How to Make a Simple Craftsman-Style Mirror Frame
Want to give your bathroom a little facelift without breaking the bank? Here’s a tip: put a frame around your existing bathroom mirror! Not only is this a super cost-effective way to update the space, but it instantly makes your mirror look like it came straight out of a designer catalog.
You don’t need to hire a contractor or sell a kidney to do it! Just grab some trim, your wood tools, and a bit of glue, and voilà—your bathroom just went from basic to bougie in no time. Here are a few variations. I went with the easiest option, ha!
On a more personal note, I’m working on refreshing our upstairs hall bathroom. You can see the mood board here. One of the things I originally planned to do was replace the mirror. However, after considering it (and my budget), I decided to keep the mirror and install a craftsman-style frame around it. Perhaps I’ll use the savings for a new light fixture in here!
Interested to see how I did it? Follow the steps below!
What you’ll need
- 1×2 primed MDF
- 1×3 primed MDF
- 1×4 primed MDF
- Brad Nailer and Brad Nails
- Construction Adhesive
- Painter’s Caulk
- Sandpaper
- Paint/Paintbrush
Note: The measurements given are approximate and for a 20×36-inch mirror. Double-check the dimensions of your mirror and adjust them as needed.
Cut List:
- 2 side pieces from 1×3, cut to 35 ⅞ inches
- 2 top and bottom pieces from 1×4 cut to 25 inches
- 1 top trim piece from 1×2 cut to 26 inches
How to Make a Craftsman-Style Bathroom Mirror
How to Make a Craftsman-Style Frame for Your Bathroom Mirror
Total time: 1 day
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Attach two side pieces
Attach the two vertical 1×3 side pieces flush with the mirror using a brad nailer.
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Attach the bottom frame piece
Using a brad nailer, attach the bottom 1×4 piece under the mirror so it sits flush with the mirror and the bottom of the two side pieces.
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Attach top frame piece (1×2)
Apply a small amount of construction adhesive or wood glue on the tops of the side pieces and the back of the 1×2. Position it along the top of the mirror so that it extends half an inch on each side and is level with the mirror and the two side pieces.
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Attach the final top frame piece
Now, attach the 1×4 piece of the frame to the top so that it is level with the 1×2 piece, and nail it in place using brad nails.
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Caulk and sand your frame
Remember to fill the nail holes and seams in your trim pieces with painter’s caulk. This will make the frame look like one smooth piece. After the caulk is completely dry, sand it until smooth, then clean up any dust and debris.
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Paint the Frame
Final step! Paint the frame your desired color.
Final Result
Here’s how it turned out! Disclaimer: This bathroom is windowless and SO hard to photograph. Sorry if the photos are a bit grainy!
Did you know?
If you would rather not DIY, you can buy premade mirror kits. I worked with Frame My Mirror years ago, and the process was straightforward!
Either way, this is a quick and easy project that packs a big punch. It gives your bathroom that designer look on a DIY budget. Trust me, once you see the difference it makes, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
