The One Item Nate Berkus Swears by for Making a Space Look Bigger

Worth the splurge.
Photography by Monica Schipper/Getty Images

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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

Modern minimalists, there’s nothing about this sleek, contemporary piece you won’t love.

Go With Something Old-Looking But New

Mimic the character of an older piece without the work it takes to source one via this gold mirror.

Embrace the Curves

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

Over time, the shiny brass corners on this rectangular mirror will patina and bring a subtle charm to a room.

Take a page from Nate Berkus and choose a real vintage piece (or two). This simple arched set is peak mid-century modern.

Elly Leavitt

Writer and Editor

Elly enjoys covering anything from travel to funky design (tubular furniture, anyone?) to the latest cultural trend. Her dream apartment would exist on the Upper West Side and include a plethora of mismatched antique chairs, ceramic vessels, and floor-to-ceiling bookcases—essential to her goal of becoming a poor man’s Nora Ephron. You can probably find her in line at Trader Joe’s. You will never find her at SoulCycle.