I love our dining room. I love the furniture, I love the chandelier, I love the tray ceiling ceiling… But, something that has never set quite right with me is the position of the mirror hanging over the buffet. I have mentioned before about having purchased a lot most of our furniture before we ever moved in and this mirror and buffet were no exception. I couldn’t get enough of the antique gold finish on the mirror, but having such a long mirror hanging horizontally seemed to visually cut off the wall space above it. Like I said, I love my ceiling and my chandelier and want those to be a focal point – that’s a problem when the mirror makes your eyes stop half-way up the wall. So, I have been planning for a long while to flip my mirror and lean it vertically.
This weekend, I finally got around to trying it out, and wow! What a difference! I loved the look except for one small detail… it didn’t quite fit haha. It was so long it overlapped the moulding but I could already tell I loved the new setup so much, I couldn’t wait and had to make it happen right then. So, I did what any sane person would do. I grabbed my keys and a Diet Dr. Pepper and headed out to HomeGoods (second trip of the day), praying that they would have the perfect mirror. I know myself and I was so desperate for gratification at that moment, even if I hadn’t found just the right thing, I would have talked myself into thinking it was. Lucky for me, I did find the perfect mirror, still on a palette, not yet spotted by the other ruthless HG shoppers. AND, there was a male associate standing right next to me. How often does that happen?! More often than not, I am trying to do decide whether sprinting through the store trying to locate someone for help or standing with my hand on the item, claiming it patiently until someone hopefully appears is the safest bet. It was like it was meant to be. I took that as a sign from God and then cruised to the lamp section before taking my spoils and heading home. With a tall mirror, I knew my small lamps would look a little silly standing next to it. Kind of like Hayden Panettiere standing next to her husband. Actually, they look pretty cute still so bad example. But, the point is, I needed taller lamps.
I think my husband forgave me for this out of the blue, Saturday “surprise” because he could see how in love with the outcome I was. And, he admitted he loved the transformation too. Here is a reminder of what the buffet/mirror looked like before. Nice but a little something missing…
And here is the after. The lamps are the same glass style as their shorter cousins, formerly sitting in that place.
Here, you can see the before from my Easter Tablescape post. The blank space above the mirror is more evident here and you can only catch a glimpse of the bottom of the chandelier crystals.
Now, you can see the full chandelier and even the moulding inside the tray ceiling. The mirror draws your eyes upward and achieved the exact look I was going for. I couldn’t be more excited. I also switched out the gold parasol painting (spotted in the mirror in the BEFORE photo), and switched it out with my Be Still & Know piece from Fine Art by Deann‘s recent church series.
The table is casually set for summer. On Tuesday, June 14, along with some friends, I will be launching my summer home tour so I will wait to share those details until then.
It is so much more open now; instead of your eyes hitting the top of the mirror frame and stopping, they keep scanning upward. When the sun started setting, I kept coming back in this spot and staring; the entire room seems so much softer now.
I would love to hear what you think about the little space transformation. Do you have any art or mirrors in which you are considering switching orientation?
GET THE LOOK
ADDITIONAL SOURCES
12-Light Chandelier
| Dining Table: (84″ in Salvaged Brown) | Buffet: (72″ in Distressed White) | Curtain Panels
: (98″ in White) | Rug: HomeGoods- Calvin Klein wool | Mirror: HomeGoods | Lamps: HomeGoods | Silver Tea Service: Family Heirloom | White Oversized Pitcher: HomeGoods | Pillows: Pier 1 (no longer available) | Paint: Sherwin Williams- “Lauren’s Surprise”
*post contains affiliate links | where original product is not available online, an alternative option has been sourced*
I agree, this mirror is perfect and so is the room.
Marty, thank you so much! I love how one update can make such a big difference.
Looks beautiful Kelley! I thought the before was beautiful but when compared to the after I do like the vertical mirror placement. Good job!!
Kim, thank you so much! I am loving the change 😉
Beautiful, love your style! Is the mirror just leaning, how stable is it??
Trudy, thank you! It is leaning and I was paranoid, but it is super heavy. So, my husband and I “tested” it out and it is secure. I had to lean it enough so a good bit of weight would be on the wall.
I would like to switch my mirror over my buffet from horizontal to vertical, however when sitting at my table it reflects the ceiling… 🙁 Does that matter?
Yvonne, I would set it up slanted enough to be sturdy but straight enough where it isn’t total ceiling. I can see ceiling in mine too and like that it shows the detail 😉
Looks so pretty! I’ve always loved when you can see the chandelier in the mirror. I absolutely love mirrors.
A few years ago I purchased a Louis XIV reproduction mirror. It is exquisite. I found a pair of crystal sconces at an antique salvage shop and purchased them a few years back and they match perfectly. Both had acanthus leaves on them. It is one of my favorite things it makes my tablescapes look very elegant.
Sue, that sounds GORGEOUS! I would love to have sconces in here but that is one of those “further down the road” things for us haha
I’m off to Home Goods, that room is gorgeous . Where are the candle holders from?
Bren, thank you! And good luck! They are from Pottery Barn- I linked to them in the widget at the bottom of the post 😉
I love the new look! Everything was perfect before, but now, it is more “perfect-er”! Loved the story of how you found this gem…made me feel I was right there with you! Wish I was!
Nan, thank you! I wish you were too… I promise I wouldn’t have run away… haha xo
It looks amazing Kel!!! I love you hen the stars align and you find the perfect piece!!!!
It was a long shot too. Very rarely do you decided you need something and find it right then. It was part of my “see, it was destiny” talk when I got home and “surprised” my husband haha!
It looks awesome! Isn’t it crazy how such a small change can make such a big difference? Your dining room is crazy gorgeous!
Kris- so crazy! Thank you, sweet friend!
What a great simple change! Looks 100% better.
Thank you! I am so incredibly pleased! Finally satisfied with this room 😉
I love mirrors also. It’s amazing just changing the mirror what it will do. It is just gorgeous.
Rhonda, thank you! We are so pleased. I really lucked out finding that thing on the first attempt!
What an inviting room! The changes made all the difference.
Susan, thank you! I agree; thank you so much for visiting!
Whoa girl!!! Love it! And look out for you next time in HG’s! With a dr. Pepper fuel there’s no stopping you! Haha! Xoxo
AHHAHA! You know it!! xo 😉
That mirror is perfection! Would you share the name of the paint color on your wainscoting & trim?
Melinda, thank you! I honestlyB any remember and our old cans are buried in the basement – I will definitely have to find out!
I was wondering same about wainscoating and trim paint color. Hoping this is still active. I love the colors of your dinning room and am looking to make over mine.
Hi Dawn, Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by! The trim color is Creamy by Sherwin Williams. To be honest, I am seriously considering repainting the dining room in the near future. I wish I had gone softer and done a lesser percentage of the blue Lauren’s Surprise. I wish you the best of luck in your upcoming project.
hello
I just bought same chair☺️? you think it’s okay to use scotchgard fabric and upholstery protector on that chair? you think it’s gonna not gonna ruin the chair?
Awesome, Kaye! I think it will be fine. You may want to call customer service to verify, just in case 😉 I hope you love them!
I’m loving this chandelier. Is the link you provided the exact chandelier hanging in your dining room? I have a similar dining room table and would love to recreate this room :o) Where did you get the chandelier medallion? Thanks!
Hi, Leanne: it is! I found mine at a local lighting store but was able to source it online. The medallion was also from the local lighting store but there are SO many gorgeous options out there!
I am in love with your china cabinet, where can I find it?
Thank you! It is from Restoration Hardware 😉
Did you ever post the color that you used in your dining room? what shade of blue is that? Or what brand? Thanks!:)
Hi, Tami. Yes, it is actually listed at the bottom of this post under the sources. It is Lauren’s Surprise by Sherwin Willaims. 🙂
I am obsessed with this mirror!!! Can you tell me the measurements? We are currently building and this would be perfect in our dining room!
It is a little over 3′ wide and a little less than 5′ tall 😉
Hi I love the way you designed your room and love that mirror too. Can you give me a name or numbers on the mirror? I know you got it at home goods, but was hoping it had a style number so I can find this mirror. It would be perfect size for my dining room too. Thanks!
Hi Lisa, Thank you so much for stopping by! I am sorry, but I don’t have any other information to provide on that mirror. I did a recent post on over sized mirrors with more recent finds. Here’s a link to that post.
https://kelleynan.com/oversized-floor-mirrors/
I love how you
Mixed the dark table with the light buffet.
I have the same chairs and dark table and was debating on what color buffet to do.
Thank you so much! Yes- I love mixing woods!
Could you please tell me where is the white buffet from. Thank you in advance. Love what you did!
Thank you! Restoration Hardware. It is sourced at the bottom of the post 😉
Soo good to see this console and table together. What I have just ordered is pretty much identical . Looks amazing
Jannah, I am so glad! I hope you love yours!
This dining room is everything!!. We have a glass dining table that I loved when I first saw it, but now I am kinda mad at b/c I feel it restricts me from doing everything in your dining room that I want (centerpiece, hanging chandelier to name a couple), but I am definitely inspired. We just painted the dining room cream and the most gorgeous sweet cherry red and I am hunting now a similar buffet and mirror.
Paula, dining rooms are my favorite! Good luck find those perfect pieces <3
WOW- gorgeous! And you are a great writer! Usually with home blogs I tend to click through the pics but this was so entertaining!
Steph, this is the ULTIMATE compliment. Truly. Thank you so much; I hope you will come back to read more 😉
Hi Kelly,
Beautiful room. How tall and wide is your buffet and what are the dimensions of the new mirror (incl. depth) ? I have a 68 long buffet and I would love a vertical mirror and I am trying to figure out dimension .. and what is a good depth for leaning.
Thx
Beth
Hi, Beth! The dimensions of the buffet are at the bottom of the post – I think 72″? I’m not entirely sure on the mirror but I do have tall ceilings in there.
Could you tell me the length of your dining room wall? Wondering if I could do the 84″ table in my dining room or if I’d need to stick with the 72″. Thanks! Love your transformation! It’s beautiful!!
Hi, Trish! I’m not entirely positive and am not able to currently measure but I believe it’s around 14-15′. They do come with leaves, too 😉
Hi Kelley! This room is gorgeous! I was wondering how easy/difficult has it been to keep the rug clean? I have a completely unfurnished dining room at the moment, and figured finding a good rug to anchor the room is a good place to start. But concerned about getting a neutral colored rug….?
Hi, Nicki! I would definitely go with something with pattern/texture. I don’t have this rug anymore (the pups destroyed it) but this one,even though it was a solid color, was pretty easy to maintain since it was a darker neutral. I bet it will be easier than you think 😉
Love this room. I ave a dark table and lighter color wood buffet. Have been on a hunt for amirror and just find the right one. I have probably bought and returned at least five from HG. I kept going horizontal and just didn’t like any of them– so now I’m on a new mission to try to go vertical with the mirror. Can you tell me what the height of your ceilings are please. Im wondering if this will work for me- we have 8 1/2 foot ceilings. Thanks.
Hi, Ann-Marie! Thank you so much- I believe these are 10′ in here. best of luck finding that perfect mirror. HomeGoods gets a lot of great ones but sometimes, you have to wait and check back.
Hello,
Love your dining room!!! Can you please tell me where your rug is from and size? Thank you!
Hi, Megan! It is from HomeGoods- I believe 11×14
The mirror you linked looks smaller than the one shown. What size is the mirror and where did you find? I’m looking for similar in a 5’x4′. Thanks!
Hi, Pam! It is probably 4’x5′- I found it at HomeGoods!
I am in love with your dining room and have looked at your blog so many times. I have a question about the bar cart. I think you have it on a short wall with the church painting. Do you still have it on the opposite wall of the buffet with the new lamps and candlesticks? Also, can you tell me the approximate length of the wall with bar cart. Mine is 48” and I’m afraid the cart will be too small.
I love every room in your house, and love reading your blogs! They are the best!
Theresa, you have a good memory! And I do- it is actualy caddy-corner and isn’t flat against the wall. But, the one wall IS short.
I am looking for a mirror like the one in the picture. Wayfair doesn’t seem to carry it anymore. Do you know of any other places that have something similar
Kelly- I love the mirror over the sideboard! Can you please tell me the dimensions of the mirror and sideboard? Many thanks!
Beautiful! Do you think that the vertical mirror works better in a home with high ceilings (like yours) – thinking…if the ceilings are low (8ft) maybe drawing the eye up isn’t the best, do you think homes with low ceilings should opt for the horizontal placement?
Also, how has having a mirror in your dining room been – is it awkward at all? I’ve been pondering art vs a mirror over our buffet for a while! 🙂
Hi Katie, I am a fan of mirrors and love them in all shapes and sizes. An additional plus is the also create depth. Of course, art is always a great option too! ❤️
I just took down a mirror that was hanging horizontal and had planned to sell it. Now I’m wondering if I could hang it vertically.
Mine won’t be over the buffet; just on the Dining Room Wall. What you think?
I adore mirrors of all shapes and sizes. Hanging vertically is certainly worth a try! ❤️
Lovely! Truly amazing!!! Thanks for sharing this post.
Thank you so much for stopping by! xoxo
Your “after” picture is beautiful. Everything in your dining room is perfect. I am Redoing my wall above the buffet server with an ivory scroll mirror. Your blog just confirmed my decision about which way to hang the mirror to show off height. Thank you.
Hi Diana, Thank you so much for taking the time to provide your kind feedback. I’ve never looked back after changing the hang of that mirror. Yours sounds lovely!