Framing a mirror is a fun and relatively inexpensive activity to decorate your walls. There are a few ways to do this: put a frame with a molding, use a photo frame, or create a unique frame with ribbon and stencil. Read on to find the method that best suits your needs and follow the steps to complete the project.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Frame a Mirror with Moldings
Step 1. Choose a mirror
It can be any size, as you can cut the molding to the length you need. The mirror must have straight edges, such as a rectangle or square.
Step 2. Buy and cut the molding
You can find it in paint factories, do-it-yourself shops and lumber yards for a few euros per meter.
- Choose the style of the moldings. There are the traditional, unfinished ones and the more decorative ones that have rosette corners and different finishes.
- To determine how long each piece of molding should be, measure the length and width of the mirror and then add 5cm. Use a circular saw to cut four pieces with 45 ° angles at each end.
- Check the length of the opposite sections by holding them against each other, to be sure they are the same.
- Assemble the frame on a flat surface. Spread construction adhesive or wood glue on the inside of the corners, then use masking tape to hold all the pieces together temporarily.
- When the glue has dried, fill the gaps between the sections with wood putty.
- When the grout has dried, color the frame if you like.
Step 3. Center the mirror on the back table
This should be a piece of plywood 5cm longer and wider than your mirror. If the mirror is already on the wall you don't need the plywood and can skip this step.
Step 4. Glue the lattice pieces around the mirror
These should be 5cm wide. Two of these pieces should be as long as the mirror, the other two should be longer than 5cm. In this way they can surround the entire perimeter. This is another step you can skip if the mirror is already attached to the wall.
- Use wood glue to attach the lattice to the back board. Make sure that the mirror is well fixed inside the lattice pieces.
- Secure the lattice with spring clamps and wait for the adhesive to dry for at least 24 hours.
Step 5. Lay the frame on top of the lattice pieces
Align it so that it protrudes a little beyond the wire mesh above the mirror. Glue the frame to the metal lattice.
- You know careful not to glue the mirror.
- If you use rosettes, glue them to each corner.
- Press it down with a piece of plywood and wait for the glue to dry for 24 hours.
- Cover the frame with napkins to protect the wood while the glue dries.
Step 6. If you are framing a mirror that is already attached to the wall, apply some adhesive to the back of the frame and press it against the mirror, leaving a protrusion of about 2 cm on each side
- Check the frame immediately by leveling it with a spirit level and make any necessary adjustments before the glue dries.
- Use masking tape to secure the frame to the wall while the glue dries.
Step 7. Attach the frame to the back board
Flip the mirror with the frame over, and use an electric screwdriver to screw in 2.5 cm screws in the center of each rosette. Insert two equally spaced screws into each vertical side of the frame.
Step 8. Attach the frame using a metal wire with D-rings
Insert one on each vertical side at about 1/3 of the length starting from the top.
- Cut a metal wire long enough to reach the two D-rings so that when hung up they remain about 7.5 cm below the top of the frame.
- Thread the thread through each D-ring.
- Attach vinyl shims to each corner of the frame to prevent the mirror from scratching the wall.
Step 9. Add some finishing touches and hang the mirror
Finish the mirror by smoothing the edges of the frame, if they are rough, with sandpaper. You can also choose to color the paint with a glossy polish.
Method 2 of 3: Frame a Mirror with the Photo Frame
Step 1. Find a mirror and a frame that match
The frame should be approximately 7mm longer and wider than the mirror. Make sure the mirror is thin enough or the frame is deep enough to accommodate the mirror.
Step 2. Remove the glass from the frame
You certainly don't want glass in front of the mirror.
Step 3. Attach the mirror to the back of the frame
Then insert the mirror into the frame.
Step 4. Check the weight
A mirror is heavier than a photograph, so make sure the frame hanging mechanism (wire or hooks) is strong enough to withstand the tension once the mirror is hung on the wall.
Method 3 of 3: Framing a Mirror in Unconventional Ways
Step 1. Create a decorative frame with ribbon
You need a wooden frame that is the right size for the mirror and a ribbon that is a little thicker than the frame.
- Cut out a pattern for each side of the frame, including the slanted corners.
- Color the inner and outer sides of the frame with a similar tint to that of the ribbon.
- Cut the ribbon just longer than the pattern.
- Iron the adhesive strips on the back of each piece of tape.
- Use a pencil to mark the length of each adhesive strip with the help of the pattern. Cut off the excess amount. Repeat the process for the other pieces.
- Press each ribbon onto the frame, with the adhesive strip side down. Place a napkin on top of the piece of tape and iron on low heat to make it adhere well.
Step 2. Use a plate as a frame
Repurpose an old serving dish using its edges as a mirror frame.
- If the plate is broken, use some epoxy ceramic to glue the pieces together.
- Measure the perimeter of the central area of the plate.
- Draw the shape in 1: 1 scale on a piece of paper; then cut it to make a pattern.
- Look for a mirror that matches your pattern or go to a professional glassmaker and have one cut out.
- Create a weave by gluing pillow beading around the perimeter of the mirror.
- Use the epoxy ceramic to glue the mirror to the center of the plate. To hold it in place temporarily, use electrical tape.
- Hang the mirror with a dish hook.
Step 3. Decorate the mirror with a stencil frame
Use a stencil template to embellish the mirror.
- Find a stencil you like. Trace the design onto a piece of adhesive coating paper.
- Cut the design from the sticky paper with a cutter.
- Remove the protective film from the adhesive paper and adhere it to the mirror.
- Use a brush to apply the polish on top of the stencil. Let the nail polish dry overnight, then remove the sticky paper.
Step 4. Create a frame of stones or shells
Use hot glue to stick them around the mirror.
