Choosing the Right Wooden Mirror
First question to think about is do you already have a wall wooden mirror as part of your bedroom furniture? If yes, the question of adding a wooden mirror may not need to be answered. If yes, but I also want another wooden mirror, then the question remains – which one and how do I choose? Of course if you have no wooden mirror then the question about do I want one is easy. So now that you know you want a wooden mirror, try standing in the room and look around. What do you want to accomplish with the wooden mirror? Even if you have a wooden mirror you may want to add a full length wooden mirror. Then the next question may be what style wooden mirror, decorative wall wooden mirror or perhaps a round wooden mirror or square or rectangle. So many to choose from.
It seems like too many questions, but take them one at a time. What do you want to accomplish? Take an example of a rectangle shaped master bedroom with cherry wood finish furniture and a double wooden mirror over the triple dresser. This wall wooden mirror is quite adequate if you want to see yourself from the waist up. Pretty much this wall wooden mirror shows you the same as the bathroom wood mirror. So again, what is the goal? If it were me I would say that you might like to see how you look from head to toe so consider alternatives.
A full length wooden mirror comes in several styles – either a cheval or a leaner wooden mirror. Oh yes, there is the simple hang on the back of the door wooden mirror, but that is 100% practical and 0% decorative. Part of your decision process is just what to you want to accomplish. If just practical stop right here. If decorative then continue. The cheval full length wood mirror sits in a stand, It can be oval or rectangle. It can be taller or shorter. Frequently these are made with a wood frame and stand alone wherever you want to put it. In this bedroom I would suggest that it be placed near a window on the opposite side of the room from the dresser wall wooden mirror. Each can provide a reflection of the other, as well as reflecting light. Now your goal is expanded to create reflection.
If your goal is to really create reflection, a leaner wooden mirror is something to consider for the dramatic effect. Leaner wood mirrors are very large wooden mirrors that sit on the floor and lean against the wall. If you take the same bedroom example then place the dresser and wooden mirror at the far end of the rectangle room. Next, place the leaner wooden mirror somewhere close to the entrance to the room. Imagine that your doorway is at the end of the room with the leaner wooden mirror close to it. As you walk in the two wooden mirrors reflect each other expanding the width and depth of the room. If the doorway is in the middle of the room placing the wooden mirrors at the far end from each other would still catch your eye as you look right to left.
So by taking it a little at a time it appears that selecting the full length wooden mirror and placing it are all tied to your goal. In the beginning you may have known one part of your goal, but by choosing style and placement you expanded it to understand that reflection/light and illusion of size are also involved.
Making A Wooden Mirror
Wooden mirror frames can work in nearly any decor, from modern to traditional. Choose a rustic, unfinished look with faded, reclaimed barn wood or finish a set of frames in a bright colored stain for a modern look. Wooden frame molding is available in finished or unfinished stock, but if you have some scraps of lumber around the house, consider putting them together to make a frame.
Consider your decor. If your furnishings and accessories lean toward the homespun and folk art look, consider a reclaimed barn wood frame. If your mirror will be in a room with modern decor, consider a plain, finished wood frame. A wooden mirror frame for a baby’s room or hallway should enhance or complement the space in some way.
Measure your mirror, and write down the dimensions. Head to a home improvement store for your lumber or molding, and buy enough for your project. If your mirror is very large, be sure to purchase molding with inner sections cut away. The cut away areas will hold the mirror in place.
Saw the lumber into four pieces per the measurements of the mirror. Be sure that the length of each piece is at least the full length of each side plus the molding width to allow for mitering. For example, if your mirror is 12 inches long on one side and your molding is 2 inches wide, that section of your frame should be 16 inches long.
Use a mitering box to miter the corners yourself. If you don’t have a mitering box, don’t worry. For a small fee, a hardware store will do the mitering for you. Sand away any rough edges.
Glue the pieces together with wood glue, and clamp them. Let the clamps remain in place for 24 hours until the glue is completely dry. Remove the clamps, and scrape away excess glue with a straight edge. Use a staple gun to secure the seams or use another fastening device.
Prime and paint, or stain. Allow the finish on your new wooden frame to completely dry before applying it to the mirror.
Lay the frame flat, and attach mirror adhesive around the frame. Center it on your mirror. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for drying times. Be sure to use mirror adhesive. Other adhesives may destroy your mirror’s silvering.