We love to hear about our readers’ fun and creative DIY ideas for their homes. Recently, one reader shared how she made a frame for her large bathroom mirror. Check out how she did it, and let us know in the comments if you try it yourself:
Cut and dry your wood.
Once you’ve traced the mirror onto your wood, it’s time to cut it. While there are several ways to do this, I like using a miter saw as it gives me more control over how much of the frame I want to remove (less than when using a jigsaw).
Once all the pieces are cut, let them sit in a warm place for about 4 hours (ideally near an open window). This will help them dry faster and prevent warping once they’re put together.
Once everything is dry, use sandpaper or an orbital sander to smooth out any rough edges on your wood and get rid of splinters or other sharp bits that could scratch whoever uses these frames in their bathroom mirror.
Stain and polyurethane the wood frame pieces.
To apply the stain and polyurethane, you’ll need to use a brush. Start by brushing on the wood stain in one direction (side to side) along the length of all your pieces. Then brush it in another direction (up and down) along their widths. Let this dry completely before moving on to a second coat of stain and polyurethane, which will be applied in similar fashion but with more coats than are needed for the first application—two or three should be sufficient. If you have pre-stained wood on hand and prefer not to spend time applying multiple coats, simply apply all necessary coats at once after sanding any imperfections from your frame pieces. Sanding creates rough surfaces that make it easier for stains and polyurethanes to penetrate deep into the grain of the wood; if you want less effort involved with staining your frames, try using pre-stained lumber instead.
Measure, cut, and apply moulding.
Measure, cut and apply the moulding.
Measure the mirror to determine how much moulding you’ll need. The size of the frame will depend on how tall you want it to be, but an average-sized bathroom mirror is usually about 24 inches wide and 34 inches high. Add about 4 inches for each side of your frame so that there’s room for glue when you adhere the trim pieces together later. Cut two identical lengths of moulding from your 1 x 2s using a saw or miter box (you can use a table saw if they’re available).
Once you’ve measured and cut your mouldings to size, apply wood glue along each edge where they will meet when attached inside the frame. Use clamps or C-clamps to hold them together until dry; this should take roughly 30 minutes per joint depending on humidity levels where you live and what type of wood was used in manufacturing these particular strips.[5]
Measure and cut the mirror.
In order to measure the mirror, you’ll need a measuring tape. Make sure you’ve got one handy; if not, go get one.
The next thing that you’ll need is a straight edge (like a ruler) because this will help guide your saw as it cuts through your mirror. The last thing that’s necessary for cutting down an oversized mirror is something called a miter box. A miter box helps keep your angles nice and even when you’re using the jigsaw—it won’t cause any accidents.
So now that we’ve got all of our supplies together, let’s get started measuring.
Attach clips to the mirror.
- Attach clips to the mirror. If you’re using a drill, use the appropriate bit and follow the instructions on your clip package. If you’re using a glue gun, apply a thin layer of hot glue to one side of each clip and then press it firmly against the edge of your mirror. Use clamps or tape to hold them in place until they dry completely (usually about 30 minutes).
- Remove existing mirror with suction cups or hammer if necessary. You may need to remove an old frame from around your new bathroom mirror before attaching clips or installing glass panels if it’s not possible for clips alone to secure the frame in place without additional support for attachment points like nails or screws in addition to adhesive backing on those same points which makes attaching things even easier.
Remove existing mirror and glue new mirror in place using adhesive caulk.
- Remove existing mirror and glue new mirror in place using adhesive caulk.
How To Make A Frame For A Large Bathroom Mirror
- Clean the frame and mirror with hot water, detergent, and a soft cloth. Dry both surfaces thoroughly before continuing to next step.
- Apply adhesive caulk to the back of your framed mirror (if applicable). Do not use too much or it could drip down onto your wall or countertop, causing damage. See Tips below for more information on applying adhesive caulk successfully without making a mess.
- Press firmly into place until all air bubbles are gone from around edges (you may need someone else to help you do this part). Allow 24 hours for adhesive to cure before touching up any excess around edges with drywall tape if necessary – see tips below for more information on desired results vs actual results when using this type of product
You can have a beautiful frame on your bathroom mirror in just one afternoon!
The best thing about making your own frame is that you can do it yourself. You will be able to save money and have a beautiful frame on your bathroom mirror in just one afternoon! Even if you have no woodworking experience, this project is easy enough for beginners to complete with great results.
You can use either wood or moulding for the frame of your mirror. Moulding is more decorative than wood and may be easier to find in different widths and styles at any local hardware store. It’s also less expensive than buying lumber specifically for this purpose, so if you’re working on a budget it might be better suited for you.
If using wood instead of moulding, make sure that what material you choose matches up well with the rest of the room décor (i.e., don’t put wooden frames around an all-white bathroom). This way they’ll blend in nicely without standing out too much against other items such as tiles or flooring materials used throughout restore home
Conclusion
It’s important to remember that these are just the basics; there are so many different ways you can customize your own mirror. You can use any combination of wood and moulding, from small pieces arranged in a mosaic pattern to large pieces of reclaimed lumber. You can even get creative with different stains and finishes for the wood. Whatever style you choose, let your imagination be your guide.
