There is no doubt that we all lead incredibly busy lives these days, typically juggling work, children and the challenge of fitting everything into our weekly schedules. Often, there simply isn’t enough time to accomplish everything, which leads us to frequently postpone those DIY projects around the house.
In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to upcycle a dated brown wooden mirror and refresh it with a contemporary colour using Rust-Oleum Furniture Paint. The whole project can be completed in 48 hours (or over a weekend), so it’s perfect if you struggle to find time for DIY.
Why choose metal packaging for your DIY supplies?
Before we start, let’s talk about something that often gets overlooked: packaging. The product I’m using—Rust-Oleum Furniture Paint—comes in metal tins, and that’s no accident.
Metal packaging is one of the most sustainable options out there because it’s:
- Endlessly recyclable and reusable
- Great for long-term storage
- And can even be repurposed creatively once empty!
By choosing paint in metal tins, you’re not only making something beautiful for your home—you’re also making a small but meaningful choice for the planet. And by upcycling an old mirror rather than replacing it, you’re helping to keep usable items out of landfill too.
Now, let’s get started with my step-by-step guide to upcycling your mirror.
What you need to complete the DIY job.
• 750ml tin of Rust-Oleum furniture paint
- Assorted sandpaper
- Dust sheets
- 2 Paintbrushes 1 inch & 2 Inch
- Masking tape
- Wood filler
- Damp cloth
Step 1 Cleaning the mirror
It’s important to remove any grime or dirt that may have built up over the years by brushing it down and wiping with a damp cloth.
Step 2 Removing the mirror from Frame
For most mirrors, it is quite simple to detach them from the wooden frame, which is typically secured by small metal tabs, while the mirror itself is usually adhered to a piece of hardboard. The benefit of removing the mirror is that it allows for effortless painting of the frame, eliminating any risk of accidentally getting paint on the mirror.
If it’s not possible to remove the actual mirror you can using masking tape on the mirror to protect it from the paint.
Tip 1
When removing the mirror be very careful as they can crack easily, so be sure to remove it gently and take your time.
Step 3 Preparing the mirror to paint
Now that you have the frame ready, it will be easy to sand it down. Your goal is to achieve a smooth finish, so I recommend using P180 sandpaper; this will eliminate any imperfections and provide an excellent surface for the paint to adhere to.
Tip 2
You’ll find a lot of dust on the frame once you’ve sanded it, so a quick fix for this is to use a damp cloth to wipe the frame down and remove all the dust.
Step 4 Painting the mirror
Once you have completed all the above steps you can now start to paint the frame and turn your mirror into a contemporary modern mirror.
I will be using Rustoleum furniture paint and the colour I have chosen is Ink Blue. It’s a modern colour to suit any modern home.
Using the 1-inch brush start by painting the frame using long even strokes. The frame will require 2 coats of paint so make sure you leave the recommended makers time to dry between coats.
1st Coat
Once it’s completely dry apply the second coat of paint.
Tip 3
If 2 coats of paint have not covered the old dark wood grain stain then you can apply a 3rd coat of paint – although 2 coats of paint should be sufficient.
Finishing off
Now that your frame is fully painted, you can reinsert the mirror. Take your time and exercise caution, ensuring that it is entirely secure by pressing down the metal tabs located on the back of the frame.
And the final step is to decide where you want your upcycled mirror. This mirror is long and narrow so it’s perfect for a hallway which is exactly where I have hung it in my home. It’s perfect to check yourself before leaving the house.
