How to Frame a Mirror: 6 Types of Mirror Frames

There are many types of mirrors that can enhance your interior design. Whether you want to frame a large mirror or a small mirror, this list of basic mirror frames may provide inspiration for your design project.

1. 1. Butted frame: A butted frame involves gluing a few pieces of un-mitered wood together to create a casing for your mirror that resembles antique crown moldings. This common type of DIY frame covers the sides of a frameless mirror, which means you do not need to make intricate miter cuts, and can assemble them piece-by-piece.
2. 2. Corner blocks: Corner block mirror frames involve cutting four pieces of molded mirror framing and joining these pieces at the corners with molded corner blocks, which reinforce the security of the structure and add a characteristic design flair.
3. 3. Ornate: You can usually find ornate frames on antique mirrors, many of which have Baroque-style swirls. These frames have intricate designs that draw attention to your mirror, making it your living room or bedroom focal point. They can be metal frames, wood, or other customizable materials.
4. 4. Mitered: A mitered frame fuses four pieces of molded mirror framing at beveled forty-five-degree angles, also known as a miter cut, which allows you to join the ends of each frame piece to create corners that can easily fit together.
5. 5. Mosaic tile: Mosaic tiles can also make great frames for your mirror. Adorn your cut frame pieces with ceramic tiles in a decorative pattern to create visual interest (or splashes of color) around your mirror to enhance your interior design.
6. 6. Sunburst: A sunburst mirror frame works for circular glass mirrors. It involves framing the circular perimeter of the mirror and adding ornaments to the sunburst-style patterned structure.

Mirror framing can be a fun DIY project, but you need to put it together correctly for safety purposes. Follow these tips to make your interior design project as efficient and safe as possible.

1. 1. Do a practice assembly. After you’ve cut your frame pieces to the correct size, do a test assembly to ensure that the pieces fit together and look right up against the mirror. Use painter’s tape to hold your frame together before gluing the pieces together. Stabilizing the structure with tape can help you find gaps or ill-fitting components that lead to an uneven frame.
2. 2. Sand down wooden frames. Humidity and moisture in the bathroom—where a vanity mirror would be—can warp wooden mirror frames if you’re not careful. Sand your frame and apply enough sealant to help protect the wood pieces from expanding or rotting.
3. 3. Use a caulk gun for touch-ups. Use caulk or wood filler to fill in any gaps in your frame pieces, which helps keep out moisture and dirt and improves the look of your frame.
   
4. 4. Install one side at a time. Install your frame piece-by-piece against your mirror, rather than assembling it all at once, then placing it on the mirror. Start with the bottom piece and work your way around to the side and top of the mirror frame.
5. 5. Clean the mirror glass. Adhesive doesn’t stick to dirty glass surfaces, so clean your mirror thoroughly before attaching your frame to it.

Follow these steps to make an easy DIY bathroom mirror frame.

1. 1. Measure the mirror. Measure the dimensions of your mirror with a tape measure, which will be the basis for the frame’s size. Write down the mirror’s length, width, and depth to get all the right dimensions for your frame. Learn how to read a tape measure.
2. 2. Select the frame. Choose the material for your frame based on your style preferences. You can use wood, metal, or medium-density fiberboard (MDF), though wood is the easiest to cut and customize.
3. 3. Cut the frame pieces. Use a miter saw or other appropriate cutting tool (in accordance with your design) to cut your frame materials to the sides of your mirror frame. If you’re fixing the frame to the wall without adhesive—rather than simply gluing it to your mirror—create a notch where you can secure the frame to the wall.
4. 4. Paint the boards. Paint the cut mirror frame pieces with spray paint, chalk paint, or regular paint (using a paintbrush). Paint the back of the boards because the mirror’s reflective surface will show the underside of the frame.
5. 5. Use sandpaper to smooth the edges. Sanding your frame pieces forms a water-resistant seal that will prevent the pieces from warping. Once the paint dries, use sandpaper or a sanding tool to smooth the edges of the mirror frame pieces.
6. 6. Secure the frame to the mirror. Use construction adhesive or wood glue to attach the frame to the mirror, piece by piece, starting with the bottom piece. Apply the glue to the back of the frame, about an inch in from the edges, then press against the mirror. Use painter’s tape to hold the pieces in place while they dry against the mirror.

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