FINALLY! Finally after three years I can check something off my “To Do” list and I’m happy to brag that I did it all by myself! From start to finish I framed out our bathroom mirror. While my husband was out of the country for two plus weeks I got busy trying to surprise him with a fun bathroom makeover!
Here’s my before.
Standard builder issued large mirror glued to the wall. Plane, simple and begging for a makeover!
I had to ask myself once I was done why I hadn’t done this sooner! This really is probably the simplest project with a huge payoff in the end. I love how it looks!
Materials Needed:
Molding Trim and a Miter Box
Paint
Liquid Nails
Paintable Caulking
Level
Painters Tape
First things first… Measure your mirror. I planned on gluing my molding directly on top of the mirror so I measures the exact size of my mirror. Measure twice to be 100% sure!
Take your measurements with you to Home Depot or Lowes. Pick out the molding you like and have the worker cut them into four sizes at least 6 inches longer then the length you need for each section. This will make cutting them more manageable.
If you go to Home Depot they will have a self serve cutting station with a Miter Box that you are welcomed to use. You can also buy a miter box for less then $10 to make your cuts at home. Lay out your four pieces of molding and measure and mark your cutting lines knowing which direction your 45 degree angle will go.
Cut your angels and head home with the hardest part behind you!
Paint your moldings and once the front is dry you will also want to paint a small section of the back side. You will see a reflection in the mirror of the back so you’ll want to paint it!
Add a strip of Liquid Nails but keep it at least an inch away from the edges.
Start with the bottom section and firmly press on your piece of molding. Use a level to make sure it’s nice and level. This will help make sure each of the other pieces fit perfectly!
Use painters tape to help keep each section in place. Let dry over night.
Use Clear paintable Caulking to fill in the edges and cracks that will inevitable appear after it settles and dries.
Smooth the excess caulking with your fingers and wipe smooth. Let it dry according to the directions and lastly paint over your caulking and there you go!
So easy! Such a dramatic change! And talk about an affordable home improvement…
Molding: .98 cents a foot
Liquid Nails: $4
Caulking: $2
Paint: $8
Total cost for all my supply’s:$30
And now besides the molding, I have everything I need to do my two others bathrooms!
it looks great! good job!
Thanks for posting this tutorial. I've been staring at the same style of mirror for the past 10 years begging my husband to frame up the mirror. I finally broke down and bought a new light fixture last week so hopefully that will inspire him! Not planning to redo the bathroom anytime soon but I'm thinking a new fixture & mirror may jazz it up a bit.
You did a wonderful job, and I'm feeling totally inspired!
It looks great and I'm impressed that you did it by yourself. I had to get hubs to help me. Oh, and I forgot to paint the back of my molding so I have that dang reflection! Bet I won't forget on the next one.
It looks great and I'm impressed that you did it by yourself. I had to get hubs to help me. Oh, and I forgot to paint the back of my molding so I have that dang reflection! Bet I won't forget on the next one.
Looks fabulous! You make it sound so easy. I just might have to do this. Better yet, could you come to my house and do it for me? That would be awesome!
As always, a beautifully done, and you make it look so easy I'm going to have to try it.
Looks great! I am going to do this. I have been saying it, now I REALLY am! Thanks for sharing!
Wow! I am impressed. It looks so professional.
This looks awesome! Great idea!
Did you use liquid nails to glue the frame to the mirror or to the wall?
Wow that made a huge difference for such a small change! Great job!
I have 4 mirrors that need this transformation. You did a beautiful job!
Yep, that's next on my TO DO list. It looks great!
Becca
It's perfect!
I've been wanting to do this. Now I'm going to do this!
Love, love this!!!
What a great idea! I might have to try this when my hubby's out of the country for two weeks…in two years!
What a beautiful finished product! I love the dark color contrast against the blue wall.
Looks great!! I swear there is nothing you can't do!
Nadine
I've been staring at our kids bathroom mirror thinking it needs to be framed in, but had no idea how to do it! I'm going to give this a try, but have my hubby do it. I'm not that brave. I stick to sewing and will help him in this area if need be. You're pretty awesome for doing it on your own!
it looks like it was meant to be. Those plain builder mirrors are so boring. I have two of them myself!
Thanks for the clear directions. I've seen this done before, but haven't found anyone that gives me the step-by-step instructions. Perfect!! I'm featuring this tutorial on Wednesday. Thank you!!
Well done to you! I love what you have done, and while your hubby was away too…impressive (I can totally imagine the thought of his surprise helped you to keep going)
Hi Becca,
I'm so glad you gave us the steps to this tutorial. I've been meaning to try this, so I'm going to bookmark your post to guide me through. I'm so happy to read that it was fairly easy to do!
Very nice improvement! Looks great!
What a gorgeous transformation!!
Becca,
What a fabulous makeover! LOVE the frame on this mirror because it doesn't shrink the mirror part too much like others I've seen. I'll be sending my readers your way!
Do you have the mirror clips? And if so, how did you deal with them?
It looks lovely!
Mine has the mirror clips and I’m afraid if I remove them the mirror will fall (maybe it’s not glued to the wall enough). Did you find our what to do in our case? Thanks.
I was just searching the comments for an answer to this exact same question!
I saw on another blog that she replaced the plastic clips with thin washers to hold the mirror in place. The washers are thin enough that the trim lays flat against the mirror. Her link: http://www.somewhatsimple.com/how-to-frame-your-bathroom-mirror-over-plastic-clips/
Tried and failed. The washers still showed some and if your mirror does not fit on your granite or marble back splash the washers will not hold it. My correction is to buy a wood for framing wider than I did and route out the inside to cover the plastic clips. Then proceed as said.
AMAZING!!! We were so busy with our adoption/newborn last summer that we didn't get any summer projects done. Now, I'm hyped up with ideas. I'm for sure stealing this one!!
Thanks
That totally dresses that mirror up! I have a mirror that I need to do this to! Thanks & Great Job!
What a huge difference! Fantasic job.
lovin it. thx for the diy instructions!
I love this idea! Thanks for the tutorial!!
BTW, it is a 45 degree angle, not 90 degree like you stated.
I've wanted to do this for a while in my last house and now in this one. You've inspired me. Off to Home Depot!
I have a question, I have a unframed mirror that I want to glue to the wall with the mirror adhesive you showed in the picture, do I have to use clips with that? The directions say use them, however I was wondering if your mirror had them?
Mine has the mirror clips and I’m afraid if I remove them the mirror will fall (maybe it’s not glued to the wall enough). Did you find our what to do if there are clips? Thanks.
Lizzy, I did not have clips on my mirror!
Becca, I love it! My home has the huge builders mirrors that I couldn't handle on my own. I noted that your mirror appeared to be butted up against the wall on the left side but don't wan't to assume that you used the liqid nails directly on the mirror's surface. If so, then this is the answer I have been looking for and won't need to ask for help. I can do it all by myself!Did you actually apply the liquid nails and molding directly onto the mirror? Thanks. Mary Jane
This is brilliant!! I have two huge mirrors like this and I am so using your post for inspiration
I have plans to make one a huge starburst mirror. Thank you! I will post pictures on my blog http://thesunsetlane.blogspot.com
Kari
I have been wanting to do this FOREVER!! But never got around to it. We have a gorgeous master bath but the mirrors look so Blah. Thanks for the tutorial!!!
Hello
I am SUPER excited to do this!! I just sent my husband to Home Depot to get the molding (because he was going anyway)… he didn’t find the SAME as you bought (which I love!!!) Did you get it at Home Depot or Lowe’s or somewhere else?? I love that your molding is kind of like three frames around… others he found weren’t as detailed… but he did find a REALLY cool super chunky frame we are going to use in our master bath!! Can ya help me out for out 1/2 bath? Thanks bunches!! 
I really, really want to do this in my master bath. Maybe I should do the guest bath too?
NICE!! I just got moulding over the weekend to do this very same idea!
LOVE IT!
It’s hard to tell in the picture….does your mirror have the clips on it to hold it on to the wall? Mine does and was wondering how that would work. I want to put the molding directly on the mirror also because the end of the mirror is flaked.
Thanks!
Linda
SO getting ready to do this project. Excited!! Quick question for ya. What about the clips?? My mirror has those plastic clips. Do you have to remove those? Just wondering. Thanks so much.
Cut your angels
OUCH!
Great tutorial. The Yellow Cape Cod shared this. I’m so going to do this for my mirror
Please, please let us know about the mirror clips. How did the molding fit over the clips and if you took them off, how does the mirror stay on the wall without them. Would really like to do this in our bathroom but hoping you could let us know before I give this a try. Thanks!
So I have been wanting to do this to our bathroom mirror, thanks for the information! I was curious I have the clear plastic clips outside of the mirror holding it in place as well as glue. Any ideas on how to make this technique work when I don’t have a flat surface around my mirror? Sometimes it is easier to think of a solution when you have done it once. So maybe you have a better idea than I have…crossing my fingers at least!
I didn’t have the clips so I just glued on top of the mirror! Wish I knew for sure how to get around that! So sorry!
Mine has the mirror clips and I’m afraid if I remove them the mirror will fall (maybe it’s not glued to the wall enough). Did you find our what to doe? Thanks.
You make this look Super Duper Easy! I have been wanting to do this–those huge builders mirrors are so ugly- you have me convinced that I can tackle this! Thank you!!
So I’m moving into an apartment with a mirror just like that, and I love the idea of framing it, but I can’t do anything permanent. Any ideas of how to attach the molding in a non-permanent way?
Thanks,
Erika
You can try assembling it on the ground and then attaching it using hook and loop! 3M command strips are easy to remove and I use them as often as possible! It might take a few packs but so worth a try!
This looks so great!! I’m doing an overhaul of our hall bath and this is such a fantastic idea to makeup those ugly mirrors!! One question for you – what kind of molding did you use? I’m looking online at Home Depot and can’t seem to find anything similar… maybe I just need to go in and look in person?
If you remember the name and measurements (width) of your molding that would be great!!
Thanks in advance!
Did you just glue the molding over the plastic holders? i’m just wondering if i should remove them first.
I love the framed mirror and need to do this to mine. I was wondering how this looks from the side. Can you see the mirror behind the molding since you glued it on top of it? Also, does the molding extend past the length of the mirror at all? I hope that makes sense. Thanks.
This looks great and I really want to try this on mybathroom mirrors, only one question my mirrors have a glass molding along the outside edge. How can I remove without damaging the mirror. Thanks
Hi, I am a D.I.Y newbie and have been inundated (in a good way) with so many different ideas. My creative side is uber excited about implementing the different techniques I come across. I am a renter so I am very limited as to what I can do with the existing fixtures and things in this apartment home. I have two questions: 1. Is this a permanent fix to the mirror? 2. If so, do you have a temporary suggestion of how I could dress up my builder mirrors so when I move they can look the way they were before? Thanks for your help and for posting this tutorial.
Also, if the home improvement stores will cut the molding to the exact size, why is it suggested to get the molding 6 inches longer than needed? I was confused by that part. Did you subsequently cut off the 6 inches at home? Thanks for any response…
Does anyone have the mirrors that have a piece of metal trim across the bottom edge? I don’t have the plastic clips but I have this thin piece at the bottom that makes everything uneven. I did my small bathroom mirror with tiles around it and it took us all day to get that trim off. Just wondered if anyone had a trick. We had to use a roto zip and almost broke the mirror. UGH!