Any suggestions for a mirror backsplash short of taking a hammer to it
+26
I live alone and am on a very limited budget, so doing a demo on the mirror is scary. Can it be covered up by something else, like beadboard or faux tin panels or faux brick?
28 answers
-
I have used this tile over a mirror before. It is thinner than regular tile so it wont protrude out too much. http://www.lowes.com/pd_494086-74035-LWESCHATEAUEMP_0__?productId=4779945&Ntt=tile+backsplashes&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNtt%3Dtile%2Bbacksplashes&facetInfo=
![Lisa Schneider]()
Lisa Schneider
on Jan 21, 2015
-
Glue pennies on the mirror, instant copper backsplash. $2.12 a square foot. You can shine pennies up, or use them dulled down, you can spell your name or monogram using the shiny or dull pennies. Or how about spell out Let's Eat! or Home Sweet Home! Rock and Roll, or California Dreamin, or Oh Happy Day, or Praise the Lord. You get the idea
![Just browsing]()
Just browsing
on Jan 21, 2015
-
Two really inexpensive ways to cover it up---- 1. Prime with a really good primer that adheres to smooth surfaces. I'm told Valspar has a primer that allows you to paint over glass :-) Then paint it with a good quality paint in the color of your choice. 2. Buy some repositionable Contact paper and just cover it up. It comes in many different 'patterns'. http://www.contactbrand.com/products.htm#.VL_P2kfF9MU I haven't painted over glass or mirror but with all the new products out there, something's gotta work. I have used the Contact paper on a countertop right by the stove and it worked/lasted for a very long time. I personally would go with something very 'plain' because there's a lot going on in this area of your kitchen. Any 'busy' pattern you add will add to a 'busier' look. But hey, it is your kitchen. Do what YOU love :-)
![CK]()
CK
on Jan 21, 2015
-
The mirror is probably glued to the wall surface. You sometimes can remove it by gently inserting several wedges into the open side(s) tapping lightly with a hammer on the wedge. If it is spot glued ( most are) eventually the depth of the wedge will force it away from the wall. You may hear a popping sound as it breaks away from the wall. Make sure you have the counter top protected so it will not shatter if it falls on the counter. USE MASKING TAPE IN A CRISS CROSS PATTERN OVER THE MIRROR BEFORE YOU START, it will keep the glass from shattering all over if it does break. I have successfully used this method on oversized bathroom mirrors. Good luck! Also, make sure you have removed all switch/outlet covers before you start.
![Diane Blank]()
Diane Blank
on Jan 21, 2015
-
Paint a picture on it then clear coat it so it can be cleaned
![GLORIA SHOOK]()
GLORIA SHOOK
on Jan 21, 2015
-
You can put tile over it but I saw a backsplash just like this that they stenciled on so that it covered most of the mirroring and what did show through just added to the appeal. They stenciled a pattern of squares in different colors but you could do a french design, fleur de lis or anything really. Cost would be paint and stenciles, cheap, easy and still pretty.
![Mina McWhorter]()
Mina McWhorter
on Jan 21, 2015
-
You could stipple glass paint on it to make it any color, with a little of the mirror showing through.
![Darla]()
Darla
on Jan 21, 2015
-
...or you could criss cross tape and take a small hammer to it then put in a proper backsplash. Living alone shouldn't stop you. The glass will most likely break, even with the wedges used to pry it off. This should be a fun project if you take your time, remove the mirror and make sure you do a good job on any wall repair you need to do before tile. If you haven't done tile before, your best bet is to carefully watch some of the DIY videos and use the 12" x 12" tile squares. Before you start, you might want to get a small tile saw or one of the things that let you score the tile and then snap it. You'll need some really cheap tile to practice with before doing the good tile you want to use.
![Liz]()
Liz
on Jan 21, 2015
-
Martha Stewart glaze at Michaels. Several Pretty colors & types of etching, sea glass, metallics, etc
![SJazz]()
SJazz
on Jan 21, 2015
-
I think a painted stencil in a antique gold/ bronze/ silver would be really pretty and not too expensive
![Kathy Conley]()
Kathy Conley
on Jan 21, 2015
-
If you remove it, cover it with painters' tape so the mirror won't splinter and send fragments everywhere.
![Cindie Prahl]()
Cindie Prahl
on Jan 21, 2015
-
You could get a glass frosting product from Michael's and some very thin tape. Then tape off a pattern that looks like tile and spray away. It will most likely make your backsplash look like grey glass tiles! Just make sure to tape STRAIGHT!
![MBLori]()
MBLori
on Jan 21, 2015
-
I agree with Liz - take it off! You can do it! Backsplashes are a good project for a beginner and most tile shops have free "how to" sessions. There is so much inexpensive tile to be found.
![Tracy]()
Tracy
on Jan 21, 2015
-
Glue bead board on it.
![Jill Shiflett]()
Jill Shiflett
on Jan 22, 2015
-
Anything will stick to it with liquid nails. You could use paintable prepasted wallpaper that looks like tin panels or another design.
![Barb Burnham]()
Barb Burnham
on Jan 22, 2015
-
If your budget is as limited as mine, $1 or less range, you could use materials you already have on hand, i.e. yarn or string, tin foil and white glue and make a faux tin tiles. Choose a design, glue the string to mirror, cover and glue tin foil over surface. If you want to be colorful, add paint or food coloring to white glue and paint the different areas. Just make sure you seal it with a few coats of spray varnish to repel splashes of food and water. Cheap, fun and easy. Have fun!
![Denise Rankin]()
Denise Rankin
on Jan 22, 2015
-
They sell the ceiling tins in metal that you can glue over or put lattice criss cross across it just cut to size and let part of the mirror shine thru.
![Lola]()
Lola
on Jan 22, 2015
-
I would buy the textured wallpaper that can be painted and glue it over the mirror. It wouldn't be hard or expensive.
![Gloria Duy]()
Gloria Duy
on Jan 22, 2015
-
I just saw a post where someone painted a mirror with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, and then stenciled over it and applied a clear coat of finish. It looked like a restaurant reader board. Very cute, and worth a try. :o)
![Millie Sheehy]()
Millie Sheehy
on Jan 23, 2015
-
You could always advertise and see if someone would be interested in it, if they can take it down for you. Then you could put what you want to up there.
![Mcgypsy9]()
Mcgypsy9
on Jan 23, 2015
-
Glue, beadboard and trim cut to size and glue over that puppy. Faster, quicker and beadboard, if your cuts are not the best, you can cover with trim.
![PattyV]()
PattyV
on Jan 24, 2015
-
I'm with Millie, I saw the same post and it was very impressive and very cost effective. That particular post was dark chalk paint with white writing on it. It can also be done in white chalk paint and darker writing. Any combo of color would work. Sky's the limit on what you choose to write on it. So many kitchen sayings out there! I would like to say though.......if you choose to partake in removing the mirror, this project may lead to some unforeseen issues and costs! Projects have a way of ending up more of a job than anticipated.........just sayin!!!
![Sandra]()
Sandra
on Jan 24, 2015
-
How about using glass etching product on it. You could just completely cover it to turn it to a matt surface, or use painter's tape to put in a simple stripe or criss-cross pattern, or you could buy a template and put an etched pattern on to it.
![Judi Hodgkin]()
Judi Hodgkin
on Sep 06, 2015
-
What about glueing (liquid nails) the 12 x 12 squares of backsplash tiles (with the tiny squares or the long thin pieces) that you can buy at Lowes or Home Depot, etc. Sometimes these items are either on sale or discontinued, so you could get them fairly inexpensively. it would give your kitchen an updated look similar to what you see in magazines, etc. The 12 x 12 squares are backed on mesh, so you could just cut to fit the size you needed.
![Mary]()
Mary
on Sep 19, 2015
-
If you want it gone; put 3m floor protective clear covering or a tape like sheet product over the glass before you break it/remove it so if it breaks you don't get the horror you are Leary of. @Mcgypsy9 has a super idea of getting it done for you...but have a friend over when they do it, don't tell them you live alone.
![Moxie]()
Moxie
on Sep 19, 2015
-
Why not wallpaper? It sticks well to glass. Tired of it- scrape off and do again.
![Marcia]()
Marcia
on Oct 26, 2016
-
There's a lot of different style contact paper (adhesive backing) with great designs, colors, and patterns available and it's fairly cheap. My local stores don't carry much variety but I found really nice ones on home depot and Lowe's websites.
![Lid]()
Lid
on Oct 27, 2016
-
It may be possible to use a hair dryer on it to soften the glue then gently pry,don't forget wear Safety Glasses and gloves also!
![Norm Duffy]()
Norm Duffy
on Oct 27, 2016
Lisa Schneider
on Jan 21, 2015
Just browsing
on Jan 21, 2015
CK
on Jan 21, 2015
Diane Blank
on Jan 21, 2015
GLORIA SHOOK
on Jan 21, 2015
Mina McWhorter
on Jan 21, 2015
Darla
on Jan 21, 2015
Liz
on Jan 21, 2015
SJazz
on Jan 21, 2015
Kathy Conley
on Jan 21, 2015
Cindie Prahl
on Jan 21, 2015
MBLori
on Jan 21, 2015
Tracy
on Jan 21, 2015
Jill Shiflett
on Jan 22, 2015
Barb Burnham
on Jan 22, 2015
Denise Rankin
on Jan 22, 2015
Lola
on Jan 22, 2015
Gloria Duy
on Jan 22, 2015
Millie Sheehy
on Jan 23, 2015
Mcgypsy9
on Jan 23, 2015
PattyV
on Jan 24, 2015
Sandra
on Jan 24, 2015
Judi Hodgkin
on Sep 06, 2015
Mary
on Sep 19, 2015
Moxie
on Sep 19, 2015
Sign Up to Answer
