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DIY covered mirrors

One of the first things I did when I moved into my place was create panels on a feature wall using designer wallpaper and crown moulding. It wasn’t too much work but I couldn’t do it on my own.

It took a miter saw, paint and paintbrushes, a nail gun, wallpaper paste, and my parents. Because no one my age knows how to hang wallpaper apparently.

And I loved it so much I wanted to bring the colours out into my entire room.

So I scrounged around the remnants bin of my local fabric store until I found just the right pieces. After that I dug through bins of used throw pillows and was able to sew up some great covers.

But it wasn’t enough.

Covered mirrors.

I needed covered mirrors.

I scored three Ikea Malma mirrors for a few bucks and I decided to go for it.

Here’s what you need:

  • mirrors prepped to cover
  • fabric or paper to cover mirrors
  • ribbon for trim (if desired)
  • spray adhesive and/or glue and glue gun
  • scissors
  • clamps (or heavy objects, rubber bands, etc.) for drying

Here’s what you do:

Or, at least, here’s what I did to make these easy DIY covered mirrors.

  1. Measure cover material and mark where mirror is
  2. Score centre of material
  3. Use adhesive (to the max) and affix material to mirror, being careful to avoid creases and wrinkles
  4. Clamp and leave to dry thoroughly (depending on the glue you use, it will take different amounts of time so read the instructions)
  5. Once dry, trim excess fabric and clean glass
  6. Glue some ribbon around the mirror edges to finish
  7. Hang!

I began my project with spray glue but it was a disaster with the wallpaper. Eventually I re-did the entire mirror using a glue gun instead. Not only did the glue dry twice as fast but it went 1,000 times smoother.

From this project the only thing I’m not 100 per cent happy with is the spray glue stain on the yellow fabric. It does make me want to re-cover this mirror…and I may…should inspiration strike. Until then, I’m pretty happy overall.

For all three projects I spent around $50 and still have enough leftovers to do one more.

Any suggestions?

Working full time as a writer, editor and audio broadcast producer should be enough. But instead of resting after a long work day Robyn sets to creating havoc in her space by attempting more DIY, upcycle and knitting projects than she has room for. Her husband is a patient man.

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