A tile mosaic can give your mirror a more colorful look and can make it look like an expensive art piece rather than a formerly builder-grade generic mirror.
Changing the mirror frame is one way to go about decorating it. You can paint it a different color, create a new frame, or add embellishments to an old frame. You can also decorate the mirror itself to give it a new lease on life. Try adding vinyl word art, fabric flowers, or decorative images.
If you come across an old mirror, you have multiple ways you can update the piece. The easiest way is using spray paint. Spray paint is a great option if you want to just change the color of the whole piece. I would recommend using a primer first, so that the new paint color will stick well.
Vinegar Spray – Fill a spray bottle with equal parts of vinegar and water. Then, mist the back of the mirror evenly using your vinegar and water solution. Next, coat the back of that misted glass surface with looking-glass spray (available at your hardware or craft store).
Dust the mirror's frame or rim with a microfiber cloth, and your mirror will not only look fantastic, but it will also improve the reflections.
To clean up the glass on your old mirror, combine your water, vinegar, and alcohol. This will be your cleaning solution. You will then simply apply it to the surface of your mirror and rub it with your microfiber cloth. If necessary, you can also use just white vinegar alone as a cleaning product.
For those that ask “can you paint over a mirror with chalkboard paint?” I simply say, “why not?” It actually turned out to be a super simple process. To do this I used chalkboard paint in a black finish. I painted a quick coat, right on the mirror, with a foam brush and let it dry for 4 hours.
“You want to hang about 3 to 6 inches above the mantle to give the objects on the mantle breathing room,” she says. “Otherwise, for a current and trendy look, lean the mirror on the mantle and layer with another piece of artwork and add decorative objects like a vase.”
STRIP LIGHTING
This is the classic solution to Mirror lighting. Place simple strip lights or Hollywood lights over the top and/or sides of the mirror for a sleek look. Aim to install strip lighting that is the same width as your mirror (or slightly narrower) to create a balance to the overall look.
An antique mirror is any mirror made at least 100 years ago. Modern designers sometimes make mirrors that look antique because the look of old mirrors never goes out of style.
Condition. As with all antique items, the better condition it is in, the higher the value. Mirrors tend to be graded from good through excellent to mint condition. Antique mirrors in mint condition are very rare and hence very valuable.
Rust-Oleum Specialty Mirror Spray
Turns glass or acrylic glass surfaces into a mirror like finish. Available in Silver Mirror and Gold Mirror Finish.
Should you thrift mirrors? YES! Here's why: They instantly add a little flare to any space: In addition to being functional pieces in your home, mirrors are a great way to brighten and expand a room.
Cheap mirrors can often develop spots, creases or bubbles as a result of poor manufacturing and can scratch easily. However, quality mirrors often have an anti-scratch coating and meet higher production standards.
Thickness Different mirrors have different glass thicknesses, which can easily make you look different. If your proportions look out of whack in one mirror but not another, it's likely that the glass is just too thin. Glass is heavy, so a thin mirror will often buckle under its own weight and warp.
Glass Quality: A high-quality mirror glass is free from inconsistencies that distort the reflection. Look for glass that has an even and uniform surface. Glass Thickness: Glass mirrors typically come in 1/4-, 1/8- or 3/16-inch thickness. For home décor, we recommend 1/4-inch-thick glass.
Vinegar is excellent for cleaning glass for two reasons: it can dissolve grime and won't leave residue behind! Additionally, vinegar is a safe and eco-friendly product! Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a clean spraying bottle. Then, mist the solution on the glass surface.