Six ideas for styling mirrors in your garden
Six ways to style mirrors in your garden.
Garden mirrors offer a simple way to create interest and light in the garden. They can create the illusion of more space and add focal points that lead you through the garden. And, with so many types of garden mirror to choose from, you can match the design to your hard landscaping and planting to enhance your garden style.
Always place garden mirrors in the shade, so they don’t focus sunlight and start a fire. Also ensure they won’t be a danger to birds by avoiding hanging them too high and keeping them away from feeding stations and flight paths. In areas with bird activity, it’s best to cover mirrors, add stickers or avoid altogether so birds don’t display or fight with their reflections in the breeding season, which wastes precious energy resources.
Garden mirror ideas
Garden mirror ideas for small gardens
Contemporary style mirror
Create a modern look with smart fold-away garden furniture and add a simple rectangular mirror to reflect the bright colours of cushions and plants. Integrated seating helps maximise space and the mirror adds to the illusion that your patio area is larger than it actually is.
Use a mirror as a focal point
Placing a focal point in a small garden encourages visitors to go on a journey through the space either physically, or with their eyes if it’s not big enough for a path. Using a mirrored water feature as the focal point adds extra movement to the garden as the water cascades over the top and the reflections dance when you move around the space.
Wall and fence garden mirror ideas
Try a gothic mirror
Add grandeur to your garden with a Gothic mirror. Reminiscent of a cathedral arch, this Gothic mirror makes it feel as if the wall is part of a larger structure, giving the area a sense of lightness and space, while the intricate arch work lends an architectural splendour to the border.
Add a colourful mosaic mirror
Mosaics are thought to have originated from Mesopotamia. They're often designed in geometrical patterns in vivid blues and other bright colours. You can buy a mosaic mirror online or make one yourself using a craft kit.
Illusion garden mirror ideas
Use mirrors to create illusions
Create the illusion of spaciousness with a mirror that looks like an entrance into another area of the garden. Not only will this make your outdoor space seem bigger, it also adds a sense of mystery and fun. Some mirrors even look like doors left ajar, inviting you to step into a hidden world beyond.
Style a shabby chic mirror
A louvre mirror in vintage green or blue is perfect to add interest to a cottage garden or rustic courtyard wall. Try pairing a vintage mirror with the subtle shades of Dahlia ‘Café au Lait’ or the blush apricot and raspberry tones of Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Apricot Lemon’.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put any mirror in the garden?
Garden mirrors should be specially weatherproofed to cope with wet conditions. If you decide to use a normal indoor mirror in the garden, you'll need to repurpose it first using weatherproof paint and sealant, so that it won’t be damaged by wind and rain. Repurposed indoor mirrors may not last as long outside as garden mirrors.
Can you hang a garden mirror on a fence?
Garden mirrors can be heavy, so it's important to check you have the correct fittings and that the fence is strong enough to bear the mirror’s weight. It's possible that the fences on your boundary might belong to your neighbours. Objects should only be hung on your own fences, or on your neighbours’ fences with their permission.
Year Planner 2025 on sale
Starting to plan your gardening year? The Year Planner 2025 is packed with expert advice from the Gardeners’ World team, to ensure you have your best gardening year yet.
New podcast series
Join Monty and the team for advice on winter gardening, tulips, caring for birds, house plants and more in the new BBC Gardeners' World Magazine podcast series.
