Make a farmhouse style DIY mirror frame for your plain clip bathroom mirror. Learn how to frame a mirror the easy way. You only need basic woodworking skills to accomplish this project.
Skills Required: Beginner. You need to know how to use a miter saw and a Kreg Jig. The rest is pretty simple if you have knowledge of basic tools.
You know those clip mirrors in the bathroom? They can be kind of ugly. Or just feel unfinished. I’m going to show you how to make a DIY mirror frame for one of those clip mirrors – and HANG the frame so it’s easy to remove – and do this for $25!!
The one that we made was for a friend’s bathroom and she wanted farmhouse style, so that’s what we ended up doing. This frame works well because it adds some barn wood flair to the bathroom.
It also turns something boring into something a bit more spectacular. It’s a small touch makes a BIG difference!
Now, our situation is a bit different in that the bathroom mirror had fallen and broken, so our friend had to purchase one to start the project. A 3′ x 5′ frameless mirror is about $50.
I wanted to point this out because you might be thinking “why not just buy a mirror with a frame since you needed a mirror anyway?” I’m glad you asked.
A 3′ x 5′ mirror with a frame was over $300, not to mention it wasn’t exactly the style we wanted. This DIY mirror frame only adds $25 in price to the $50 base mirror! PLUS you can remove the frame if you’d like to change your style or paint it at any point. Bonus!
It’s also the perfect beginning project for woodworkers. Want to try it? First you need to get your supplies and tools together. Here’s what you’re going to need.
Mirror Frame DIY
Gather These Supplies
- 3 1″ x 4″ x 8″ pieces of faux barnwood from Home Depot
- 1′ x 2′ wood board cut to a 4 ½’ length
- (3) 3″ wood screws
- (3) 1/2″ wood screws
- 4 Kreg Jig screws
- Wood glue
- 3 frame hanger loops
- 4 – 6 spring loaded mirror clips (optional)
- (6) 2 1/2″ wood screws (optional)
Tools
- Miter saw
- 1 hole Kreg Jig
- Drill with bits and a Phillips head screw bit
- Level
- Stud finder (optional)
Let’s start with what you’ll do if you don’t have a mirror hung yet . . .
You’ll obviously need the mirror as well as the spring loaded mirror clips, the six 2 1/2″ wood screws, and the stud finder.
Use the stud finder to locate the studs so you can attach the clips to them with the wood screws. We ended up using three clips on the bottom and three clips on the top.
If you use a tape measure you can do this step by yourself, but it also helps to have another person around! Get the mirror hung where you want it, then you’ll be ready to make the frame.
Now you need to choose the wood.
Note: prices of lumber are changing rapidly these days, so do your research instead of breaking the bank. You can also use reclaimed wood, so keep that in mind.
You can also use regular pine or another lumber, Choose a paint color to apply or stain it. You can use brush on paint, or you can use spray paint. Krylon has chalk finish, crackle, and even stone in a spray application.
This is the 1″ x 4″ x 8″ barnwood we bought from Home Depot. It was less than $8 a piece! We needed three pieces to make the frame.
After you’ve gotten the mirror hung (or it’s already there) and the wood selected (and painted potentially), you are ready to begin! If you have a 3′ x 5′ mirror, you’ll use my measurements. If your mirror is a different size, you need to take your own cut measurements.
Here’s the printable how to card below!
DIY Mirror Frame
Equipment
- Miter saw
- 1 Kreg Jig 1 hole
- Drill with drill bits and a Philips head screw bit
- Level
- Stud finder optional
Materials
- 3 pieces 1” x 4”x 8” faux barnwood
- 1 piece 1' x 2' wood board cut to a 4 ½' length
- 3 wood screws 3”
- 3 wood screws 1/2"
- 4 Kreg Jig screws
- Wood glue
- 3 frame hanger loops
- 6 wood screws 2 1/2“, optional
- 4 – 6 spring loaded mirror clips optional
Instructions
- From the three pieces of barnwood cut (using the miter saw) cut two 3’ 7 ½" pieces to go down the sides. Then cut two 5’ 7 ½ “ pieces to go across the top and bottom.
- Using the miter saw, cut 45° angles at each end of all four pieces.
- Cut the 1' x 2' down to 4 1/2' to use as a frame hanger and stabilizer.
- Center this 4 1/2' piece above the mirror and anchor it into the wall using the 3" wood screws. Use the stud finder again to make sure you go into the wood studs.
- After the 1' x 2' is mounted, put three evenly spaced 1/2" wood screws into that piece towards the top. Don’t screw them all the way in; leave them backed out about ⅛“ – leaving room for the frame hanging loops.
- Begin assembling the frame. Using a Kreg Jig, drill a pilot hole for the attachment screw in the center of one of the pieces at each join (it doesn't matter which one).
- Working one corner at a time, add glue to the edges of the wood.
- Use clamps to hold the glued pieces of wood together.
- Screw a Kreg Jig screw into the hole of the glued pieces. Do this four times and the frame will be formed. Let the wood glue dry.
- After the frame is dry, mount the three frame hanger loops to the back of the frame at the top to align with the screws that were placed on the 4 1/2' wood piece.
- Use a tape measure to locate the frame hanger loops in the same place as the screws. The DIY mirror frame is ready to hang.
Notes
It adds a bit of farmhouse charm to the bathroom, don’t you think? And it was SO easy! And inexpensive. And you can do it in any room in the room. And it’s removable. Our favorite kind of project . . .
Now that you know how to frame a mirror, I’d love to know what you think of this project in the comments! I’d also love for you to check out these other budget friendly builds:
Coffee Table • Coffee Table with Storage • Hose Holder and Planter • Modern Headboard • Modern Wood Wall Art • Outdoor Bench • Pallet Shelf • Platform Bed • Poster Hanger • Stacked Wood Bench • Table Lamp • Table Revamp with Vinyl • TV Riser • Wood Sign
Colin Freeman
Wednesday 12th of July 2017
Looks awesome! I have been thinking about upgrading since last summer and finally I am going to do it! Thanks for sharing such a cool idea ;)