Justin Timberlake elevated his living room shelving with this designer-approved reflective technique

There are often two different types of people when it comes to storage. Firstly, there are those with a minimalist approach who choose streamlined cabinets that conceal their contents – and secondly, those who see shelving as an opportunity to create a vivid talking point. Justin Timberlake falls into the latter category. 

Justin, like many, has filled his open shelving with books of various sizes and hues; however, unlike others, he has accentuated their colors further – using a centuries-old decorating trick: mirrors. The singer has adorned his shelving space with a reflective surface that draws attention to the living room shelving and its contents.

To accentuate the mirrored alcove further, Justin added a lamp that, naturally, draws yet more attention to the books and shelves – while reflecting light around the entire room. It's a technique that hasn't gone unnoticed by designers – who say we should take note of Justin's arrangement.

'Adding a mirror behind a bookshelf can give the illusion the room is much larger than it actually is because of the light reflection. This is a great placement for a mirror if you don't have ample wall space to add one,' say designers Maddy and Ashley at Morgan Design Studio. 

Alongside its size-enhancing qualities, the designers add that the surface also allows the items placed on the bookshelf a 'unique opportunity to really shine' – offering a new way to ensure our most personal possessions make the focal point we may desire. 

Maddy and Ashley

Maddy and Ashley are designers based in Arizona and California with projects nationwide. They founded a full-service interior design that stems from their different personal design aesthetics – encompassing a wide variety of styles resulting in versatile results. 

Maddy and Ashley are not alone in their support for Justin Timberlake's statement storage system. Designer Artem Kropovinsky mirrors their comments, adding that this trick is particularly impactful in small living rooms. 

'Mirrors have a natural ability to reflect and magnify light, instantly making interiors feel expansive. This trick is invaluable in tight or elongated rooms,' he says. When paired with a bookshelf, Artem also explains that mirrored surfaces will 'infuse rooms with depth and dimension.'

'When positioned behind bookshelves, they cultivate a layered, multi-dimensional effect. And for rooms starved of sunlight, mirrors, especially behind bookshelves, can redirect and scatter natural light, vivifying otherwise dim spaces.' 

Artem Kropovinsky

Based in New York, Artem Kropovinsky, founder of Arsight, has a decade of extensive and considerable global design experience. Prioritizing minimalism, sustainability, and authenticity, Artem, alongside his team of professionals, works on projects in the US and worldwide.

Plus, in case we needed more convincing, Artem reminds us that, alongside their practical benefits, mirrors serve as artistic elements. 'They can be designed to be the showstopper or subtly accentuate the room's decor,' he comments. We're taking this as our cue to decorate with mirrors in an entirely new light. 

The first book in our mirrored space? Justin's autobiography, of course. We're picking up a copy below.

Hindsight: & All the Things I Can't See in Front of Me – $6.46 at Amazon

In his first book, Justin Timberlake has created what is described as a 'characteristically dynamic experience' – complete with a collection of anecdotes, reflections, and observations on his life and work.

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