Why are mirrors installed inside the elevator? The reasons will surprise you

If you’ve ever stepped into an elevator and found yourself checking your reflection, you’re not alone. Mirrors in elevators, however, go beyond aesthetic purposes. They range from increasing security to alleviating anxiety, and the reasons for installing them are much more substantial than most people realize.

The psychological factor

The first reason why mirrors are installed in elevators is psychosocial comfort.Most people fear or become anxious when they are locked in a small, enclosed space. A mirror makes you perceive more space, making the elevator less cramped and less confined, psychologists say. It can also help alleviate physical symptoms of anxiety, such as rapid heartbeat and difficulty breathing, that most people tend to experience when they feel trapped in a small place.

The safety factor

Security is another important element. Mirrors let occupants inside know who is behind them. In a way, this makes them more aware of those around them, which can help curb such inappropriate actions and, to a greater extent, has been used to monitor robberies or prevent assaults. The clarity that the mirror introduces into the elevator helps occupants feel safer.
According to reports, in Japan, mirrors are also utilitarian tools for accessibility. In small elevators or those specially built for people with disabilities, in vehicles accessible to people who use wheelchairs, mirrors help to create space where passengers can enter and exit the elevator without necessarily turning around and thus avoid accidents and make everything the friendly space for wheelchair users.

Provides harmless distraction

Installing mirrors in the building can be another reason for distraction. People often find elevator rides monotonous or impatiently long. A look in the mirror can make the wait worth it and provide a harmless distraction to pass the time.

In fact, even the Japan Elevator Association Establish this as a guideline for mounting mirrors as they improve comfort, safety and accessibility. Most likely, many would consider a mirror as a place where one could easily check their appearance, but in fact these play a more significant and critical role in the overall comfort of an elevator.

In short, elevator mirrors are more than an elaborate use of reflection – they are rather a perceptive design for mental well-being, as well as a guarantee of safety and the basis for easier access. The next time you take the elevator up, you’ll see that there’s much more than what catches your eye on that reflective surface.