Kelly Wearstler Approves of This Reflective Way to Break Up a Room

Mirrors have always held the power of making spaces feel larger. You can lean one on an empty wall—or as Nate Berkus recommends, hang a huge one in a tiny space—and trick your eye into seeing extra square footage. Not only do they provide function, from out-the-door fit checks to up-close makeup application, they work like visual magicians, adding dimension wherever they land.  

But lately, we’ve noticed these pieces bending the rules of reality in a new way: as room dividers. From Kelly Wearstler’s mirrored panels in the Proper Austin’s cocktail bar to an effortlessly chic Paris pied-à-terre, here’s how designers are using reflections to make the most of a space. 

Keep Them in Check 

On the second floor of the newest Proper Hotel addition in Austin, the Quill Room is a testament to Wearstler’s penchant for maximalism. Enveloped in a wall covering inspired by the 1920s Arts and Crafts movement, a checkered room divider alternating with gold-tinted mirrors and floral prints is the one thing that really breaks up the space. Tucked away in a seating nook, it’s not merely a divider but a creative layer that embodies the designer’s over-the-top style. 

Go Old School 

This Northern California villa, a modern take on an Italian classic from the ’80s, has seen its fair share of makeovers over the years. Most recently, Shamshiri Studio faced the challenge of blending past and present in the primary bedroom with a palette of almost neutral pastels. Its design choices included a blend of decor elements: 1940s Italian glass lamps, an antique Venetian bed, and a captivating floor-to-ceiling Serge Roche screen tucked away in a corner. 

Put Them on a Pole

Situated in the elegant 8th Arrondissement on Rue de Berri, this recently transformed two-bedroom in Paris was once a sporadically used pied-à-terre. Iconique Studio revamped the space into one that’s not just stylish but perfect for hosting. The designers played with mirrors to create a more fluid vibe between the living and dining areas. The custom structures add an element of engagement that divides the rooms by simultaneously bringing them together.