What piece of furniture or decor can do as much as a mirror? It makes small rooms bigger, dark rooms lighter, and (phew!) lets you know when you have lipstick on your teeth. But before it does any of that, you've got to get it up on the wall. We spoke with experts on how to hang a mirror (as well as where to do it, and when to bring in a pro) so that you can get it up with ease and grace and get to the best part quickly: Admiring your work. BEFORE YOU STARTYou should know: Not all mirrors are meant to be hung. " in Los Angeles, who has expertly hung mirrors and artwork for stars and design stores ranging from Heidi Klum and Ginnifer Goodwin to Grace Home Furnishings. "For these pieces, it's noted on the back, and if you do hang it and it breaks, a manufacturer's liability won't cover it." A cable wire hung across a single hook or nail is out of the question when it comes to safely hanging a mirror. Instead, Downs explains that each "D hook" on the back of the mirror needs its own hook in the wall.

Consider a tilt: Jen Going, of the eponymous interior design firm and GoingHome furniture line, recommends hanging a mirror high on the wall at a downward tilt so it reflects more of the room.Garden Swing Chair IrelandHOW TO HANG A MIRROR...Dream Home Brand Laminate Flooring Above the mantel: Position it at least 4-5 inches above the top of the mantel. Smart Car Tire Fix"But depending on the thickness of the frame, you may want to go higher so you don't get a dark shadow cast on your decor," notes Downs. In the bathroom: While many bathroom sinks will come with frameless mirrors mounted on the wall with adhesive, Downs recommends bringing in a professional to add a frame around that mirror for added visual interest. (A less expensive option than breaking the mirror off the wall and starting from scratch!)

Over difficult surfaces: "Make sure to pick up special drill bits made exclusively for tile, glass, or concrete," advises Downs. Then resume hanging with appropriate hardware as if you were hanging on drywall. On the door: Choose a full-length mirror and position it so it takes up as much of the door as possible. Mirror clips are an easy way to execute this, but Downs recommends confirming that you have a solid core door to work with so hardware will fasten in properly. WHERE TO HANG A MIRRORIn a living room with Southern exposure, you'll want to make the most of cozy afternoon light, so place the mirror on the wall opposite the window, advises Going. If it's a bedroom, or somewhere you want to capitalize on morning light, try the adjacent window. The dining room is one of the most popular spaces for dramatic mirrors, especially if there's a beautiful chandelier to reflect. "If it's a chandelier with an exposed bulb, the reflection can be glaring. Instead, try an antiqued mirror to diffuse it," says Going.Both Going and Downs agree that an entry hall is one of the best places in the house for a mirror.

"Not only is is a beautiful accent, it's a tool to make a space look larger and brighter," she says. Tall rooms benefit from vertical mirrors, while long rooms do better with a horizontally-set mirror, advises Downs. Think twice before installing a mirror on anything that has a lot of movement, says Downs. Another risky place that you shouldn't try on your own: Above the bed. If you're considering that, you should make sure to get a pro in to get the job done safely.A bold move deserves bold execution: Downs often works with designers or clients to put a mirror over another mirror, accomplishing the idea by installing the front-most mirror on a cable system that can then be wrapped in rope, or other decorative materials. How To Avoid Choosing The Wrong Type Of Paint How To Choose The Best Kitchen Cabinets This Is The #1 Renovation You Should Make Before Selling Your Home 7 Critical Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying an Old House The 10 Things Every Bedroom Needs

18 Decorating Quotes To Get You Out Of Any Style Rut 13 Painting Secrets the Pros Won't Tell You 5 Things To Consider Before Flipping A House 5 Ways Technology Is Changing The World Of Home Design 9 Free Ways To Improve Your Home You'll need to check a few things before you buy the hardware. Determine what type of wall you have: drywall, plaster or masonry. To see if you have drywall or plaster, push a tack into the wall. If it goes in easily, it's drywall. A hanging mirror has to have a strong frame. If your new mirror already has hardware attached, it's safe to hang. If you're not sure about an old mirror, you can reinforce the frame with angle brackets. Weigh the mirror — a bathroom scale works fine. Hardware weight limits are listed on the hardware packaging. Pick a spot to hang the mirror. Locating it over a stud is helpful, but not necessary with the right anchors. Always mark the center of the stud, and keep in mind utilities might be attached to it if the stud is near a light switch, outlet or faucet.

To learn how to locate studs see How to Find Studs in Walls. Hang a Mirror Using Hooks Hold the mirror in place — close to eye level. Mark the wall near the center of the top edge with a pencil or painter's tape. CautionEnlist a helper if the mirror is heavy. On the back of the mirror you'll probably see D-rings or a wire. You can hang rings or wire from two hooks on the wall. To get the right space between the hooks, stick a long piece of tape on a level and mark the space between the D-rings. Set the level aside. Lock one of the mounting hooks on the ring as it will be positioned on the wall. Measure from the mounting hole in the hook to the top of the mirror. Transfer this distance to the wall, measuring down from the line you marked in Step 1. Center your level on the wall and mark the location for the hook mounting holes. If you're in line with a stud, secure the hardware to it. If not, install a wall anchor and attach the hardware.