Revamping mirrors is one of my favorite projects to do because you can really transform a dated mirror in very little time, effort and dollars. Instant gratification friends! Simply by changing the finish or color of a mirror frame, you can instantly transform and update a wall and room.
Textured, ornate and carved mirror frames are my favorite to revamp because all it takes is a quick and light wipe with a foam paint brush and in an instant, it’s a completely different mirror.
Here is a mirror that I recently revamped in just a few minutes for the Studio 319 Salon remodel project. It’s hard to really see in the picture but the mirror frame was a heavy gold tone and we wanted to make the frame more neutral and diffuse the gold. Here is the mirror before:
Here is the mirror after I very lightly went over the the top of the textured frame with taupe paint on a foam brush:
I did the exact same paint wipe technique on this very ornate gold carved mirror at the entrance of Studio 319 (sorry I do not have a before picture but it was a very heavy, heavy yellow gold):
I just wanted to diffuse the gold as much as I could to make the mirror more neutral and wanted just a hint of that gold coming through:
You can do this technique on any kind of textured frames. It’s so easy and if you want to change the color or diffuse a certain finish, this is an easy solution.
For this “wipe” technique, I like to use a satin or flat paint (I like a chalky finish). I used Sherwin Williams “Barcelona Beige” for these mirror revamps. I use a foam craft/paint brush and get a very small amount of paint on my brush and I dab onto to paper towel to make sure I do not have too much paint. Next, I keep my foam brush parallel with the frame and lightly wipe like I’m putting on blush on my cheek:
I keep the paint real light and my brush strokes also very light onto the top frame texture and I swipe kind of fast. If you want more paint on the frame just do it again but still keep the paint light to avoid getting paint beyond the top texture. It doesn’t bother me if I miss and some paint gets down into the other parts of the frame but if it bothers you, keep a couple wet q-tips near to wipe away. If you make a larger mistake, just wipe the frame with a warm, wet washcloth and let it dry and start over.
I also like to spray paint mirrors to update them or change the colors. In fact, when I’m shopping for a new mirror, I really don’t care what the finish is because I know that I can easily change it and make it the exact color and finish that I want with spray paint. Here is mirror revamp that we also did for Studio 319 with this fabulous quatrefoil mirror:
Of course this is a fabulous mirror in black but I really wanted a super high gloss white mirror for the bathroom, so I just spray painted it. Rustoleum makes a high gloss white lacquer spray paint that I knew would be perfect.
I started by sliding pieces of paper under the edge of the mirror frame and taping to cover the mirror. I then I sprayed a light coat of spray primer (Rustoleum) and let it dry 2 hours and then I sprayed my high-gloss white lacquer:
The spray lacquer is different and needs several thin layers of paint with drying time in between to really get the high gloss look. It look me 2-3 layers before I got the high gloss/shiny look. As soon as I saw shine, I stopped spraying.
I love the end result and it’s perfect in the Studio 319 restroom. By the way, the quatrefoil mirror above is made by Allen + Roth and is sold at Lowe’s (sale $59.00). I’m going to go and pick up another one for my daughter’s bedroom and spray it a bold pink. Such a great mirror for any room! Great price too!
Well that’s it for now, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! I have several fun projects coming up next week, so be sure and check back. As always, thank you so much for your comments, emails and notes! I just love hearing from you!
Cheers!
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Darleen says
Great, great solution and tutorial! The Studio 319 redo is wow! I have coveted those lampshades since the first post featuring the new & improved Studio 319. I think every Lowe's customer within earshot of my squeal of excitement when I located them knows too! Thank you for sharing the tip to an easy and inexpensive way to reflective revamp.
Best,
Darleen
The Exchange says
Thank you so much Darleen! I'm so glad that you liked the remodel, it certainly was a labor of love and a labor! LOL! You are so funny about the lampshades, I should have posted where they were from! Yes, Sharon and I screamed as well when we saw them! So fabulous. Lowe's has really turned into a great place for lamps!
Thank you again for your sweet comments and have a wonderful weekend!
Cyndy
Jane says
I love mirrors…and have a wall of mirrors in my family room. This weekend's project is to paint them with Annie Sloan's Emperor Silk red… Most of my mirrors have come from garage sales, Salvation Army, Home Goods, and the Fancy Flea market. I have never paid more than $30 for any mirror…and that one was HUGE!
WhyCuzICan says
Sweet, simple and very cute! Amazing what a little paint can do! Love your mirror re-loves!
Visiting from Funky Junk Interiors via link party today
~Suzanne in IL
Elsa says
Love those mirrors! I've got the last one as well and have been meaning to spray paint it too.
Teresa @ ♥ Too Many Heartbeats ♥ says
Wow, that is awesome! I {{heart}} your bathroom and both of your mirrors! AWESOME!
I may have to get my husband to do that is above a dresser in my daughters room. It is a gilded mirror that came with some french provincial bedroom furniture we bought at a yard sale for her when she was very young. Now she is about to start her sophomore year in college and has new furniture. Therefore, I'd like to use that mirror somewhere else in our home since it is SO pretty. I will definitely save this post for when my hubby gets that far on his honey-do list! LOL! Thanks for the instructions!
Blessings,
Teresa
Wendy says
Wow you did a great job, i love the colors you used. I especially love the white odd shaped mirror.
BeingBrook says
I love painting mirrors! Such an easy was to transform a room. I've started using tinfoil to cover round/oval ones for painting because it's easier to manipulate than paper. My favorite is that white one. Way cool shape!
June@I will craft says
Fun technique to just lightly paint the frame. I have a couple old gold framed mirrors and I think I'll try this on one of them.
Ayana says
I like mirrors!!! I have many mirrors in my house. Thank you for sharing the tips to an easy and inexpensive way to reflective revamp. Creative!
The Exchange says
Thank you so much ladies! I'm glad that you can use these techniques, it really is an easy way to change up quick!
Edwina says
I have 1970 gold ornate raised design that I need to update. I am really afraid of the spray paint plus the expense. You just use flat paint? Should I consider satin? Thanks
Denyse@Crazy Beautiful Life says
I love how you changed the mirrors…I have some mirrors I want to revamp in my house and just haven't got around to…Now you got me thinking!!!
Following from "Whatever goes Wednesday"…
Andrea says
Thanks for the inspiration! Your timing couldn't be better, I am collecting frames for an art collage in my girls room. The frames will all be getting a good coat of paint, and your technique in textured frames is something I would have never thought of. I love it! (thanks for stopping by and commenting on my fun foods post, I am thrilled to hear from followers!)
Jennette says
Hello…
I love the mirror with the 2 blue lamps!
It looks like there is bluish/gray paint in that frame… If so how did you apply that color?
I have a gold mirror that I want to revamp and I love those colors!!!
Thanks!
Jennifer says
I came across this page when I googled “painting mirrors”. I have a gold framed mirror with some black, but it is really GOLD 🙂 Would you use black or white paint to tone it down? I am not crafty at all; so, I really don’t know where to start 🙂 Any advice would be appreciated!
Cyndy says
Hi Jennifer! How about using the light swipe technique with more a flat black, be sure and not to cover all of the gold and then after it dries, swipe over it with white? This way you get a little black, a little gold but you’re updating it with the white. Good luck Jennifer and let us know how it goes! Cyndy
m c p says
I’ve searched several times hoping to come across this exact information. Thank you so much for taking the time to create this post. I have several fine paintings from the ’80’s but the frames are quite GOLD. Yes, it’s gradually coming back in style but it will take awhile for gold this strong to make the comeback, I think! I will practice your subtle technique before tackling the actual frames but I just know this is the answer.
Thanks again!
Carrie says
Thanks so much! I have an ornate mirror that needs an update, and found this blog just googling ideas. 🙂 The first technique should work perfectly!
Emily Mauro says
Love your ideas, I have question on LARGE BATHROOM WALL MIRRORS. Some of the undercoat has been chipped, how or what can I use to paint on the back of mirror, so it won’t show dark from front and blend in with all the mirror. Thank you for your help. Emily
Voula says
Which spray lacquer did you use?Rustoleum the base and then top coat?