How To Frame A Mirror Over Plastic Clips

Have you ever tried to figure out how to frame a bathroom mirror over plastic clips?  I always wanted to frame my bathroom mirror but didn’t know how to do it because it had plastic clips over the mirror.  This easy tutorial will show you how to frame your bathroom mirror even though it has plastic clips.

Framing this mirror is one of the easier home improvement projects I’ve done.  Some of my other favorite easy DIY projects is this easy Cinder Block Bench, a DIY Upholstered Headboard and learning How To Whitewash Wood.

Do you want to know how to frame your bathroom mirror that has plastic clips like these?  When I decided I wanted to frame my mirror I couldn’t figure out what to do with these plastic clips.  They were way to big to just frame over them but if I took them off I’d risk having the mirror fall down.  I looked everywhere for a tutorial that would show me how to solve this issue but didn’t have any luck.

Framing A Bathroom Mirror

I’ve seen probably a half-dozen tutorials all over blog land showing you how to frame a bathroom mirror featuring amazing transformations simply by adding some molding around the edges.

And everyone says something to the effect of:

“THIS IS THE EASIEST UPDATE EVER! I WISH I WOULD’VE DONE IT A LONG TIME AGO! I’M GOING TO DO ALL MY MIRRORS NOW!”

This project is one that has been on my to do list for a while now. because if it really is that easy, maybe I could do it? Except I had something standing in my way. Two things, actually. Two little, {ugly} plastic clips that were holding my mirror to the wall and holding me back from completing this project.

I searched high and low on how to frame a bathroom mirror when your mirror has little {ugly} plastic clips and I couldn’t find any solution.

And so my mirrors sat there. No frames, no pizazz, no nothing.

My house is only 7 years old and not outdated. I like my fixtures, hardware and flooring. I like it all… except I really don’t like my builder-grade mirrors.

So I set off to find a solution to rid those clips and make my mirror pretty.

And guess what? I found one. {Insert happy dance here!}

The best part is, the solution is literally 1 more step than all the tutorials I’ve seen to frame out your mirror, so this project is still super easy. {YAY!}

Here is the secret:

Yep, washers!

How To Frame Your Bathroom Mirrors

Look for the thinnest washer you can find- you might want to buy a few sizes and see which one lays flattest against your mirror. (You can purchase washers individually for 10-20 cents each.)

When you find which one fits best, unscrew the screw holding the plastic clip and then replace it with the washer, using the same screw and hole already in your wall.

Do one at a time, obviously.

The washers will hold the mirror to the wall as securely as the plastic clip does, but it lays {almost} flat, so you can glue molding right over the top of it.

HOW EASY IS THAT?!?!?!?

And now you are ready to frame your mirror!

I followed the simple tutorial on framing your mirror from Blue Cricket Design. Her post was the first one I saw featuring this project and I’ve also seen this mirror in real life, so I can attest to how good it looks and rest assured there were no “hidden” ugly spots.

Tips For Framing Your Bathroom Mirror

Because I followed Becca’s tutorial step-by-step, I won’t repost the entire thing here. but I do want to tell you a few TIPS I had. Some of you will thank me for sharing these, and others will think I am lame for needing to spell it out. But that is how I am, and I need things spelled out.

TIP: First, when you buy your molding, you might want to pick up one of these:

I had heard of them before, I just didn’t know what they were and how to use it.

A Miter Box is a plastic tool used to cut perfect 45 degree angles- something you need to do for molding projects. I bought mine at Lowes on the same aisle as the molding and it came with its own miter saw. With my new miter box I was able to take my molding home and cut it myself.

Tip: Look at the molding around one of the doorways in your house to get a visual and to be sure you are cutting it right. I almost made some cuts upside down, but luckily I had something to go off of.

Tip: Get a caulking gun to apply your liquid nails. Save yourself the hassle of trying to apply it without a gun (or a 2nd trip to the store!) and make sure you pick one up.

Tip: Also, be generous with the amount of Liquid Nails you use. Put the liquid nails in the center of the molding.  Be sure to avoid the edges so it doesn’t seep onto your mirror when you press it. This scared me a bit, so I went too light on the liquid nails so as not to have a seeping mess. The next day when it was supposed to be dry, my molding was bowed in the corners of my mirror and not stuck to the glass because I didn’t have enough liquid nails holding it down.

Tip: If you find your molding bowed in the morning, don’t get discouraged and walk away. Don’t vow not to ever attempt another home improvement project again. Don’t let this project sit for a week and contemplate hiring someone to fix it for you. Just add some more liquid nails and let it dry again overnight. I may have done the above dramatics and when I realized how easy the fix was, I felt silly.

So there you have it. My pretty mirror.

And this tutorial wouldn’t be complete without saying,

“THIS IS THE EASIEST UPDATE EVER! I WISH I WOULD’VE DONE IT A LONG TIME AGO! I’M GOING TO DO ALL MY MIRRORS NOW!

And I am serious. I totally am.