How To Make Your Own (Affordable) Floor Mirror
Ryan and Michelle are all about DIY projects in and around their Annapolis, Maryland home. Whether it’s propagating bamboo for privacy fencing, re-tiling bathrooms, or building custom furniture pieces, they love projects that allow them to save money while making their house more of a home. Ryan’s latest project – a DIY floor mirror – is no exception. Learn how to make your own by following his helpful tutorial.
What You Need
- Large mirror
- Mirror/glass cutter (if your mirror isn’t the exact size you desire)
- 3 2×4 pieces of wood to frame the mirror
- Eight bolts
- Eight washers
- Drill bit that is slightly thinner than the bolts
- Circular saw
- Electric screw driver/drill
- Tape measurer
- Pencil
- Black dry erase marker
- Protective eyewear
- Gloves
Instructions
Cut the mirror to size
Step 1. You’ll want to measure the desired dimensions for your mirror. For this project, I measured 60 inches tall by 20 inches wide. Using the black marker, draw a line marking the dimensions.
Step 2. Score the mirror using your glass cutter. Snap the scored piece of the mirror off by lining the score line up with the edge of a table, or flip it over, place a 2×4 along the score line, and then apply weight to the wood while carefully pulling back on the larger section of the mirror. Pro-Tip: It’s never a bad idea to wear protective eye wear when working with glass.
Cut the wood frame
Step 3. For this design, I intentionally wanted the vertical pieces of frame to stick out 6 inches above and 6 inches below the height of the mirror to look like a ladder. So, the vertical pieces of the frame should be cut 12 inches longer than the height of the mirror (that’s 72 inches for this mirror). Lay the two pieces of wood next to the mirror which will become the vertical pieces of the frame, and measure 6 inches above and 6 inches below the height of the mirror and draw a line. Set aside.
Step 4. Measure the shorter, horizontal pieces next. You will need to measure each piece 0.5 inches shorter than the width of the actual mirror, as the mirror will later be set into the frame 0.25 inches on each side. For this particular mirror, I measured 19.5 inches for both pieces.
Step 5. Using the circular saw, cut each side of the frame along the marked lines.
Cut the grooves
Step 6. You’ll want to cut grooves into each of the 4 frame pieces so the mirror can rest securely in the frame once it’s assembled. Adjust the blade of the circular saw to that it only protrudes 0.25 inches from the base plate.
Step 7. Draw a line down the center of one of the pieces of wood, and cut out a groove that is 0.25 inches deep. Depending on the thickness of your mirror, you may need to go back over the groove and make it slightly wider. After you make the initial groove, place it over the edge of the mirror to see if it fits comfortably–it should have a little room to move around.
Step 8. Once you have cut a groove into one of the 2x4s, use it as a guide for the remaining 3 pieces. You can easily match the 2×4 pieces, and then mark the width of the groove so they are all consistent.
Step 9. Once all of the grooves are cut, make sure the mirror fits and the pieces lay flush with each other. You can do this by placing the long side of the mirror in one of the longer frame pieces, and then filling in the remaining pieces while the mirror is still on its side. It’ll be a bit of a balancing act, but you want to make sure they all fit together before securing them.
Assemble the frame
Step 10. After you have checked the fit of the 4 sides, remove the longer top wood piece and one of the shorter pieces (either top or bottom). So you should still have 2 pieces of the frame around the mirror, the longer piece that the mirror is resting on, and an adjacent shorter piece. With a pencil, mark where the two pieces intersect. This will help you know where to place the bolts.
Step 11. Once you’ve made marks on one of the longer side pieces, remove the mirror, and flip the two pieces of wood so the long side is at the top, resting on the shorter piece. You many want to rest the other end of the longer frame piece to ensure your pieces are perfectly perpendicular, so your pilot holes go in straight.
Step 12. Make two dots where you will drill your pilot holes. It’s very important your pilot holes line up in the wood–if your holes aren’t straight and centered, you could end up with splintered wood. Drill the holes, making sure the two pieces stay aligned.
Step 13. With a washer on each bolt, carefully secure the bolts into the wood. Repeat steps 10-13 using the second short piece, attaching it to the same longer side piece.
Step 14. Now that you have 3 of the 4 pieces secured, flip the frame back over so the missing fourth side is at the top. Slide your mirror into the grooves, and place the final piece of the frame on top. Repeat steps 10-13 again until all 4 sides are secured with washers and bolts.
Step 15. (Optional) Your floor mirror is finished! You can stain or paint the frame to finalize the look, or leave it unfinished for a nice raw look. If you’re concerned about it sliding or scratching the floor or walls, feel free to add strips of furniture felt as needed.
Thanks for sharing, Ryan!
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