Asked on Oct 14, 2014

Framing bathroom mirrors

TheDIYGirl
by TheDIYGirl
I need advice from Hometalkers who have framed a bathroom mirror. The only thing I have left to do in both bathrooms is frame the mirrors. The problem is the mounting brackets and rubber pads installed behind the mirrors hold them about 3/8" away from the wall. The 2nd bath mirror is only 36" wide, but the master bath mirror is 76" so I dread moving it. I don't see how to frame them without removing the mounting brackets and rubber pads from behind both mirrors and gluing the mirrors to the wall. Anyone have advice?
3/8" gap between mirror and wall
  19 answers
  • Beverly Dennis-Jeffas Beverly Dennis-Jeffas on Oct 14, 2014
    @ The DIY Girl Why not make your own frames out of floor trim or ceiling mold trim? Cut the corners at 45 degree angles and use brad nails to attach to door around mirror. Or, if you want a simpler or narrower frame, use quarter round instead of the floor or ceiling mold trim.
  • TheDIYGirl TheDIYGirl on Oct 14, 2014
    I know how I want to make the frames -- I am worried about the big gap that would be between the frame and the wall and having to notch out for the mounting brackets and the only solution I could come up with is removing the mirrors and then gluing them to the wall.
    • See 2 previous
  • Becky E Becky E on Oct 14, 2014
    I attached the frame right on the mirror with caulk. I used trim wider than the brackets and notched it out. The gap between the mirror and wall isn't noticable to me.
  • Shari Shari on Oct 14, 2014
    In my previous home, I framed out a large mirror on the living room wall. I used a utility knife and after marking the back of the framing, notched it to fit over the mirror hangers. You could also use slats on the wall first, making the front of the slats even with the mirror, and then add the molding.
  • Lori Lori on Oct 15, 2014
    I agree with Shari, level off the gap with a thin frame right on the wall and either paint it out with wall colour or treat it as part of the frame when you are finishing it, with stain or paint.
  • Lora Branam Lora Branam on Oct 15, 2014
    Use your crown moldings right on the mirror as planned. Finish off with some nice quarter round on the wall snugged up to your mirror edges. The have some nice chunky ones that should build it out nicely.
  • Patricia C Patricia C on Oct 15, 2014
    in the flooring dept you can find thresholds... pieces of wood that are used to join wood to tile floors, etc. they already have notches and come in types of wood/color. maybe that would work. i framed mine with 1"X2" tile.
  • 512181 512181 on Oct 15, 2014
    Make sure you finish both sides of the frame if you paint or stain the frame. Otherwise you will see the reflection of the unfinished side in the mirror. I did this and solved the problem by using white caulk around the edge of the frame against the mirror.
    • Dee Dee on Oct 15, 2014
      @Lynda davis the reason you see the reverse side is that it reflects on the mirror. I have framed 2 mirrors with chunky moldings one with finished corners and one with mitered corners.
  • 243107 243107 on Oct 15, 2014
    If you have a 36" x 36" like I do, you could use stained yard sticks. It may not be your style, but I thought I'd throw it out there for anyone reading this. (as a renter I needed something temporary)
  • Judy Judy on Oct 15, 2014
    I had a new floor put in our powder room. The contractor made me a frame and used some of the small tiles to place inside the frame. I love it. Also, check out a glass company in your area. We had a chip in our windshield repaired. I was amazed at the showroom. They actually had all kinds of framing for mirrors there. I picked one out for my master bath. tried to post a photo from my phone but not savvy enough!
  • Brenda Lawrence Brenda Lawrence on Oct 15, 2014
    Having different mirror clips than what I think I see in your pic, I went with "slats" to even out the surface (slats were slightly thicker than the clips). Glue these to the front of the mirror - along the edges - and up to and between the clips - don't notch. Then attach the moulding to these slats. Definitely finish the back side of the moulding and if the gap between moulding and wall (or mirror) bothers you, go with a filler (quarter round, or flat).
  • Barb Barb on Oct 15, 2014
    use a product called mirredge. You can order it online.
  • Centrd Centrd on Oct 15, 2014
    The gap isn't a big deal...just use some flat wood to box out the mirror the way some paintings are framed (see example below...just make sure the frame doesn't extend past the mirror, keep it flush). Then add your molding as planned. Once it's boxed in, you won't notice the gap...many ornate picture frames have a box behind the more ornate molding so that the picture sets back a bit. They look great hanging on the wall and you don't notice the gap between the frame and wall at all. Your mirror will look just as great.
  • Susan Susan on Oct 15, 2014
    I used a roll of double sticky foam about an inch wide to hold the frame on my bathroom mirror. I have the same type of clip holding my mirror as yours. The thickness of the foam was about the same as the clip. I sealed the lower horizontal molding with clear caulk. It has been there for 3 years with no problems and I can remove the frame whenever I would like.
  • Deborah C Deborah C on Oct 15, 2014
    I got my frame from Mirror Mate and you tell them where the hooks are and they do all the notching, etc. It came ready to assemble the four sides together and hang, went up in 10 minutes. I have about 1/8" gap or less from the wall. It looks like a picture frame on any other picture. After looking at it when it arrived, I looked at Hobby Lobby frames for oil paintings and it is almost identical.
  • Jim Price Jim Price on Dec 11, 2020

    Mirrorchic.com sells custom cut Designer Quality mirror frames that fit on the face of your mirrors. If you have bulky mirror clips they send you replacement clips that the frame will cover. They are affordable and will save you a lot of time and trouble.

  • Dee Dee on Dec 11, 2020

    All you need to frame a mirror is some nice molding a mitre saw and some Loctite Power glue or construction glue and paint. If you do not want to mitre the edges get the corner pieces at Home Depot or Lowes and you can just make straight cuts. Make sure you paint the backs half way because you will see the frame in the mirror. I used Rustoleum paint on both of my mirrors and they came out great. Aslo with Rustoleum, mo brush marks and not necessary to seal. Spray the molding outside and let dry.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Dec 11, 2020

    Hello. This Hometalk project link may be informative. I hope it may have a project suitable for your need.


    https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=Frame%20bathroom%20mirr

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Nov 01, 2021

    Hello, Use a deep moulding that has a lip so you can cover the edge of the mirror.