Thank you all so much for the kind comments on my girl’s bathroom makeover! I’m pretty pleased to have that space knocked out as it’s also the bathroom guests use when they stay with us! Many of you all inquired about how I framed out the bathroom mirror over the vanity, so today I’m sharing the super easy tutorial. Y’all this project is so simple! Most of it was completed by my 13 year old son! No lie. We had a little mother-son bonding time as I showed him how to miter corners. If he can do it, you can too!
First Things First
Start by measuring your mirror. Check your at-home supplies, and then head to the hardware store.
I’ve had this little miter box for what feels like a billion years. It’s what I used for many home projects until I upgraded to a compound miter saw, but you don’t need anything heavy duty for this simple project. A miter box and hand saw will work perfectly! I forgot to mention sandpaper in the list above, and you’ll probably need some fine grit paper to smooth the moulding and the cut corners before painting.
Also, if you despise using caulk guns like I do, this can is really easy to use; it’s basically like using a can of cake icing. I find it easier to use than a tube of caulk, but a tube would work just fine as well.
DIY Details
- Measure your mirror again before making any cuts. I used this project as a teaching moment with my son. If you’ve never made any angled cuts before or this is your very first project involving mitering corners, I think it’s helpful to grab a picture frame and look at the way the corners meet.
– Essentially you’re making 45 degree angled cuts which is easy to do with a miter box.
- Once the moulding is cut you can sand the pieces, prime and paint them. *You may want to paint both sides, so that you don’t have to worry about the possibility of the unfinished back reflecting in the mirror.
- When they’re dry, you’re ready to install. Start with the bottom piece. Run a bead of liquid nails along the back of the moulding and then attach that piece to the mirror. You may need to use a level. I was able to use the backsplash as a guide. Liquid Nails dries fairly quickly, but I still like to use painter’s tape to keep the pieces in place until it’s completely set.
- Attach the bottom, then the sides and last is the top piece.
- After about an hour or so, you’re ready to caulk the corners. I also recommend caulking the inner edge where the moulding meets the mirror, especially on the bottom. I think it creates a nice, finished look, and on the bottom it makes for a nice seal to keep any water or mirror cleaning products from seeping down behind the moulding.
- When the caulk is dry you can touch up the paint and marvel at your handiwork! 🙂
Couple of Tips
- If mitering corners makes your brain hurt, you can totally do this project without having to make a single angled cut. Just use a flat piece of moulding or no-miter moulding which is sold at both Lowe’s and The Home Depot. No-miter moulding is the type of moulding that uses a square block of wood in the corners; it’s a more decorative look and much easier to install from a diy standpoint as you can have all of the straight cuts made at the store. Then all you have to do is bring the moulding home, paint and attach it to your mirror.
- Using pre-primed moulding will eliminate some of the prep work.
Hope this was helpful! Let me know if you have any questions!
Wow! It looks like work of a pro. Who could thought that it was work of a teen. Let me congratulate you for having reliable son in DIY works.