Next time you step into an elevator, take a second to look at the walls. Many cars have a large mirror, and most of us use it without a second thought. But have you ever wondered why it is there?
The answer is not just vanity or selfies. Elevator mirrors help with waiting, comfort, safety and access, and the reasons mix simple design with a bit of psychology.
Elevator mirrors might seem like a modern touch, but they go back a long way. Early elevators could feel intimidating: a small, enclosed box shared with strangers. Mirrors were added as a design feature to help people feel more comfortable, giving them something to look at and making the ride more pleasant.
A story often repeated in design and business circles adds a twist. A building manager kept receiving complaints that the elevators were too slow. Instead of replacing them, the owners installed mirrors, and the complaints reportedly faded, even though the elevators were no faster.
You know that feeling when an elevator seems to take forever to reach your floor? Mirrors help with that too. Glancing at your reflection, fixing your hair or adjusting your outfit gives your mind something to do.
When people have something to focus on, they tend to notice boredom and impatience less. Checking a collar or the back of your jacket turns dead time into a quick task, so you stop counting floors and the ride seems shorter than it is.
Mirrors also change how the space feels. They can make you more at ease, especially if tight spaces make you nervous. A mirror reflects the car back at you, so the walls seem further away and the elevator looks bigger than it really is.
That sense of extra room makes the ride feel a little less closed in, which helps riders who dislike being shut in a small space with others.
Another reason elevators have mirrors is safety. With a mirror in place, riders can see who is behind them without turning around, and anyone stepping in can check who is already inside before the doors close.
Mirrors also make it easier to spot problems in the car, such as objects on the floor or a door that is not closing properly. In a quiet building late at night, seeing the whole car at a glance can also help a lone rider feel more confident.
Mirrors also serve riders who use wheelchairs. In many elevators there is not enough room to turn a wheelchair around, so the rider rolls in forward and has to back out. A mirror on the back wall lets them see the doors and anyone waiting outside before reversing.
That is why the mirror often sits on the wall facing the doors. Parents pushing strollers and workers moving carts benefit from the same view when they leave the car.
If a ride ever feels cramped, look toward the mirror rather than the doors: the extra depth it shows can make the car feel roomier for the few seconds you are inside.
What do you think? Have you ever noticed the mirrors making a ride feel less awkward? Let me know in the comments, I'd love to hear your thoughts!