How to decorate a mirror: ideas and examples of popular decor

Features of handmade decoration

Designers consider a mirror to be a universal decoration for any space. But, if you want your living room, bathroom or bedroom to look unusual, you should think about homemade mirror surface decor.

Wooden decor is always in fashion Source i.pinimg.com

Handmade design is becoming an increasingly popular area. Thanks to things made or decorated with your own hands, the house is filled with comfort and acquires individual features. The design of a mirror surface has the following advantages:

• Uniqueness. The final result depends only on your imagination, which can only be limited by the style of the room. The product is unique and reflects the personality of the author.

Fragment of mosaic decoration Source mr-build.ru

• Variety of techniques. The number of techniques used for decoration is incalculable, and every year something new appears. Even the results of using standard techniques like decoupage are endlessly varied.

Tiling in Italian style Source cs5.livemaster.ru

• Variety of materials. If you like original solutions, you can come up with an interesting option using a simple combination of ordinary materials.

Decoupage Source rumpus.ru

• Safety. Sometimes factory products are treated with compounds that are hazardous to health, which can cause allergies or headaches. When you choose how to decorate the mirror, this will not happen.

Summer Memories Source www.jimmyssliceventuracrafteats.com

• Budgeting. In most cases, minimal financial outlay will be required, as well as a little patience and accuracy.

From egg trays Source i.pinimg.com

Edge decoration technique

The technology described involves applying decor directly along the edges on the outer surface of the mirror. In the vast majority of cases, the question of how to decorate a mirror at home using this technology involves the use of one or more stencils.

To complete all the work you will need:

• The stencil itself or stencils. You can draw them yourself or use ready-made ones. You can find quite a few original and ready-made stencils on the Internet; you just need to download them, print them and then cut them out;
• Acrylic waterproof paint in one or several colors, it all depends on the chosen pattern;
• Sponge and set of brushes;
• Special masking tape. As a last resort, you can use a regular clerical one;
• Special solvent for removing paint.

Once the stencils and all the necessary tools are ready, you can start working.

First, we glue the stencil of the future design, for which we use tape. If the design is multi-colored, tape the areas that will be painted in a different color. Next, paint is applied with a sponge or large brush.

After drying, carefully remove the stencil, remove the remaining tape and, if necessary, remove paint smudges with a cotton swab. After this, use a small brush to highlight the perimeter of the drawing, apply the necessary strokes and shades.

After the paint has dried, the decor of your mirror will be ready. With multi-color drawings, everything is a little more complicated, but after thinking through all the steps and trying it on rough glass, you will certainly be able to get the desired result.

Decoration methods and styles

It doesn’t matter whether you want to decorate your living room with an original decorative element, or simply update the appearance of an old mirror, there are not many fundamental approaches. If your plans do not include buying a new frame, there are two options left - play with the decor of the old frame or create a new decor of the frame or mirror canvas from scratch. There are two ways to decorate your home:

• Frame decor. If the mirror canvas has a frame, the task is simplified. If there is no frame, it can be made from plywood, thick cardboard or fiberboard. The base is not so important if it is completely hidden under the decor.

Mosaic frame Source klops.ru

• Decor on a mirror surface. Before decorating a mirror without a frame, think through the style and order of application of the elements. Then glue is applied to the edge of the surface and decorative details are laid out. The design can be solid or openwork. Various painting options are also possible: stained glass, dotted, handmade.

Decorative painting with stained glass paints Source my-art.at.ua
Industrial decoration includes sandblasting techniques (abrasive jet engraving), etching of the amalgam of the product with subsequent painting, various types of stained glass (classical, fusing, sandblasting). If the mirror is decorated with sandblasting, it may be possible to combine it with hand painting.

Local location of the painting Source i1.photo.2gis.com

In order for the mirror surface to fit harmoniously into the interior, it is necessary to take into account the design of the room. For different styles, the following mirror decor ideas are possible:

• Classic styles, modern. Painting on a mirror cloth or mosaic would be suitable.
• Loft. An option could be a frame made of pieces of laminate or a frame made of PVC pipes, decorated with wooden saw cuts.

Classic decor Source i.pinimg.com

• Mediterranean, marine style. Traditional decor - sinks and flat multi-colored pebbles - would also be appropriate in the bathroom.
• Country styles, Provence. The decoupage technique, finishing with fabrics (linen, burlap), rope, and possibly embroidery are applicable.

Mosaic composition Source zzzerkalo.com

• High-tech, steampunk. The frame is covered with black or gray (metallic) paint, decorated with small chrome parts, gears, and bolts.
• Art-believe. Any shocking material, from multi-colored broken glass to plastic spoons and forks.
• Eco-, ethnic style. Natural materials: branches, bark, bamboo, straw weaving, dried flowers preserved with hairspray.

From wooden cuts Source m-living.vecernji.hr
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in glazing and the production of finishing and paint materials

Original mirror decor

It's time to look at examples of how to decorate a mirror. Below are several master classes that you can take as a basis.

Mirror with lace frame

A very interesting way to decorate a mirror with your own hands.

You don't even need special skills, just a sense of taste.

You will need:

1. Medium round mirror.
2. Woven lace napkins, mirror size.
3. Scissors or utility knife.
4. Good double-sided tape (buy at a hardware store).
5. Baker's parchment.
6. Aerosol paint.

So, now you can move on to the decor:

1. Place parchment paper on the table to avoid getting paint on it. You can replace it with newspaper, film, etc.
2. Place a napkin on top and spray with spray paint. On average, setting occurs within an hour, so do not even touch the fabric during this time.
3. You need to glue double-sided tape to the back of the mirror.
4. Trim it around the perimeter.
5. All that remains is to glue one to the other.

Please note that the tape does not gain strength immediately. Some do this within an hour, others for several days. You can read this on the packaging. If you do not maintain the shutter speed, the frame for the mirror will fall off.

This mirror can be hung in the hallway or bedroom, but it is not recommended in the bathroom. The fabric may become damp and come off the glue.

Flower stencil on the mirror

How to decorate a mirror without a frame? This is not a problem if you know how to draw at least a little. For this technology you will need the following:

1. Artistic brushes, preferably soft ones.
2. Acrylic based paints.
3. Soft pencil.
4. Kitchen sponge.
5. Masking tape.
6. Stencil.
7. Acetone or nail polish remover.

When everything is prepared, you can begin:

1. Stencils can be purchased ready-made in the store. Disposable ones cost less and are made of paper. If you are going to do this professionally, you can take silicone ones.
2. The template must be secured to the mirror using masking tape and painted over. It is better to take a wide brush so that brush strokes are not noticeable, which will spoil the decor of the mirror made by yourself.

Overall, that's it. If smudges appear, you can remove them with regular acetone.

Instead of acrylic paints, you can use stained glass paints; they are also sold in art stores.

It is better to take those that do not require baking.

By the way, you can make stencils yourself.

To do this, print this drawing on thick paper (preferably coated) and cut it out along the contour - it will turn out just as good.

Mosaic

What are they used to make decor?

If your plate breaks, it is definitely lucky.

From its fragments you can make a mosaic that will interestingly decorate the mirror surface. Any painted porcelain or colored glass is suitable for this role.

They can be glued using regular hot glue or silicone.

If the pieces are flat, double-sided tape will also work.

Another option is to buy stained glass mosaic.

This is a transparent film with a self-adhesive layer.

It will be much easier and more convenient. This way you can frame a rectangular mirror.

Textile

Simple decoration of a mirror can be done with your own hands from textiles.

To do this you will need regular lace or thicker braid. This way, gaps and gluing areas will not be visible.

To secure the tape, use hot glue or clear double-sided tape.

After gluing, press the tape with a press.

This is a good option for a living room where there is no moisture or dampness.

This way you can frame a long mirror, which is inconvenient to work with wood or mosaic.

Paper

You can decorate a mirror with your own hands using paper. In the hallway or bedroom, where there are no drafts or moisture, this is a completely workable decoration option.

There are several ways:

1. Egg packaging. If you cut out the cells from the packaging, you can make roses and glue them to the mirror using hot glue or silicone. Please note that this cardboard copes well with moderate humidity, so the decor will last longer.
2. Self-adhesive. Not a bad and fast option. At a construction store or craft store, buy self-adhesive paper with a design you like. Take the one made of vinyl. After that, just stick it around the perimeter and you’ll have a great frame.

It copes well with humidity, and if it comes off, you can always replace it.

Materials

Many people faced with the question of how to decorate a mirror may have difficulty choosing the appropriate material. To simplify the task, you can rely on the style of the room and your own skills. Common materials include the following:

• Wood. If you have the skills, the frame can be decorated with carving or burning. Otherwise, natural materials are used. Interesting panels are made from branches, bark and saw cuts of different diameters. Branches and cones painted with gold and silver paint, sprinkled with artificial snow, will cheer you up during the New Year holidays.

Stylish frame made of untreated wood Source i.pinimg.com

• Textile. A great opportunity to adapt a mirror frame to the interior is to cover it with textiles. To make it harmonious, choose a fabric that matches the upholstery.

With painting Source i.ytimg.com

• Leather. Leather decoration looks noble in any interior, no matter whether it is made of material of one or several shades. It is preferable to use genuine leather, since leatherette is less elastic and cracks over time.

Made from leather Source cdn.shopify.com

• Polyurethane. The decor for a mirror made of polyurethane is durable and lightweight, and is also not afraid of high humidity and temperature, which allows you to decorate a bathroom mirror with a polyurethane frame. The easiest way is to assemble a base from ready-made ceiling cornices (baguettes) or moldings, and then paint it to your liking.

From ceiling plinth Source avatars.mds.yandex.net

• Gypsum. A wooden or plastic frame can be refreshed with plaster castings. There are many silicone molds on sale for casting small stucco decorations from plaster. Similar decorations can be made from plastic.

With plaster decor Source roomester.ru

Frame update

If the old mirror does not fit into the concept of the updated interior, do not rush to get upset and look for a replacement. Often, after some thought, it turns out that the frame can be updated and fit into a new environment. There are several proven ways to decorate an old mirror.

The easiest way to update a frame is made of polyurethane. If the decor itself suits you, but the color does not suit you, you can simply repaint it using acrylic paint.

Transformation by coloring Source www.nastroy.net

You can do more things with wooden frames, for example, give an old frame a spectacular vintage look. The easiest way is to sand the edges with fine sandpaper; noble abrasions are guaranteed to you. Such a mirror will take its rightful place in a Provence, shabby chic or Scandinavian interior. Using a more complex technology, a first layer of paint is applied to the prepared frame, dried, then a layer of a second, contrasting paint is applied, and it is immediately washed off in raised areas.

Mirror with patina Source www.kp40.ru

There are many other techniques to give a frame a chic look: gilding, patination, aging techniques. Each of them can be performed in different ways. So, aging can look like contrasting silver (or gold) abrasions on a light or dark background. The patina can be light on a dark background or dark on a light background.

Beautiful mirror wall decor is obtained using tiles or mosaics. This design method is suitable for flat frames. It will turn out more interesting if you use a material that has different textures and shades; the layout will resemble a trendy patchwork.

Mosaic Source www.ogorod.ru

Mirror frames are always popular. The material for such a frame is mirror glass with a special coating. It is made in the form of a mirror mosaic or mirror tiles; Variants are produced with and without fascia, with a sandblasted pattern, in different shades. The design will turn out to be budget-friendly if the house has accumulated a number of small mirrors from cosmetics (eye shadows or powder compacts).

Mosaic glass sample Source i.etsystatic.com

Photo of round mirrors in the living room interior

As you can see, a round mirror will fit well into the interior of any living room, and choosing it is not at all difficult, and it looks softer than a massive square or rectangular one. And here are some more ideas for inspiration that will help you choose the appropriate version of such a mirror for your small living room in an apartment or a spacious hall in a country house.

An example of a round mirror above a fireplace in the design of a large living room

Popular decor ideas

To transform a mirror, and with it the surrounding space, sometimes the simplest things are enough, for example, a collection of seashells. This framing is a pleasant reminder of summer vacation, and therefore puts you in a positive mood.

Decorating work begins with gluing the largest shells, organically placing them over the entire surface. Smaller shells are glued into the gaps, and the gaps are filled with pebbles or, for example, white beads, symbolizing pearls. I leave the finished composition to dry for at least a day, and then cover it with colorless varnish.

Summer decor Source i.pinimg.com

Crafts made from wine corks are varied and popular all over the world. These seemingly unnecessary items turn into beautiful and useful things. The reason for its popularity lies in the natural origin of the material and the possibility of bold experiments. Depending on the interior, cork decor is glued to the mirror along, across or in a herringbone pattern. Both whole corks and cut into pieces are suitable for work.

Wine corks in circles Source blogspot.com

The mirror frame made of hemp rope will not go unnoticed. The natural frame will fit into the interior with a marine theme and will be at home in the living room, hallway or nursery.

Eco-design is in place everywhere Source kvartblog.ru

Techniques for decorating walls with mirrors

The main rule that you need to remember when you want to decorate a room with mirrors is that the larger the size of the objects, the fewer of them there should be in the room. That is, when buying a huge attribute in a beautiful forged or mosaic frame, you can be sure that this element will be quite enough for the room.

Large elements are mainly placed on the wall behind upholstered furniture, near a small cabinet, cabinet or kitchen table. There is no need to add other mirror elements to the interior; moreover, this may cause some imbalance and will not look harmonious.

Related article: Useful tips for decorating a niche in the wall

Video description

About mirror decorating ideas in the following video:
If you are patient enough, try decorating a mirror with unusual materials such as seeds, grains and legumes. Edible decor has a rare variety of shapes, sizes and colors, so the frame will look bright and graphic. This material is applied to a flat surface generously coated with glue. To prevent bugs from attacking the frame, it is recommended to cover the decor with acrylic varnish.

From beans and lentils Source kakpostroit.su

If you loved making crafts from plasticine as a child, try decorating a mirror using polymer clay. From a sufficiently large and thick layer, you can make a spectacular frame if you use textures to create a pattern on the surface, as well as the color gradient technique. It is also possible to produce three-dimensional decor, manually or using a variety of stamps.

Made from polymer clay Source blogspot.com

An original and budget-friendly, albeit somewhat unexpected, material for decorating a mirror will be wooden clothespins. There is a subtlety here - in order for the frame to look like a work of art, and not a crooked craft, the clothespins must be positioned strictly in a circle, without displacement.

This can be easily achieved by setting the indent value. The necessary border will be the edge of a plate or jar of a suitable size placed on the surface. It is convenient to apply the glue with a glue gun.

From clothespins Source i.pinimg.com

Another budget material is toilet paper rolls. Unexpectedly, waste raw materials can produce an elegant design that can make any interior interesting. The bushings are cleaned and painted with acrylic paint in a suitable color, sometimes in several layers to obtain a deeper shade.

Then the parts are made that will become the basis of the openwork structure. Each tube is folded in half and cut into pieces 2 cm thick. The resulting petals are from which the pattern is assembled. The parts are coated with hot glue only along the edges, at the joints.

In a modern style Source i.pinimg.com

A method that does not require excessive costs, but invariably gives excellent results, is decoupage. Essentially, this is an applique of a cut or torn image. It is glued to the surface of the workpiece, and then secured with varnish.

Anyone who is interested in how to decorate a mirror using a similar technique will be pleased to know that decoupage is done on a wide variety of surfaces, from wood and metal, to leather and cardboard. If the surface does not absorb paint (glass, plastic, metal, porcelain), it is necessary to use a special primer, as well as spray paints and varnishes; otherwise the decor will not stick.

Decoupage technique Source i.pinimg.com

Decor using improvised means

When imagination begins to work with all its might, the most unexpected ways of decoration appear. These include an improvised frame made from disposable plastic spoons. The idea is simple, but that doesn’t make it any less original. The handles of the spoons are separated and glued to the base in the form of petals. For the frame it is convenient to use cardboard covered with fabric. When the composition is ready and the glue has dried, spray paint is applied to it.

Gradient frame Source i.pinimg.com

An original, albeit more expensive way to design a frame for decorating mirrors on the wall is with wooden rulers. Consumption depends on the size of the mirror, but it must be taken into account that such decoration looks best on a large format. Both new and old lines will look good.

From rulers of two colors Source blogspot.com

A round mirror can be decorated with pencils of the same color. The work is not difficult, but quite monotonous and labor-intensive. The pencils are glued to the base, for which a suitable color is selected.

This frame required 231 pencils. The edge is decorated with red and blue glass beads, as well as rhinestones and hand-cut pieces of red and blue glass.

Red and blue frame Source blogspot.com

From small toys

A technique similar to plastic spoons is used.

Toys, depending on the desired effect, are painted after being assembled into a composition. Used in the original color or selectively colored separately, then assembled onto a base.

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Video description

About a mirror made of plastic spoons in the following video:
A beautiful design is obtained from glass marbles, a popular children's game in many countries around the world. Manufacturers produce balls of all colors of the rainbow, transparent, matte, pearlescent, with stains; There are flat, oval and shaped options. Balls are suitable as decor for a bathroom mirror, but the base for them (due to their weight) must be made especially strong.

From balls Source kep.cdn.indexvas.hu

Beads, rhinestones and beads can turn an ordinary mirror into a work of art. The color palette is chosen with an eye to the interior; It is better to use glass jewelry - it refracts light beautifully. Compositions of transparent materials are assembled onto transparent silicone sealant.

Painstaking work Source hgtvhome.sndimg.com

Decorating walls with mirrors is a fashion trend in recent years. A composition of several mirrors looks original and visually increases the space. The shape can be very different; The combination of mirrors with smooth and shaped edges has a beautiful look.

Stylish solution Source aviarydecor.com

Ordinary lace doilies are used to make an unusually feminine accessory. To work, you will need a paper napkin of a suitable size and a round mirror without a frame. To matt the surface, you can’t do without a can of translucent aerosol paint, with a pearlescent effect.

Napkin as a stencil Source i0.wp.com

A smooth glass surface can be decorated with stickers - acrylic (for example, mirror) stickers. The decor will add sophistication to any interior and can be used in all rooms. The theme of stickers can be plants, abstract figures, geometric and fantasy patterns.

Decorative mirrors Source www.kosovamanagement.com

Briefly about the main thing

The growing popularity of hand-made items every year is explained by their uniqueness and, in many cases, budget. A hand-decorated mirror will add a touch of individuality to the interior and demonstrate the taste of the owners.

Mirror decoration is done in two ways: on the frame and on the mirror surface. It is important that the accessory fits harmoniously into the surrounding space, so it is designed in accordance with the style of the room.

A variety of materials are used for decoration; Popular ones include wood, leather, and plastic. The easiest way to update a frame is to paint it a new color, perhaps giving it a vintage look.

Wrapping techniques are common; The material used is the usual mosaic, costume jewelry, grain crops, seashells, and in the case of decoupage, images. There are also more exotic options: decor from plastic spoons, glass balls and stationery.

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Decor options

When positioned correctly, the design can increase space, create the illusion of a large and spacious room, and also stylishly decorate the interior. To decorate a mirror, various materials can be used, which are often found in every home. A little imagination and desire will help you create a real work of art, and the fact that everything is done with your own hands will make the design priceless.

Most often, a mirror is decorated by creating a decorative frame around the edges. This type of work does not require special skills and knowledge; good taste and a creative approach to business are much more important.

Materials for creating a mirror frame can be:

• shells;
• bijouterie;
• thick paper;
• broken glass or dishes;
• mosaic;
• bamboo sticks and other wooden elements.

Frame made of broken dishes

If you don’t want to throw away a broken favorite vase or cup, you can use them to decorate a mirror. Shards of dishes need to be cut into mosaics; a professional tool is used for this. Small components are glued onto a pre-prepared pattern with regular glue, beads, mother-of-pearl stones and other elements are added. At the last stage, the surface of the frame is rubbed with regular grout, after which it is wiped with a rag.

Decorative frame made of broken dishes

In the video: mirror decor made from broken dishes.

Decorating with shells

To work you will need acrylic paints, glue and many shells of different shapes and sizes. A layer of glue is applied to the prepared surface, on which the shells are laid. The placement of shells can be varied: straight lines, curves, circles, waves, etc. After drying, the composition can be covered with a layer of acrylic paint or simply varnish to secure the result.

Related article: Wall decor with “live” butterflies

Mirror decor with shells

In the video: decorating a mirror with shells.

Decor with various stones

Decoration using stones looks beautiful and expensive. It is worth remembering that glass drops look quite massive, so there should be enough free space around them. The stones must be of the same type and with the same pattern. Small pebbles, glass drops, crystal, decorative stone, Murano glass drops, rhinestones and other elements are suitable as decorations. For fastening, a special glue for rhinestones is used, which ensures maximum transparency.

Transparent stones look beautiful in addition to rock crystal crystals. Based on the style of the interior, you can try other, brighter and more saturated shades.

In the video: decor options made from stones.