Low Overhead Reflected in Prices of Mirrors

The easiest and most economical way to enlarge a room is with mirrors. They can give the illusion of opening up a wall, a ceiling, an alcove or wherever. Costwise, this beats remodeling. These mirrors aren’t the kind that come in frames, but those that permanently cover large areas.

Some excellent prices are offered at Decorator’s Choice, a 15-year-old company that knows how to cut a mean deal. DC’s price for standard 84-by-96-inch, quarter-inch-thick clear, distortion free, wardrobe sliding panels with copper plated backing (which prevents the mirror from de-silvering), installed with new track and hardware is $315.

Of course, the fancier you get, the more it costs. Frameless beveled panels cost an additional $40 per panel and oak-framed beveled panels are an additional $75 each. Even with the extras, DC’s prices compare favorably with those of other mirror companies we checked. Most start at about $400 for the wardrobe panels that DC sells for $315--and go up from there. The average price for bevel-edged mirrors at other companies we checked was around $500.

One company asked me, “What floor are you on?” “Is there an elevator?” Those factors can increase the price. At Decorator’s Choice, owner Mary Butts said, “We take the good with the bad and charge everyone the same.”

In comparison shopping to mirror a 9-by-12-foot wall with one double plug cutout, DC came in at rock bottom. A Westside store was $1,060, a Northridge company quoted $835 and DC was $725.

Three customers who were queried said the workmanship at DC is excellent. One West Hollywood woman who was remodeling her new condo said they were the only tradespeople of the many she used who “arrived on time and did it right the first time.”

Butts said the most challenging job DC tackled was the ceiling of the banquet room of the Hilton Hotel in Lake Arrowhead. “It had a large recessed ceiling with lots of chandeliers. The installation took two weeks, but the result was spectacular.”

There is no showroom because DC works strictly on an in-your-home basis, which is a big reason for such low prices. The salespeople will give you exact quotes and discuss your decorating ideas.

Decorator’s Choice is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; telephone (818) 882-0850. In-home appointments are available from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. VISA and MasterCard accepted.