How to make DIY antique mirrors using old secondhand picture frames quickly, easily, and without the mess.
If I had a dollar for every picture frame project I’ve ever done, I’d have a whole lotta dollas. They’re simple, they have a million possibilities, and it never fails to find a whole heap of them at thrift stores.
A few weeks ago, Robert and I had a date day at an antique mall (my husband loves antiquing – how did I get this lucky?!) and we stumbled upon this set of 4 picture frames.
So I thought it would be a fun, quick project or this month’s Trash to Treasure Transformation Tuesday.
I’ve made antique mirrors before the messy way. But then I found this antique mirror film when we jazzed up our pantry with these IKEA cabinets.
So I thought it would be perfect to use again for a quick way to add some decorative antique mirrors to the guest bedroom. No kidding, this project took maybe 30 minutes tops.
How to Turn Old Frames into Antique Mirrors
Some affiliate links are provided below. Full disclosure here.
Supplies Used:
- Picture frames
- Paint of your choice (I’m a Fusion Mineral Paint fan.)
- Medium sized craft brush
- Antique mirror film samples
- Spray bottle with water
- A credit card or squeegee
The Steps:
1. I wanted the frames darker than the white they were already painted so I just used some paint I already had in my stash. I painted them with a base of Fusion Mineral Coal Black first.
2. Then, once the base was dry, I dry brushed on a layer of Fusion Mineral Paint Metallic Vintage Gold and Sacred Sage to add some depth.
For the glass, I used these 5″x7″ antique mirror film samples, which were only 45 cents each.
3. Spray the glass and the back of the film with water, place the film on the glass, and squeeze out any air bubbles with a credit card.
4. Once the glass with the film and the frames with the new paint were both dry, I just placed the glass back in the frame and hung them up between our two closets in the guest bedroom.
Easy! Since I used paint we already had, the project cost less than $2.
Yay! Done. It’s the perfect little something for this side of the room.
You can see the rest of this month’s Trash to Treasure transformations from my blogger friends below.
(Clockwise from top left):
Artsy Chicks Rule | Prodigal Pieces | Confessions of a Serial DIYer | Girl in the Garage
And you can get more thrifty ideas from past T2T Tuesday makeovers here.
You did get blessed with a husband who loves antiques. Woot! I adore the mirrors and texture they add, Lauren.
Cool! I’ve never seen these mirror films before. They are perfect in your guest space! XO
Those are so cool! They look great in your new room! xo
What pretty little mirrors! Those frames are gorgeous!
These frames look amazing! I love how perfectly they nestle the closets.
I’ve noticed you’ve been doing the grey on the doors lately, changing them all up. Getting away from the wrought iron?
These turned out so cool Lauren! I’ve never seen paper like that before.
I am another one who has never seen this paper before! I love how these mirrors came out and they look beautiful between the doors!
You are always such a nice surprise! That film is a super great find, well done!
Hi, may I know the color of your door? It’s gorgeous. Is it revere pewter?
Sure! It’s Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron.