Mirror Frame Tutorial

Just like I promised here is the tutorial on how to make a custom looking frame around your bigger then life mirror your builder put up in the bathroom.

Are you ready for probably a more detailed tutorial then you ever thought you would need and more pictures then you care to see? 

Well here goes.

Now we are not professional...by any means. I have never used a miter box nor have I even sawed anything myself before this weekend. So if my mom and I can do this in a weekend. You can do it too.

After you have measured your mirror to know how much trim you will need go to home depot or lowes or where ever your little heart desires to get your trim.

Pick out the trim that you think would make the best frame for you.

Mom wanted a fairly thick frame since it is such a big mirror so the mirror wouldn't swallow the frame.

So she picked out two trims to pair together.  The thicker one is usually used for a chair rail and the smaller one is usually used for details with making wainscoting. 

You can piece together a bunch of different trims to your liking.

There really is an endless amount of combinations you could make.

The pieces come in 16 feet long pieces (at least at Home Depot they do). So you can cut down the piece to the length you need at the store.

 

Be a little generous with yourself on the length in case make a boo boo.

If you are so blessed to have a big and long car to put the Loooooong pieces of wood in then that will be perfect.

If you are not so lucky. Your car will look like this.

Then say a little prayer that noone runs in the back of you.

The nice people at home depot helped us put the wood in securely. 

I just need to say that mom and I were all dressed up from going to a bridesmaids luncheon and sportin’ our high heels in the trim section of Home Depot. 

See... told you we weren't professional.

We also got some Caulk, spray paint, liquid nails and pro caulk helpers (I don't know what you are suppose to call them but they help you put the caulk on smoothly).

Then Home Depot worker said that he likes the spray paint above better then the 2 coat one by rustoleum. I personally like the one that says 2 coat on it.

Once you are home measure the length of the frame again.

I have always heard that you measure twice and cut once. 

Then measure the wood that you will want to be your outer piece.

Mark the wood measurement on the outer edge of the wood. This will be the longest part of the wood.

Then cut a 45 degree angle cut using the miter board and saw. 

 

Use the mark you made as the outer part of the cut then cut inward.

Cut the 45 degree cut going the other direction at the other end.

Continue measuring and cutting all four sides.

  

Take to mirror to make sure it fits together.

Do NOT Worry if it doesn’t fit perfectly. Caulk is a wonderful tool that makes you look like you are a professional woodworker.

After cutting all the wood we spray painted it in the garage. This is a personal preference. If you want to paint the frame go on and get ready to glue it to the mirror.

To glue it onto the mirror we used Liquid Nails that is for mirrors.

Keep the glue in the middle of the wood. For when you place it on the mirror you don’t want to see the glue in the reflection of the mirror after all your hard work.

Once we glued the outside piece of trim we moved onto the inside piece of trim.

Measure the wood and then cut the pieces like you did the other.

Once the wood is cut and you are ready to paint, paint the back of the trim too. You will see a little of the back from the reflection of the mirror. Just like the glue.

Put your wood up on the mirror.

Then get your caulk out. We bought paintable caulk. 

This is the best stuff ever invented. It can completely covers up your mistakes.

After the caulk dried we painted it.

Then we stood back look at our master piece, declared it was good and then did the happy dance.

 Here is the before again.

And the after!

It is really easy. I know there are a lot of steps, but I got a lot of comments and emails from people wanting to know exactly how to do it.

I hope that helps, if you have anymore questions let me know.

Thanks

I am linking to these parties.