D.I.Y. freestanding mirror

D.I.Y. freestanding mirror

Jason
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Project Overview

Every bedroom and walk-in wardrobe needs a full-length mirror. We’ll show you how easy it is to transform a sliding fitted wardrobe door mirror into a fantastic looking full-length, freestanding mirror that can be moved to any room in your home. Continue to step-by-step instructions

Step by Step Instructions

1 Cut your timber to size
2 Assemble the frame
3 Fix the plywood backing to the frame
4 Putty and sand the plywood
5 Paint the back and sides of the frame
6 Prepare the mirror
7 Make the inner timber bead
8 Cut the timber bead to size
9 Silicone the bead in place
10 Attach the outer frame
11 Putty the frame
12 Varnish the frame
13 Place in your bedroom

  • Step 1. Cut your timber to size

    Before you start this project, you can have your plywood, pine and Blackbutt decking cut to length at your local Bunnings. The length and width of your timber frame will be determined by the size of the mirror you will be installing, ours measured 593mm x 1875mm. Here’s our cut list for this project:

    • 1880mm x 42mm x 30mm pine lengths x 2
    • 655mm x 42mm x 30mm pine lengths x 2
    • 90mm x 19mm x 655mm blackbutt decking board x 3
    • 90mm x 19mm x 1765mm blackbutt decking board x 3
    • 1880mm x 655mm plywood x 1

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    cut timber diy free standing mirror

  • Step 2. Assemble the frame

    To make the frame, lay the four pieces of pine out on your workbench. When it’s all square, pre-drill two holes into each corner of the frame using the 2mm drill bit. After you have pre-drilled your pilot holes, screw the frame together with 60mm timber screws.
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    drill frame diy free standing mirror

  • Step 3. Fix the plywood backing to the frame

    Place the plywood on top of the frame so the edges are flush. Use clamps to hold it in position while you secure it. Working along one of the long sides, fix the plywood to the frame using the 40mm screws. Drill the screws about 200mm apart and check the edges are still flush as you work your way around the frame.
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    Fix the plywood backing to the frame

  • Step 4. Putty and sand the plywood

    Before painting the back of the frame, putty up all of the screw holes. Once dry, sand it back and wipe away the dust. Remember to put on your dust mask and safety glasses while you sand.
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    Putty and sand the plywood

  • Step 5. Paint the back and sides of the frame

    Before painting the back of the frame, putty up all of the screw holes. Once dry, sand it back and wipe away the dust. Remember to put on your dust mask and safety glasses while you sand.
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    Paint the back and sides of the frame

  • Step 6. Prepare the mirror

    We have used a mirror from a wardrobe kit, so we need to remove the rubber seals and door guide first. Use a hammer and chisel to remove the pop rivets that hold the guide in place. Be careful not to damage the mirror. Now place the mirror inside the frame.
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    Preparing the mirror

  • Step 7. Make the inner timber bead

    To make the inner timber bead, you’ll need to cut one length of 655mm and one length of 1765mm Blackbutt timber in half lengthways. Measure and mark a line down the centre of each timber length. Clamp the timber down to the bench, set the guide on your circular saw and cut the wood down the middle. This will be for the inner surround frame around the mirror.
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    Make the inner timber bead

  • Step 8. Cut the timber bead to size

    Measure the width and the height of the mirror. The top and bottom of our mirror measured 542mm while both sides measured 1733mm. Mark these distances on the pieces of blackbutt you’ve already cut lengthways, and then cut them to these measurements.
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    Cut the timber bead to size

  • Step 9. Silicone the bead in place

    Once you’ve cut the timber bead, place it on the mirror, pushed up against the thin aluminium surround. Making sure that it fits perfectly around the mirror, silicone it into place. While the silicone dries, use clamps to hold it securely.
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    Silicone the bead in place

  • Step 10. Attach the outer frame

    Now take the four remaining intact lengths of blackbutt decking – ours measured 655mm each for the top and bottom and 1765mm each for the sides. Place them around the edge so they’re flush with the pine frame. Fix the timber into place with your nail gun. Wear your safety glasses and earmuffs when using the nail gun. You might want to use a nail punch to push the nails further into the timber if you need to.
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    Attach the outer frame

  • Step 11. Putty the frame

    Use wood putty that matches your timber to fill any holes and gaps in the frame. Once the putty is dry, sand it off. Wipe away any dust.
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    Putty the frame

  • Step 12. Varnish the frame

    To protect the mirror while you’re varnishing the frame, put masking tape around the edges. Stir the varnish well to remove any lumps. Apply the varnish in nice smooth strokes. Wait for it to dry then lightly sand it. Wipe away any dust and apply a second coat. Remove the masking tape and your freestanding mirror is finished.
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    Varnish the frame

  • Step 13. Place in your bedroom

    All that’s left to do is put your mirror in place and enjoy!
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    Place in your bedroom

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