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How to Build a Vanity Mirror

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Submitted by Ana White on Tue, 02/15/2011 - 21:16
Difficulty
Beginner
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How to fancy up a builder grade mirror. Completed mirror can be mounted on any wall. Shown in a custom vanity hutch.

custom vanity mirror with storage shelves

I kind of built myself into a corner on this one.  Apologies in advance for the poorly lit photo.

Many years ago, we built this hutch on the bathroom vanity in the master bath to claim some vertical storage space, and I just could not figure out exactly how to get the right mirror put in the right place.

So our master bath sat mirrorless for about half a decade.

Sad, huh?

It's not that I didn't want to put a mirror up (and yes, we did buy a cheapo mirror and lean it up against the wall), I just wasn't quite sure how.  There is so little clearance behind the sink, most frames wouldn't fit, and the opening is non standard, so most off the shelf mirrors wouldn't work anyway.  We could have a mirror custom made and framed, but that can get quite spendy.  We could have had a mirror custom cut and glued in place, but still, the edges would never be perfect and I've  never been a fan of gluing mirrors to walls.    We considered hanging an oval shaped mirror in the center, but the lighting in the hutch left a utility hole in the wall that I promised the Ram would be covered by the mirror when I convinced him we needed the recessed lighting in the hutch.  See it up in the upper right corner?

So here is the really sad part.

Last Sunday, I made breakfast, started cleaning house as I always do on Sundays, starting with the bathrooms.  While cleaning the master bath, I just decided, today's the day.  Took some measurements and headed out to the garage, screwed a few boards together, slapped some trim on leftover from my mom's bed, attached a mirror to the back with mirror clips . . . and in about twenty minutes . . . yes, twenty minutes . . .

Built a mirror . . .

 

That fits perfect in the hutch (you can see, we've got tons more work to do in this bathroom as well).

Twenty minutes and some scrap boards.

 

 

And I could have enjoyed this every morning for the past five years.

 

 

How many funny faces did we miss out on?

The truth is it may have taken me less time to build the mirror than to scrub the tub, but it has taken me years to figure out just how to build the mirror so it would be easy to install, fit just right, be inexpensive, and look just right.  I want to thank you for being a part of our little community, because I know without any doubts, that you have made me better at what I do.  Had I attempted this mirror just a few years ago, I am certain it would not have come out as well. And I do love my new mirror so, so thank you!

And now I can share that knowledge with others.  If you need a mirror, I hope you build yours today. With this simple plan, a standard mirror and some mirror clips, you can beautify your bath this very afternoon.  I am going to give instructions on how I built my mirror, but you should take my plan and fit it to your needs.  I would love to see someone add coat hooks and a little key shelf under the mirror - or even over it.

All you would need to do different than my plan is add a 1x4 shelf.  Use 1x4 scraps to make the shelf supports and add some hooks.

Preparation

Shopping List

1 – 24″ x 36″ Mirror Mirror clips with 3/4″ screws to match 1 – 1×8 @ 28 1/2″ 1 – 1×6 @ 28 1/2″ 1 – 1×3 @ 8 feet 2 – 1×2 @ 8 feet Heavy duty picture hanging kit 1 1/4″ Screws or nails and glue

Common Materials
Elmer's Wood Glue
Elmer's Wood Filler
120 grit sandpaper
primer
wood conditioner
paint
paint brush
Cut List

Cut List 1 – 1×8 @ 28 1/2″ 1 – 1×6 @ 28 1/2″ 2 – 1×3 @ 35″ 2 – 1×2 @ 48″ 2 – 1×2 @ 25 1/2″ Optional Shelf 1 – 1×4 @ 28 1/2″ (Shelf) 2 – 1×4 @ 6 1/2″ (Shelf Supports – cut out at an angle) Shelf hooks

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Drill
Circular Saw
Power Sander

Instructions

Step 1

Build the Mirror Frame

Lay your 1x3s, 1×6 and 1×8 down and arrange for square. If you have a Kreg Jig™, screw the 1x3s to the 1×8 and 1×6. Lay the long 1x2s on top, to the outside, and screw and glue with 1 1/4″ screws. Adjust for square.

Step 2

Step 3

Mirror

Add the mirror to the back of the frame with the mirror clips. You can also glue the mirror in place. Also add the heavy duty picture hanging kit. Hang use the picture hanging kit and a screw into a stud in the wall or with an appropriately weighted drywall anchor system.

Step 4

Project Type
Bathroom Furniture
Bathroom Vanities
Bathroom Storage
shelves
frames
Home DIY
Room
Bathroom
entry way
Style
Cottage Style Furniture Plans

Comments

laracohran (not verified)

Wed, 02/16/2011 - 02:27

Love it! Is there a plan for that vanity? I am in need of building a total of 3 and love the one here in the pics. Thanks :)

Tiffany (not verified)

Wed, 02/16/2011 - 04:17

Mirror for bathroom! Pshaw! You've proved that we don't need one right? JK- really this is a great step for me to get a mirror in my living room/voice studio! Thanks for the plan!!!!

Lea (not verified)

Wed, 02/16/2011 - 04:24

Stop it, stop it, stop it! Ana, you're killing me! I already have more of your projects on my to-do list than I could build in a month of Sundays with eight arms! And then you have to go and give me the plans for the perfectly proportioned and incredibly affordable mirrors I desperately need to hang above the bedside tables that are impatiently waiting to come to life. Do you have any idea how wonderful you are? You inspire me to beautify my spaces, and you put that inspiration within the reach of both my limited budget and my even more limited talents. I adore you!

IAMSNWFLAKE (not verified)

Wed, 02/16/2011 - 05:04

Ana: I hear you, I spend almost 4 years without a bathroom mirror because in my mind I knew exactly what it looked like but could not find it anywhere. I wish I was as talented as you are (or that I'd found your blog sooner). Yours looks awesome! so perfect with the rest of the furniture. Thanks for sharing!

Lang (not verified)

Wed, 02/16/2011 - 05:40

Ana~You inspire me! I love ALL of your projects! I have gutted my entire bathroom, with exception of my turquoise porcelain tub, which I am in the process of sanding and scuffing, so that I can repaint it. (Hope that goes good!) I couldn't help but notice your beautiful sink. I LOVE it! Do you happen to remember where you got it? I've seen some square ones in my area, but nothing that beautiful. Thanks!

StephT (not verified)

Wed, 02/16/2011 - 06:24

AWESOME!! just what I needed. I am redoing our main bathroom and I asked DH to put a frame around a smaller mirror we have. This is just what I need. I am so building everything.

Jennifer (not verified)

Wed, 02/16/2011 - 06:29

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm dying to make one of these with a little shelf and key hooks! I have the perfect spot right by my back door to the garage! SO EXCITED to see this plan!!!!! You are awesome!

Annalea (not verified)

Wed, 02/16/2011 - 08:14

Lovely! Isn't it great how things can happen so fast when it's finally the right time?

Have you thought about painting it a fun color? Another blue, or gray (which is really hot right now), or . . . (you get my drift). :o) With molding as pretty as that, it's a shame to let it fade into the surrounding hutch so much.

Great job!

Laurie Lozano (not verified)

Wed, 02/16/2011 - 09:03

Love this! I also love the hutch! Do you have plans available for the hutch as well? I've been dieing to do something like this in my bathroom instead of the huge ugly mirror they have attached to the wall.

Thanks so much for all your easy to follow directions!

Jody (not verified)

Wed, 02/16/2011 - 11:22

I'm glad Im not the only one that gets side tracked while cleaning!;) The mirror is beautiful, just like all of your plans are!

Love a Bargin! (not verified)

Wed, 02/16/2011 - 13:28

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, add hutch plans. This would work perfectly in my master bath. I was a little dissapointed when I realized it was just for the mirror after I clicked on it. = ( The side cubbies/shelves I can figure out, its the top part with the recessed lighting that im hung up on. Any idea on when you will post these? I love it the minute I seen it. Thanks for all the great ideas.

Dave Le Marchand (not verified)

Fri, 02/18/2011 - 02:38

Great work... another one for my 'To Do' list. I need to get off this site and do some real work :)

Robin (not verified)

Sat, 02/19/2011 - 03:33

Ok, so I know you love the mirror, but I am lovin the hutch you built above the sink! I hate how bathrooms typically don't have the storage space for all of the stuff we keep in there. I've got this one bookmarked! Thanks Ana!!!

Holly (not verified)

Sat, 02/19/2011 - 04:27

Hi Ana!

Did you build the vanity too? I love the mirror but I think I need the whole thing! I love it!

Malinda (not verified)

Sun, 10/23/2011 - 22:53

A friend of mine told me about your site and I absolutely love it! I have a bathroom in desperate need of the custom vanity and hutch shown in your pic. Did you post these plans on your site or will they be available soon? Thanks!

Miabee

Fri, 01/13/2012 - 18:20

Any word on when we might see the hutch plans? I would love them for our bathroom!

Ali_R (not verified)

Fri, 01/27/2012 - 18:25

I used to work in a stained glass shop as a teen, whenever we worked with mirror we always applied a coat of clear nail polish to the edges to prevent future corrosion/peeling. Something to keep in mind, particularly in a humid bathroom... but I think that's an oxymoron... humidity + Fairbanks.

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