Garden mirrors might seem like a new trend, but they’ve been popular among outdoor designers and gardeners for decades. With the wide variety of mirrors and mirrored surfaces available to add to your garden decor, you can incorporate this fun idea into your outdoor space. Here are the basics about garden mirrors and some ideas to inspire you.

Choosing Your Mirrors

Luckily, almost any mirror can function perfectly well in an outdoor space. Mirrors can stand up to hot summers and cold winters without breaking and won’t take any damage unless the backing gets wet. Moisture on the back side of the mirror might cause warping in especially rainy climates. Framed mirrors with exterior wood will benefit from a coat of protective seal. You can use clear polyurethane or a similar substance to protect these parts of the mirror from moisture damage.

Be Mindful of Wildlife

A major concern for using garden mirrors is how it affects local wildlife. Avoid placing mirrors in the direct flight paths of birds. Instead, use them along the sides of common pathways and cover them partially with plants to create the illusion of more space without adding potential collision hazards.

Design Ideas

• Use a shower door mirror along a back fence to reflect the view back into the yard. This can make the illusion of double the space without all the garden maintenance. Plus, shower door mirrors are already water-protected and easy to find at hardware stores.

• Try hanging multiple smaller mirrors along a fence or wall just like you would hang art. Mix up the sizes, shapes and frame styles to create a fun, eclectic look that bounces the light around and makes the space feel larger.

• Use a convex mirror to reflect around corners or simply create some visual interest with a slightly warped image. Just like in retail stores and parking lots, a convex mirror can show you a much larger amount of space than a flat mirror can. While this makes for an excellent decorative piece, it’s also useful for safety when working in cramped gardening spaces.

• Add a faux door mirror at the end of a pathway to create a sense of mystery as well as visually extending the yard space. You can either repurpose an actual door or attach a mirror to a larger frame. Surrounding the “door” with lush plant life will enhance the whimsical feel this adds to the garden.

• To double your hanging vines or flower volume, place a mirror right behind a trellis. While partially obscured, the mirror will reflect the plants on the trellis while scattering the light around the space.

If you’re thinking about trying out a mirror in your garden, these tips are a great place to begin. With garden mirrors, you can add a bit of shine and make any outdoor space seem larger than it is.