Frame an old mirror with barnwood
I’ve always desired a cool looking tall mirror in the corner of my bedroom.
Remember my empty corners post? I’ve always felt this bedroom corner needed a tall mirror on an angle, which proved to be a challenge.
So I thought of buying a new fancier mirror at a store. But once I looked online for ideas, the concept looked relatively easy to make with some barn wood I had left over from THIS big barnwood haul.
And that’s when I thought, I already have all the supplies I need to frame an old mirror with barnwood for that added rustic farmhouse charm!
Wait until you see how easy it was to transform plain mirror into something extra special…
About the mirror
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I’ve had this tall skinny mirror for years. In fact, it’s the mirror that came off the door from my childhood bedroom!
The size of the mirror is great as it doesn’t take up much space! But I’ve always felt it could use a little more visual weight. And that’s where this hefty barnwood score came in handy!
Positioning some barn wood around the mirror to dry fit my vision, I was sold. This was gonna be fun!
In fact, this barnwood framed mirror would even match the barn door headboard since the wood is from the same barn score!
The barnwood framed mirror turned out amazing. And couldn’t have been simpler to do!
Here’s how I did it:
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Frame an old mirror with barnwood
Supplies used:
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a tall and skinny price efficient mirror
reclaimed barn wood that equalled the length of the mirror
Top coat to protect chippy wood – I used Fusion Mineral Paint’s Tough Coat HERE
Paint of choice for stenciling – I used Fusion Mineral Paint’s Coal Black HERE
Designing the mirror frame
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1. To beef up a frame of an existing mirror, choose one with a very flat frame, or remove a mirror out of its existing frame. I left mine intact for added durability.
2. Arrange random boards around the perimeter of your chosen mirror. The two side boards will need to be longer than the mirror.
3. Cut to fit as desired, then screw the boards together at all four corners of the frame. The screws will show.
How to arrange the boards:
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Position the top and bottom boards to touch the top and bottom of the mirror, but not overlap the mirror frame.
Place the side boards on top of the top and bottom boards, so they completely cover the sides of the mirror’s original frame.
The yard stick shown was to hide the mirror frame, which I decided not to use after all. But it is a cool detail you could add!
Here’s an example of using a yardstick to frame THIS BATHROOM MIRROR.
Supporting the mirror inside the frame
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4. Position the mirror inside the frame, then secure it with angled cedar strips screwed into the mirror frame from the back.
This simple concept worked very well! And it’s easy to dismantle if desired too.
View the Antiques stencil HERE
About the Antiques stencil
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To add some additional farmhouse charm, an Antiques stencil was used to create a sign along one of the boards.
5. Antiques was stenciled in Fusion’s Coal Black onto one of the boards to create rustic sign interest.
For some added uniqueness, the Antiques word sits sideways!
How to stencil to create sharp images with no paint bleed:
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- Position stencil with masking tape where desired.
- Load a stencil brush with Fusion’s Coal Black, then remove most paint onto a rag to create a dry-to-the-touch brush.
- Tap or swirl paint through the stencil to create the stenciled effect of choice.
- Lightly distress by sanding once dry if desired.
Learn more tips on how to stencil from THIS POST.
Protecting reclaimed barn wood
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6. Because the chippy barn wood kept flaking, a coat of Fusion Mineral Paint’s Tough Coat in a matte finish was brushed on top.
Tough Coat is a clear protective sealer that will help keep barn wood from chipping, protect you from lead paint, adds protection for the sign as well as adding a slight sheen to the wood surface so it’s easier to clean.
This product is a must-stock if you work with lots of reclaimed wood.
Adding rustic hooks
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7. Random rustic hooks were installed to the mirror frame so the mirror could be used like a hall tree.
Hooks come in so handy for hanging clothes, belts, purses, or just home decor!
One board was also painted in Fusion’s Coal Black to make the mirror frame even more unique.
This barnwood framed mirror was certainly taking shape!
Imagine this frame installed horizontally as well… would make really cool coat hooks perfect for a front entry.
So… let’s get this rustic little mirror into place and decorate it up!
The finished mirror!
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Isn’t this tall vertical mirror a beauty?
Newly loaded with farmhouse charm, while celebrating random pieces of barnwood. What a difference a little wood made!
The mirror looked great standing right on the floor. But I decided to try one more thing to add even more height…
Adding a bench for extra height
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This little white chippy bench ended up being perfect!
The bench also provides an extra place to stash some loose change or car keys.
Oh goodness yes! Now that’s a rustic farmhouse mirror to love!
At the moment, the hooks hang a faux boxwood wreath and belt… but they can be easily switched out for clothing as well!
The mirror also looks amazing teamed up with the barn door headboard, ending up with the perfect tall and much more interesting mirror I’ve always dreamed of having!
And here I had all the supplies all along…
Think you’ll give this easy barnwood framing idea a go on one of your own plain mirrors?
Other related projects you may enjoy:
Framed mirror in this salvaged bathroom tour
Learn how to build a faux barn door headboard
Learn how to build a ladder night stand
Visit other master bedroom projects HERE
And many other reclaimed wood projects HERE
I love it and the idea you used everything you already had to make it!
Love this “take” on a hall tree. And, you are so right, it is a perfect fit with the new headboard.
You are amazing. And I love how you so creatively use your stash or collection of rustic items to embellish the items you make.
Love it!! I think I will do it with my mirror!!
Before I spend time reading all the details of your mirror revamp, I just gotta tell you that I can’t wait to do the same with a mirror I’ve never really liked. And I will get to use my cordless screwdriver my husband gave me for Christmas. I charged it up and I squealed with delight when it worked. OMG – I am excited. By the way, your ceiling on your porch shows up well in the mirror. I kinda like it. Thanks for the ideas! Take care.
YESSSSS! Make that thing start working Joanne! And I want to hear a progress report!
As for the ceiling, it’s pretty awesome! It’s made from white transparent like corrugated plastic so the sunlight penetrates it somewhat. Never feels dark, it’s wonderful!
Awe-Some! I love mirrors, just not looking at my reflection. Lol!
*High 5*… Exactly… haha
OMG, I love this. What a fabulous idea. Thank you so much for sharing
Very creative! I like how you left the pointy piece on the top of the left board. And I also love the stencil idea. It’s probably a little too rustic for my home decor but I was thinking it could be used in a junk-themed garden space with or without the mirror.
Good job. Thanks for sharing the project.
Oh, and the old hardware hinges absolutely make it!
Thanks Naomi! I could totally see this idea being used with new, non chippy wood as well! Knowing how this worked out encourages me to pick cheap mirrors so I can do unique things to them! Who knew? 🙂
I’m not a mirror person but this one is just fabulous, Donna!!! Without a doubt this is my all time favorite mirror and it looks just perfect in your bedroom corner.
Sigh – I just sent one of these mirrors off to the thrift store. NOW you tell me what to do with it! LOL Beautiful results!
Your mirror looks fabulous and so Funky Junkish, Donna!
Thanks for featuring my farmhouse decoupaged bucket this week!
What an excellent idea, and a fabulous job you did here. I love it! Thanks for sharing.
I don’t care how many times I come across your website, which has been many many and all I can say is that I love everything you! Everything!
Thanks for sharing Donna! I love this idea. I’ve got a long frameless mirror sitting in my garage I wasn’t sure what to do with and now you’ve inspired me 🙂 Some old wooden pallet planks will be perfect for it. Do you think I should maybe glue the wood to the mirror or the cross support boards would be enough to hold it in place?
Hi Kasia! I think it’s a matter of whatever will work. Since my frame overlaps the mirrors from the front, I see no need for glue myself. It all depends how you decide to frame it I suppose!
I love it and love your “complete” instructions. I find many sites leave out so many steps that you really are guessing to do the project. Maybe that makes it more fun for some but not me lol! I am totally in love with your curtain valance! Any chance there’s a dyi on it?? 😊♥️
Hi Linda! The curtain valance is an iron rod cut to size and hung in place with curtain rod extensions. Cut fabric (found at the thrift) is hung on the rod, pulled up from the back until a valance of sorts appears in front. Nothing fancy!
Never would have guessed; looks great!! Thank you
Eeeek! Is this a new project? I love it. You are the master at adding just the right amount of junk, without making it look junky, lol!
I LOVE it!
Haha, no, it isn’t new, but it’s still up if that counts! I LOVE it!