But first, who framed Roger Rabbit? I don’t remember how that movie ended. What I do remember is who framed our hall bathroom mirror: we did.
Framing a plain builder mirror is one of the easiest and most impactful ways to upgrade a bathroom without gutting the space. Since the classic black-and-white tile in this room was in good shape, adding a simple, dressed-up frame felt like the right move to give the room a more finished look.
Instead of ordering a pre-made kit from a company that specializes in mirror frames, we decided to build our own. The plan was straightforward: create a clean, chunky frame that would complement the nearby chunky shelf without competing with other elements like the patterned window shade and new vanity knobs.
We chose 1 x 3″ pine boards in the lengths needed for the mirror. The total cost for the wood was about $14. I cut the corners on a miter saw to create neat 45-degree joints, though you can also build a simpler square-corner frame if you don’t have that tool.
One important constraint was that the mirror is attached to the wall with plastic clips, so the frame needed shallow notches to sit flush over those clips. Ideally you’d use a router to make crisp notches, but if you don’t own one there are alternative approaches that work fine for this kind of shallow cut:
- Mark the area to be notched generously so there’s clearance for the clips.
- If you have a Dremel, use it to create shallow guide grooves for cleaner edges (this step is optional).
- Drill multiple close pilot holes inside the marked area, then enlarge them with a bigger bit so the holes begin to meet.
- Use a flathead screwdriver and hammer to carefully chip away the remaining wood until the notch is the right depth and shape.
These manual notches won’t be visible once the frame is installed, so they don’t need to be perfect. After cutting the four notches, I used a pocket-hole jig to join the corners securely and assembled the frame.
Before painting, we test-fitted the frame to confirm that it lay flush against the mirror and cleared the clips. Satisfied with the fit, I primed and painted it in a semi-gloss white (Decorator’s White by Benjamin Moore) using a small foam roller for a smooth finish. We also painted the nearby shelf to match so the elements coordinated.
Rather than glue the frame directly to the mirror (a method some people use), we chose to fasten the frame to the wall for added security. The top edge of the mirror was accessible, so we overlapped the frame slightly above the mirror and drove a couple of screws through the frame and into the wall studs. That ensured the frame wouldn’t shift or fall without ever penetrating the mirror itself.
To stabilize the bottom edge and prevent any movement, we added a few small dots of silicone caulk between the frame and the mirror and taped the frame in place until the caulk cured. Once the caulk dried, we removed the tape, filled the screw holes with wood putty, and touched them up with paint so the fasteners were invisible.
The finished frame immediately made the room feel more refined and, oddly enough, a bit taller. It draws the eye upward in a way the frameless mirror never did, helping to balance the tall shower curtain across the room. The project only took about three hours of hands-on work, spread over a couple of days, and cost roughly $14 for the wood.
To close out the mini-update, here’s a simple budget breakdown for the bathroom refresh (rounded prices):
- New light fixture: $61
- Shelf: $6
- Paint (quart): $24
- Fish art: $30
- Knobs: $17
- Window shade fabric: $16 (we only used about $8 worth)
- Mirror frame: $14
- Other items (shadowbox, accessories): already owned
- Total: $168 (under $200 for the whole refresh)
For under $200 we transformed the feel of the space while keeping the original 1960s tile. The fabric on the window and the artwork are the standout elements that bring the room to life, but the simple framed mirror is what ties everything together and gives the bathroom a polished, cohesive look.
If you’re considering a similar DIY, a basic wood frame, a few thoughtful fasteners, and some paint can go a long way toward an affordable bathroom upgrade. This type of project is approachable, budget-friendly, and instantly elevates a plain builder mirror into something that looks custom and well considered.
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