For some time, a mirror above the mantel felt like a relic of archaic living-room chic. 
 
We tried everything from paintings to floral swags or wreaths to freshen up the space. Mirrors above the sofa and on dining-room walls also looked dated.

But browse the Web, flip through popular home-decor catalogs or amble down the aisle of almost any home-goods store, and it's plain to see that mirrors have made a comeback.

In shapes from round to rectangle and materials from wood to metal and even leather and rattan, there is a mirror to fit just about any space or taste.

One reason for the revival is the need to fill bigger spaces in our ever bigger homes, says designer Sharon McCormick, owner of Fairchild House Interiors in Durham, Conn. The 9- and 10-foot ceilings common in many newer homes can present a challenge to decorators trying to fill the huge floor-to-ceiling expanse.

Large artwork can be expensive and difficult to find. Reflecting a beautiful outdoor view or an elegant seating area, a mirror can offer a pleasing and inexpensive alternative. Hang a decorative mirror near a window, and the reflection will add more natural light to a dark room.

A one-of-a-kind custom mirror can cost thousands. But discount retailers such as Target, TJ Maxx and Homegoods offer a wide variety of interesting mirrors for less, sometimes much less, than $100.

"People are playing with how mirrors are used," says Laura Bordeaux, owner of FX Design Inc. in Glastonbury, Conn. "Mirrors are full-length; they're using different frames or groupings of mirrors."

Bordeaux says the newest twist in home decor is a return to 1920s and 1930s Hollywood glamour, following the fashion world's lead. Like showy crystal chandeliers and shimmering fabrics, mirrors are adding sparkle.

And don't forget the sunburst. Sunburst mirrors were all the rage in Paris in the 1940s, according to R. Louis Bofferding, who writes a decorative-arts history column for Domino magazine, but the style can be traced to Roman Catholic churches during the Middle Ages. These mirrors are back, too, either as antiques or in newer versions available at places such as Pier 1 Imports and Gracious Home.

Once you choose your style, here are a few tips for making the most of a mirror:

• Place a mirror so that it reflects an interesting piece of artwork.

• Hang a mirror opposite the fireplace mantel to create an interesting view.

• Group several mirrors of assorted sizes and shapes for an attractive wall display.

• Tilt the mirror forward to reflect the room, instead of a boring ceiling.

• Look for a bevel around the edge; it will add sparkle and shimmer.

"A mirror is an ever-changing piece of art," McCormick says. "One large mirror has more impact than a grouping of artwork if the frame is substantial enough to visually alter the proportion of the space."