Adding Curves with an Ornate Wall Mirror

I’ve been obsessed with round and arched shapes lately. Our home is filled with rectangles and right angles — windows, doors, beams, beds, cribs, and fireplaces — so introducing a curvier element feels refreshing. A round mirror breaks up the visual heaviness of straight lines and adds a softer focal point to the room.

The Purchase: A Good Deal on an Ornate Mirror

We picked up this mirror at Hobby Lobby during a sale offering 50% off wall hangings. It was priced at $65, reduced from $130, which felt like a smart buy for an ornate 30-inch oil-rubbed bronze mirror. The finish and the decorative frame give it an elegant, slightly vintage vibe that can work in a variety of design schemes.

How It Looks in the Space

At first glance the mirror seems a little small for the large expanse of wall where we plan to hang it. That impression changes once we add curtains to the picture window. Hanging curtains high and wide will visually enlarge the window and shift the proportions of the wall, and moving the mirror slightly afterward will help it read correctly in the space. So although it looks undersized against the blank wall now, the final arrangement should balance nicely.

Considering Finish and Color Options

We’re undecided about whether to keep the oil-rubbed bronze finish or repaint the frame. The room is still a work in progress, so we want to see how other elements—especially curtains and hardware—come together before making a permanent choice. If we choose to keep the mirror as-is, matching bronze curtain rods and hardware would create a cohesive, intentional look. On the other hand, repainting the frame is an easy way to tweak the mirror’s personality: a glossy white would brighten and modernize the piece, while a deep plum or another saturated tone would make it more of a dramatic statement.

Styling Tips and Final Thoughts

When styling a wall mirror, consider the surrounding elements: curtain placement, furniture scale, and wall color all affect how the mirror reads. Hanging curtains higher than the window frame and extending the rod wider than the glass will make the window appear larger and create better balance with a smaller wall mirror. If you prefer a unified metal palette, coordinate curtain rods, light fixtures, and small accents in the same finish as the mirror. If you want contrast, repainting the frame in a bright or unexpected color can inject personality and tie in other accent pieces.

For anyone else navigating the same decision, my approach is to live with a piece for a little while before committing to a paint change. That gives you time to see how light, textiles, and other finishes influence the overall look. Right now I’m enjoying the mirror’s ornate shape and how it softens the room’s rectilinear elements. Once the curtains are up and the room feels more finished, I’ll make the final call on paint or polish. Until then, the suspense continues — and honestly, that’s part of the fun of decorating.