An unframed bathroom mirror makes the bathroom feel cold and plain.
Plain, unframed bathroom mirrors are a staple in many newly constructed homes or budget condos or apartments. A cookie-cutter solution, they provide the utilitarian purpose of providing the mirror without any style. Luckily, this oversight allows you to express your own personality and taste in the bathroom by framing the mirror yourself. An inexpensive home project, framing your plain mirror can add a big decorative punch to your bathroom space.
Instructions
1. Unscrew the clips that hold the mirror to the wall. Many times these clips are just precautionary and the mirrors are also glued to the wall. Carefully check to see if the mirror is glued to the wall. If not, squirt some construction adhesive behind the mirror and press the mirror tight to the wall to adhere it to the wall. Put the clips and screws back in, but be sure no glue has gotten near the screw holes, as you want to be able to remove the screws later. Allow it to cure overnight.
2. Remove the clips and screws the next day and clean the mirror. Use a tape measure to measure the length and width of the mirror. Your frame pieces will be affixed to the glass of the mirror so measure the outer margin of the mirrors face.
3. Purchase decorative molding from a home supply store. The molding should be at least 4 inches wide so it complements an average unframed . A too-narrow molding looks flimsy.
4. Purchase four square decorative end pieces to go at the corners of the mirror. You will be making straight cuts on your molding, so the end pieces "cap" the molding and bridge the connections around the mirror, avoiding the need for mitered corners.
5. Measure the width of the end pieces. Multiply that by number by two.
6. Measure the length of your mirror glass once more. Subtract the width of the two end pieces and transfer that final number to your molding.
7. Mark and cut your molding with a straight cut. Repeat those steps to make your cuts for the height as well.
8. Lightly sand off any rough edges from the ends of the molding. Dry fit all the pieces on the glass of the mirror to make sure all the pieces fit properly. They should sit on the glass along the margin of the mirror, as you affix them to the mirror itself.
9. Cover a work area and lay out all your frame pieces. Brush away any dust or dirt and paint the pieces with your chosen glossy interior paint color. Paint the top and sides of the molding and end pieces thoroughly. Do two coats. Allow to dry.
10. Cut 3-inch strips of the heavy-duty hook-and-loop tape. Peel one side of the tape and adhere to the back of the molding pieces every 3 inches. Place one piece on each corner square.
11. Peel off the other side of the tape as it is attached to its opposite side on the molding and then carefully place the molding onto the glass in the correct position.
12. Place the corner molding pieces and the rest of the straight molding pieces in place the same way. Shift pieces slightly, if necessary, to get the perfect fit.
Tags: molding pieces, unframed bathroom, your molding, bathroom mirror, clips screws, frame pieces,