Sand and Sisal

·

How to Frame a Mirror

Before/After· DIY· framed mirror· spray paint· Tutorial

Prev postNext post
Use your ← → (arrow) keys to browse

How to Frame a Mirror - DIYYou all know my master bed/bath is undergoing a facelift and adding framed mirrors is part of the process.

Most homes have these huge behemoth mirrors and mine is no exception.

Don’t get me wrong I love mirrors!

Is that vain to say?

naked mirror

Mirrors magnify the light in a room, and I love lots of natural light, but they tend to look a little big and naked.

(I’m talking about the mirrors now, not necessarily what they’re reflecting!!!!)

Let’s dress that mirror!

Framed Mirror

This project was so unbelievably simple and inexpensive that I kept giggling while making it!

Step 1: Measure the height and width of your mirror, including mirror clips, adding 1/2 inch to account for my desired overlap.

Step 2:  Choose your molding (at least 3” width). Base board moldings work great! I chose PVC molding (strong, light, inexpensive). Where to find the molding: Home Depot has this in their “Decorative Finished Moldings” section. It is next to some of the dark stained looking finished molding. This molding is their Celucor vinyl interior molding. For all my mirrors in my home I used HDRB3 Casing in the color bone white, for one exception and that was my one seen in my girl’s bathroom (blue/gray distressed mirror)and that molding number was LWM390 Creations Chair Rail.

Step 3:  Take your width measurement and mark the width on the molding. Cut a straight (90 degree) cut. Label the back of that piece “Mirror Top”. Repeat the cutting process with another piece of molding and label that piece “Mirror Bottom”. Do this also for the sides of the mirror, using the height measurements.

Step 4:  Lay the outer edge of molding against the saw fence and cut a 45 degree angle inward at each end. Repeat with all pieces. Make sure both side pieces are exact same measurement and the top and bottom are exact. If not, cut tiny amounts off to make it exact.

Step 5: Lay the 4 sides down on a large covered surface to form a box.

glued frame

Step 6: Glue your edges together, one corner at a time, holding for 1 minute, and allowing glue to set for 5 minutes, before moving to next corner. I used clear PVC glue. It was crazy-easy to glue and the bond is so strong!

PVC Cement

Gluing molding

Step 7: SPRAY PAINT TIME! (my favorite part!) Choose whatever you love! The possibilities are endless. I chose another Rust-oleum Universal Metallic Paint, this time in Satin Nickel. Don’t forget your inner and outer edges and also you’ll need to spray  1”-2” of the inside edge of the frame back (mirrors reflect).

Satin Nickel paint

Step 8:  Apply small 1” pieces of strong double-sided tape to all corners and the middle of all sides. My tape said only 4” of tape are needed for every pound! I tend to always do a bit more.

mounting tape

tape on frame

I had to apply a double stack of the tape to account for the center dip in the moldings.

double layer tape

Step 9: Carefully place your frame against the mirror and press to adhere. You only get ONE SHOT at this part, so having a friend help you is a good idea.

Step 10: Enjoy your dressed up frame and your fabulous reflection!!

Frame Detail

Framed Mirror closeup

I’m so pleased with the cost ($30) and outcome, I can’t wait to start framing the other bathroom mirrors in the house!

Amendment to this post 10/12/11

Hi everyone! I have received numerous emails asking about how I dealt with the existing mirror clips.

My mirror had the big, chunky, clear plastic clips on each top corner. I removed those, kept the screw that held it in place and replaced the plastic clips with 2 sizes of washers. I stacked the washers to fill in the space needed and the large washer holds the mirror. Trust me, the mirror is very secure. BUT if you can find flat mirror clips then use those. I could not find any at the time.

Secure the mirror with washers

I hope this picture helps explain how the mirror is held in place!

To embellish your mirror in other ways, check out these posts “How to Decorate a Mirror With Tile” and Painted Custom Mirror Frame Using Paint and Glaze

Kim

Comments

  5. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    Kim, that is a gorgeous change. We did that to a bathroom upstairs except my husband added to the mirror like he would add trim to the wall. I like your way better. Good tutorial, too. Thanks so much for joining the party this week.

  6. Kim @ Sand and Sisal says

    Leah- I took off the chunky plastic clips and should have just replaced them with flat metal clips, but I was lazy and it was raining, and I didn’t want to go to HD again! lol. So I removed them and just added a quarter sized washer, screwed it in, and stuffed a little cardboard behind it so it wouldn’t flex ourward. It worked great, and my hair didn’t get soaked in the rain!

  7. Kristin says

    I love the framed mirror! I’ve been wanting to do this for a while and hearing you say how easy it was makes me want to do it even more. Thanks for the step-by-step instructions!

  9. CJR says

    I love you for posting this! I was just thinking about doing this and wondered how I’d figure it out. Problem solved!

  10. Melissa Wagner says

    I’ve heard that sometimes the glue shows in the reflection behind the frames. Does that tape show? I am wanting to do this, and your tutorial sounds the easiest of anyone’s I’ve seen!

  12. Kim @ Sand and Sisal says

    Melissa- The tape does not show. If you set your tape at least one inch in from the center, then you shouldn’t see it. Always do a “test prop” before you take the covering off the tape, to make sure there isn’t anything you can see in the reflection. Thanks everyone! Keep the questions coming!

  18. Jensamom23 says

    I have been wanting to do this in our bathroom for 8 years but have been scared. Your tutorial has given me the courage and gumption to try. Thanks!

  19. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    Love this mirror makeover…looks soooo much better. I have no more plain mirrors…it’s just to easy to dress them up. I would love to have you join me at my weekly party…it’s NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAYS…hope to see ya there:)

    Blessings,
    Linda

  20. Condo Blues says

    I have big nekkid mirrors too. Thanks for this tute. I got a compound miter saw and I’ve been looking for little test projects so I can learn how to use it.

  25. Brandee Mask says

    Just found your blog from a response from one I am following. I am new to the blogging world and was so excited when I ran across your blog and this mirror idea. I have been wanting to do this for quite some time but have not been confident in doing it on my own as of yet. However seeing your step by step it is def. a project in the VERY NEAR FUTURE. Thanks for little push.LOL

  29. Edward says

    Hi, thanks the tutorial. Two questions. 1) What tool did you use to cut the framing? We don’t have any power tools yet, and my wife is worried Lowe’s or Home Depot won’t be able to cut it very sharply / exact. 2) What did you do about the metal bracket holding the bottom onto the vanity? Thanks!

  30. Kim @ Sand and Sisal says

    Edward: I have a compound miter saw but you can easily used a miterbox and a hand boxsaw. This pvc molding cuts like butter. HD/Lowes should be able to cut it exact for you. Once they cut two equal sides then line the molding up back to back to check for equal lengths, repeat with the top & bottom pieces. Line out the frame right there on the floor of the store to make sure you like it. As far as the bottom metal mirror channel, I just placed the frame right on top of it.Please let me know if you have any more questions.

  33. Pamela says

    I’ve seen so many tutorials for framing a mirror and this sure does seem the easiest!
    Question, did you have a “mirror rail” (the metal thing they slide a mirror into to hold it on the bottom) and any mirror clips? I have both those and what I’m finding as my biggest challenge to come up with a design for a frame.

    Any suggestions?

    Pamela @ pbjstories.blogspot.com

  34. Tammy says

    Where did you get your molding, it looks so nice. I can’t seem to find it. I am a new follower, thanks for all the inspiration.
    Thank you

    • Karen says

      Love your tutorial! Gave me the courage to finally dress my naked mirror. Was concerned about the mitered corners (HD wouldn’t do the miters) so I purchased rosette corners and adjusted my measurements to reflect their 3-1/2″ W and H.on all sides. Haven’t painted it yet, but it looks great and was so easy!

  35. sodahoney says

    I still do not understand the mirror clips.. If I use your washers they still protude off the mirror and the molding will not lay flat.

  36. Linda says

    Hi Kim!

    This is another one of your great projects I am about to do. I completely removed my mirrored cabinet from above my sink, so I will be starting this project from scratch. My local glass company is going to install a 36×36 mirror for me. Should I see if they can mount it with having to use those ugly clips? Also, would it be easier to attach the pvc frame before the mirror is hung on the wall? But, wait…idk how they’d get it attached to the wall then if the frame is already attached. Any thoughts??

    Thanks!

    Linda

    • Kim Wilson says

      Hi Linda!
      Thanks! I’d ask them to install it with flat mirror clips on the top vs. the bulky plastic ones. The only reason why I used the washers is because I could not find the flat clips anywhere at the time. I’d also just put the frame on after the mirror is installed. Best of luck to you!

  37. Mandy says

    Do you happen to have the name or number of the PVC molding you used for this? I went to Home Depot and didn’t find anything in PVC that looked similar. Thanks!

    • Kim Wilson says

      Hi Mandy,
      Home Depot has this in their “Decorative finished Moldings” section. It ‘s next to some of the dark stained looking finished molding. They are their new Celucor vinyl interior molding. For all my mirrors in my home used HDRB3 Casing in the color bone white, for one exception and that was my one seen in my girl’s bathroom (blue/gray distressed mirror)and that molding number was LWM390 Creations Chair Rail. My Home Depot still carries them. Maybe check at a larger HD if you have one? Hope that helps. 😉

  38. Lauren @momhomeguide says

    Hello! Your project came out beautifully! I have two questions: What kind of saw did you use, and what is a saw fence? (I’d love to make a frame for my bathroom’s mirror, but have never done any woodworking of any kind before!!)

  39. Jennifer says

    Very awesome !!! We just bought a house with these huge mirrors in every bathroom. Can’t wait to try this… But was wondering what u thought about using industrial Velcro to adhere the molding to the mirror. That way you could possibly take done and repaint when ever you wanted to change the look.?

  40. kathryn kroll says

    I love how beautiful this turned out for such an easy project! I’m about to move into a new apartment and would love to do this to cover up the messed up edges of the mirrors in the bathrooms, but need something that will not tear up the mirror and can be easily removed. Would the double sided tape mess up the mirror or do you have another suggestion? Thanks!

    • Kim Wilson says

      Hi Kathryn,
      Thanks for the kind comment. I think maybe industrial Velcro would be a better choice than the tape. I haven’t used it though, so I can’t really say how difficult it would be to remove from the mirror, but I think it would be less messy. The adhesive can always be removed with “Goo-Gone” and a straight razor blade too.

  42. melissa says

    I was thinking of doing this exact thing but was considering using velcro to attach the mirror in case I ever needed to clean the edges of the mirror. Has anyone ever tried this?

  43. Cindy says

    Hi Kim,
    I am in the middle of a bathroom remodel and am starting to frame the mirror. Where did you get PVC molding?
    Thanks

    • Kim Wilson says

      Hi Cindy,
      Home Depot has this in their “Decorative finished Moldings” section. It ‘s next to some of the dark stained looking finished molding. They are their new Celucor vinyl interior molding. For all my mirrors in my home used HDRB3 Casing in the color bone white, for one exception and that was my one seen in my girl’s bathroom (blue/gray distressed mirror)and that molding number was LWM390 Creations Chair Rail. My Home Depot still carries them. Hope that helps. 😉

  44. Lisa says

    Gorgeous! I’ve been wanting to do this to my master bath double-sink vanity mirror (in other words…very big), but thought it would require carpentry skills. Now I have guidance! I did get stuck on the plastic clips comment. What did you mean that you took them off and then added a washer and some cardboard? For some reason, I’m just not getting the visual. If you take off the clips, how does a washer hold the to the wall? Thanks again for the terrific post!

    • Kim Wilson says

      Hi Lisa,
      Thank you!!!! If you look at that last picture showing the washers, you can see that the tiny washers serve as a filler and the large washer up front is the one that overlaps the mirror and the large screw threaded through it holds it in place. If you can replace your chunky plastic mirror clips with flat mirror clips, then do it! I could not find flat mirror clips to save my life back when I wrote this post years ago. The washers are just a very inexpensive fix, but work. I’ve used the washers on all 5 mirrors in our home, one of which is a very long mirror like yours. Here’s the post for that one. https://www.sandandsisal.com/2011/10/painted-mirror-using-paint-glaze-to-enhance-details.html

  45. KC Saling says

    Kim, I love this! We have two bathroom mirrors that we want to preserve when we remodel and frame so that they look more finished, and your way is a lot easier and poses less risk of damaging the mirror than ours! Thanks so much for sharing this – and all your other wonderful tutorials!

  46. rob says

    i am currently doing your project, thanks for inspriing people and projects.
    My problem is, the pvc molding is not straight.
    i have about a 6′ mirror i am doing. so i am currently in the gluing the corners phase and they wont stay glued because of the bowing. i try to line up the new corner, and the other corner comes apart. frustrating. i’m thinking of using some of the tape to try to tape the corners on the backside together. thoughts?

    • Kim Wilson says

      Hi Rob,
      If your molding is not straight, you might just have to purchase another piece unfortunately. Make sure the top and bottom are the exact same length and that the sides are exact also. I also recommend using painters tape to help hold the corners together while the PVC glue is drying. Be sure to give enough drying time for one corner before you attempt to glue the next corner. Hope that helps some.
      ~KIM

  47. Courtney says

    I really want to try this! My problem is the metal strip at the bottom of the mirror. It sticks out a bit. If you’re *gasp* sitting on the toilet you may see a gap. Any suggestions on it sitting flush? No pun intended 😉

    • Kim Wilson says

      Hi Courtney,
      We have metal strips at the bottom too and I was worried that you would see a gap from the side but you don’t. The frame overhangs the side of the mirror enouogh that any gap that might exist is not noticable.
      Thanks!
      KIM

  48. Gabriella Lima says

    I really want to do this. I still have a question… If I use your washers they still protude off the mirror and the molding will not lay flat. Having this gap, how the molding sticks to the mirror?

    • Kim Wilson says

      Hi Gabriella!
      You can substitute flat mirror clips instead of the washers. They should be available at home improvement stores and might be a bit flatter. Either way the frame will not be totally flush with the mirror. There will be a tiny gap. I used several 2-3 layers of the tape to build it up to a thickness that would adhere to the mirror. Don’t worry about how the gap might look, because you won’t notice it. Just be sure to paint the underside of the molding about an inch inward, so that any reflection will be of the painted color.
      Hope that helps!
      KIM

Trackbacks

Copyrighted Content Permission

All images and tutorials on this blog are copyrighted material. Please contact me if you would like to use any media (photos, video or audio files), tutorials, or ideas from this blog. 99% of the time I would be happy to allow you to use ONE photo with appropriate credit and link back to Sandandsisal.com (preferably to the same post it was borrowed from.) Absolutely no text or tutorials can be replicated. Contact Kim via email: sandandsisal (@) gmail (dot) com

Amazon Associates Disclosure

Kim Wilson is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Privacy Policy

Click HERE to review our Privacy Policy