Turn An Old Mirror Into Beautiful Artwork Decor

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Mirrors have graced the walls of beautiful homes for ages thanks to their visual appeal. The looking glass itself enhances a living space by virtue of its reflective surface while the ornate frames draw attention to their intricate details. But once these mirrors get old and appear to have lost their charm, don't be too quick to toss them out. With a little creativity, you can create beautiful artwork decor and infuse timeless elegance into your space using that same old mirror. And if you don't have any in your storage, a thrifted one will do. In fact, avid thrifters already understand that a simple thrift store mirror DIY makes the most beautiful decor for your home.

To put it simply, for this DIY project, the artwork replaces the mirror. However, you don't need to worry about removing the glass since you'll simply glue the artwork on top. You'll need an old mirror, preferably one with a frame, polystyrene half moons, like these Vibedor 2 inch Styrofoam Half Balls, paint, baking soda, painter's tape, and printed art. When it comes to printed art, look for decoupage paper with a captivating image that'll also enhance the rest of your home's decor. You'll also require a few tools you probably already have: a glue gun, paint brush, and a pair of scissors.

It's good practice to gather everything you need first before starting any DIY project. Then, to make your work on the frame easier, lay your mirror on a flat surface. Next, grab your half moons and place a few drops of hot glue on the bottom of each one. Then attach them one by one all around the frame, pressing down firmly for a good grip.

The next step is painting. Before you begin, stick painter's tape along the edge of the mirror to prevent stray paint from getting on the glass. Now pour black paint into a small bowl and add baking soda — a couple of spoons will do. Stir everything together until you get a good mix. Use this mixture to paint the entire frame, including the half moons. This will create a good base for the next layer of paint while also adding a beautiful textured effect to the frame. To complete the look of this upgraded frame, we'll use spray paint. Go for gold spray paint for an opulent finish and spray the entire frame with the attached half moons. Once it's properly dried, you can now peel off the painter's tape.

Begin by laying the decoupage paper on top of the mirror to check the fitting. If it's bigger than the mirror, don't worry, we'll eventually cut out the extra bits. Grab a clean brush and apply an image transfer medium like Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium all over the mirror. Place your printed art on top of the glue-covered mirror, making sure it's uprightly positioned. Then gently smooth out the paper so it attaches to the mirror. If wrinkles form, you can use crumpled cling wrap to iron them out or your hand wrapped inside a plastic bag. The goal is to avoid tearing the decoupage paper in the process.

Once the printed artwork has adhered to the mirror surface, apply one more layer of the decoupage medium for the final seal and leave it to dry. Finally, cut out any extra paper around the mirror and your artwork decor is now ready for display. Prop it on a shelf against the wall or attach a wire support at the back and hang it up.

Your wall decor is done but you can decorate the mirror frame even further by applying a hint of decorative wax in colors that match your artwork. Or if you've got another old mirror you want to also upgrade, vary the design by using different Styrofoam like the star-shaped or heart-shaped ones. Think outside the box even when it comes to the minute details because it's the small changes that'll make your home feel more luxurious.