Anyone who remembers the wall-to-wall mirrored tiles from the 1970’s can understandably be turned off by the mere mention of incorporating them into your newly remodeled space. But when used with restraint, you may find yourself reconsidering mirrored tiles after all.

Let’s first address the elephant in the room, why select a mirrored tile in the first place? “In this case, the homeowners wanted to emulate a real bar area, which almost always features mirrors behind the bottles,” says Normandy Designer Amanda Heyland. “Mirrors were initially incorporated into bar areas for two reasons. One being that when enjoying a drink alone, you’d be able to see if anyone was approaching you from behind, and the other benefit is that it can make the area look a bit fuller.” It was also important to tie in the entire home’s aesthetic with the bar, which was more of a traditional style with warm brown undertones seen throughout. The homeowners wanted this area to almost mimic a glass jewelry box.

Now you may be asking yourself, well how do I incorporate mirrored tile correctly then? The answer is and always will be, less is more. “In the 70’s and 80’s, rooms were seen with a multitude of surfaces covered in mirrors,” Amanda notes. “Whether above the tub, sink, or an entire room, it was too overwhelming. For this space, the antiqued mirror is only seen in the bar area, which features loads of natural lighting to reflect off the tile and brighten things up a bit.”

When thinking of incorporating an antiqued mirrored tile, it’s also important to consider the surrounding materials. “In this instance, I decided to use cherry wood to not only match the more traditional aesthetic, but also because of its grain quality,” Amanda explains. “I also incorporated a copper sink to extend the style for more of that traditional and authentic feel.”

There are a few different processes to antiquing the mirrored tile in order to achieve a variety of different levels of clarity. They can range from a slight coat for a near clear surface, to an otherwise heavy coat, which is only slightly reflective. In most cases, they are altered by the backings of the tile to make it more or less reflective. It’s also important to match the wall color to the tile’s backing. “When applying the tiles in this bar area, we had to paint the entire wall black,” Amanda adds. “If at any point the wall decides to peek through, black would be seen, which camouflages with the tile’s backings. This is true for any type of tile that doesn’t require grout.”

In need of some assistance when it comes to remodeling your home with shimmery accents? Set up a time to discuss your home’s possibilities and make sure to register for one of our upcoming virtual webinars. While you’re at it, make sure to follow Normandy Remodeling on Facebook and Instagram for even more home tips, tricks, and inspiration.