Domakihub Hang a Mirror in a Narrow Hallway to Make It Bigger
The right mirror in the right spot transforms a cramped Greek apartment entryway into an airy, welcoming space.
Reviewed by Domakihub home & decor pros · 2026-06-23 · 4 min read
A narrow hallway is one of the most common layout challenges in Greek apartments, holiday rentals, and boutique hotels — and a well-placed mirror is one of the cheapest fixes you can make. The video above shows how dramatic the transformation can look; this article gives you the practical steps to achieve it safely on masonry walls, with the correct sizing, height, and hardware for your space.
Why Mirrors Work in Tight Hallways
A mirror does not actually add space — it borrows it. By reflecting the opposite wall, floor, and any light source, it doubles the perceived depth of the corridor. In Greek apartments where internal hallways are often just 80–100 cm wide, even a single well-proportioned mirror can eliminate the tunnel effect entirely.
The key word is proportioned. A mirror that is too small looks like an afterthought; one that is too large feels confrontational. The goal is a reflection that reads as a window into an adjacent room, not a funhouse panel bolted to a wall.
Masonry Walls: What Makes Greece Different
Most Greek residential buildings, hotels, and holiday villas have solid concrete or hollow brick walls — not the plasterboard stud walls common in northern Europe. This is actually an advantage for mirror hanging: masonry holds weight reliably, but it demands the right anchors. Plastic rawl plugs hammered into a drill hole are the standard, and they will hold a heavy mirror for decades if the hole diameter matches the plug.
Where you need to be careful is in older buildings where the render layer can be loose. Always tap the wall first; a hollow sound means you should move the fixing point a few centimetres. If the wall is tiled (common in hotel corridors), use a tile drill bit at slow speed with no hammer action to avoid cracking.
Five Steps to Hang a Mirror That Makes Your Hallway Look Bigger
- 1
Choose the Right Mirror Size
Aim for a mirror width that is roughly 50–70% of the wall width. In an 85 cm wide hallway, that means a mirror between 43 and 60 cm wide. For height, a full-length mirror (160–180 cm tall) creates the strongest illusion of ceiling height, but even a tall rectangular mirror of 90–120 cm makes a meaningful difference. Avoid round or square mirrors in very narrow corridors — the vertical rectangle is your friend.
- 2
Find the Optimal Hanging Height
The centre of the mirror should sit at eye level — roughly 155–160 cm from the floor for most adults. This positions the reflection so that anyone walking past sees the opposite wall, not the ceiling or the floor. In a holiday rental or hotel where guests vary in height, erring slightly higher (centre at 165 cm) gives a better result for the majority while maximising the apparent ceiling height.
- 3
Mark Your Fixing Points Precisely
Hold the mirror against the wall at the intended position and mark the top edge lightly with a pencil. Then measure down to where the hanging hardware sits on the back of the frame and mark those points. Use a spirit level across both marks before drilling anything. In masonry, a 6 mm carbide-tipped drill bit and matching plastic anchors handle mirrors up to about 10 kg; go up to 8 mm anchors for heavier frames. Drill at a slight upward angle (5–10 degrees) so the screw bears downward load rather than pulling straight out.
- 4
Secure the Mirror and Check for Wobble
Drive the screws until snug — do not overtighten into masonry anchors or you will crack the surrounding plaster. Hang the mirror, then grip both sides and apply gentle outward pressure. If there is any movement, add a small rubber bumper or felt pad at the bottom corners between the frame and the wall; this stops vibration and keeps the mirror perfectly plumb without adding extra fixings.
- 5
Optimise Light to Amplify the Effect
A mirror only multiplies the light it receives. Place a wall sconce or a slim floor lamp on the opposite side of the hallway so the mirror reflects a light source rather than a dark wall. In holiday rentals and hotels, warm-white bulbs (2700–3000 K) create the most flattering reflection. If natural light enters from a door at the end of the hall, angle the mirror very slightly (1–2 degrees off perpendicular) to bounce that daylight back down the corridor — this single adjustment can make the space feel twice as long.
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FAQ
- How heavy a mirror can a masonry wall support?
- A properly installed 8 mm plastic anchor with a 5 mm screw in solid concrete or brick will hold 30–40 kg per fixing point. Most decorative hallway mirrors weigh between 4 and 15 kg, so two anchors give you a very large safety margin. Always check the wall is solid (not hollow render) before drilling.
- Should the mirror face the front door in a Greek apartment?
- Facing the front door is ideal for light amplification — natural light floods in when the door opens and the mirror instantly bounces it down the hallway. Some owners prefer to offset the mirror slightly to the side to avoid reflecting clutter near the door, which is also a valid choice. There is no structural or safety reason to avoid the front-door position.
- What if the hallway has floor tiles and I cannot add a floor lamp?
- Wall sconces are the most practical alternative in tiled or finished-floor spaces — they require only two masonry fixings and no floor footprint. If even wall wiring is not possible, a battery-operated puck light mounted just above or beside the mirror frame provides enough illumination to activate the reflection meaningfully, and modern rechargeable versions last several months between charges.