If you are a décor enthusiast, you probably already know that small spaces are tricky. You try to keep things clean. You avoid bulky furniture. Maybe you even buy those “small apartment approved” decor pieces everyone recommends online. But somehow, the room still feels tight, flat, or just plain crowded.
So, how can you make your small room look bigger? With mirrors of course! Not those tiny basic mirrors that disappear into the wall. We are talking about large Baroque arched mirrors that instantly open up a room, reflect light and create that elegant designer home look without tearing apart your apartment.
In this article we will discuss 3 décor hacks that can make your small room look bigger with mirrors.
Baroque Arched Mirrors: The Small Space Savior
To be really honest, most of the modern day apartments are built to be cozy. In other words, compact. Small living rooms. Narrow bedrooms. Tiny dining corners. Limited natural light. You can decorate all you want, but if the room itself feels boxed in, it affects the entire vibe of your home.
You try different things to fix it. Buy minimalist furniture, paint the walls a crisp white and declutter until there’s almost nothing left. But sometimes, the walls still feel like they are closing in on you.
But there is one amazing thing that can help you transform your small space into something open and airy. It is an all-time designer favorite that does not require a sledgehammer or a massive renovation budget.
It is the Baroque arched mirror. The ultimate small space savior.
What is the Baroque Arched Mirror?
For anyone unfamiliar with this decor style, a Baroque arched mirror is a style of mirror that combines a curved and rounded top (the arch) with highly detailed and vintage-inspired frames. It comes from the Baroque art period of the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe. It was famous for dramatic designs, grandeur and intricate details.
Today, when you see these in modern homes, they bring an instant punch of character, romance, and old-world luxury to a room.
An arched mirror acts like a literal window into an alternate universe where your room is twice as big.
Decor Hack #1: Put Your Mirror Across From a Window
This one sounds simple because it is. But wow, does it make a difference!
If your apartment or room feels dark during the day, placing a large arched mirror directly across from a window can instantly brighten the entire space.
Instead of natural light stopping at one wall, the mirror bounces it throughout the room.
And suddenly:
- The room feels more open
- Dark corners disappear
- The walls feel farther apart
- The entire space looks fresher and cleaner
It is honestly one of the oldest interior design tricks out there because it works in almost every home. The spatial design experts over at Archi Cubes highlight that "placing mirrors opposite windows is one of the easiest and most effective interior design techniques. This allows them to reflect natural light into the room, brightening up even the darkest spaces."
Your brain registers that beautiful reflection as an open architectural extension. It instantly deepens the perceived room layout.
Why It Works So Well in Small Apartments
Most small spaces have one common problem: not enough light.
And when a room feels dark, it automatically feels smaller.
A tall Baroque mirror creates what designers sometimes call a false window effect. Your brain almost reads the reflection like extra space. This makes the room feel deeper than it actually is.
This works especially well in:
- Studio apartments
- Small bedrooms
- Narrow living rooms
- Tiny dining areas
- Apartments with only one main window
GESSOLANE’s oversized arched mirrors are especially good for this because the tall curved shape naturally stretches the room vertically while the ornate frame adds warmth and character at the same time.
So instead of the room feeling plain and cramped, it starts feeling layered and intentional.
Quick Tip:
If possible, lean the mirror slightly against the wall instead of hanging it super high. That relaxed oversized look feels way more luxurious and modern. As noted by the design team at Design Cafe, "leaning or freestanding floor mirrors add drama and height to the room," making them an exceptional option for changing the scale of a cramped floor plan.
Decor Hack #2: Use Tall Mirrors to Fake Higher Ceilings
I am sure many of us can relate to the closed-in feeling some apartments have. This is especially true for newer apartments, which often have lower ceilings.
For such spaces, a tall Baroque arched mirror helps fix the problem immediately. The curved top of the mirror naturally pulls your eyes upward. Even if your ceilings are average height, the room suddenly feels taller and more open.
It is basically visual psychology.
Vertical Decor is Great in Small Spaces
Interior designers use vertical lines constantly because they create movement.
Some ideas for vertical décor can include:
- Floor-to-ceiling curtains make windows look bigger
- Vertical wall molding adds height
- Tall bookshelves stretch a room visually
- Arched mirrors do the exact same thing
And Baroque mirrors work even better. This is because the frame itself has depth and texture. The architectural detailing gives your walls more dimension instead of making everything feel flat.
This is one reason why luxury hotels and boutique spaces use oversized mirrors so often. They instantly make rooms feel grander without adding clutter.
Best Spots for Tall Mirrors
A large arched mirror looks amazing in:
- Entryways
- Hallways
- Bedroom corners
- Beside dining tables
- Small living rooms
And if you really want that high-end European apartment look, pairing mirrors with decorative wall molding makes a huge difference.
A lot of renters are doing this now using GESSOLANE’s peel-and-stick wall molding kits because they give plain apartment walls that custom architectural feel without permanent construction.
It is one of those upgrades that looks expensive but is actually surprisingly simple.
Decor Hack #3: Stop Filling Small Rooms with Tiny Decor Pieces
This might sound harsh, but small spaces usually look smaller because people overdecorate them. Too many small frames. Too many shelves. Too many little decorative objects everywhere.
When your eyes jump around the room constantly, the space starts feeling visually busy.
A large Baroque arched mirror solves that problem because it becomes the focal point by itself.
Why One Big Statement Piece Works Better
Instead of filling the room with ten little things, one oversized mirror creates a clean visual anchor.
That instantly makes the room feel:
- More organized
- More luxurious
- Less cluttered
- More thoughtfully designed
Honestly, this is one of the easiest ways to make a home feel more “grown up” without spending a fortune.
The ornate detailing on Baroque mirrors already adds texture and personality, so you do not need much else around it.
Simple Styling That Works
You really only need:
- A small console table
- Soft lighting
- One vase or candle
- Neutral textures
That’s it.
Let the mirror do the heavy lifting.
GESSOLANE’s vintage-inspired mirrors work beautifully for this because they already have that architectural presence designers usually try to build through expensive custom decor.
Final Thoughts
If your home feels small, cramped or visually flat, you probably do not need a complete makeover. Sometimes one smart design piece changes everything.
A large Baroque arched mirror can:
- Brighten dark rooms
- Make ceilings feel taller
- Create visual depth
- Reduce cluttered energy
- Add luxury without major renovations
And honestly, that’s why designers keep using them over and over again in apartments, condos, studios, and boutique homes.
Small spaces can still feel elegant. You just need decor that works smarter, not harder.