick Your Polish
![Celebrity photo](https://www.domino.com/uploads/2023/06/22/demi-rectangle-acrylic-mirror-24x35-1.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&width=100)
Over time, the shiny brass corners on this rectangular mirror will patina and bring a subtle charm to a room.
![Celebrity photo](https://www.domino.com/uploads/2023/06/20/walnut-pair.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&width=100)
Take a page from Nate Berkus and choose a real vintage piece (or two). This simple arched set is peak mid-century modern.