Hey friends!

We’re back!  Oh it feels so good to be home.  We had some great trips, but we are so thrilled to be back home with our families and tools of course!

Today I am sharing a super quick way to dress up a boring mirror.  I have been wanting to find a cute mirror for my son’s bathroom without breaking the bank… So, I decided to make it instead!  Here is how it turned out!

DIY Wood Mirror

I am giving measurements off of my mirror, which I found at Walmart.  This idea can be used on any blank mirror with a few modifications on size!

So… Here is my not so amazing $9 mirror I found at Walmart!

Walmart Mirror

My first step was to disassemble this.  I will say… If you make it past this part, you are good to go!  I started by unscrewing the hardware and removing the cardboard backing.  It was just stapled on.  I then noticed that the mirror is actually glued to the inside.  I attempted to use a utility knife to cut the dry glue, but didn’t have much luck with that.  I found the easiest way to remove the frame was to carefully pull the frame away from the mirror towards myself one side at a time.  Then, it easily pulled off!  Remember… Every mirror is different so just take your time on this part!

Mirror hardware

Mirror How to

Remove existing frame from mirror

Now for the wood!  You will only need 2 pieces of wood for this project!

1 – 2x4x8 piece of pine

1 – 1×3 piece of pine at least 4′ long

That puts the cost of wood UNDER $5!  Now we are speaking my language!

First, cut your 2×4 into 4 pieces like this…

Wood Frame measurements

For those of you without a saw, you can also have the guy at Lowe’s or HD cut it for you!  We are super excited to start sharing some video tutorials on our tools.  Our saws will be the first one!  We should start sharing those in the next week or so… Woohoo!

There are different ways to attach your frame on this next part, but I decided to use my Kreg Jig® to join mine.  I know many of you may still have your Kreg Jig® hiding away in it’s box.  Dust it off!  This is such a great beginner’s project!  We will also be sharing a video on this guy soon!

Kreg Jig

First, I added 1 1/2″ pocket holes to my smaller boards.  I put 2 on each end.

Kreg Jig Pocket holes

Next, I attached my smaller boards to the longer ones using 2″ pocket hole screws.  This is what the back of the frame will look like…

For the top and the bottom, I cut my 1×3 into 2 pieces that were the length of the top and bottom of the frame.  Mine was 20 7/8″ long.  I would suggest you measure your completed frame before cutting these pieces!  That way it’s a perfect fit.

I used our new, MOST FAVORITE tool yet to attach the pieces on this part!

Ryobi AirStrike Battery Nailer

Let me introduce you to Ryobi’s AirStrike 18-Volt One+ Brad Nailer

This thing is too legit to quit.  Forget lugging around an air hose and compressor.  All you do is attach an 18v battery to this baby and you are set to go!  It can use up to 2″ long brad nails.   It uses the same battery packs as our drills making this tool a no brainer.  You will LOVE it and thank us for suggesting it!  Ryobi hit the nail on the head with this one ;-)… Sorry.  Had to. Couldn’t stop myself.

Once you have glued and nailed those two pieces you are ready for stain!  I used one of my very favorites.

Rust-Oleum-Dark-Walnut Stain

Rust-Oleum Ultimate Wood Stain in Dark Walnut

You can find this stain at Lowe’s.  It’s the best stain out there!  It only requires one coat and it dries in under an hour.

After that dried I was ready to attach my black mirror to the back.

I decided to use Gorilla Glue Epoxy for this part.  You just squeeze a bit into the mixing tray and use the stick to mix it really good.  Then, dab it onto the wood where the mirror will lay.

Gorilla Glue Epoxy

I laid my mirror on top of the wood like this and used Gorilla Tape to cover the mirror edges.  This serves two purposes!  It holds the mirror in place until it dries, and it also covers up the edge of the glass.  It sticks to the wood and glass great.  Love this stuff.

Gorilla Tape White

Here is what the back of the mirror looks like now.

Back of mirror DIY

And, I just used the hardware from the original mirror and screwed it right back on.  I hung the mirror from these D-rings onto screws in the wall.  You will want to anchor if your screws aren’t going into a stud.

D-Rings

That’s it!  Here it is hanging in the bathroom…

Wood Mirror DIY

How to frame bathroom mirror

DIY Wood Mirror

Bathroom Mirror DIY

Thanks so much for stopping by!  It’s so good to be back!

And if you missed it… This bad boy cost me $15 to build.  Woohoo!

I would love for you to share and pin this below!  You guys are great! 🙂

~Whitney

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27 Comments

  1. The top and bottom boards have to be more than a 1×2 or you wouldn’t have any over hang. I can’t judge it by the picture so can you tell us if we should be using a 1×3 or a 1×4. Thanks.

  2. your 2×4 mirror is awesome, but SHUT UP about the brad nailer… I’ve been staring longingly at nail guns but didn’t even want to really consider figuring out an air compressor etc for the few small DIY jobs I do…. I’ve also put off a ton of projects that require nails or brads because the ol’ fashioned hammer and I just don’t get along. I’m going to buy one TODAY (I hope the battery from my Ryobi drill works for it!)

  3. Beautiful! You two have turned into regular ‘ole “handywomen”! :). One of these days I’m going to take the power tools out of hubby’s hands and try them myself. ;). AFTER I watch your tutorials, of course!

  4. Hi, I’m your newest follower. I absolutely love the mirror. We have all the builder grade mirrors in our house and I’ve been looking for an inexpensive way to dress them up. Melissa @ Two It Yourself.

  5. I just ordered the Ryobi nailer! I’m so excited to find this because all the battery operated ones I’d looked at in the past were way expensive. Thank you! And the mirror is awesome too. 🙂

  6. Beautiful! Just out of curiosity – we just purchased a house that needs to be gutted. And I have all the bathrooms to do. I saw in the last picture the cream applique (assuming you painted it cream to match the vanity?) Do you buy those in bulk somewhere? I will need a lot of them for my kitchen and bathroom cupboards. Thank you! Love your project ideas!

    1. We bought them at a local home store. Lowe’s does have a small selection though. You can also find them online at certain wood sites. Hope this helps!

  7. Love it!! Got to dust off my Kreg and get the nailer now and do this!!
    Thanks for sharing! You guys are amazing!!

  8. Looks awesome! Do you like that brad nailer better than Ashley’s Ryobi brad nailer?