Hey there! I just put together this mirror in about an hour and it only cost me $15!
I love the simplicity to it! Here’s how you can make your own:)
DIY Mirror
I purchased this Mainstay door mirror from Wal-Mart for $5. I had to do a little demolition on the cheap, plastic trim that was glued to it.
I started by ripping off the paper backing.
I then used a utility knife to cut the glue (it seemed to be close to a hot glue consistency). Make sure that you cut where the glue and the trim meet.
Now this is the part that is very important. The trim will come off very easily and without cracking the mirror if you pull it away from the mirror. Do NOT try to bend it away from the mirror from front to back. Just pull it away.
After I removed the trim I cleaned the mirror with a little Windex:)
Now for the frame:
If you have never owned a saw, this is the perfect tool for you to purchase!
It will make this project so easy and it is the perfect starter saw if you are interested in building!
I purchased 2 1×4 white wood boards and cut down 4 pieces with 45 degree angles at each end to build the frame.
2 @ 48″ (long point to long point)
2 @ 1 7 1/4″ (long point to long point)
This was the fun part for me because it was soooo easy:) I flipped the boards over so that the bad sides were showing and glued the frame together with Gorilla Glue wood glue. To keep them together while the dried, I used my staple gun (purchased years ago at Hobby Lobby). It worked like a charm!
After the glue was dry, I flipped the frame over and stained it with Rust-Oleum dark walnut stain. I let one coat sit for about 10 minutes!
For the final step, I attached the mirror to the back of the frame with Liquid Nails (I applied the liquid nails to the back of the frame (edges closest to the middle) and laid the mirror on top of it). A little goes a long way.
I decided to prop it up next to my Pottery Barn Inspired Media Console🙂
I just love easy and cheap projects! $15 and 1 hour for a decorative mirror is a steal:) And the versatility is endless! I would love one hanging on a wall in my house or even over my mantle!
If you love this I would LOVE your pins;)
Thank you:)
Also, be sure to keep up with the Shanty Sisters on Facebook!
Ashley
This is so great! And I love that you take the time to respond to people’s comments, it really helped answer some of the questions I had. I’m going to try this with some mirrored closet doors that I have laying around the house. I’ll definitely have to get some thicker wood but I love the process you created!
My liquid nails is drying!! Let’s hope this turns out okay!!!!
OMGosh! This is so neat. Funny I bought a similar hand saw & box, because I wanted to try something like that. I still haven’t done it. But glad I saw your pin, & blog. I will now be braver and try it. Thanks so much. Do you think that it will work on a bathroom mirror?
I tried this with an Ikea mirror (very heavy) last month and it looked fabulous. But the other day the frame fell off the mirror and broke :(. I had used Liquid Nails “Heavy Duty Construction Adhesive” (HD guy convinced me it would work better). So I tried Liquid Nails “Mirror Adhesive”, waited the required 3 days, and the mirror fell off the frame the next day (I had it leaning against a wall on the floor, so no major damage this time).
I see you used Liquid Nails Paneling. I thought it said it wasn’t intended for mirrors in the fine print? Before I go out and buy yet another adhesive, could you please let me know if yours is still intact, and if you think a heavier mirror would do just as well with the Paneling glue? I’ll be beyond sad if it doesn’t end up working – it was absolutely GORGEOUS, I was in love with my mirror.
TIA!
Hi,
I have only used Liquid Nails for paneling. I have used it on so many mirrors in my house (even with MDF) and they r still strong today! In fact, I will have to replace my mirrors if I ever want to get rid of the frames because they r stuck on there good! I suggest using a good amount and if you will place the wood on the mirror with the L.N. on it, pull it away and then place it back, it will make it that much stronger. It’s a trick our dad taught us and we always do it!
Awesome, thanks! I will definitely try the LN Paneling this week. I prefer to put the LN on the wood frame, as you did in the tutorial, then lay the mirror on top (I figure the heavy mirror and gravity would help it stick better). I will do it that way unless you think placing the wood on the mirror, pulling it away and then putting it back would work better….?
Either way, the idea is to mix the glue and then stick again!
You should be able to use mirror clip holders on the BACK after your LN has dried. These are the same mirror clips that are used all the time by builders to hold up wall mirrors in bathrooms (usually w/o LN). Except you are using the mirror holders on the backside of the mirror where they are not seen.
You might also put silicone all around outside edges of the mirror (backside) for extra security.
Love your site – this was my first project and it turned out great. Thanks for the awesome idea!
I was a copy cat.
http://pinetreehome.blogspot.com/2012/08/diy-full-length-mirror-frame.html
My husband and I just finished staining the wood! It looks so good and was SO easy! Did you put any polyurethane on it?
Awesome:)). I didn’t… I tend to just Poly when it is a table top or a piece that will see wear. Please send us pics:))
Just tried to do this and had the hardest time getting the original frame off of the mirror. I used the exact same mirror as you, and already bought all of the wood any everything. I tried to score it a few times on the corners, I’ve used two different brand new razor blades and the frame won’t budge. Actually, I now have a large crack in the mirror and have to throw it away and buy a new one. It was supposed to be for my college dorm, but now I will just have to buy a new one once I move in. This was a great idea, and super cute, but now has cost me more than just $15.
I’m sorry! We have had many people send pictures with theirs completed and a few complain about the glue? Maybe some are more difficult than others?
Just had a crazy thought… On the next one maybe try ironing over the glue (with a cloth between the iron and mirror) and then try to score. This might make the glue softer?
I had the same problem but chose to glue it to the wood frame as purchased. Worked great. You have to paint the back side of the wood frame. The space caused by the plastic frame allows the mirror to reflect the back of your wood frame but it is a cool added affect.
Acetone acetone acetone. Breaks up the glue and doesn’t damage the mirror or eat the sliver off the back.
You can use an iron to melt the glue. Although, this will get glue on the iron, so you wouldn’t be able to use it again for clothes unless it was fully cleaned.
Is the wood supposed to entirely sit on the mirror with no overhand? With my 14″ 7/8″ x 48″, that doesn’t leave much mirror showing.
That is the way I did mine. That is the one pictured. You can always modify:)
SO glad I found this on Pinterest! I just bought a mirror from Target and can’t wait to try this with it. I’m new to blogging and am glad I found yours! Check mine out 🙂
2nd Grade Teacher, Chef-in-Training, Wannabe Southern Belle
The Sweetest Thing
Where did you buy the wood for the frame and how much it cost?
Just a note to the other commenters: I got my mirror at Big Lots and it cost me $15, but then went to target and found a similar mirror for under $5! Also, I had a question about a polyurethane top coat: the rustoleum stain recommends you use one, but I didn’t see that you did, so I was wondering if you thought it is unnecessary? thanks so much! great idea by the way!!
This is fabulous! I just moved into a new house and have been on the hunt for a full length mirror …. was the mirror $5 in stores? Online has a price of $15.
Hi Amanda! Thanks so much! Yes, they are $5 in stores!! Not sure about online:)
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This is quite possibly the best mirror makeover I have found. Thanks for the step by step tutorial as well as links to the tools of the trade. I’m definitely asking for the saw for my birthday next month 🙂
Thank you Jessica! What a fun birthday present:))
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I have one of these cheap mirrors and it is broken along one of the edges… would I be able to use that or should I get a mirror that has all of its edges? I couldn’t tell if the frame covers the edges or not!
Thanks!
Yes! You definitely can use that mirror:)