Haha, mirrors on the floor? Sounds like a recipe for disaster at my place. My dog already barks at his reflection in the oven door, so I'd probably end up with shattered glass everywhere and a very confused pup.
But seriously, I've tried placing mirrors lower down on walls (not quite floor level, but close enough), and it does brighten things up nicely without feeling clinical. I found a couple of cheap vintage-style mirrors at a thrift store and hung them at about waist-level near a window. It bounced natural light around really well, and because they were framed with wood, it didn't look sterile or doctor's-officey at all. Plus, since they're smaller and framed, they don't scream "I'm here to make your room brighter!"—they just blend in naturally.
One thing I'd suggest if you're worried about pets is to avoid anything too large or heavy that could easily tip over. Also, maybe consider acrylic mirrors—they're lighter and won't shatter if knocked down. I haven't tried them myself yet, but I've seen some pretty convincing ones online that aren't too pricey.
And yeah, reflective wallpaper sounds cool in theory but I agree it might be tricky to pull off without feeling cold or overly modern. Maybe just use it on one accent wall or behind shelves or something subtle like that?
Anyway, good luck keeping your cat off the climbing gym...I mean wallpaper. Pets always seem to have their own decorating ideas.
Haha, your dog barking at his reflection sounds exactly like my cat trying to fight the "other cat" in the sliding glass door every evening. Acrylic mirrors are actually pretty decent—I used one in our entryway after my toddler knocked over a heavy framed mirror (thankfully no injuries!). It looks convincing enough, especially if you frame it nicely. And I totally agree about reflective wallpaper...could be cool, but probably best in small doses. Good luck with your furry decorator!
Acrylic mirrors are definitely underrated. I've installed a few for clients who had kids or pets, and honestly, once they're framed up nicely, you'd never guess they're not glass. Reflective wallpaper though...I dunno, it can get overwhelming fast if you're not careful. Maybe just an accent wall or small nook? Anyway, sounds like you've got your hands full with your furry interior designer—good luck keeping things intact!
"Reflective wallpaper though...I dunno, it can get overwhelming fast if you're not careful."
Yeah, I learned that one the hard way. Thought I'd brighten up a hallway with reflective wallpaper and ended up feeling like I was trapped in a disco ball. Definitely stick to small areas or accents—lesson learned. Acrylic mirrors sound way more forgiving, might try those next time.
Yeah, reflective wallpaper can definitely backfire. I tried something similar in my tiny bathroom—thought it'd open things up a bit—but it ended up feeling like stepping into a funhouse mirror every morning. Switched to just a couple acrylic mirror tiles behind shelves instead, way easier on the eyes and wallet. Lesson learned for sure... moderation is key with reflective stuff.
