A vanity mirror is an essential item in any bedroom. Vanity mirrors are generally placed on top of dressers (in your bedroom) or the sink (in the bathroom). These mirrors can either be wall-mounted or can stand on their own. Vanity mirrors are useful when applying makeup or grooming yourself and are an essential item for both sexes. They can be of any shape and size and can be a beautiful addition to your room. When you are remodelling or building a home, you want your room to be perfect. Finding a mirror that fits your budget and style is complex and can be pretty costly.
However, you do have the option of creating a DIY vanity mirror. For that, you need to know how to make your own vanity mirror. There are various steps involved in making your own vanity mirror – especially if you want to add lights to it.
Choosing a Mirror
First of all, you need to choose a mirror. This mirror will be the center of your vanity. So, what kind of mirror do you want? There are plenty of options one can choose from.
First of all, consider where you will place this vanity mirror. This will help determine the size, shape, and style you ought to go for. For example, if you want a bathroom vanity, you can go for a wall-mounted mirror. If your vanity is in your bedroom, you will have more space to play with. You can choose a larger size and a unique style.
Also, think about how you will be using the mirror. The mirror needs to be at the right height while you are seated so you can use it easily. Therefore, getting the spot right is absolutely crucial.
Do make sure you get the right-sized mirror. Your mirror should not be too small that you have trouble using it. Also, it should not be so large that it gets in the way. If there isn’t much room, you can get a wall-mounted mirror. If you have plenty of space, you can go for a free-standing mirror. The style you go for also depends on your room’s theme.
Make sure there is plenty of natural light wherever you place the mirror. The best place for a vanity mirror is in front of a large window. However, sometimes, it’s not possible to set the mirror in such a spot, especially if your vanity is in the bathroom.
This is where built-in lighting comes into play. This adds to the visibility of the mirror even if there isn’t a lot of natural light available. Your vanity’s lighting should be evenly distributed and should not blind you while you are using the mirror. The light that only comes from the top will produce shadows and provide poor visibility.
Also, keep an eye on the mirror’s magnification level. The magnification allows you to get better visibility. This is useful when you are using the mirror to apply your makeup. Most mirrors have a magnification degree of 3x to 5x. If you require something stronger, you can go for a 10x to 15x magnification mirror.
Step by Step Guide on Creating Your Own Vanity Mirror
Now that you have your mirror, let’s get started with setting it up! Here is a step-by-step guide to help you make your own vanity mirror with lights.
- Firstly, decide where you will hang the vanity mirror. Measure the exact width and height of the mirror. When you are purchasing the mirror, keep the dimensions of your space in mind so you get the right size. As you will attach light bars to your mirror, make sure you get a mirror with a border.
- The next thing you need to do is purchase your vanity lights and equipment. This will include two extension cords, scissors, picture hanging strips, light bulbs, and, of course, your vanity light bars. Always buy the light bulbs in sizes that are recommended by the manufacturers of vanity light bars.
- Unpack your light bar boxes and take out the two light bars. There will be two caps surrounding both sides of each socket. Remove the caps and set them aside. Make sure not to lose these caps, as you will have to reinsert them once the light bars are installed. These caps serve to hide the base of the light bulb once they are re-installed.
- Using a screwdriver, screw the light bars where you want them on the frame of the mirror. Make sure the screws are tightly set in place. If you don’t have a screwdriver lying around (why wouldn’t you, though?), you can also use a drill to screw the light bars in place. Vanity light bars usually come along with the screws you need to attach the bars, so you won’t have to run to the hardware store to look for the right screws.
- Unpack your extension cords. Take a pair of sharp scissors and snip the adapter end of the extension cord. Do this for both the cords. Do make sure you don’t cut yourself in the process. After removing the adapter, make a ¼ inch cut near the end of the extension cord cables. There will be two extension cord cables exposed once you remove the adapter. Clip the ends of both of them.
- Once you do this, you will expose the copper wiring. Hold each cord in each hand and carefully pull them apart from each other. Do this until you have about five inches of separated wires. Cut the plastic near the end of the copper wire so you can pull the plastic off completely, and the copper wires are visible. Make sure not to clip the copper wire while you cut the plastic cover. Do this for both sets of extension wires.
How to Hand Your Vanity Mirror
Knowing how to hang the mirror is an essential part of knowing how to make your own vanity mirror. These are the steps involved.
- Lift the top bar of your vanity light bar to expose the copper wiring. From the cords that you split in the extension wire, take the cord that feels smooth and join it with the black cord on the vanity bar. Similarly, take the cord that feels rough and join it with the white vanity cord. You can join the cords by twisting the ends into each other.
- In the next step, you need to take out the wire nuts made of plastic that come with the vanity light bars. These nuts are usually cone-shaped and yellow or orange in color. They have internal threading. Take one wire nut and place it on the exposed end of the copper wire. Twist the wire nut several times until it’s firmly fixed. Repeat this step for each connection the light bar has. This step will ensure the light bar is attached to the extension wire. It’s essential to use these wire nuts as they secure the wire. This will reduce the chances of the lights shorting out, which can actually lead to an electrical fire.
- Make sure the wire nuts are fixed for both the black and white wires on the light bar. Place the cover of the vanity light bar back on so the cords are all covered and hidden from sight. When doing this, make sure the white chords and the black cords are separate from each other in the light bar. This will prevent cords from touching. The two wires touching usually causes the circuit breaker to trip. It also increases the chances of a fire.
- Remember the metallic caps you put aside earlier? Place them on the sides of each socket. Screw on the light bulbs in each socket and make sure they are fixed in place. Plugin your extension cord into a power outlet and switch on the vanity lights.
- Lastly, if using a hanging mirror, you can now hang the mirror exactly where you want it. Some mirrors already come with hooks attached to the back, so all you have to do is simply place the mirror on the wall by lining the hook to the hanging point. Measure exactly where you want the mirror to hang and mark those spots on the wall. Use a drill and attach a screw to those points. Now, just hang your mirror. Make sure the screws are strong enough to carry the weight of the mirror. This is important; otherwise, your mirror can fall and get damaged.
Final Thoughts
This was a simple guide on how to make your own vanity mirror with lights. If you follow this step-by-step process, you’ll have a neat and chic vanity mirror in your room in no time. A cool vanity mirror can add to your room’s ambiance. It also provides the perfect lighting when you are applying makeup or grooming yourself. DIY vanity mirrors look incredible and are a great cost-effective option for your room!
