Best Ways to Frame a Mirror
A mirror's frame can change the atmosphere of a whole room, and you can frame a mirror yourself to create the precise look you desire. Whether you start with an unframed mirror or find a mirror in a frame you'd like to modify, get ideas for how to frame a mirror and choose the best way for your time, budget and skill level.
Vintage Door Molding
Create a giant mirror using salvaged door molding to place near the front door in an old home. This large frame can be as ornate as you desire. Browse options for antique molding at local re-purposed building supply retailers and antique markets. Remove any unattractive stain or paint and refinish the frame to create a clean look. Try white high-gloss oil-based enamel for a lustrous, formal finish.
Unfinished Wood Molding
Make a frame for a small mirror with a combination of decorative wood molding found at home building supply outlets. Cut the molding to size, and then use wood glue and finishing nails to build the frame. Try mixing and matching different molding designs for the sides and top to create a one-of-a-kind frame. Use mirror adhesive to apply the mirror to a plywood backing. Finish this type of frame with latex or oil-based paint or stain, or simply coat it with polyurethane for a natural-looking piece.
Playful Frames
If you find a mirror that would be difficult to re-frame, such as an oval-shaped piece, consider creative options for giving it new life. You can simply paint the frame; try bright red or metallic silver for a teen's bedroom. Or you can use a hot glue gun to attach decorative textured objects, such as shells or even dollar-store toys, to the frame. A creative frame for a child's room might include a toy train circling on hand-painted tracks around the mirror.
