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Mirrored Furniture - Give Any Room Instant Elegance with Mirrored Furniture

By Fred Albert, About.com

Mirrored furniture looks great in both traditional and contemporary settings.

Photo © Century Furniture
Mirrors, as we know them, have been around since the 14th century. But it wasn't until much later that they were applied to furniture. To this day, mirrored furniture connotes a sense of elegance that works equally well in traditional or contemporary spaces.

A mirrored side table, dressing table or chest of drawers can add an elegant touch to a room, instantly recalling the golden age of Hollywood, or instilling a sense of Park Avenue glamour.

Mirrored furniture has a practical side, too. Since it reflects its surroundings, it doesn't feel as bulky as conventional furniture, so it's ideal for a small space. It also helps reflect light, adding a bit of sparkle to dark or confined areas.

Of course, unless you're totally obsessive, you don't want to put mirrored furniture in a high-traffic area or where it will attract frequent touching from children. Because let's face it: It takes a lot of effort to keep that reflective surface looking good. But mirrored furniture is a great choice for a master bedroom, guest room, dressing area, or any other room that could use a touch of sophisticated elegance. Limit yourself to one or two pieces per room. Any more, and the place will start looking like a carnival funhouse.

Many manufacturers produce mirrored furniture. You can also find it through mail-order catalogs and online through such companies as Horchow, Urban Outfitters, Neiman Marcus, The Paris Apartment, West Elm and Spiegel . Or, in a pinch, you can even make your own (simulated) mirrored furniture from garage sale finds.

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