Do-it-yourself mirror frame: design methods from various types of material. Do-it-yourself mirror frame (48 photos): a unique finish with minimal investment Do-it-yourself wood mirror frame

It is easy to diversify the interior with your own hands. An ordinary mirror can be turned into a work of art thanks to a custom-made frame. For decoration, you can use both expensive and valuable materials, as well as improvised means. The right frame design for the mirror will make any room more stylish.

Homemade frames for mirrors have their own characteristics and advantages.

Among the majority it is worth noting the following:

  • You can choose the material yourself. So, you can create an environmentally friendly frame. Often, manufacturers treat products with chemicals that can harm you. In the case of self-manufacturing, this property is excluded.
  • Product budget. Making a frame will require less financial costs than buying it.
  • Uniqueness. You are free in your imagination and can create a unique product. Additional decor can be very diverse, from ribbons to wood carvings. This item is especially important for those who love original solutions.

If you decide to make a frame with your own hands, then get ready for creative dilemmas. When choosing a material, rely on your own preferences and the general style of the apartment. A frame for a mirror can even be built from paper tubes or cardboard. By the way, the smallest members of the family can be involved in the manufacture of such a frame. Consider the most interesting materials.

These products are lightweight and durable. Frames can be installed in rooms with high humidity. If you are given the color of the product, just repaint it. Models made of polyurethane baguette are suitable for round and oval mirrors. Baguette frame is easy to manufacture, the material is easy to cut and behaves obediently during operation.

Certain skills will help you if you need a metal frame. An aluminum frame will require less effort. This material is thin and docile. Forged model - the height of professionalism. This frame will add luxury and charm to the room.

Oddly enough, the mirror frame is very popular. It is not difficult to make it, it is enough to purchase that very special coated glass. So you can build a frame from many small mirrors.

The soft frame is an interesting and original option. Leather construction can be voluminous. To do this, fill it with synthetic winterizer or other similar filler. Alternatively, you can use leatherette. This will be more budget friendly. These mirror frames will fit perfectly into the interior of a bedroom or living room.

Fans of non-standard solutions can make a frame from a rope or a rope. Such a model will perfectly fit into the style of any room of the apartment. Avoid this framing of mirrors in the bathroom and kitchen, as moisture and temperature changes will not benefit the material. Moreover, such a frame is not so easy to clean.

Such material can be both primary and secondary. For example, you can fill the bamboo cavity with mounting foam or simply make such an original finish.

Interesting and noble material. If you have woodworking skills, then you can make a carved frame or burn out a drawing. If there are no skills, then use branches. From them you can build an original decor with your children. What’s more, you don’t even have to spend money on material - just walk around and collect branches of the right size. You can make a plywood base and glue natural materials on it.

More often, the material is used as an addition, but the entire product can also be built from gypsum. Gypsum stucco can decorate a frame made of wood or any similar material. For greater aesthetics, paint all the coatings in one color. Such a model will fit well into a room with an interior in the style of classics, retro, baroque.

Color must be chosen carefully. Evaluate the overall color scheme of the room and choose either a similar or contrasting color. Black and white frames are considered classics. Such universal colors will fit into any interior. A great option if you do not want to focus on the mirror.

Decorate your living room with a bronze or gold frame. So, you will focus on the mirror. Such a product looks rich and elegant. Feng Shui advises making frames in such a way that they attract attention. It is believed that a mirror with this design brings good luck, and also attracts positive energy.

An interesting option is a colored frame. Such a product is suitable for any room, will bring brightness to the interior. You need to choose colors deliberately so that they do not enter into dissonance with the overall design. You can use not only a colored base, but also a colorful decor on a white background.

You can make a frame for a mirror from any material that you like. Creating a product from improvised means does not require special expenses and can become a real family entertainment. Want to make a quick decor for an oval or round mirror?

  • Using a marker and a ruler, make a pattern around the circle.
  • Stick a film or tape on the mirror that does not leave marks. Get outside the mirror to make it easier to remove the film later.
  • Armed with a special knife that does not scratch mirrors, cut lines in the film in accordance with the pattern.
  • Take a can of spray paint and spray the entire surface of the mirror.
  • After complete drying, remove the film and enjoy the result.

For mirrors of this shape, you can make a frame of 7-8 toilet paper bushings. For the base, take thick plywood. Paint the workpiece black, after drying, glue the mirror. Paint the bushings in the same color, and after drying, cut them into circles of 1 cm, give the shape of leaves.

  • Glue the leaves of 5 pieces: we fix 4 leaves at the corners, and glue the last one on top. So, the workpiece is like a little man with legs, arms and a head. We also glue all the leaves.
  • Using hot glue, attach the blanks to the base of the mirror. Here you can show your imagination and group the blanks at your own discretion.
  • Next, you need a mirror mount. For a thick and heavy product, you will need 2 fasteners, and for a light one, one is enough. Thread a rope or wire through them, make a loop.

For a large floor mirror, you can make a massive, heavy frame. A simple, no-frills, wooden frame and decor from small vases in which you can put flowers or useful things will work well. This mirror is both beautiful and functional. For a rectangular and square mirror, make a frame out of wood or a ceiling plinth.

A homemade wooden frame will decorate any mirror. For manufacturing you will need the following:

The key material can be anything. A simple wooden frame can be made from twigs or saw cut, even driftwood can be used. The main thing is that the material is dry, otherwise deformation or decay cannot be avoided. Carved frames are made from natural walnut, cedar or wenge. Carving requires special skills, so sketches may be needed, but for beginners it will be extremely difficult to do such work. You can also use MDF and similar materials.

All elements of the frame must be securely fastened. Otherwise, the product will simply fall apart during use. Fastening elements include corners, carpentry glue, self-tapping screws. All this you can find in the nearest hardware store.

This item includes paints, varnishes, ropes, stones, and more. There are no restrictions, and it all depends on your wishes. Please note that an overabundance of decorative elements spoils the aesthetics of the frame.

To make a simple frame, a hacksaw for wood and a hammer is enough. For more complex options, you may need a screwdriver, electric jigsaw, circular saw. To create a carved frame, get a set of cutters.

Master class on making a simple frame in 5 steps:

  • For the manufacture we use a door frame made of wood. Knowing the basics of carpentry will help you make a concise frame for a mirror.
  • We make 4 elements for each side of the mirror. The inner edge of the fragment should be 1 cm shorter than the corresponding side of the base. You need to cut the parts at an angle of 45 degrees.
  • On the reverse side of the slats, make small indentations to accommodate the mirror sheet.
  • Use building corners to fasten planks. They will serve to fasten the canvas itself.
  • As a decor, you can paint the product and cover it with a special varnish.

The material gives vent to imagination, so you can choose the pattern and width yourself. A frame for a mirror from a ceiling plinth is easy to make. First, fix the mirror itself on chipboard or plywood. Such a simple manipulation gives a guarantee of reliability.

  • Cut 4 sides out of the ceiling plinth. The length of the inner edge should correspond to the length of the corresponding side of the mirror.
  • Connect the parts with hot glue.
  • Cover the product with putty on all sides. Wait for complete drying.
  • The frame with your own hands is almost ready. At this stage, it needs to be painted and varnished. To give it an old look, you should treat the product with a sponge with gold paint.

The design of the frame includes the choice of shape, color and additional decor. In this matter, you can give free rein to your imagination and make an exclusive work of art. Strict and concise frames look good in some interior styles and in work rooms (offices). In other cases, approach the issue of design with creativity.

There are four classic frame shapes: circle, oval, square and rectangle. These products are truly versatile. It is easy to make a standard mirror frame and it will fit perfectly into any style of interior. True, it is not at all necessary to be limited to such a set of forms. Geometry throws up a lot of interesting options. For example, you can make a frame in the form of a polygon or a box.

Create a cloud-shaped frame and place some round mirrors in it. Products in the form of animals will amaze your guests. You can put such a mirror in front of everyone. Choose an animal either among your favorites, or among those that are easier to make. Flower frames also look great.

A mirror is one of the most sought-after household items, often serving several generations of the same family. A high-quality coating remains clean and clear for decades, while its external design leaves much to be desired. A do-it-yourself mirror frame from a ceiling plinth, a sample of which you will see in the photo, will help give your favorite object a new life by fitting it into the interior of the bedroom, living room, hallway and bathroom.

Note! The plinth will cost less than the finished frame. And if after the repair there are trimmings of ceiling friezes of the right size, you will only have to spend money on glue.

Types of ceiling plinths

There are several varieties of decorative ceiling friezes, from which you can easily build a frame for a mirror. First of all, the plinth differs in the material of manufacture:

  • Polyurethane is a strong, durable, mechanically resistant, environmentally friendly material that is not affected by moisture, is flexible and easy to work with. Polyurethane baguette is one of the best materials for frames, because it is easy to cut and holds the coloring layer well.

From a polyurethane plinth, you can make a frame for a round and oval mirror.

  • PVC profile is the most affordable and diverse material in shape and texture. A novice master will successfully cope with the work of making and fixing a frame for a mirror of any size from a plinth with his own hands. A frieze frame imitating natural stone or elite wood will be an excellent decoration for a mirror and an addition to the interior.
  • Wooden baseboard is one of the most popular materials for making a frame, but working with wood requires experience and certain knowledge. Not all types of wood are equally easy to cut, process, stain, so it is better to order a wooden frame in a workshop.
  • Polystyrene is an environmentally friendly, not exposed to moisture, but fragile material that can break during operation.
  • The gypsum skirting board has a variety of finishes, but it is only suitable for stationary mirrors, and it is almost impossible to cope with the work without the help of a specialist.
  • Metal plinth is an ideal material for decorating a mirror in modern or modern style, however, it is quite heavy in weight and difficult to work with, especially for non-professionals.

Frame making tools

Having chosen a plinth for decorating a mirror, you need to make sure that you have the tools and materials for processing. To make a plinth frame you will need:

  • roulette;
  • a marker or a simple pencil for marking;
  • knife or hacksaw for metal;
  • miter box;
  • glue or for wood or "liquid nails";
  • special putty for wood;
  • varnish or acrylic paint.

Important! The choice of glue should be given special attention, since some adhesives can dissolve the baseboard.

Manufacturing instructions

Framing for a mirror is somewhat easier to make than embroidery or a picture drawn on paper, since you do not need to make a base.

Step by step job description:

  1. Measure the mirror.
  2. Make marks with a pencil or marker on the appropriate parts of the plinth.
  3. Place the first piece of baguette in the miter box and cut along the pencil marks at a 45° angle.
  4. Treat all other parts of the baguette accordingly.
  5. Attach all the details to the mirror to check the symmetry of the sections.
  6. Glue together all the details of the structure. To connect metal elements, special corners will be required.
  7. When the glue dries, apply a thin layer of glue around the edges of the mirror and bond to the structure.
  8. The cracks formed at the joints of the plinth in the corners are puttied. This will not only give the product a neater look, but also further strengthen it.
  9. Cover the frame with varnish or paint in bronze, silver, gold.

It is possible to start making a frame for a mirror from a ceiling plinth of medium and large size only after the technology of fastening structural elements has been mastered, and the number of items made will develop into quality.

Currently, a mirror is an essential attribute of any living room, the purpose of which is not only to admire your reflection. The mirror is also an important element of decor and decoration of any interior. Often, industrial mirrors cannot fully emphasize the individuality of a room's design. And here do-it-yourself mirrors come to the rescue.

Naturally, if we talk about the decor of an old mirror made by hand, we should not mean a forged frame or a frame made, for example, of mahogany. There are many ideas for decorating mirrors using readily available and relatively cheap materials that will allow you to make an original decorative element.

In a modern house or apartment, almost every room is equipped with mirrors: an entrance hall, a bathroom, a bedroom or a nursery. Depending on the location in the house, the purpose of the mirrors may be different, but they are united by the fact that a modern person simply cannot imagine life without a mirror. This household item should be in the living room, although many believe that this is not the case.

If the room is spacious enough, the absence of a mirror in it, of course, can be justified, but the presence of this household item in small rooms can visually expand the space of the room.

Room decor with an unusual mirror

Do you like this frame-sun for a mirror? A detailed lesson in this article is.

These 3 very stylish mirrors can also be made with your own hands - follow the link for a detailed master class -.

At first glance, it seems that all the mirrors are similar to each other. You can avoid this by doing the decor of the mirror with your own hands. Consider below the most common decoration options.

The decision to equip the walls of a room with mirrors often leads to problems caused by the need to purchase a product of a certain size, shape and design in order to harmonize with the interior of a particular room. Decorating mirrors with your own hands helps to solve this problem.

It should be noted that this work will require not so much skill and skills in a certain area as the presence of developed imagination and good taste, as well as a creative approach to business.

Wall decoration with small mirrors

An unusual shape or frame for a mirror is a great solution for an empty wall in a room.

Such curly mirrors are easy to make yourself - you need to choose a shape and order cutting

Composition of 16 mirrors

A feather-shaped mirror is a great solution for a relaxation area

7 rules for decorating with interior mirrors

When using mirrors as an element of decor, you must follow the following rules:

  1. Products are better to choose the same size, preference given to small and medium mirrors.
  2. If a mirror object has an irregular shape, it should not be placed in a frame.
  3. Rounded or square mirrors are advised to enclose in a beautiful frame.
  4. To make the composition look like a single whole, it is best choose the same frame.
  5. It is most important to use the same frames for products of different sizes.
  6. When creating a composition of mirrors on the wall, you need to try not to create excessive clutter - sometimes in order to create a harmonious image, 5 mirrors with spectacular frames are enough.
  7. Frames look great, which echo the decor of the room as a whole.

ADVICE! For example, a frame made of wood blends perfectly with a wooden table. In general, as professional designers say, the design that is made by hand with the use of imagination and creativity will look spectacular.

Mirrors are capable of visually expanding the space of small rooms (for example, in "Khrushchev"), but often this will require more than one mirror.

  • Three, six, or even ten products of various shapes and sizes will achieve the desired result. In an interior made in a classic style, voluminous frames made of stucco molding are suitable for such mirrors.
  • Modern trends in the design of rooms are ideally complemented by narrow mirror frames of various geometric shapes, sometimes with patterns on the surface.
  • When using lamp lighting, a bright reflection in the mirrors will contribute to the visual expansion of the space.

Large mirrors for the living room

You can order the production of "curved" mirrors and place them on one of the walls (in the form of applications or a single size in the form of a square).

Light walls will perfectly decorate the mirrors differing in shape and size. Such a “row of windows” will enliven the room and brighten it even more.

Mirror above the fireplace

A beautiful large mirror ideally placed above a sofa, table or fireplace. However, the combination of this household item with other mirrors should be abandoned.

DIY wooden frame for a mirror

The tree looks great in almost any interior. This is a very popular and time-tested natural material. Wood products have excellent performance and attractive appearance. So The wood is ideal for use in DIY mirror decoration.. Square or rectangular household items are well framed with ordinary wood borders, but you can and should experiment with round and oval mirrors.

Mirror sun from branches

Original for any interior will look like this called mirror-sun. It is made using blocks or twigs of wood, plywood frame, primer, special glue, aerosol, sandpaper, and a glue gun.

How to make a sun mirror:

  1. To begin with, branches are glued with wedges around the entire perimeter of the frame, and alternating long and short, so that it looks like rays from the sun.
  2. Each bar is necessary hold for 15-20 seconds, so that it sticks well.
  3. After waiting for the glue to dry, it is necessary to remove its remnants with sandpaper, and then apply a primer and leave for 1 hour.
  4. Then you need to cover the frame with paint or varnish.

Decor with dry branches

Twigs can be replaced with wooden clothespins. So, a few minutes - and the decorative frame-sun is ready!

Clothespin mirror frame

paper decor

Round and small mirrors can be decorated, using an egg carton. This solution is very original and requires very little effort. It will be necessary to cut out each individual cell, glue the flower and paste over the mirror with them.

Egg carton mirror frame

DIY bathroom mirror decor

By decorating an object is understood the achievement of a form and color scheme that is in harmony with the style in which the interior of the room is made, as well as with its purpose. When decorating a mirror in the bathroom, it is necessary to ensure moisture resistance and strong fixation of decorative elements.

Decor of an old bathroom mirror - acrylic painting

How to decorate an old bathroom mirror:

  1. To get started you need wipe off the previous coating from the surface of the frame. To remove old paint, use paint remover - it's inexpensive and available at any hardware store.
  2. Then priming occurs in order to prepare the basis for the glue.
  3. After that, glue must be applied to the places of future fastening of beads or shells. Decoration can be carried out randomly.

The original design idea is a frame made of metal rulers, which are also arranged in the form of a sun.

Mirror frame made of metal rulers

The standard rule for decorating walls with mirrors: if the products are voluminous, then there should be few of them. For example, to decorate a large mirror, you can glue toy cars to it by painting them on top. One product decorated in this way is enough for the room.

Original frame for a mirror from old toys

By fantasizing and using ordinary objects that are at hand at the moment, it is possible to decorate the mirror so that it looks unique and at the same time keeps a piece of the invested soul and warmth.

Also in the bathroom, a backlit mirror looks very relevant - it is very easy to make it with your own hands. Here is the detailed one.

Decor mirror shells

Before starting work, make a pattern of shells by attaching them to the surface to be decorated. The composition may or may not have symmetry. Make the most of your imagination when creating a drawing.

  1. To avoid contamination of the glass of the mirror, it must be sealed with masking tape. After that, you can begin to glue the shells on the frame. For complete drying of the glue, you need to wait for several hours.
  2. After making sure the glue is cured, start painting the frame.
  3. Coloring is carried out in several layers, which are applied every 20 minutes to let them dry out a bit.
  4. The layers are carefully applied so that they are as thin as possible.

This design of the mirror with the help of shells will decorate any room, the interior of which is made in the "classic" style.

You can also make decorative candlesticks from shells - a detailed lesson:.

Mosaic mirror decor

To decorate the mirror in the bathroom with your own hands, you can use glass or ceramic mosaics.

Bathroom mosaic mirror

If you want to make such a mirror yourself - here is a detailed one.

Frame decorated with sequins

You can make such an original bathroom mirror yourself by simply ordering curly cutting of mirrors.

Decor of a round mirror with a frame of pipes: Master class

A very stylish and modern frame for decorating a round mirror can be made from ordinary polypropylene pipes for water supply.

Frame for a round mirror made of pipes

This will require:

  • plastic pipe;
  • a saw powered by electricity;
  • skin;
  • glue gun.

Assembly technology

Step 1

  • We cut the rings with great care. At the same time, they must have the same width, otherwise the finished product will look sloppy.
  • Therefore, a “trimming” electric saw with fine teeth is ideal.

In the absence of such a saw, you can use the miter box.

We take polypropylene pipes for water supply - you can choose any diameter at your discretion

Step 2

  • Immediately before gluing, cuts on each ring processed with fine skin to avoid burrs.
  • Since our task is to produce an accessory that has a beautiful appearance, every little thing in it should look neat.

We lay out the rings in any shape you like

Step 3

  • Rings fastened with a glue gun, which will provide an inconspicuous fastening. The gluing of the rings can occur in different ways, a different method can be used than in the photo.
  • The shape of the composition can be both square and oval. It is recommended to make it in the shape of a mirror.

We glue the rings together with a gun

Step 4

The mirror is also glued to the rings with a glue gun exactly in the middle. It should be noted that all elements must be cleaned of dust particles and degreased before gluing. You can hang the finished product on the wall by the rings.

So, you can make a product that combines 2 or 3 mirrors, and to give a greater effect, it can be supplemented with a glass vase or table.

Master class: Mirror with lace

A paper lace frame looks very unusual and homely. It can be purchased at any store where disposable tableware is sold.

We need:

  • Paper lace for cake.
  • Double-sided tape.
  • Round mirror.
  • Coating paper.
  • Aerosol paint.
  • Scissors.

Technology step by step

Step 1

Take some cake paper lace and paint it with spray paint. Dry well for 1-2 hours.

We paint lace with spray paint

Step 2

Cover the back of the mirror with double sided tape. Then cut off the protruding end of the tape.

Apply double sided tape to the mirror

Cut off excess tape along the contour

Removing the protective film

Step 3

Remove the protective film and place the mirror on the previously dyed paper lace and press well.

We make external mounts for the mirror

We place a mirror in the center of the lace and press the tape well

Hanging a mirror on the wall

The final touch remains, attach it to the wall.

Such frames look especially beautiful if there are several of them!

Master class: Mirror decor with petals

The frame for the mirror can be decorated with artificial petals, they are usually sold in bags in everything for decor.

Mirror decor with petals

For this we use:

  • Petals of artificial silk flowers.
  • Glue gun.
  • Round mirror (or oval).
  • Spray paint (any color).

Work order

  1. Paint the frame white.
  2. We start from the outer edge, with a hot glue gun, glue the petals.
  3. And so, row after row, we lay the petals.
  4. Insert the mirror into the frame. Your amazing mirror is ready!

Glue the petals row by row with hot glue in a circle

Finished mirror with petals

Master class: Mirror decor with gold leaf

An unusual and modern mirror will turn out if its edges are decorated with gold leaf. If you did not find it, you can take the usual thin foil.

Mirror decor with gold leaf

We need:

  • Glue gun.
  • Mirror of any shape.
  • Foil or gold leaf

Decor technology

  • Take the foil and tear it with different figures.
  • Use a glue gun to glue the edges of the mirror with pieces of foil or gold leaf, adjusting it tightly, one on top of the other.
  • Let dry 1-2 hours.

Glue the foil onto the mirror with a glue gun

The number of mirrors in each house is different, but it is impossible to imagine a situation without them at all. The functionality of this piece of furniture is beyond doubt.

But in terms of aesthetics, not all mirrors look as good as possible. Therefore, if the house has a mirror in the old frame or without it, it is worth trying to fix it. We share simple but effective ideas for transforming a mirror.

1.In a ceramic environment

If the bathroom is planned to be renovated, then the mirror can be mounted directly into the ceramic tile. Fix it to the wall with a suitable adhesive, and then proceed with the laying of tiles or mosaics.

2. With memories of summer

To decorate the mirror, use small river or sea pebbles. It can be glued directly to the mirror with silicone adhesive. If this option is not suitable, cut out the base on which the mirror is glued from thick cardboard, and the upper part with a hole for it. Glue the top part with stones, and then glue both parts together.

3.Original plastic frame

Ordinary disposable plastic spoons become an excellent material for decorating a mirror with your own hands. To make the frame look even more spectacular, we recommend covering them with acrylic paints.

4. For the most economic

The frame for the mirror, which can be made in just a matter of minutes, is made from ordinary wooden clothespins. They can be pre-painted. Just attach the clothespins to the mirror.

5. In stained glass style

Such a mirror, reminiscent of stained glass techniques, is easy to make on your own. To apply dark lines on its surface, use special paint for glass or black tape.

6. Futuristic mirrors from the future

To fix several mirrors, you can use a single base. For example, wooden. Just glue the mirrors with silicone glue.

7. Return to nature

Short branches will be an excellent material for decorating a mirror, especially if they are painted in a bright color. They can be glued directly around the perimeter of the mirror or on the frame.

8. In a nautical style

The frame for the mirror, made of thick rope, will perfectly fit into the interior in a marine style. Additionally, it can be decorated with shells or pebbles.

9. Spring is coming

Artificial flowers will help create a delicate frame for the mirror. Also, the composition can be supplemented with green leaves and fruits. Everything you need for such a mirror decor with your own hands can be purchased at a florist shop.

10. Beads and shells

The combination of beads and shells in the decor of the mirror creates an unforgettable effect. Such an interior detail will harmoniously look in the room of a beautiful lady of any age.

11. A new look at the usual tree

To make such a wooden frame, you need a thick branch. It will need to be cut into thin slices, which are then used as decoration.

12. Affordable paper decor

The most affordable and affordable option for decorating a mirror with your own hands is the use of paper strips. Glue paper strips to the cardboard base, and a mirror on top of them.

13. Decor for the kitchen

Cutlery that has not been used for a long time will become an unusual material for decorating a mirror. An ordinary plate can be used as the basis for this composition. Both a mirror and cutlery are glued to it.

14.Mirror for needlewomen

Those who are fond of sewing or embroidery will definitely like a mirror decorated with spools of thread. Just glue multi-colored coils around the perimeter of the mirror.

15. Bright frame from old magazines

Reading magazines can be useful when decorating a mirror. Cut the page into two or three parts, twist each of which into a tube. It remains only to glue the paper tubes to the mirror or frame.

16. New life for an old T-shirt

Cut the knitted T-shirt into several fairly wide strips and weave a pigtail out of them. Then glue it around the perimeter of the mirror, leaving the edges free, and hang it on the wall.

17. Edible decor

Legumes, cereals, pasta can be made into an unusual material for decorating a mirror with your own hands. Apply a generous layer of glue to a flat frame and sprinkle edible decor over it. After drying, we recommend covering the decorative composition with acrylic varnish.

18.Useful buttons

Mirrors for the most sporty.

Old rackets can also act as a frame for a mirror. Finding a ready-made, suitable mirror can be problematic. But you can cut the right size and shape in a workshop that specializes in working with glass.

20. More shine

Decorative glass pebbles are used to decorate a regular frame. You can buy them in stores specializing in the sale of goods for animals. Most often they are used to decorate aquariums.

Mirrors are an important element in any apartment. Whatever shapes and sizes they are, they all need a quality frame: a frame that matches the style. You can build it yourself, without resorting to the services of a framing workshop. In addition to reducing material costs, such a frame can become a truly unique piece of decor.

Today, there are so many materials from which you can make a frame for a mirror that everyone can definitely find an option to their liking among them: from classic gypsum and wood to more non-standard trifles like broken glass, shells, etc. The choice often depends on the style of the interior, where the mirror will be, and also what area needs to be processed.

For example, to create a frame of small plastic flowers on a mirror measuring 2 by 4 m by hand is quite long and irrational. In addition, such a design on a large object will also not look very impressive. But this option is good for small mirrors (20 by 30 cm) located in a group. The width of the frame will also be selected depending on the parameters of the mirror: the smaller it is, the narrower the frame should be, otherwise the object will lose all its functionality. At the same time, even for large wall mirrors, it is not recommended to make frames with a width of more than 5-7 cm.

For small mirrors, cardboard frames are ideal, which are subsequently decorated with any small items: beads, buttons, broken glass. It looks especially interesting if the mirror is square or round, 10 by 10 in size, and its frame has the same shape and width. Such mirrors have a more decorative function, since they are too small for their full use, but they can become an excellent interior decoration. For this purpose, 3 sheets of thick cardboard are prepared (the color is chosen at will), whose height and width are 30 cm each. In addition, you need glue in a stick, a glue gun (for decoration) and decorative little things themselves. It is also recommended to think in advance about the pattern that will be laid out on the surface of the frame.

The 1st sheet of cardboard is a "back", it can be temporarily set aside, the 2nd - the front of the future frame. In it, it is required to cut out a “window” in the center, the dimensions of which will be 0.5 cm smaller than that of the mirror so that it does not fall out. And the 3rd sheet will become a kind of “gasket” between the previous ones: a “window” is also cut through it, but already completely in the size of a mirror. All sheets of cardboard are glued together, and they are given time to dry completely under pressure - so that deformation does not occur.

As soon as the base blank of the frame becomes completely dry, a drawing is outlined on its front side with a pencil, and hot glue is applied to it with small drops from a glue gun. It is recommended to work sequentially, in limited areas, immediately seating decorative elements on the glue. When the entire frame is framed, the product is carefully turned upside down to check if all the parts are fixed. If yes, then the work on creating a frame for a small decorative mirror is completed.

The original frame from the ceiling plinth


Massive, thick frames with complex patterns are ideal for large wall mirrors and baroque interiors. They are mainly made of wood, but it is quite expensive, and the weight of such a frame is not small. At home, you can make an imitation of a ceiling plinth, which, after a few simple manipulations, will look just as good. But it should be noted right away that this technology works best with rectangular and square mirrors - for an oval one it is impossible to bend the skirting board around the entire perimeter.

To start making such a frame, you will need to choose a ceiling plinth that suits you in width and pattern, the length of which will be equal to the perimeter of the mirror without any additions. For decoration, putty, acrylic white paint, brown and gold furniture paint (or black and silver, depending on the color scheme of your room), as well as acrylic varnish, a sponge and auxiliary tools - scissors, a shoe knife, a ruler-corner, glue gun. If you want to make an additional mount on the mirror, you will need to purchase a sheet of plywood and special glue for mirror paintings, as well as thick twine.

The starting stage is work with the frame frame. The plinth is applied along the perimeter of the mirror and cut into 4 parts exactly along its height and width. Then, from each end, you need to remove parts that interfere with the correct addition of parts: for this you need a ruler-corner. Thanks to her, the plinth is cut diagonally, so that it looks like a strongly elongated trapezoid, in which the long base is the outer side, the short one is the inner one, directed towards the mirror. If everything is done correctly, all 4 parts will easily fit into a rectangle with no gaps. At the joints, the ceiling plinth is fixed with a glue gun. Then the frame frame is removed from the mirror.

When the glue has cooled, work with the plinth continues. The putty must be diluted with water so that the resulting mixture resembles sour cream in its density, after which it is carefully covered with a frame from the outside and inside. For drying, it is recommended to keep the product in a vertical position, it can be a little at an angle: it will take several hours, but until the putty is completely set, you can’t move on.

Now comes the framing stage. The entire plinth, including its inner zones, is thickly stained with brown acrylic paint, and it is again given time to dry. If your interior is in cold colors, you can use black paint. Then, using a smaller brush, the frame must be coated with acrylic varnish, which should also dry well. Then comes the turn of golden paint, already applied with a sponge - this will create the effect of flying gilding, which means it will add “age” to the “tree”. After a new stage of drying, you will also need to fix the result with varnish. Now it remains only to seat the frame on the mirror, and fix it as you wish.

Let's make it harder: a frame made of wood


Making wooden mirror frames yourself is the most difficult thing, since working with wood requires a large number of special tools. In addition, for large-area mirror sheets, it is important to create protection against possible damage, which also implies a special technology. Therefore, in the absence of the necessary skills, it is recommended to start experiments with frames for small mirrors - wall or table.

The easiest way, of course, is to use the same blank as in the case of a ceiling plinth - a door trim. For a large mirror, this is an ideal frame, which only needs to be sanded and covered with paint and varnish, carefully drying each layer. For smaller ones, you can purchase wooden thin profiles, which are available in any framing workshop or hobby goods store. The dimensions are selected so that the resulting “window” inside is at least 2 cm smaller than the perimeter of the mirror itself.

By analogy with the ceiling plinth, the wooden profiles along the outer edges are cut at an angle of 45 degrees, so that later all 4 parts can be combined into a rectangle. The cuts are sanded, after which they need to be connected and fixed. This is done either through angle clamps or through a rubber band. For small mirrors that have almost no weight, you can use a glue gun. In the end, all that remains is to go over the entire frame with sandpaper and arrange it according to your taste: varnish, paint, add painting or other decorative elements.

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