How to Frame Your Craftsman Style Mirrors
To trim a mirror you will need:
- Moulding of your choice (We recommend a thicker profile, such as a casing or baseboard. You can even add multiple pieces for a custom look!)
- Miter saw
- Paint/Paintbrush
- Caulk/Caulk gun
- Liquid nails
- Pencil
- Measuring tape
Step 1: Measure and Cut Moulding
Using measuring tape, measure the length of each side of the mirror and cut four pieces of moulding to fit. Your side pieces will be shorter than the mirror, as they will just butt up against the header and bottom piece of moulding. Since this is craftsman style, you will just need straight cuts, except for the miter returns to finish the top piece. The header piece (or pieces, if you are creating a custom build-up) will lie across the top of the frame. If you do not want to do the miter return, you could always choose a custom board build-up. I know, it sounds tricky, but is actually simple. Take a look at this tutorial to see for yourself!
Step 2: Paint the Moulding
If the moulding has an unfinished back, apply paint on the back of the moulding near the top edge so that it’s not reflected in the mirror. Then flip the moulding to the correct side. If you want to paint the moulding, apply two coats of paint and let dry before installing. For an easier install, you can choose Finished Elegance moulding and skip this step!
Step 3: Frame the Mirror
Apply liquid nails to the bottom piece of moulding. Use a level to make sure the piece is straight. Then, place the moulding at the bottom of the mirror. Once in place, you can follow the same process to attach the remaining three sides of the mirror moulding. If the miter joints don’t match up properly, apply caulk along the joint and smooth it out with your finger.
Step 4: Touch Ups
Apply touch up paint wherever you deem necessary.
We hope that our step-by-step instructions help you with your DIY project. If you frame your mirrors let us know by tagging us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
In our next blog post, my colleague Nate Swanson will show you how to create a similar look around your interior doors.