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Mirrors in architecture have somehow gained the reputation of cheap trickery. Part of this bad rap stems from the dreadful gold-veined mirror tiles that were so popular during the 1970s. They were applied haphazardly by laypeople and decorators alike, and became associated with all the other excesses of this period.

Such kitsch aside, mirrors can be simple and effective enhancements in interior architecture. But to be successful, they must be integrated into the architecture, and not applied as an afterthought.

1. First, be sure to buy quality mirrors made of float glass or plate glass. Cheaper mirrors have ripples that distort the reflection, as well as thin silvering that corrodes quickly. Also, for a really clean installation, attach mirrors with mastic rather than clips (this may be best done by a glazier). Mirror size is limited mainly by cost and by available clearance; floor-to-ceiling mirrors up to 4 feet wide are not uncommon.

2. When installing any mirror, take care that it’s absolutely perpendicular to the walls and ceiling. Otherwise, the reflected surfaces will “bend” at the glass and destroy the illusion of continuity.

3. An architectural mirror shouldn’t be placed on top of the wall surface like a poster – the edge reflection will be paper-thin and unconvincing. Instead, recess it so that its edge reflection gives an illusion of surrounding wall thickness. The illusory “wall” will appear twice as thick as the depth of the mirror recess, giving a look of mass and permanence so convincing that it can often fool onlookers into thinking there actually is a space beyond.

4. Carefully determine the reflection that will appear in the mirror. To help visualize what will be seen, draw a floor plan that shows the real room as well as the reversed, illusory space beyond. It’s worth spending a few moments diagramming the sightlines on paper to identify what will appear.

5. Arrange the mirror to reflect windows, doorways, or interesting architectural features like arches or columns. This essentially provides two features for the price of one. Mirrors reflecting windows also have the added effect of brightening up a room considerably.

6. At bathroom vanities, carry the mirror up to the ceiling line rather than stopping 18 inches below it as is customary (the mirror will have to be drilled for any wall-mounted lighting fixtures in this area – about a $25 charge). The ceiling will appear to continue through the glass into the “room” beyond, amplifying the illusion of space.

7. Really adventuresome folks may experiment with arranging mirrors at right or obtuse angles. The results can be surprising. Mirrors facing each other at less than 90 degrees (for example, on opposite walls of a powder room) will produce infinite reflections and give a funhouse effect.

8. Finally, one of the cleverest mirror tricks I’ve seen comes from the Fox Theater, a beautiful movie palace that opened in Oakland, Calif., in 1928. In an ornate upper lobby, a pair of blank metal fire doors were disguised as French doors and then glazed with mirrors rather than glass to give the illusion of additional rooms beyond.

Arrol Gellner is a California architect, college teacher and syndicated columnist who writes about architectural issues. Follow him on Twitter – @arrolgellner.

©2013 Arrol Gellner

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