Hi there! I, Holly, love sharing tips on how to spice up boring dollar store supplies and basic finds . . . the easy way. Quite possibly one of the most boring necessities out there is a mirror. I'm not necessarily talking about a wall mirror or a framed mirror, though this method could absolutely be used to decorate a mirror like that. But what I'm referring to are the small round mirrors (about 6″ or so) you can get at Dollar Tree or even at craft stores – round or square. These type of mirrors need a little “oomph”, especially if they are going to be sitting on a desk or vanity.
I'm going to show you how to decorate a mirror like this. The easiest way possible! And like I said, you can use this method on bathroom mirrors, full sized vanity mirrors, wall mirrors . . . you're just adding a bit of flair with Mod Podge. Not only is it a very quick project, but you can use designs from wrapping paper, magazines or even printouts to make unique decoupaged designs on small mirrors.
Here are two concerns you might have about decorating a mirror so I wanted to get those out of the way first!
Can I Still Use My Mirror?
By gluing designs only to the edges of the mirror, it does not take away from the space you have to see reflections in the mirror, but it turns a plain mirror into a beautiful piece of décor. In order to hang it more easily, you can glue the finished DIY to a piece of balsa wood that is slightly larger and hammer it into your desired spot on the wall.
If I Decorate My Mirror – Can I Eventually Remove It?
Absolutely! If you use Mod Podge, you'll be able to remove it from the mirror. You'll have to soak the paper floral embellishment (or whatever it is) with water, so that portion will be ruined. But the mirror will be. You'll simply spray the area with warm water and it it soak a little bit so the Mod Podge reactivates. Then you can scrap away the glue. If you find any resistance a razor blade and/or a little bit of elbow grease really helps. Mod Podge is very tough but the Gloss formula can absolutely be removed from glass surfaces (including mirrors) if you soak it long enough with water.
Now let's jump into the tutorial!
How to Decorate a Mirror (the Easy Way!)
Gather These Supplies
- Small round mirror
- Mod Podge Gloss
- Paint brush
- Wrapping paper or magazines
- Scissors
- Round balsa wood (optional)
- Hot glue gun (optional)
Step 1: Carefully cut out the design(s) you want to place on the mirror. They can either stand alone or overlap like a collage.
Step 2: Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the backside of the paper cutouts and carefully place on the front of the mirror. Press in place with your fingers. It’s OK if the design hangs off of the mirror.
Step 3: Repeat with additional pieces if desired. If any Mod Podge smears on any other areas of the mirror, quickly wipe it away with a damp towel. You can also use a razor blade or craft knife to remove excess once it's dried.
Step 4: Once your design is final, apply another thin layer of Mod Podge on top of the paper, painting it so that there is only a very thin border of Mod Podge around the paper. You don’t want any unnecessary Mod Podge on the mirror as it will cloud the reflection. Allow to dry completely.
Step 5 (optional): If desired, apply hot glue to the back of the mirror and stick to a piece of balsa wood that is slightly larger than the mirror. This makes it easier to hang. For small, lightweight mirrors, you can simply hammer the balsa wood into a wall to hang the mirror.
Now a plain dollar store mirror looks like a unique piece of art! Would you ever decorate a mirror like this? I'd love to know your experiences. Leave questions and thoughts in the comments!
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