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What’s an Infinity Mirror and How Can I Use One in My Home?

what is infinity mirror?
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If you want to make just about any room in your house look bigger, brighter and more open, adding some mirrors can help do the trick. Mirrors come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and styles. You can buy framed or unframed infinity mirrors. But how about those wild infinity mirrors? You may have seen these when scrolling through social media. They’re usually colorful displays that appear virtually endless, as though they’re traveling through infinity. While it might sound a bit out of this world, infinity mirrors can also be used in your home. These create a unique aesthetic, as well as an interesting conversation starter. For example, you can use one as a room accent, art display, or even as a tabletop. But before you start shopping, let’s take a look at a few key points so you can better understand exactly what makes up an infinity mirror.

What is Infinity Mirror?

Let’s start by answering the question, just what, exactly, is an infinity mirror? The simple answer is that infinity mirror is built with two or more mirrors positioned parallel or nearly parallel to each other. This construction creates a series of increasingly smaller reflections that seemingly retreat to what appears to be infinity.

how does an infinity mirror work?
Infinity mirror creates a unique aesthetic in interior design.

But it’s not just placing any mirrors together. When building an infinity mirror, the front mirror is typically what’s known as a two-way mirror. This type of mirror is reflective on one side and transparent on the other. If you’ve ever watched a police television show or movie, you’ve probably seen a two-way mirror. A police station uses this type of mirror in a lineup, for example, where suspects are on one side and officers on the other.

To create this type of mirror, manufacturers apply a very thin reflective coating to the surface. The coating is so thin some people call it a half-silvered surface. A half-silvered surface only reflects about half the light that strikes the surface, allowing the other half to go through. When constructing an infinity mirror, placing the mirrors parallel, causes them to bounce the light endlessly that’s caught between them.

Infinity mirrors also typically incorporate a set of LED lights or other point-source lighting. The lighting is placed around the edges of the fully reflective mirror, and then the two-way mirror is placed parallel close in front of it. When someone looks into the two-way mirror, the lights appear to fade into infinity. This will generate what looks like a long tunnel of lights. Placing the mirrors at a slight angle rather than parallel makes the tunnel appear to curve to one side as it moves toward infinity.

How Does an Infinity Mirror Work?

The deep infinity effect is created through the light source. When the light is turned on, it bounces between the reflective surface of the two mirrors, but on the two-way mirror side, some of the light passes through. When the light escapes, it gets fainter inside, which also fades the infinity effect.

In other words, the reflections seem to be receding into the distance. This is because the light actually is traversing the distance it appears to be traveling. Each additional reflection adds length to the path the light must travel before exiting the mirror.

Other Types of Infinity Mirror

Some commercial applications also use infinity mirror. This includes applications commonly used in clothing and department store dressing rooms, amusement parks and some elevators. In these applications, ceiling to wall mirrors face each other so the reflection bounces off of one mirror and on to another. This allows you to see your reflection in all of the surrounding mirrors.

Using Infinity Mirror in Your Home

Now that you know what infinity mirror is and how it works, you might be wondering how you can bring this unique look into your own home’s design. While a floor to ceiling, glowing display might not fit your home’s exact décor, there are other options. You can still incorporate the same effect in smaller, accent displays. A number of online retailers sell LED infinity accent mirrors. These add a fun, unique aesthetic to the walls in your home, and are a great conversation starter.

Art pieces are another option. Freestanding or wall art is available in many different colors, patterns and styles that can add visual interest to your home’s interior.

If you’d rather not add to your walls, furniture is also an option. Retailers provide end tables, coffee tables, and other accent tables, for example, constructed with infinity mirror tops. These can be built with colorful, intricate lighting displays or a simpler light display.

Infinity Mirrors … And Beyond

Infinity mirrors might not be for everyone’s decorating style, but there are plenty of other options to decorate with mirror. Adding a large mirror to a wall can help make the space look bigger and brighter. It will also help stream in more natural light.

Whether your home is modern, contemporary or classic, there’s a mirror that’s right for you. Whatever style you’re going for, consider the frame. These can be constructed from a variety of materials, such as wood or metal. They can be smooth, textured or painted. In addition to the frame, consider the mirror itself. These can be the traditional silvered mirror or they can have a smoky aesthetic or an antique finish. These are all details that can help contribute to the overall look you’re going for.

Ready to Shop For Infinity Mirrors

When you’re ready to add to your home’s décor, Glass.com can help. Whether you want a far-out infinity mirror, or something more traditional, our experts can help you navigate your selection. We can connect you with someone in your area who can offer advice and ideas. Get in touch with Glass.com via our contact form and you’ll quickly have the exact mirror that’s right for you. And, like the infinity mirror, that’s pretty groovy.

Please note, this article may contain links to Amazon products. As an Amazon Associate, Glass.com earns from qualifying purchases.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ellen Rogers

Ellen Rogers has been involved with the glass industry for nearly 20 years and is the editor of USGlass magazine and Architect’s Guide to Glass magazine. Ellen received a degree from Peace College where she studied journalism. Ellen enjoys running and competes regularly in races including half and full marathons. When not on the go, Ellen enjoys reading, wine tasting, true crime shows, and family game nights with her husband and son. Their favorite game is Clue. Ellen also bakes what is known locally as “World Famous Oatmeal Cookies.” Find out more about Ellen on Linkedin.

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