How to Make Mirrored Furniture

The edge is the important part. It has to completely cover the wood.

Learn to make mirrored furniture by producing a rectangular display pedestal. The difficulty is not in doing the woodworking, but rather in how you measure and set the pieces of mirror over the wooden frame. If this project works well, you can add mirrors to junky furniture you were ashamed of and create stylish pieces.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape 4 pieces plywood measuring 1 inch by 12 inches by 48 inches 1 piece of plywood measuring 1 inch by 12 inches square Finishing nails Course grit sandpaper 4 pieces beveled nontempered mirror measuring one-quarter inch by 12 inches by 48 inches 1 piece beveled nontempered mirror measuing one-quarter inch by 12¼ inches Mirror epoxy mastic Three-sixteenths notched trowel

Instructions

1. Have the lumber company cut the plywood to measure.

2. Use finishing nails to construct the four sides of the pedestal. Nail each of the 4 pieces of plywood measuring 1 inch by 12 inches by 48 inches together with nails to make a box. Place a nail every 6 inches. Nail the plywood top onto the four sides using nails at the corners and in the middle of each side.

3. Score the wood with the coarse sandpaper so that it is prepared to receive the epoxy mastic. Scoring leaves many more surfaces to which the mastic can fix itself.

4. Lay the wooden pedestal on its side. Use the notched trowel to lay mastic on one side of the pedestal. Place the mirror on the mastic pushing down firmly. Be sure the edges fit exactly. Allow the mastic to dry before turning the pedestal to the next side. It is essential that each side edge matches up exactly.

5. After all four sides are dry, set the pedestal up and fit the 12¼ inch square of mirror over the top in the same way. The extra quarter-inch covers the sides. This is the most difficult part because the last piece, usually the top, has to accommodate for the extra thickness of each mirror panel. If you measured incorrectly, wood will show on the top edge Allow the top to dry thoroughly.

Tips & Warnings

• Use epoxy mastic on mirrors because they are too heavy for the lighter latex adhesive. Always butt the edges of the mirrors together for a clean finish. You should not see wood on any edge.

References

• "Make Your Own Mirrored Furniture"
• Learn about bevels and order your own custom sizes