The Affordable Product That Gives Any Mirror A Rustic Vibe (It's So Renter-Friendly)

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When it comes to home design, it really is all about the little things. Sure, big and bold design pieces like brightly patterned wallpaper, a vibrant statement rug, or jaw-dropping stone countertops can make a huge impact; but when a home looks like an HGTV star unleashed their magic onto it, we're willing to bet it's because of the little details. In these situations, everything from the trim to the backsplash to the picture frames feel intentional, elevated, and perfectly placed.

Of course, it's easy to feel like you just don't have the time, budget, or wherewithal to figure out how to make every last detail of your space look incredible. That's why it's exciting when an affordable little item comes along to transform home decor from lackluster to rustic chic. In that spirit, may we introduce you to wood grain tape?

Wood grain tape is an adhesive that looks surprisingly like real wood paneling. It's intended to look like one of the design elements that people with high-end decor taste always use, but it's priced for tastemakers of every tax bracket and easy enough for even the most beginner DIYers to use. By arranging it like a border around a border-less mirror, wood grain tape can enhance the look of the entire bathroom. It's kind of like woodworking without any of the woodworking. Plus, since the tape can be removed, it's a clever, renter-friendly upgrade you can try without worry.

You might have already used washi tape as decor, but now it's time to up your interior design tape game. This project is primarily for borderless mirrors, specifically ones with straight edges rather than rounded ones since it can be tough to get the tape to seamlessly glide over arches and curves. For your tape, Black Wood Grain Removable PVC Tape is a solid option if the color fits in with your decor. If not, shop around at retailers like Amazon or hardware stores for wood grain tape in different shades. Just make sure you're looking at peel & stick varieties if you're a renter. 

Before you begin, clean your mirror and let it completely dry. Then, measure one side of your mirror and cut a strip of tape a little longer than that side — a little extra tape is okay since you can trim it or tape it over the edge once it's applied.

Start sticking the tape to the mirror at one end, going slowly but steadily to keep it even and bubble-free. A credit card or small wallpaper application tool can help smooth the tape as you go. Since it's peel and stick, it's okay to pick up pieces as you go if they are uneven or bubbly and retry for a better application. Once you hit the corner and you're happy with how it looks, use a small blade to trim the edge or simply fold any excess over the back of the mirror. Then, continue with the application on all sides of the mirror until you've got an upgraded mirror.