Courteney Cox’s unorthodox poolside mirror is a surprising must-have – designers say it’s powerful, yet most people overlook it

When decorating your poolside, there are several essentials you need to prioritize: A gorgeous lounger, table, decorative plants, and a mirror.

Yes, as unconventional as the latter seems, it's a secret must-have among garden designers who swear by its ability to create an artful statement and make your pool area seem larger. It's a fact that doesn't seem to be lost on Courteney Cox, who has introduced the perfect outdoor mirror by the pool area in her Malibu home.

As designers explain, Courteney's mirror is the ideal size and shape for the pool area. It's slightly curved, which is better for reflecting light rather than concentrating it (and consequently making it hard to see).

Outdoor mirrors may seem unorthodox, but as Courteney reminds us, they have their benefits – you just need to know where to place them. I caught up with Andy Wu, an outdoor living expert and the founder of Backyard Oasis, to learn from the experts.

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'Nearly everyone believes outdoor mirrors are nothing but ornaments. They are mistaken. The trick occurs with mirrors fixed to bounce light under pool shade umbrellas and under roofed pool areas,' Andy says.

'That's the secret nobody wants to reveal about poolside mirrors. Place them to reflect the pool water and not the sky. Sky reflections cause blinding glare among pool swimmers. Pool reflections give twice the eye-catching effect of water and make tiny pools appear double their dimensions.'

Choosing the right mirror is one thing, but the perfect placement is another. Andy recommends placing it around 8-10 feet back from the waterline to ensure you avoid sun glares.

'A pool mirrors' ideal location is 8-10 feet back from the waterline at a 15-degree downward slope. That replicates the pool's sparkling surface without creating deadly sun glares. I learned the hard way when I installed hundreds of mirrors; homeowners complained about being too bright,' he says. Plus, when placed correctly, you could extend your swim season with this one trick.

'Proper placement of mirrors extends your swim season by reflecting heat back into the seating space. I've made temperature measurements of rises up to 4-7 degrees in mirror-near areas during cold months. Your family swims longer when the space is warmer,' Andy explains.

In the meantime, you can enjoy the mirror's good looks and create a talking point that will resonate with all who visit your pool for the remainder of this summer. Happy swimming.