A quick and simple way to repurpose an old mirror to make a designer knock-off candle tray and add brightness to a dark room.
If you’re a lazy DIYer, a challenged thrifter, a not-super-artsy type… this little project is for you.
Because truthfully, there are days I try to shake the creative side of my brain awake, and nothing rattles around in there. Creativity is a fickle thing sometimes… one day, I’ll have a million different projects I want to do all at once because I’m filled with fun ideas. And then some days, the lights are on but nobody’s home.
Do you ever get like that?
I blame this last shred of cold, rainy winter weather we had over the weekend. But when I walked into the thrift store a few days ago, I saw this cute round mirror hanging out in the wall decor section and thought, “That’d be a cute idea for a rainy day.” (Literally.)
So I made it my quick and easy repurpose project for this month’s Trash to Treasure Tuesday. (Check out past T2T projects here and see the rest of this month’s before and afters from my bloggy gal pals at the end of this post.)
I figured… candle tray!
I’ve seen mirrored candle trays in Pottery Barn before that were so simple, just round trays that reflect candlelight beautifully around a room.
All I did was paint the bronze frame with some Fusion Mineral Paint Raw Silk I had in my stash and dry-brushed it with a little Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Coco to add an antique effect.
And instead of hanging it up on a wall, I just placed the mirror in the middle of our dining table with some pillar candles to illuminate the room and bring some twinkle into the gray days we’ve been having lately.
It’s so simple, and this one barely counts as a tutorial, but if you have a small mirror lying around that you don’t know what to do with, I thought it was a unique way to use it.
You can check out all of the other projects for Trash to Treasure Transformation Tuesday below too. Just click the links to see the afters.
Clockwise from top left:
Prodigal Pieces | Confessions of a Serial Do It Yourselfer | Artsy Chicks Rule | Girl in the Garage
Dianne Gingrich says
March 12, 2019 at 10:13 amI love it. Mirrors make the best trays. I have one similar but its oval.
christykjames says
March 12, 2019 at 10:29 amThe simplest of projects are sometimes the best! Love this, Lauren! XO
Mary Bourke says
March 12, 2019 at 10:57 amHow timely this is for me! Today is my daughter’s 40th birthday and we are having a big party at the weekend. I have been charged with making centrepieces for the 5 huge, white covered tablecloths provided by the venue. My daughter’s name means “Seawave” which is to be the theme. I purchased some large, stone jars which I will fill with flower arrangements (as yet still to be decided). I have some aqua, organza table runners, have made some real shell garlands which will, together with some copper wired fairy lights, adorn the table, artistically, hopefully. I’ve not been entirely satisfied with my “design”, feeling that it needs further impact and I just love the mirror idea. It’s too late to find mirrors now but I’ve remembered that I have large bronze and silver coloured charger plates for under the dinner plates I use at Christmas. I will use these and look forward to the lights being reflected into the room.
I will also be on the lookout for mirrors to use your idea in future. Thank you so much!
Kaycee says
March 12, 2019 at 10:58 amWhat a perfect rainy day project, and it came out very pretty! I really like the paint colors you used to freshen this piece up. An added bonus is that you can still use it as a wall mirror again too.
Frances Batson says
March 12, 2019 at 11:50 amLove the mirror tray. In upstate SC we have had more rainy and grey days than sun. Projects that cheer you up but are not complex are so great!
Cecilia from Georgia says
March 12, 2019 at 12:44 pmGreat idea! I see mirrors at yard sales and Goodwill all the time and wish I had an idea how to use them. I need some small items for my booth and this will be perfect. Thanks for your inspiration!
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
March 12, 2019 at 1:59 pmSimple and perfect. I use mirrored trays in my home too for the same reasona. I just plain love mirrors! ?
MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!) says
March 12, 2019 at 2:53 pmSo pretty, Lauren! Love what you have done! Your ideas are amazing! Thanks for always sharing with us! Blessings!
Marcie Lovett says
March 12, 2019 at 3:01 pmSometimes fast and easy is just what you need! BTW, fun seeing you mentioned in Country Living this month.
artsychicksrule says
March 12, 2019 at 5:25 pmPerfect!! It was meant to be a candle tray all along! xo
girlinthegarage says
March 12, 2019 at 11:11 pmSuper pretty and clever idea, Lauren! I’m all about simple projects lately too. Can’t wait until winter is completely over to feel reenergized and more creative again. xo
Lauren says
March 13, 2019 at 10:49 amYES!! Spring brings so much including a renewed energy!!
Marie says
March 13, 2019 at 11:58 amI love using ornate mirrors for trays around my home. Your round mirror is so pretty painted white so all those lovely details pop. Love how you filled it with candles! It must look so pretty at night with the flickering candles reflected in the mirror. 🙂
Heather Morton says
March 14, 2019 at 7:47 amWhat a great idea!!! I have a vintage round picture frame that I’m wondering what to do with, it’s currently sat in to do cupboard, this is a great idea, I think I’ll give it a go!