Mirror Makeover: How to Paint a Mirror Frame

Come see this mirror makeover and learn how to paint a mirror frame with step by step guide. Save this post so you can make sure you know how to do this easy DIY whenever you find an old mirror you want to upcycle!

I love when I can breathe new life into something I already have. Whether it is upcycling it into something new or just giving it a little makeover, I love these kinds of projects and the creativity that comes with them. 

When we gave my daughter’s bedroom a tween makeover a few months ago, we swapped out the old mirror in her room with a more modern, boho chic mirror that is her style. The mirror she had in there had previously been my mirror at our old house, at our first house and even at my apartment before that. The mirror has been with me longer than even Kevin! 

It’s been a good mirror. I’ve always loved the shape and the simplicity of the lines. But it was 2005 silver, and obviously gold has made a massive comeback in home decor. 

Instead of willing the mirror away, I decided it was time to give to do a mirror makeover and learn how to paint a mirror frame.

Making it my mid-life style

I already mentioned that I love the shape of the mirror. I really believe that you can’t go wrong with a nice rectangle. However, it was definitely from a different era in my life. I decided to upcycle the silver mirror into a gold mirror – more of a champagne gold mirror versus the brassy gold.

I also wanted to add a few more traditional touches. The original mirror was really simple, with straight edges and not a lot of detail with the exception of some beading around the sides. As my life has changed, I’ve definitely gravitated towards more traditional and vintage pieces. I decided to add a few wooden flourishes to the edges to give it more of a traditional vintage vibe. 

Here’s how to paint a mirror and add some flourish details to breath new life into it.

Supplies for the mirror makeover

• Wooden Flourishes – My pieces are pretty similar to these ones {HERE}.
• Wood glue – I used a gorilla multipurpose wood glue
• Spray paint – I used two colors. Rustoleum Sunlit Brass Spray Paint {HERE} and Rustoleum Vintage Gold {HERE}
• Liquid Mask – This was used in place of blue tape and you can find it {HERE}. I love the way that this covered the entire mirror surface of the mirror so I didn’t have to worry about using blue tape on the whole thing. Painters use this on windows when they are spraying the trim. 
• A paint brush – For painting on the liquid mask. 
• Vintage Gold Paint {HERE}
• Sunlit Brass Paint {HERE}

Steps for the Mirror Makeover: How to paint a mirror frame

Liquid Mask

Before doing anything else, I cleaned the mirror. This step was important before spray painting and then adding the liquid mask. You don’t want to do either of these on a dust surface. 

Once the mirror was clean I simply brushed on the liquid mask. It went on very easily. Put on a nice thick layer because that makes it easier to remove it later. I had some trouble in areas where I had it too thin. 

Adding detail

Before painting the mirror, I added the corner details by securing them with wood glue and letting them dry for several hours. Hold them in place until they no longer slip or wiggle.

Once they were no longer moveable, I was able to paint the mirror.

How to paint a mirror frame

When the liquid mask was dry, I went to town spray painting the mirror. Because I used liquid mask, the surface of the mirror was safe and I didn’t have to worry about getting paint on any part of it. I started with the sunlit brass color but after letting it dry, I decided that was a bit too brassy. 

I went in with the vintage gold to give it a nice dusting of that color and then ended up using the two in tandem to achieve a final outcome that I loved. 

Once the mirror had dried for 24 hours, I removed the liquid mask. As I mentioned, this was more difficult than I hoped in places where I painted the liquid mask on too thin. 

Lastly, I cleaned the mirror again and we hung it over the fireplace. What do you think of the outcome?

Looking for more easy Home Decor DIYs? 

Check out these home decor DIYs if you’re looking to change things up in your home this season. 

• Peel & Stick Wallpaper Tips {HERE}
• TV stand decor makeover {HERE}
• How to hang a gallery wall {HERE}
• Wood Basement Flooring Tile {HERE}
• Neutral Bedroom Makeover {HERE}

Thank you so much for stopping by friends! I hope that this post helped to inspire you and feel more comfortable with how to paint a mirror frame. And I hope you will come back again!