Framed beveled mirrors are a lovely addition to any home, but they can also be expensive. Fortunately, you don’t have to buy one—you can make your own! Here are the steps I took to frame my mirror.
Supplies Needed
On this project, you will need:
- Wood (2x4s, plywood, etc.)
- Wood glue
- A saw to cut your wood with. If you don’t have one, ask someone else for help! Or use one of the many DIY projects that require no cutting at all.
- Nails or screws
Step One
You’ll need to measure your mirror before beginning. Measure its width and height, then subtract the depth of the mirror from each measurement. For example:
- If your mirror measures 18 inches by 24 inches (W × H) and its depth is 2 inches, subtract 2 from both measurements: 18 – 2 = 16 × 24 – 2 = 20
You will also need to measure the frame before beginning construction. Measure its length and width, then subtract the depth of the frame from each measurement. For example:
- If your frame measures 30 inches long by 15 inches wide (L × W), and it has a 7-inch deep shelf for hanging things (H), subtract 7 from both measurements: 30 – 7 = 23 L × 15 – 7 = 8 W
Step Two
Measure the mirror, then measure the frame.
- Cut your wood to fit the mirror and frame (you may need someone to help you hold it steady).
- Glue on your wood pieces, making sure they are flush with each other at all points where they meet (this is called “butt jointing”).
- Hang your beveled mirror.
Step Three
Step Three: Attach the glass and frame to the wall.
Let the mirror sit in the frame to make sure it’s level. Use a pencil to mark where you’ll drill holes for attaching both sides of the mirror, then drill through those marks. Screw one side into place, then secure its mate before hanging your beveled mirror.
Step Four
- Attach the mirror to the frame by securing it with brackets and screws. Make sure that the mirror is flush with the frame, then use a level to make sure it is straight.
- Use hanging kits to hang your new beveled mirror on a wall or door. These kits come with all of the hardware you will need, as well as instructions on how to install them properly so they don’t fall off during use or while hanging pictures or other items up there too.
- Cut different lengths of pieces using a miter box saw (which you can find at any home improvement store). You will need enough pieces that you end up with 4 pairs when cutting all of them down their middle using this method – one pair should be long enough for each side; another set should be short enough only if they are placed next together without any overlap between them (this will allow room for fasteners); while yet another set should be cut slightly shorter than those two sets combined – again leaving room for fasteners but just not quite as much space between each piece since these ones won’t touch other ones directly above them like those first two pairs would do instead once installed into place correctly”
Step Five
First, cut the strips to size. You’ll need three strips of wood that are long and wide enough to cover the back of your frame. The exact dimensions will depend on the size of your mirror and what kind of material you choose for your frame—you may want to get a sample piece from your local hardware store so that you can test out different combinations before ordering everything in bulk.
Next, attach the strips to the frame using nails or screws. As with any nailing or screwing project, make sure you have an extra pair of hands on hand; it’s easier if someone can hold up each end while you work on attaching them.
Now comes what might be considered by some folks as “the hardest part”: attaching the mirror itself! Using lead tape is optional here—if you want something more permanent but still easy enough for even beginners (and I mean anyone who has ever held a soldering iron before), go ahead and use this method instead! Just remember that mirrors tend not only reflect light but also absorb heat energy very quickly which means they will require two coats of paint instead one coat like regular frames do (this may seem counterintuitive at first). My advice would be just trust me here: don’t skimp out when it comes time for priming/painting because this step really does matter.
Materials Needed
Materials:
- Wood glue
- Nails
- Saw
- Hammer
- Paint and varnish (optional)
It’s easier than you think to frame your beveled mirror.
Beveled mirrors are a great way to add some extra sparkle and dimension to any room. They can be a little more challenging to frame than your standard flat mirror, but it’s actually pretty simple once you get the hang of it. There are three main ways you can go about framing your beveled mirror:
- Using premade frames is one option; these come in a variety of styles and materials, from plain wood to fancy metal or wicker frames. The easiest way is simply finding one that matches your decor and sticking it up there! If you want something more personalized, though…
- You can also make your own frame using whatever materials strike your fancy (wood, metal or composite). There are plenty of tutorials online that will show you how—just search for “how do I build an ugly mirror” (or something similar) on YouTube for inspiration! Finally…
- Another option is buying an unfinished wooden frame from art supply stores like Hobby Lobby or Michael’s Arts & Crafts that already has measurements marked out so all you have to do is cut them down according to those marks before painting/staining whatever color(s) suit(s) your tastes best!
Conclusion
With a little patience and the right tools, even a novice DIYer can build a custom frame for their beveled mirror. Once you’ve finished your project, it will be time to step back and admire your handiwork.
