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Five Dollar Mirror Makeover

December 17, 2014 by Carrie

This tutorial shows you exactly how to paint an old mirror or frame and give it new life!

Let me tell you a story about an old mirror.

Many years ago my mother-in-law (AKA the Queen of yard sales) bought this mirror thinking we could use it somewhere.  It was old, dirty and not my style.

Mirror makeover before

“What in the world am I going to do with this thing?!?”

That was my first thought about the mirror.

You’ll have to forgive my faithless reaction.  I wasn’t blogging and doing easy DIY projects back then.  I couldn’t see the potential in things like I do now.  Not knowing the potential the mirror had, I put it in a closet and completely forgot about it…

…until a couple months ago.  I rediscovered it while cleaning out my closet.

Now, after many years,  my reaction to that old dirty mirror is completely different.  I see it as a mirror that has tons of potential!  With a little work, I knew it could make it’s new debut in my office gallery wall.

This office gallery wall wouldn't be complete without the 5 Dollar Mirror!

Beautiful mirror! Hard to believe this was a yard sale bargain!

This mirror makeover was so easy to do and cost less than 5 dollars!  I’ll show you step-by-step how I did it so you can too!

Five Dollar Mirror Makeover

Step 1: Clean & Prep

This thing was super dirty and dusty.  I guess the dust is my fault since I let it sit for so many years.  

I used some baby wipes and wiped off the dust.  Several spots on the mirror needed some elbow grease to get some unknown grime off.

You know a mirror is dirty when the once-white rag is now grey.  Or semi-black.

Gross!

dirty rag

Next, I used an old newspaper ad to protect the mirror surface during the painting process.  I traced the frame of the mirror onto the paper.

5 Dollar mirror makeover step 3

I cut the paper slightly outside the line so I would have enough paper to tuck under the frame.

Cut a little outside the line so paper will tuck under edge of frame

Then I tucked the paper underneath as much of the frame as I could.  This kept the paint from getting on the mirror.

Tuck newspaper under edge of frame to protect mirror from paint

Step 2: Paint

I chose a light pink spray paint to transform this ugly duckling into a beautiful swan.  I’m a big believer in using brand name spray paint because the nozzles are bigger and more comfortable to use and the paint stream is more consistent.  My paint of choice for this project was Valspar Premium Finish in satin thistle field.

It ended up raining the day I set aside to paint the mirror.  My only choice was to paint the mirror in the garage.  I set it on top of an old box so the excess paint would be on the box and not the garage floor.

Or so I thought.

Despite my efforts, there were a couple hints of spray paint that ended up on the garage floor.  I’m sure my hubby loves his new garage accent color!

I sprayed the mirror frame with several thin coats until the finish was perfect.  Spraying the paint in several thin coats and letting each coat dry fully before starting the next will ensure a smooth & beautiful finish.  

The key to a smooth finish while spray painting is to spray each coat on in a thin layer and let it dry before starting the next. Valspar Satin Thistle Field

After the paint was fully dry and I was satisfied with the finish, I removed the paper off of the mirror surface.   There were some spots where the paint got on the mirror surface.

Oops.  No problem-theres a quick and easy fix for that!

So I did what any woman would do.  I scratched  it off with my fingernails!

Step 3: Enjoy!

All you need is a little time and five dollars and you can give an old mirror new life!  The Five Dollar Mirror Makeover

This once ugly mirror is now a pretty statement piece in my office gallery wall.  The next time you see a mirror or frame that looks like it’s seen better days, have faith that you can make it into something beautiful!

Beautiful mirror! Hard to believe this was a yard sale bargain!  

Office Gallery Wall with storage unit

This tutorial shows you exactly how to paint an old mirror or frame and give it new life! Valspar satin thistle field

Do you have an item that could use a makeover?

This post shared at: Think and Make Thursday, Your Turn To Shine, The Best DIY Projects and Recipes, Saturday Sharefest, Show Me Saturday, Tutorials and Tips, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, The Weekend re-Treat, I’m Lovin It, Frugal Friday, Serenity Now, and Thrifty Thursday.

Filed Under: All Easy DIY Projects, Budget Makeovers, DIY, Easy Home Decor, Easy Wall Art, Good Ideas, Saving money

« Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop 106
Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop 107 »

Comments

  1. Val @ Love My DIY Home says

    April 23, 2015 at 9:52 pm

    Love it! I want to paint a mirror frame a bright, unusual color – your pink is perfect. It always amazes me how paint can transform a piece like that. Boring and drab to something that looks like it came out of a catalog. BTW, fingernails are the perfect, all around portable tool!

    • Carrie says

      April 25, 2015 at 8:38 am

      Paint is truly my favorite transformation tool. And yes I’m so thankful for my fingernails 🙂

  2. Betsy @ Happily Ever After Etc. says

    January 13, 2015 at 9:45 pm

    I absolutely love this paint color! It’s so shiny! I think it turned out beautifully… my mom must be related to your mil somehow because she is also a queen of finding things that are potentially useless and giving them (foisting them off on) other people! She means well but even an avid DIYer like myself only has space for so much stuff! Got to love the yard sale… just wish I was the one picking out the items! lol Either way your mirror turned out beautifully!

    • Carrie says

      January 14, 2015 at 3:32 pm

      I’m glad you like the mirror too Betsy! Thankfully my MIL usually finds great stuff at yard sales so I can’t complain! I’d say 80% of my kids wardrobe is from the deals she finds at yard sales. Because of her I hardly have to buy clothes for my kids!

  3. Sarah Ann says

    January 12, 2015 at 8:06 pm

    What an adorable mirror! I, too, am a BIG believer in name brand spray paint and can tell a big difference when I use a knock-off. I’m so glad you shared this post at the Sat. Soiree & Social Media Share and hope you’ll continue to join us! Enjoy your week!

    • Carrie says

      January 13, 2015 at 8:44 am

      The brand name spray paint really does make a difference! They’re worth every penny!

  4. Sarah @ SarahTitus.com says

    January 11, 2015 at 8:42 pm

    I have done this with mirrors before as well. It’s such a great trick and it really helps the mirror look new again! So much cheaper than going and spending $30 on a new mirror.

    • Carrie says

      January 12, 2015 at 10:03 am

      I’m all about getting a great look without spending too much! I’m so happy you like it Sarah!

  5. Jessy @ The Life Jolie says

    January 8, 2015 at 6:13 pm

    So cute- thanks for the inspiration- I picked up a mirror at a yard sale in the summer and completely forgot to make it over…maybe that’s my project this weekend.

    • Carrie says

      January 8, 2015 at 6:18 pm

      I’m glad to help inspire a project! You’ll have to let me know how it turns out Jessy!

  6. Amanda @ Dwelling in Happiness says

    January 5, 2015 at 10:53 pm

    Looks beautiful!! It’s always fun to clean out stuff and find something you had in there awhile and do something with it. 🙂 I love the pink you chose!!

    • Carrie says

      January 6, 2015 at 2:26 pm

      Finding trash you can turn into a treasure is always fun! I’m pretty partial to the pink, too!

  7. Ashley ~ 3 Little Greenwoods says

    December 24, 2014 at 3:44 pm

    I adore the color and don’t we all love an awesome yard sale rescue? Thanks for the inspiration!

    Thanks so much for sharing on Show Me Saturday! Hope to see you again the first weekend in January!
    ~ Ashley

    • Carrie says

      December 27, 2014 at 8:08 pm

      That light pink is one of my favorite colors I’ve worked with so far!

  8. Dee says

    December 21, 2014 at 2:07 am

    I love it, especially the color! My backyard has a lot of pretty colors due to spray paint! 🙂

    • Carrie says

      December 21, 2014 at 3:29 pm

      Isn’t spray paint the best? So easy, inexpensive and makes a huge impact!

  9. Kristen says

    December 20, 2014 at 6:41 am

    This looks amazing! I want to do this! Great job…when are you coming to my house?

    • Carrie says

      December 20, 2014 at 8:36 am

      Thanks Kristen! It was so easy you won’t even need my help–but it would be SO fun to do a project together!

  10. Christie says

    December 18, 2014 at 7:47 am

    The mirror looks great! I did the same recently with a mirror my mother bought for me at a thrift store, but I used white chalk paint on mine. Pink is my favorite color, so I think I like yours better! 🙂 Great job!

    • Carrie says

      December 18, 2014 at 9:46 am

      I bet the white chalk paint is beautiful–I’ll have to keep that in mind for the next mirror makeover!

  11. Simple Hacks Living says

    December 18, 2014 at 7:26 am

    I really like this and the pink looks awesome!

    • Carrie says

      December 18, 2014 at 9:47 am

      I love the pink too. It’s enough to bring some personality in but not too overwhelming. Glad you like it too!

  12. Emily says

    December 17, 2014 at 10:38 pm

    Lol at using your fingernails! Truth! I love that wall. It’s so sweet!

    • Carrie says

      December 18, 2014 at 9:47 am

      I was laughing as I scratched off the paint with my fingernails so I knew I had to share that part of the story!

  13. Karen says

    December 17, 2014 at 10:26 pm

    What a fun idea! I always forget how much impact simply changing a color can make!

    • Carrie says

      December 18, 2014 at 9:48 am

      Thanks Karen! The power of a small color change is one reason why I LOVE paint!

  14. Keri says

    December 17, 2014 at 9:37 pm

    So smart! I love the look of the gallery wall ant the transformation of the mirror! Beautiful

    • Carrie says

      December 17, 2014 at 10:08 pm

      Thank you Keri! I’m so happy with this transformation!

  15. Becca says

    December 17, 2014 at 8:11 pm

    I love it!! And the color is a perfect pop!

    • Carrie says

      December 17, 2014 at 10:09 pm

      Pink is always good for a pop!

  16. Shannan says

    December 17, 2014 at 6:08 pm

    Adorable! You’ve inspired me to do redo a mirror I have. 2015 project list started!

    • Carrie says

      December 17, 2014 at 10:10 pm

      How fun! You’ll have to let me know how it turns out!

  17. Kerri Olkjer says

    December 17, 2014 at 4:03 pm

    Awesome! I have some picture frames I need to try this on.

    • Carrie says

      December 17, 2014 at 10:11 pm

      You’ll have so much fun transforming those frames Kerri!

  18. Carrie McLaren says

    December 17, 2014 at 3:59 pm

    Wow! That is so cute – and love seeing the step by step process of making it. Looks easy to me!

    • Carrie says

      December 17, 2014 at 10:13 pm

      I’m all about an easy project! Glad you like it Carrie!

Trackbacks

  1. Show Me Saturday Linky Party #13 - 3 Little Greenwoods says:
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  2. Sundays are for Sharing: Ice Cream Play Dough, Food Photography, 5-Minute Headband Twist, and More - Woman Tribune says:
    February 22, 2015 at 9:43 pm

    […] on the cheap with this $5 mirror makeover. — Carrie This […]

  3. Frugal Friday Link Up Party {Week 23} - Sarah Titus says:
    January 16, 2015 at 7:00 am

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  5. {December Link Love} - Living In This Season says:
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  6. Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop says:
    December 21, 2014 at 8:00 pm

    […] love how spray paint can totally transform an object in the matter of minutes.  The Five Dollar Mirror Makeover is a great example of that fact!  A little pop of pink is exactly what my office […]

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