Mirrors are a great addition for any garden, with the power to totally transform the space. Garden mirror ideas are especially useful in small courtyard gardens, on roof terraces and limited balconies to add an extra dimension.
A well-placed mirror can be transformative garden idea, adding a new dimension to gardens by increasing a sense of space and reflecting light into more shady spots.
As the trend for taking interior style outdoors continues to grow, garden mirrors are becoming more and more popular.
Along with outdoor rugs and cushions, garden mirrors are one of the easiest ways to add character to an outdoor living area – a brilliant budget garden idea.
It’s important to think about where you place your mirror and what you want to achieve.
Image credit: Cox & Cox
A garden mirror will reflect sunlight and if positioned cleverly, can help to make your a small garden look bigger. Traditional outdoor mirrors can be heavy and must be secured to the wall with the correct fixings. Modern acrylic mirrors are lighter and come in a variety of styles.
An illusion mirror can create dramatic effects such as appearing to be a garden gate in a wall or hedge, or even a window. Whichever design you choose, an outdoor mirror is a transformative accessories.
Best of all this simple garden transformation needn’t be at great expense. You might have an existing mirror indoors that you can upcycle and give a new home outdoors. If doing this make sure you use the right paint or sealant to ensure your garden mirror looks the part and is weatherproof.
It’s easy to see why garden mirrors are gaining popularity. Here are a few more garden mirror ideas to get your creative juices flowing…
Image credit: Future PLC/ Olly Gordon
Make your garden mirror feel like part of the decor by painting the frame in the same shade as the fence. Matching the colours allows the mirror itself to be the focal point, rather than the frame. This idea is perfect for creating a cohesive, well-styled garden scheme.
On-trend colours such as the black stain, seen above, is a striking colour choice for garden fences and mirrors to enhance the surrounding greenery. Add pops of contrasting colour by painting flower pots bright and using vibrant accent cushions.
Image credit: Lizzie Orme / Future PLC
A strategically placed mirror gives the garden an added sense of depth. To take this outdoor interiors trend one step further you could hang an overmantel mirror halfway up the wall to recreate the illusion of a mantelpiece. A familiar interior layout used in the garden helps create an outdoor living room idea.
Of course the bigger you go the bolder the impact, as this large window pane mirror proves in this small courtyard garden. The generous sizes helps to reflect back more light and greenery to inject vibrancy into the small space. Another top tip, to make the space feel bigger, is painting the walls white as the colour will reflect better and create a sense of airiness.
Buy now: Fulbrook Rectangular Mirror, £175, Garden Trading
Image credit: Tim Young/ Future PLC
Add interest and atmosphere to a area of the garden where entertaining takes place, beside a dining area or quirky garden bar idea. The reflection adds another dimension to proceedings, while of course reflecting back any lighting and elements of decoration used to dress the space.
In this stylish garden an arched shaped mirror is placed perfectly within the arch of a climbing plant to accentuate the curved lines to soften the look.
Image credit: Lizzie Orme / Future PLC
Making an impression with vertical planting, then elevate the look even further by placing mirrors behind to make more of a feature of your pots and plants. In this city garden a white walls is enhanced with the addition of a gothic-style window mirror which sits behind an evergreen plant – shining a light onto the greenery.
Create your own outdoor mirror out of an old window frame using mirrors that you can pick up in craft stores. This old discoloured window frame has been transformed into a stunning statement mirror that matches the outdoor seating area perfectly.
This garden is an all-round fine example of upcycling ideas for the garden – from the budget mirror to the DIY pallet garden furniture.
Image credit: Andrea jones/ Future PLC
Have you ever thought a small room was twice the size? Only to realise upon closer inspection that it is in fact an illusion, created by a well-placed mirror. When you can’t see the edges or a defined shape of a mirror it blends in seamlessly to a space.
In a garden space this works brilliantly to give depth to a flower bed and soften corners. It also helps to reflect light, ideal in a small shady corner of the garden.
Image credit: Lizzie Orme /Future PLC
A mirror placed against a wall at a low level can beautifully accentuate flowers perfectly. When you’d put the hard work in to get the plants looking their best, you’ll want to show them off to their full potential. A mirror can cleverly cover all angles, giving you more of an overall effect.
This is a clever way to make your planting efforts go a little further too. Perhaps you don’t have enough budget to go for extra plants? A strategically placed mirror can double the amount of plants – without having to double the garden budget.
Here, a French-style mirror with shutters adds a certain charm to an outdoor patio area. The chalky green shade is the perfect colour for the mirror to blend in to the surrounding foliage.
Image credit: Cox & Cox
Replicate a living room idea by including traditional-style furniture in the garden. Add some wow factor to your garden walls with an outsized mirror. This generous garden mirror creates a very convincing illusion to a garden beyond.
If you have flora and fauna that is worth showing off, then double-up the effect with an oversized mirror.
Image credit: Polly Eltes/ Future PLC
A well-placed mirror can add a splash of colour and interest to a boring old stone wall. This mirror acts as a constantly changing work of art reflects a oak tree in the distance, it will change from green to shades of amber as the seasons progress.
Image credit: Cox & Cox
Use quirky shaped mirrors to add decorative interest. This charmingly shaped mirror creates a window-like portal into another world. Proving mirrors don’t have to be large to work wonders, this petite distressed mirror adds character to an otherwise plain brick wall.
Buy now: Maroq Outdoor Mirror, £40, Cox & Cox
Will you be adding a garden mirror to your outdoor space this summer? We think it’s a winner!