Asked on Nov 16, 2016

What to do with this mirrored wall

The wall in my dining room has three mirror panels (floor to ceiling). It's a bit much! Other than removing them as they are probably glued in, what can I do to cover them up?
  88 answers
  • Jackie Byrd Jackie Byrd on Nov 16, 2016
    A wainscot on the bottom half. Stenciling on the glass. Painting a mural on the glass. Frosting a pattern or scene on it. Putting crown molding around it to turn it into a big frame. Hang drapes from the ceiling so you can open and close them as needed. Need more ideas?
  • William William on Nov 16, 2016
    Jackie Byrd got it covered! I was going to suggest stenciling with frost paint to soften it up and hanging curtains from the ceiling. I like the idea of wainscoting. You could use molding/wood and make it look like a mirrored library wall.
  • Stu7929742 Stu7929742 on Nov 16, 2016
    hang a large picture for the top and then a half round table under with a lovely arrangement of flowers or a tray of ????
  • William William on Nov 16, 2016
    You can mount curtain rod brackets on the ceiling close to the mirrors. Insert a curtain rod and hang the curtains from the rod using hooks, rings, etc.
  • Z Demiral Z Demiral on Nov 16, 2016
    It looks like you might be able to use a Heavy-Duty Closet Rod Flange Set that would go into the walls on either side of the mirrored wall. The heavy-duty set (example is available on HomeDepot.com) has a weight capacity of 500 lbs (when installed into studs) so you wouldn't need to worry about the weight of the curtain type you would like to use. Otherwise, you could secure a piece of wood trim at the top of the mirrored using construction adhesive and secure a light weight curtain (like sheers) using decorative tacks into the wood trim (number of examples available on Amazon.com). You could also secure the bottoms using the same method to avoid movement of the curtains. Good luck!
  • Stu7929742 Stu7929742 on Nov 16, 2016
    sorry I had just enough room at the top of the mirrored wall in the dining room to insert a small hanger on both sides and a use fine line to drop the picture down a couple of feet, so it looked like it was floating.. hope you find a resolution
  • Carolyn Carolyn on Nov 16, 2016
    I have same issue and I plan to cover it with a rice paper film product like this http://www.homedecorators.com/detail.php?pare...
    • See 3 previous
    • Marge Marge on Nov 19, 2016
      I love this idea
  • Nancy Merrell Nancy Merrell on Nov 16, 2016
    Wallpaper it just get an adhesive that works on glass!
  • Nancy Flemming Nancy Flemming on Nov 17, 2016
    Window film, they have many different patterns on amazon.
  • Bunny Bunny on Nov 17, 2016
    I'd hang a semi-sheer printed fabric...lacy-like...from ceiling-to-floor.
  • Jcraw Jcraw on Nov 17, 2016
    There is a product, Slim Line Rail ($21 + cables) that you attach to your ceiling that will let you hang pictures. You obviously like artwork. A great empty frame above your buffet would be fun. Then whatever else suits your eye. Art would minimize the impact of the mirrors but keep the sense of light and space. It's a lazy alternative to the film, or an addition since it's a nice large wall which would still be a large blank space since you can't hang on mirror.
  • Donna Donna on Nov 17, 2016
    And, remember it WILL come back in style LOL:)
  • Sharon Tircuit Franklin Sharon Tircuit Franklin on Nov 17, 2016
    Frame it out in 3' or 4' squares so it looks like many smaller mirrors
  • Liz Liz on Nov 17, 2016
    When I had a wall like yours I used suction cup hooks to hang a gallery art wall. If you're worried about hooks letting go or sliding, glue them on. A razor blade will remove the glue when needed.
  • Deborah Shaw Deborah Shaw on Nov 17, 2016
    Get a jug of Sta-Flo starch, mix per directions, spray on fabric of choice (lightweight) and place on mirror. Make a design or go solid with the fabric. Very easy to remove. btw, Donna Tulsa, Ok is right. It will be back in style:)
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Nov 17, 2016
    Helps to exapnd your space. You could try to wallpaper or use contact paper for a feature wall.
  • Elaine Elaine on Nov 17, 2016
    I love it the way it is! If you hate it that much, however, how about installing a track on the ceiling as tight as possible to the mirrors and hang nice material, then it will look like wall to wall drapery. Whatever you do, don't do something that isn't easily removed in case you ever list the house as many people love mirrored walls.
  • Bdt3380977 Bdt3380977 on Nov 17, 2016
    I grew to hate my mirrored wall too and I hung sheer drapes floor to ceiling to cover. It was always a wall that was wonderful for taking pictures of family in front of.....no distractions and the mirror behind the drape gave a nice background that was light and 'warm'.
    • Bdt3380977 Bdt3380977 on Nov 18, 2016
      The hanging of the sheer drapes was from the ceiling in my instance with pipe hangers (black..but could be painted) and 1/2" copper pipe. The pipe never showed. I also had an angle that I had to go around (with a 45* joiner) . I put a pocket in the back of the drapes and they looked like they were perfectly mounted drapes on a window , ceiling to floor. They didn't need any lining, they were just 'light' drapes on a window, letting in brightness. They hung very solidly for many years, even with little children playing behind them all the time. They were in a passageway/living area. Totally finger marked mirrors for the daycare kids , but drop the curtains at end of day and a fresh and tidy wall!
  • Chr14547843 Chr14547843 on Nov 17, 2016
    Use a good quality adhesive to attatch fretwork panneling
  • Virginia Prestridge Virginia Prestridge on Nov 17, 2016
    GET SOME STICK ON STENCILS AND DECORATE WITH THE SEASONS
  • Charly Charly on Nov 17, 2016
    I would etch some designs on the mirrors with a mirror etching kit.
  • Cb.8378013 Cb.8378013 on Nov 18, 2016
    I have a mirror just like this on my wall . You might consider putting some wood the lengths of the mirrors where the seams are to break things up a bit. I also put a contemporary chandelier up over my table and instead of reflecting all of my stuff in the room it reflects the light. I love it!
  • BiBi Bouwman BiBi Bouwman on Nov 18, 2016
    Consider framing the various parts of the mirror by glueing a frame on top on the fixed mirror panels.
  • JS MysMan JS MysMan on Nov 18, 2016
    I would hang ceiling to floor, wall to wall curtains. Your dining room has a lovely luxury feel with the leather chairs and wooden cabinet so you could pick that up and emphasise it will a raw silk in the colour "old gold".
  • LibraryKAT LibraryKAT on Nov 18, 2016
    If this was my house, I'd remove the mirrors. That's a big project, but worth it in the end. There are several videos on youtube that show you how. Just search 'remove glued mirror from wall'.
  • Elizabeth Haire Elizabeth Haire on Nov 18, 2016
    Similar to Papoose03 reply, I would stencil in a color you like or a metallic paint. If, or when, you get tired if it, paint can be removed from the mirror s.
  • Misty Misty on Nov 18, 2016
    I'm curious. Have you considered using Liquid Nail to hold pallet boards for a country feel to match your decor? Or perhaps the self-stick Vinyl flooring? With the pallets, you could use brads to hold up any future pictures you wished to display. As for the the vinyl, I'd use command strips. Just a thought...
  • Ely2512234 Ely2512234 on Nov 18, 2016
    Wallpaper over them.
  • Martha Bliss Martha Bliss on Nov 18, 2016
    Love the previous ideas to hang curtain/drapes or wallpaper. Patterned sheers or or silver patterned paper would keep the room bright and open feeling.
  • Sherrie Koehler Miller Sherrie Koehler Miller on Nov 18, 2016
    Instead of the buffet, which does not match your other furniture in style, place simple freestanding tall shelving along the wall. This will give you storage and reduce the impact of the mirrors. Another option is panel curtains which hang from a track in the ceiling, from Ikea- http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/...
  • Springs775 Springs775 on Nov 18, 2016
    Put a design on the mirrors and then sand over them, (like the auto shops do) this will give a frosty look, when you take your stencil down it will still be a clear mirror in only those places. I did that to my front doors.
  • Mar14202462 Mar14202462 on Nov 18, 2016
    I have a similar look in my dinning room by design ,I didn't inherit with the house,I suggest you embrace it by taking some molding and liquid nails made for glass and do a check board pattern for expensive look.
  • 1240839 1240839 on Nov 18, 2016
    According to the principals of Feng Shui, mirror reflecting the dining table increases bounty, but that's a lot of mirror going on!
  • Eseaters Eseaters on Nov 18, 2016
    I've read a couple of suggestions but what about framing them? You could purchase baseboard wood ( which is actually a blend of "types" of wood) and frame them. There are several types of molding to choose from and you could look up what small thin molding would go with wider molding and so on. A friend of mine used several different sizes of molding to get the effect she wanted and I would go further and suggest even molding the inside of the mirrors too...a double molding. You could actually put a beautiful wallpaper as a border or as a focal point in the center. Do you have any beautiful material that you may not have enough to do all of them but you could do the centers of each? I think framing them in would be economical and quite lovely. You could stain the wood or paint the wood. Limitless ideas. I hope that helps or at least brings to you're mind other ideas that will help you create something you love! Take care and happy ideas to you!
  • Dana Dana on Nov 19, 2016
    How about wall paper, Just an idea.. or that tacky paper. Leave strips of the glass showing? Then take strips of moulding and frame them.
  • Adrienne Pyke Adrienne Pyke on Nov 19, 2016
    i love it..... all that space reflected....... a bit of frosting might be nice but don't over do it...... but i wish i had it..
  • Andrea Andrea on Nov 19, 2016
    What about Putting up curtains
  • Wyldecent Wyldecent on Nov 19, 2016
    Build a wall of open shelves over them -- the mirrors become the back of the shelves.
  • Roxanne Scott Roxanne Scott on Nov 19, 2016
    Perhaps some stick on designs? I've seen them in Wal-Mart... Trees and leaves.... easy and removable. Change them with the seasons.
  • Lei13497862 Lei13497862 on Nov 19, 2016
    I think I would remove them. They seem very dated.
  • Cheryl Toth-Nickerson Cheryl Toth-Nickerson on Nov 19, 2016
    I don't think these are real mirrors. They are flex mirrors. Yes probably glued on the walls. You can remove the mirrors, sand the wall down or use a putty knife and chip the glue off the wall. Sanding is much easier and repaint. It would update the room so much more. Then you can just decorate your wall. Good luck.
  • Peggy Peggy on Nov 19, 2016
    I would put up book cases with shelves of varying heights. Gives lots of decorating possibilities including stereo system and makes good use of the mirrors as the back.
  • Eroque022810 Eroque022810 on Nov 19, 2016
    I would put up moulding across the top held up with velcro, then moulding over the seams in the picture. Then I would hang from the ceing, curtains on both sides now it should cover most of it up and appear like windows. Furthermore I would adhere a decrative know the kind that looks like a hook and can be removed and hang a lightweight picture frame in a favorite color or if your crafty buy a cheap one and cover with shimmer beads or something. Just make sure it's not to heavy. You can help it out by adhering velcro to frame although it may reflect off of mirror so test it out. They also sell those clear circular dots for scrap booking. Hope it helps.
  • Carol Carol on Nov 19, 2016
    My granddaughter had mirrors on three walls, just the upper half. It was beautiful but she wanted them removed. Uncle, Dad and cousin did the work, and only had one mirror break. Not as much adhesive holding them on a you think. Although, maybe she would have kept them if we had seen this article first.
  • Irene Irene on Nov 19, 2016
    Create a shelving unit with an open back to stand in front of the mirrors. You can then add any collectables, plants, dinnerware, pictures, etc. on the shelves to be reflected on the mirrors. Or, you can purchase a few wall units with closed backs to stand in front of the mirrors.
  • Car9461623 Car9461623 on Nov 19, 2016
    Try hanging picture frames right over the mirrors.
  • Linda McErlean Linda McErlean on Nov 19, 2016
    Here is a great idea. The make vinyl with designs on EBay that will stick to glass. I just ordered some. I have used it on widows to get privacy before.
  • Marge Marge on Nov 19, 2016
    I have mirrors on my wall these are great ideas to cover them up
  • Barbara Weber Barbara Weber on Nov 19, 2016
    the vinyl idea is great, I was thinking of stenciling or hanging drapes over them.
  • Meryn Iggs Meryn Iggs on Nov 20, 2016
    You could simply paint one or two of them then buy diy frames , paint the frames with , say gold paint, give them a textureed finish by dabbing a crumpled up cloth or sponge. Then frame the painted mirrors.
  • Connie Connie on Nov 20, 2016
    Use opaque contact paper in wide vertical stripes.
  • Linda Schulte Linda Schulte on Nov 20, 2016
    I would paint a mural of a garden or somewhere beautiful. Then the scene can be changed.
  • Gail Wilson Gail Wilson on Nov 20, 2016
    build a bookshelf with horizontal and vertical boards.
  • Emt9031931 Emt9031931 on Nov 20, 2016
    Install plush drapes, 4 panels on 2 rods and tie backs so the drapes swag in the middle and both sides. This will leave much less mirror to view and give the impression of windows.
  • Linda Linda on Nov 20, 2016
    Get some nice wood and make a large window with 12 inch square panes.
  • Pamela livingston Pamela livingston on Nov 20, 2016
    I am sure the mirrors were installed to make the space look larger. I would paint the bottom 1/3 to match the adjacent wall, glue on chair railing and then in the upper mirrored area, hang photos of botanicals or other art in frames painted in a color similar to the dining table base. That will create a wall with interest and help pop the lovey dining table base.
  • Esther Esther on Nov 20, 2016
    Cut Masonite boards to fit just slightly smaller than the mirror panels. Using foam batting & a fabric that works with your decor/color palette, wrap the boards. Adhere sticky industrial Velcro to the back of the panels & to the mirror & press boards firmly. You will have a warmer cozy feeling next to your table. Plus a little sound absorption too.
  • San5140841 San5140841 on Nov 20, 2016
    Hang pictures on the mirror using 3M Command hooks. They are really strong.
  • SHARE SHARE on Nov 20, 2016
    Place painter tape on the mirrow with a pattern then paint over the whole thing. Remove the tape and all you will see is a little bit of mirror. Try a diaganol pattern that would give you a nice pattern. Good luck.
  • Ronna Myers Hayward Ronna Myers Hayward on Nov 20, 2016
    gett a big stencil and use etching cream on it.
  • Rita Rita on Nov 20, 2016
    Buy 1/2 open shelf bookcase voila it will look as though the mirrors are attached to the back of your book case. Then decorate your shelves.
  • Andrea Kane Andrea Kane on Nov 20, 2016
    If you decide to remove them, nylon dental floss cuts through the adhesive if they were installed normally. My son bought a house that had one entire wall covered in those 70's mirror tiles. He used the dental floss and all were removed with only one tile breaking. Simply slide a long length of floss behind the mirror and pull down.
  • Susan Tullis Susan Tullis on Nov 20, 2016
    Wall paper over them, or use wallpaper paste to attach fabric (such as sheets?!) to cover as much mirror as you want.
  • Cindy Walker Watson Cindy Walker Watson on Nov 21, 2016
    Fastest and easiest would probably be to just hang rich fabric drapes over them (and you're right, it IS a bit much! ;-))
  • Barbara Barbara on Nov 21, 2016
    How about covering with lattice?
  • SuzieQ724 SuzieQ724 on Nov 21, 2016
    I had the same issue in my living room and I hung a large piece of artwork directly on top of the mirror using 3M hooks. It broke up the space yet let the light be reflected around the edges of the art piece just as I wanted.
  • Nina Nina on Nov 21, 2016
    Shiplap right over top with a strong adhesive and use some reclaimed skid wood to make a large opening frame to allow for some mirror to be exposed in the middle. this will give you a whole new look and painted in a soft white it will bright'n up your room as well
  • Cwh6899259 Cwh6899259 on Nov 21, 2016
    You could glue moldings on each of the mirrors to make them look like paned patio doors.
  • Cki4916861 Cki4916861 on Nov 21, 2016
    How about a statement wall with a subtly patterned wallpaper? Maybe gray branches on cream background.
  • Linda Cooper-Smith Linda Cooper-Smith on Nov 21, 2016
    Buy glass paint, and consider a stencil design. There are books and ideas on line for other things e
  • Anita shull Anita shull on Nov 21, 2016
    How about some creative decals or if you are artistic, using glass stain or maybe a stencil, put a acebe on it? Ps-- I couldn't do this but it IS an idea!
  • Linda Cooper-Smith Linda Cooper-Smith on Nov 21, 2016
    Hi Leslie, You could take a stencil, and using glass paint to make a design on the mirror. Another possibility is to use wallpaper over part of it. That may sound crazy, but it worked out well for me in an old farm house I owned. Several of the rooms had horrible fake wood wall panels. I used joint compound and tape to cover over the seams and, and any other flaws on the wall. I had use extra coats of compound over it to be sure it would be smooth. Once I sanded it, I painted the walls white. I picked out wallpaper I liked, and voilĂ  a whole new look on the cheap. Of course, you would need to be sure the paint will stick to glass. I don't know how many seams you want to cover, but you could put a wood frame around a portion of the mirror so it looks like you simply have a mirror hanging on your wall. Good luck.
  • Linda Cooper-Smith Linda Cooper-Smith on Nov 21, 2016
    Use joint compound and paint the mirror. Wallpaper over it.
  • Linda Cooper-Smith Linda Cooper-Smith on Nov 21, 2016
    Leave part of the mirror, and frame it so it looks like it is just a regular mirror.
  • B1doyle B1doyle on Nov 21, 2016
    wallpaper. Just need the right glue.
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Nov 22, 2016
    I would get a pretty fabric and use white glue with a little water and attach. Be sure and put down a good tarp and have plenty of wet cloths handy to wipe down drips! Be sure and rub out the air bubbles. A white background with a Paris motif would be adorable...or whatever suits you!
    • Melbrooks Melbrooks on Dec 19, 2016

      You can use liquid fabric starch instead of glue so they're removable, just wet it down again to change or remove.

  • Kelly McLenaghan Goselin Kelly McLenaghan Goselin on Nov 22, 2016
    what about hanging some curtains to make it look more like a window
  • Christine Doscher Christine Doscher on Nov 22, 2016
    I put a mural of a tree on mine in black bought light plastic frames added black and white photos and made a family tree
  • Earlene Earlene on Nov 22, 2016
    How about floor to ceiling storage? Put pretty dishes or other things in and use the mirrors as the back. You could add glass or other decorative doors or leave it open like a bookcase....or stagger the openings with different sizes, heights to accommodate what you wish. Personally, I like the mirrors. You could even do just the two sides and leave the center without shelves.
    • See 1 previous
    • Julie M. Julie M. on Dec 27, 2016

      Very cool idea....

  • 861650 861650 on Dec 01, 2016

    Mirrors reflect everything in your room...that is the problem and not the mirror itself.

  • Eroque022810 Eroque022810 on Dec 13, 2016

    Yes that look was used believe in late 70s. I would hang up heavy drapes just leaving center mirror exposed and declutter that buffet you have. You can use wood around center mirror with velcro so it looks like those expensive ones you see. That way it eliminates the sofa and hopefully the TV that is reflecting off of it now. Instead of making room look larger it makes it look sloppy do to reflecting everything on walls in other room.

  • Pat11183342 Pat11183342 on Dec 13, 2016

    They make window films that can look like stain glass. Check out your local big box hardware store, on line to see options and manufactures. (Costs also) other than that you can chemical etch, which is a lot of work. Or just apply contact paper/ wall paper. Or put a shelving unit or other large object in front. With out seeing whole room , I really couldn't tell you what's going to work best. Or create a faux wall by framing in sheet rock or even extruded polystyrene foam (pink or blue ridged foam boards used for insulation, it takes paint fine. (I use it to create Halloween tombstone's) you could even put up panneling, lots of options there. I believe it could be glued directly to mirrors. Ask for attaching options at store if you go this route.

  • Stolzy Stolzy on Dec 13, 2016

    Measure down to where a nice big mirror would hang if you wanted to put one. Mark it off so you know where to attach the frame....... Then WALLPAPER!!!! If you want to have a mirror on that wall don't paper the area you marked, find a frame you like and attach it to the wall. You're lucky the mirrors are in panels. Our first house.... mirror squares! OY!!

  • Marilyn Oliver Ford Marilyn Oliver Ford on Jun 20, 2022

    I want to put Renoboard on my mirror, They are the entire wall. Hate them.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Mar 16, 2023

    You could use Contact for Mirrors and Glass, or Cover with Wallpaper, or Cover with an atractive Screen you can see the mirror through. It is not a large room and you may need the feeling or look of more space it gives.

  • Mogie Mogie on Apr 03, 2023

    Easy answer would be to paint them.

  • Deb K Deb K on Oct 05, 2023

    Hi Leslie! You can paint the, with chalk paint! They would look great!