How to Frame a Bathroom Mirror

A few weeks ago I shared my bathroom makeover that was almost completed.  I just needed to add some trim and frame out the mirror.  Can you believe that framing the mirror is actually what started the bathroom makeover in the first place?  This project started a year ago so it feels really good to have it finally finished and crossed off my to-do list!

This project required me to use tools as well as measure and cut accurately which are not my strengths.  I was able to measure and cut the trim with no problem, but I just could NOT get the mitered 45 degree cuts to join up accurately in the corners.  By the time I had cut several pieces of trim, I'd made a rather large investment in moulding.  It probably would have been less expensive to just buy a large framed mirror to replace the existing one.  Finally, I just decided to make 90 degree cuts on the moulding and add decortive squares in the corners and it was a great fix to the problem.  I wish I'd done that in the first place and saved myself some time, money, and a whole lot of frustration.  If unlike me, you know what you're doing, and can do it right the first time, then this is a really inexpensive way to add a custom frame to a plain mirror.

Before I share with you what I did, please note that there are many tutorials on the internet on how to do this and they may give you more information.  I have several of them pinned to my For the home - bathroom Pinterest board.

Step 1

I measured the mirror and cut the pieces of moulding to the sizes I needed.

Step 2

I painted the back of the moulding so the unfinished part wouldn't show in the mirror.  I didn't paint the entire back side because the glue said it wouldn't adhere to painted surfaces.  I just painted the edge that would reflect in the mirror.   

Step 3

When the paint was dry on the back, I flipped the pieces over and painted the front of the trim before I glued it onto the mirror.  You could  paint the trim after the pieces are glued to the mirror.  I just didn't want to line everything with painter's tape.  See those little decorative squares?  They really were a life saver for this project.  If you're not handy at work working, I recommend getting these.  They make the whole project a lot easier!

Step 4

I used this adhesive.  It's specially made for mirrors.

Be sure that you're ready to go before you start gluing because the adhesive sets up quickly.  Make sure the trim pieces fit correctly and you have what you need before you begin gluing.  Apply the glue to the back of the trim.  Use a good amount so that it will really stick to the mirror, but be careful not to use so much that is squishes over the edge.  You don't want to see the glue in the mirror.  Then just glue the trim onto the mirror.  I held it in place for about a minute while the glue was setting.  You can use painter's tape to hold it in place, but I didn't need to because the glue set up really quickly.

I solved the 45 degree angles not matching up by cutting the trim pieces at 90 degrees and using these decorative squares in the corners. 

 

I think it turned out really nicely and certainly customizes an otherwise plain mirror.  Now that I know how to add a frame to a mirror, I think I'll do this for the large mirror in my master bathroom.  Knowing me, that will probably lead to redoing the whole bathroom!

* * * * * Update * * * * *

There have been a lot of questions about the little clips that hold the mirror to the wall.  Yes, I did have those on my mirror and they were in the way.  I removed the screws and clips and took the mirror down from the wall.  I needed an extra person to help because the mirror is big and heavy!  I used the same mirror mastic that I mentioned above to adhere the mirror to the wall.  I wasn't sure it would hold, but it did and that mirror isn't coming off any time soon!  The mirror mastic is strong stuff and 100% permanent (meaning if you want to change things later, it will be difficult.)  Once the mirror was up with mirror mastic, I didn't need the mirror clips and could glue on the trim.