Mirrors are one of those features that you usually take for granted. You know there will be one in the bathroom and maybe a handheld one in a drawer; possibly there will be one installed as a decoration. With the right placement, however, they can serve as aids for safety and comfort in your home.

No doubt you've seen offices and stores where special mirrors were installed so that you could see other parts of the building or room, such as around tall shelves. In commercial settings, these are often used for security to prevent shoplifting.

But you can take the concept of mirrors that allow for increased visibility and apply the concept to your home using decorative mirrors that you've placed carefully in strategic locations.

You may not have to worry about shoplifters in your home. But being able to see other parts of the room or house from areas that might otherwise be blocked has other safety benefits.

Driveways, shrubs, corners and gates

Likely the most obvious application of mirrors for safety at your home will be outside by the driveway. Mirrors can help you see whether someone is walking past some shrubs that are blocking your line of sight; they can also help you spot anyone, such as a little kid or pet, that is running down a pathway and otherwise hidden from your view.

Your driveway isn't the only spot, however. If you have an extensive garden with several sections, a decorative mirror or two can help you see around tall plants and hedges. You can avoid running into anyone if you see them coming in the mirror.

Mirrors can also help you avoid hitting anyone with a gate door, if you've got a gate that is solid and not slatted.

Hallways, kids, toys and your feet

Inside your home, mirrors help you watch out for any energetic little ones who might be about to run around the corner and run into you. As anyone who has ever walked right into a colleague at work because they couldn't see around a row of cubicles can attest, it's not pleasant colliding with an adult. But a little kid could get hurt if you can't see them coming, making this more important.

Another reason to position a mirror or two near hallways and other areas you can't see without help is toys. Have you ever stepped on a LEGO brick or a toy with wheels? Place mirrors and lights so you can see the floor clearly around a corner—your feet will thank you.

Desks, doors, surprises and the next room

A well-placed mirror is an essential decoration in a home office where a desk or chair might be turned away from the door. Feng shui practitioners will recognize this trick: sitting or standing with your back to the door can make it harder to concentrate. People coming up behind you can startle you, affecting your mood and the quality of your work.

But if you have a mirror on the wall facing the doorway so that you can see whoever enters the room when you're sitting at your desk, you get advance warning.

You don't have to use utilitarian mirrors with no frames or adornment. You just need mirrors with a design that doesn't prevent you from seeing reflections clearly.

Before installing the mirrors permanently, especially if the mirrors have adhesive backings (and not brackets), use temporary adhesive tabs to test placement. Try the placement out for a few days before removing the temporary tabs and installing the mirror. This will allow you to make any adjustments you may want.

If you want to look at sample mirrors, contact us at South Melbourne Glass. A custom-made set of mirrors in the right locations helps save you from unwelcome surprises.