3 Important Reasons Why There Are Mirrors in Elevators

Tara Well, PhD
2 min readMar 6, 2023

The elevator is a modern miracle. Its invention has allowed us to build and inhabit buildings taller than our ancestors could have imagined. Yet, though riding in an elevator is an everyday experience, it can still be a bit anxiety-provoking.

It’s a tiny space-a metal box on a pulley that allows us to travel at high speed, often with a random group of strangers. It does seem a bit unnatural to the human condition. Yet, we do it every day.

It’s no accident that mirrors are found in most elevators. You might not realize it, but mirrors are a standard design element that serves multiple functions to help you psychologically manage your elevator ride. Here are three main functions.

1. Relief From Claustrophobia

Many people feel claustrophobic in a lift. It’s a confined space with limited oxygen, and it can be challenging to see what’s going on outside as the elevator doors close and it starts moving. Look to the mirror if you feel your heart racing in a confined space like an elevator. A mirror in a lift can help alleviate your anxiety by giving the sensation of more space, making it feel less crowded or narrow, and lessening the feeling of confinement.

2. Added Safety

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Tara Well, PhD

Psychology professor & writer on the power of reflections. Author of MIRROR MEDITATION — ORDER HERE https://amzn.to/3Llk4rQ www.MirrorMeditation.com