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Woodworking Home Decorating Bathrooms

Make a frame for existing mirror, or buy a pricey new mirror?

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

We are planning two bathroom remodels. For our kids/guest bathroom, I'm considering keeping the plain, builder grade, frameless mirror because it's so big/functional and SECURE (my 3 year old loves to stand on the counter and rub her hands all over the mirror). I've seen posts on another site about DIYing a frame around a mirror but we are planning to spend a lot on the remodel and I want a high end look. At the very least, hire a carpenter- or take the mirror to a frame store. But, I need to know, is making a frame for a mirror worth the trouble? The mirror is 54x39, I'd love a gold frame. And I'd like to keep it as one large mirror instead of two smaller mirrors (double vanity). I would think a frame store could make something that looks very nice. Aside from the high price tag of a new mirror that comes with a frame, I'm concerned about mounting a mirror so that little kids won't knock it down.

Featured Answer

slicklydia

3 years ago

Look at Mirrormate.com. I ordered a frame for our glued on builder mirror. It was easy to do and looks great. They usually have 10% off coupons. My sister-in-law liked mine so much she ordered one. Many colors and styles available.

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Comments (6)

Mrs. S
3 years ago
You probably can't get the mirror off the wall, because they often (at least where I live) glue them on.

Frames are an easy diy (or have a carpenter do it) using molding from a big box store or a molding/trim store. I'm not sure an actual picture frame would work, depending on the "rabbet" depth.... I suppose you could ask, but that certainly sounds expensive, compared to just mitered-corner molding easily spray painted and glued on to the existing mirror.
lfblair768
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks. We have actually removed the mirror in the past- to give a basic face lift to the bathroom with paint. It wasn’t glued, thankfully. I’m just unsure if a DIY type frame will look not home made.
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A few suggestions... There's a Restoration Hardware outlet at the Tulalip Outlet mall so you might find a few deals there. ( I remember you mentioned living in Edmonds, so it might be worth the drive up north.) Or, as Babs suggested, having a glass and mirror shop custom make a nice beveled mirror is very reasonable. When we remodeled our master bath we made a frame with some nice trim/molding that we bought from our cabinet maker (to match our cabinets) and had a mirror with an extra large bevel to fit in the frame. For our guest bathroom I found a simple, wide, solid wood, oversized picture frame at Aaron Bros. on sale for $20, and a local glass shop put a beveled mirror in it for me for $40. It looks fabulous! (We used a metal bracket called a hangman which makes it easy and safe to hang large, heavy objects.) In regards to the size, personally I think bigger is better, especially vertically. I've always noticed nicer hotels have wonderfully large mirrors - they really add a feeling of spaciousness to what are usually small rooms.
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Two suggestions, you may be able to find some inexpensive mirrors at the local Good Will or Salvation Army in the sizes you need then you can just transfer them over. If you really want to go cheap though, I'd suggest buying some cool wrapping paper or even fabric that you like and framing it instead. Here's a sample of what I did in our office with a napkin from Pottery Barn Outlet, I used the other napkins from the pack for the valance. I paid 10.00 for the frame and 9.00 for the napkins. Much cheaper than mirror would have cost.
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lfblair768
Original Author
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Slicklydia- Oh wow, that's cool! Thanks! Just looking at their site.... this is AMAZING!!!! Large mirrors like mine are so functional but to replace it with something brand new and fancy is $$$$. Thanks so much for sharing, this is a godsend.
alwayscold
3 years ago
We have mirror mates and we have a friend who did a DIY. I like ours better, however I think someone with a bit better skills could still DIY cheaper. Maybe. I think I got a bigger discount. Once it is up, your kid isn’t popping it off.
lfblair768 thanked alwayscold
PRO
FrameMyMirror
3 years ago
We would be more than happy to help you frame your mirror! We have plenty of frame options to choose from, including frames with a gold finish. Please let us know if we can be of any help!
lfblair768 thanked FrameMyMirror

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