Six ways to use mirrors in your garden or outdoor space

Mirrors can reflect your style in any type of outdoor zone from a tiny balcony to a sprawling yard or patio area 

You can use indoor mirrors outside, but don’t expect them to last forever.

Mirrors can be added to any outdoor space, from a small balcony to a vast patio area. 

Just follow these simple reflections to get it right.

• Place your mirror where it won’t cause unwanted glare and where it will not reflect the sun’s intensity onto materials that could combust.
• Think about “opening” up garden walls and fencing with your mirror. Nestled in climbers, it adds a fascinating feature in a range of styles. Pointed-arch gothic designs look fantastic in a cottage setting.
• Don’t forget the birds. Larger mirrors reflecting the open sky or wider parts of the garden could cause a bird to collide with its confusing image. Smaller pane designs will be less appealing.
• Double the illusion of your planting and favourite blooms by suspending the mirror behind a border of high summer blossoms. Check the fence/wall/post and fixings are rated for the weight. Some larger mirrors can be propped in place.
• For casual charm, try a louvre-shaded mirror with small doors you can prop open or closed, indicating a window. Widely available in both treated and painted wood and resin in most garden centres.
• You can use indoor mirrors outside, but don’t expect them to last forever. Generally, it’s the frame that will collapse. Try them slightly undercover, and whip them into the shed when winter arrives.

Circular garden mirror, €225, Lime Lace.