How to Frame Bathroom Mirror With Clips: 6-step DIY

As someone whose bathroom mirror is currently backed with those little plastic clips, I know the feeling of wanting to frame it without having to remove and potentially damage them.

There are a few reasons you might want to do this- maybe you’re moving soon and don’t want to put effort into removing them and then reinstalling them again later. Or, maybe you just don’t like their look and want to find a way to cover them up.

Whatever your reasons, I’m here to help you figure out how to frame your bathroom mirror with the attached clips. You’ll have a builder-grade mirror that will leave your master bath the envy of the town.

Key Takeaways:

  • Bathroom mirrors are often held in place with plastic clips that are tricky to remove, but you don’t have to if you want to frame it
  • Framing a bathroom mirror yourself is really easy, and you can even measure out the wood to make the frame yourself
  • Once the frame is installed, you can add any additional decorations that you like

How to Frame A Bathroom Mirror with Clips

It’s easy to get OVERWHELMED when you’re faced with tasks like this, and removing bathroom mirror clips can be a hassle.

The good news is that you don’t have to, so let’s take a look at the steps you can take to make your own frame and get it mounted.

Not only is it easy, but you’ll also have a unique DIY bathroom mirror frame that friends and family are sure to LOVE, making your master bathroom look spectacular. [1]

What You Will Need

  • 4 pieces of wood (cut and measured) to make the frame
  • Wood paint or wood stain
  • Staplegun or liquid nails
  • Hangers (for mounting)
  • 4 L brackets
  • Spray paint for the brackets

Step One: Lay Out the Boards

BEFORE you start cutting or painting anything, you need to lay out the boards that will make up your frame around the mirror. This will help you get an idea of the FINISHED product and ensure that everything is proportionate.

Step Two: Attach the Boards to Make the Frame

Once you have the boards laid out, it’s time to start ATTACHING them. You can use a staple gun, liquid nails, and wood glue to make this happen. If you want to ensure it’s secure, you can use both.

Pro Tip: You must make sure the frame is level when you attach it. This can be done by using a level or measuring from the top left corner to the bottom right corner (and vice versa).

Step Three: Stain the Frame or Paint it

Now that the frame is put together, it’s time to make it look PRETTY. You can do this by staining it or painting it.

I recommend using a wood conditioner BEFORE you start staining your wood frame so that the stain goes on evenly.

Pro Tip: Make sure you get plenty of stains or paint for your bathroom makeover, as a large bathroom mirror will need several coats.

Step Four: Paint Your Brackets

While the frame is drying, you can work on painting your brackets. These will be used to MOUNT the frame onto the wall. You can use any color you want, but I recommend something that complements the frame.

Pro Tip: Remember that the size of your brackets will depend on the size of the mirror. A large mirror will need different brackets from a small one, and this is easy to forget when you frame a mirror for the first time.

Step Five: Attach the Brackets and the Mirror

Once the frame and brackets are dry, it’s time to put them all together. Center your frame on the mirror and use the L brackets to SECURE it in place.

After you frame a bathroom mirror and secure the brackets, it should lay flat for SEVERAL hours while it sets. This is especially true if you use mirror adhesive. It’s very similar to making a picture frame.

Step Six: Hang the Frame

Now, all you have to do is use the hangers to MOUNT the frame on the wall, and you’re done. Maybe you will put it in the guest bathroom or on an accent wall – the choice is yours.

It is that simple, and you can start using the mirror immediately.

The tricky part is always how to ensure the frame fits your mirror. So here’s how you can easily hack it.

How to Measure the Frame to Fit Your Mirror

If you’re unsure how to measure the frame to fit your mirror, DON’T worry, I’ve got you covered. Here’s a quick and easy guide you can follow:

  1. First, measure the width of your mirror.
  2. Next, measure the height of your mirror.
  3. Then, add 1 inch to each measurement. For example, if your mirror is 24 inches wide and 36 inches tall, you would add 2 inches to the width and 3 inches to the height.
  4. Finally, use these measurements to cut your frame pieces.

Check out this video on how to frame a large bathroom mirror.

FAQs

How do you frame a mirror without taking it off the wall?

To glue the frame to the wall, use silicone caulk or construction adhesive. Avoid gluing the frame to the mirror because both adhesive forms are difficult to remove from glass.

Do you have to use mirror clips?

You can use mirror mastic to attach a mirror to the wall, but for additional support, clips can be necessary. Especially on a rigid surface.

How much weight do mirror clips hold?

The average clip can hold from 20 to 30lbs.

Conclusion

I hope that this guide has been helpful to you, and it really is this EASY to make your own frame and mount it on the wall. It only takes a few hours, and that includes waiting for the paint to dry.

Now you know how to frame bathroom mirrors with clips without DAMAGING your mirror or taking too much time. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and give it a try.

If you enjoyed this guide, you’ll have to check out the others I have on my blog. They might just give you a few more great ideas.

bathroom with a framed mirror

Resources

  • 1. Kuznetsov S, Paulos E. Rise of the expert amateur. Proceedings of the 6th Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction Extending Boundaries – NordiCHI ’10. Published online 2010. doi:10.1145/1868914.1868950