How to Create a Decorative Mirror with Tile
Decorative mirrors add a special touch to any room. Make them even more special by designing and creating your own tile mirror frame. Purchase pre-cut glass tiles of various sizes or break up ceramic plates you have at home to make the tile pieces. Decorative mirrors make unique gifts as well. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Frame with removable mirror
- Ceramic plates
- Hammer
- Utility knife
- Ceramic or glass tiles
- Tile cutter
- Tile adhesive
- Grout
- Grout spreader
- Rubber glove
- Sponge
- Soft dry cloth
Instructions
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Choose a Design
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1
Remove the mirror from the frame. Decide on a design for the mirror frame. Designs may be intricate or just randomly placed pieces of tile. Look up examples of mosaic mirror tiles on the Internet or in home decor magazines and see what appeals to you. Once you have decided on a design, draw an outline of it on the frame. Choose which ceramic plates or glass tiles you wish to use and which colors.
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2
Make your own tiles. Use a tile cutter or smash any ceramic plates you have selected to use for the mirror. Wrap the plate in packing paper or bubble wrap. Use a hammer to gently break up the plate into pieces. If the pieces are too large for the design, keep breaking the pieces into smaller ones. Wipe the mirror frame with a soft, dry cloth. Use a utility knife on a wooden frame to make a line across the wood, known as "scoring," so the adhesive will affix easily.
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3
Test your design by laying out the pieces over the design you have prepared on the frame. Make any desired changes. Once you have the design locked in, apply tile adhesive to each individual piece of tile or ceramic and affix it to the frame with gentle pressure. Let the pieces dry completely for 24 hours.
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4
Put newspapers or a flat plastic garbage bag on a firm surface and position the frame on it for grouting. Mix grout with water to the consistency of pancake batter. Spread the grout across the tile pieces on the frame, using a grout spreader or spatula. While wearing a glove, ensure that the grout gets into the harder-to-reach areas using your fingers.
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5
Remove excess grout with a damp sponge. Polish the grout with a soft dry cloth to ensure no grout is left over the surface of the tiles. Once it has dried and hardened, it may be difficult to remove. Re-insert the mirror into the frame.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are pleased with the look of your mosaic tiled mirror, consider creating a matching piece such as a table top with a glass cover or decorating a picture frame with tiles.
Mosaic mirrors may be heavy, so be sure to obtain the correct hardware to hang the finished product.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
