★ DIY Mirrors & Photo Frames | Roundup of Craft Tutorials ★

How to Make Your Own Picture Frames & Mirrors

Mirrors and photos are usually on display somewhere in the home, so why not refashion them into something original, or even make your own from scratch? Plus, they make awesome gifts!

Below you will find a large selection of the best craft tutorials to give you instructions on making and decorating your own frames, plus inspiration for generating your own ideas.

Examples of projects include driftwood photo frames, mirror mosaics and photo frames made from books!

I hope you find plenty of ideas here for getting creative with frames :-)

Antiqued Picture Frame

Photo and frame by Reese Dixon - Click here for the written tutorial and click here for a video of the process.

Framing Introduction

A Summary

Traditional picture framing is where timber molding or regular lumber is cut into 4 pieces to fit around your photo. The joints used to join these 4 pieces are diagonal miter joints which are glued with wood glue (and held together with clamps until it dries) and nails are often used too for extra strength.

Before framing, the photo or artwork often undergoes a process called 'matting' which refers to the mounting of the picture onto mat board. A specialist mat cutter is required to cut a hole out of the mat board (with a beveled edge) that is the same size as the photo/art. The photo/art is mounted onto the back of the mat board so that it is visible through the cut-out section of the mat. The mat board creates a space between the photo/art and any glass front in the frame, and it adds a blank border to the photo/art for a finished and professional look. Matting and framing is the classic way of displaying quality photos/art.

On this page I will be providing links to frame making tutorials that are more creative and decorative rather than traditional woodworking techniques. Most suggest ways to decorate frames rather than build one from scratch, and as you will see there are many different ways to frame both photos and mirrors. I've also included links to how-tos for making photo holders and many varied mirror projects that will look fantastic in your home. I hope you find lots of fun ideas!

Top-Rated Frames, Mirrors & Framing Craft Books

Driftwood Frame

DIY Mirror Designs

• Monogram Mirror
  Not good for the superstitious!
• Studded Tile Mirror
  Quartered mirror with clear gem embellishments.
• Frosted Doily Mirror
  A feminine and modern mirror style.
• Plate Mirrors
  Very easy and cheap idea.
• Silver Starburst Mirror
  Made using plant markers and silver spray paint.
• DIY Mirror Stencils
  Use contact paper to transfer a design to your mirror.
• Hub Cap Mirrors
  Great design for petrolheads.
• Disco Ball
  Fun mirrored ball using old CDs and styrofoam.
• Mantra Mirror
  Write a message to yourself or your favourite quote on your mirror.
• Etch Your Own Mirror
  Add your own personalized message on a mirror.
• Trio of Revamped Mirrors
  Spruce up plain mirrors with drawn on lines.

DIY Photo Holder

How to Etch a Mirror

What You Will Need:

* Etching cream (Armour Etch)

* Craft knife and cutting mat

* Contact paper

* Glass mirror

* Foam brush

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* Gloves and eye protection

* A printout of the design you want to etch; don't choose anything complicated and it makes it easier if you turn all of the areas you want to etch to solid black before you print it.

* Tape

* Scissors

- First, tape your design printout onto a piece of contact paper. Make sure that the contact paper is the right way up so that your design will be the correct way round when stuck on the mirror. The contact paper piece should be a least a few inches larger than the design.

- Follow this method to cut out the design with a craft knife.

- Stick the contact paper stencil onto the mirror in the chosen position.

- Put on gloves and eye protection, and make sure you protect the surface your are working on too - etching cream can be nasty stuff!

- Use a foam brush to apply the etching cream to the cut-out bits of your stencil according to the instructions on the package. Apply the cream evenly so you get an even etch.

- Leave the cream on the mirror for however long is recommended on the product you are using (usually 3 minutes or so).

- Carefully wipe the cream off the mirror and wash with water to make sure it's all gone. Remove the contact paper.

- Done!

You can have fun coming up with the design you want to use - my favorite ideas are song lyrics, quotes or maybe a mustache at just the right height so when you look in the mirror you suddenly have some mighty fine facial hair!

Best Products for Etching a Mirror

The following selections include an etching cream, contact paper and a craft knife (i.e. the materials required for the above project), plus I've listed some alphabet letter and pretty floral motif stencils designed for using with etching cream.

License Plate Mirror

Click here for instructions on how to make this mirror.

Photo found via Junk Garden.

Fun Mirror Projects

• Sunburst Mirror Roundup
  7 awesome circular designs to try.
• Cutlery Mirror
  Fun and simple idea for kitchen wall décor.
• DIY Spooky Mirror
  Halloween prop with a ghostly girl image.
• Faux Metal Frame
  This fun technique can be used for either mirror or photo frames.
• Photo Etching
  How to transfer a photo onto your mirror.
• Captain's Mirrors
  Cool porthole style mirrors made from clocks.
• Tennis Racket Mirrors
  Awesome mirror idea using vintage tennis rackets.
• Antiqued Mirror
  How to hand antique the mirror's surface.
• Mirror on a Stand
  Very inexpensive idea of adding a stand to a mirror.
• Mirrored Side Tables
  How vintage medicine cabinets were revamped with mirrors.
• Nautical Rope Mirror
  Idea for a beach house or a sea themed room.

Pencil Picture Frame

Decorative Mirrored Makes

• Sunflower Mirror
  A frame made using plastic placemat strips.
• Embroidered Mirror
  Lovely porthole style mirror which hangs on a ribbon.
• Driftwood Starburst
  Driftwood is a great material to use for décor.
• Mirrored Starburst
  Cool and retro design based on a shop version.
• Rope Wrapped Frame
  Inject a bit of nautical theming to your décor.
• Mirrored Sewing Table
  How a table was refashioned with mirror tiles.
• Shabby Chic Fabric Mirror
  How to add a fabric and lace border to a mirror.
• Copper Leaf Mirror
  You can use silver or gold foil instead if you prefer.
• Confetti Mirror
  Lots of sparkly colorful fun!

Shell Mirror

Mirror Decor How-Tos

• Bamboo Sunburst
  Fun mirror with bamboo rods and an embroidery hoop.
• Chrysanthemum Mirror
  A plywood backing with layered fabric petals.
• Mirror Bowls
  Trendy wall decoration idea.
• Recycled Magazine Mirror
  Funky and chunky mirror frame.
• Mosaic Mirror
  Circular mirror with a tile border.
• Broken China Mirror
  Lovely frame decorated with broken plates.
• Fabric Covered Frame
  Awesome idea and a genius use for oven cleaner.
• Woven Ribbon Lattice
  How to weave ribbon over a frame.
• Frosted Mirror
  How to use stencils to add a frosted border.
• Gold Mosaic Mirror
  Really simple to do, but the end result looks fantastic.
• Dramatic Floral Garland
  Dark, elegant and quite Gothic in style.

Mirror Mosaic

Customized Picture Frame

Cool Mirrors to Make

• Flower Stencil Makeover
  How to add pretty purple and mirror flower accents.
• Trapped Soul Halloween Mirror
  How to add a fun ghostly image.
• How to Frame a Mirror
  How to add a grand wooden border in situ.
• Mirror Mobile
  Sweet hanging mobile with paper daisy shapes.
• Trumeau Mirror
  Elegant large mirror design with scroll embellishment.
• Quatrefoil Mirror
  An interesting shape template to use.
• Smashed Mirror Art
  Stunning wall art made from mirror shards.
• Postage Stamp Mirror
  Create a collage of stamps for a cool frame.
• Pebble Mirror
  Border your mirror with flat pebbles.
• Unique Turquoise Mirror
  How to cut-out a hexagonal wooden front for a mirror.
• Silver Antiqued Mirror
  Turn a cheap plastic frame into a vintage delight.

Paper Leaf Mirror

Even More Awesome Frames

• Driftwood Decor
  Make use of the natural beauty of driftwood.
• Seashell Collage
  Use your beach treasures in this pretty frame make.
• Salvaged Wood
  Create a Pottery Barn inspired design from scratch.
• Mosaic CD Mirror
  Funky mirrored frame made using pieces of old CDs.
• Sunburst Mirror DIY
  Chunky statement piece made with loads of wood shims.
• Vintage Belt Frame
  Quality photo frames made using old belts.
• Pyramid Stud Frame
  Use metal pyramid studs to create patterns on plain frames.
• Masking Tape Molding
  Sculpt your own design using tape and glue.
• Ombre Painted Photo Frame
  Stunning paint effect you can match to your decor.
• DIY Wood Frame
  Build your own simple chunky frame from wooden sticks.

Copper Pipe Frames

Crafty Mirrors to Make

• Shabby Chic Wood
  One of my favourites - makes me think of beach huts!
• Porthole Mirror
  Fabulous nautical themed mirror-on-a-rope.
• Chunky Sunburst
  Stack lots of thin wooden pieces together for a sturdy, attractive design.
• Etched Silhouette
  A fun way to personalise your mirrors.
• Vintage Spool Decor
  Add some twine too for a traditional look.
• Faux Bois Mirrors
  Stencil wood grain patterns onto square mirrors.
• 80's Chandelier to Glass Mirror
  A clever transformation project.
• Upcycled Door Mirror
  How to add a sophisticated criss-cross design.

Photo Frame Wall

Photo Frame Tutorials

• Army Man Frame
  Fun idea and would make a cool gift for a guy.
• Book Picture Frame
  Embed your photos in old or damaged books.
• DIY Photo Collage
  How to add vintage effects to a collection of your photos.
• Polaroid Magnet Frames
  Turn your photos into cute Polaroid snapshots.
• Fabric Decals
  Make wall frames with fabric and fabric stiffener.
• PVC Pipe Frame
  Circular pipe sections attached together to make a frame.
• Magnetic Wallpaper Frames
  Interesting idea using magnetic paint and frame wallpaper.
• Funky MDF Frame
  Chunky and simple wooden frame.
• Inkodye Frame
  How to use light sensitive dye on a wooden frame.
• Fun Cardboard Frames
  Cheap DIY which you could then cover in magazine or comic pages.
• Ombre Buttons
  Simple and very effective.
• Embroidery Hoop Frames
  With the photos printed onto special fabric.

Butterfly Frame

More Picture Frame How-Tos

• DIY Hammered Gold Frames
  Fun revamp which can also relieve your stress!
• Birch Bark Frame
  Simple frame made with natural bark pieces.
• Cork Board Frames
  Amoeba shaped notice board with embedded photos.
• Beachy Style Frames
  A seaside style created from thin strips of fence wood.
• Magnetic Fabric Frames
  Create frames out of lightweight cork and put magnets on the back.
• Rustic Twig Frame
  Rustic twig project perfect for Fall.
• Patchwork Quilt
  Sew your own patchwork fabric border.
• Recycled CD Mosaic
  Easy way to create a glamorous, sparkly photo frame.
• Tape Picture Borders
  Great for temporary renters, this idea is very easy, quick and cheap.

Unique Upcycled Frame

Photo and mirror by Miriam Tribe - Click here for DIY instructions.

Picture Hoop Hanger

Making Photo Holders

• Wooden Spool Holders
  An extremely simple make.
• Photo Wires
  Use floor-to-ceiling wires to magnetically hold photos.
• Pebble Stacks
  Little wire and pebble photo holders.
• Carved Branch
  Lovely heart carving in a tree branch.
• Clothespin Photo Hangers
  Hang photos from glittery pegs.
• Beach Photo Jar
  Suspend little photos in a beach themed glass jar.
• String-in-Frame Display
  Ingenious idea for hanging photos within larger frames.
• Picture Ledge
  Simple wooden ledge to rest pictures on.
• Fork Photo Display
  Bend a regular dinner fork into a simple picture holder.
• Gallery Wall Grid
  Criss-cross wood pieces and hang photos off them for a modern look.
• Photograph Wall Ledge
  Cheap, easy and lightweight, plastic cap molding makes a functional holder.

Branch Photo Holder

Frame Ideas & Inspiration

• Frame and Mirror Projects
  16 different ideas for frame art.
• Mirrors of the World
  Loads of examples of mirror design.
• Lampshade Photo Holder
  Strip down a lampshade to make a clever 3D gallery.
• Ways To Display Photos
  10 creative ways to display photos and art in style.
• Photo Hanger
  Display photos under an embellished hanger - ideal for Instagram pics.

Photo Collage Frame

Frame Making Videos

Please Leave a Comment!

angelatvs on February 11, 2014:

Some fun projects here!

tonyleather on November 09, 2013:

Some very interesting ideas in this lens!

anonymous on October 31, 2013:

love all these awesome ideas!

anonymous on September 10, 2013:

great as visit really appreciate you

anonymous on August 06, 2013:

Love the custom picture frames, particularly the pencil picture frames, very inspiring!

maryseena on August 01, 2013:

Wonderful ideas Thanks for sharing. I'll attempt a few real soon.

ToolHire LM on July 30, 2013:

Well, I just voted "no" on your poll, but I'll definitely get my head around making one pretty soon! Thank you for the ideas!

Mary Collings from Outer Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland on April 16, 2013:

Wonderful - I love them all!

JeffGilbert on February 28, 2013:

There's a lot of great resources here... Great lens!!

barbea on February 04, 2013:

Love the do it yourself photo holder. Thankyou

ArmchairBuilder1 on October 03, 2012:

Great lens! Some really interesting ideas here for mirrors!

Bonfire Designs on September 28, 2012:

Love this lens, a reflection of creative talent!

Joy Neasley from Nashville, TN on September 12, 2012:

I love the mirrored chest of Drawers top idea.

daniela-lofiego on September 11, 2012:

Loved these! I want to make one now :)

caffimages on June 08, 2012:

Lovely ideas here, thanks.

kmyangel on June 02, 2012:

Very good ideas ! Congrats !

UKGhostwriter on May 26, 2012:

Fantastic lens ..pinned too!

Oosquid on April 21, 2012:

Enough good suggestions on this lens to spark some ideas, thanks.

teristazko on February 25, 2012:

Great ideas and lens!

Edutopia on January 15, 2012:

That TV frame looks pretty cool. Great job on this lens.

antoniow on January 15, 2012:

Great lens.Keep up the good work! thumbs up

InSearchOf LM on January 14, 2012:

Awesome ideas!

baby-strollers on January 14, 2012:

Super cool mirrors! Very stylish....

MariePalmer LM on January 14, 2012:

this is one of my favorite lenses...so artistic and just my style. Thanks for sharing it!

fullofshoes on January 14, 2012:

Congrats on a fabulous lens. I think I'll grab a few of these ideas; they are great.

kerryhrabstock on January 13, 2012:

Wow. Thanks for gathering so much stuff. I love several of these projects and can't decide which to try first.

Rose Jones on January 13, 2012:

For some reason I spent a ridiculous amount of time on this lens! I finally found 2 crafts I know I am going to complete - the paperbox frames in the youtube video and the stone stack photo holder. Why? Because I already have the stuff to make them with and they have a simple elegance. I also clicked out to a lot of blogs and snooped around. It is funny, some of the homemade blogs made with free services like blogger had page ranks of 3-5! Shows what consistently showing up to write great content might just bring. :) Thanks so much for this lens! Bookmarked so I can come back to it.

anonymous on January 13, 2012:

Lots of great ideas. I'm looking for a collage of 8x10 photo/sketches of family members. You've given me some ideas about how I might go about that. Thanks.

OzGirl LM on January 12, 2012:

Oh I am LOVING that old wood frame with the twine and clothesline holders -- that would be so easy to make and so cool! I'm going to have to try that one. Would look great in our home on the Kansas plains! :-) Great lens, thoroughly enjoyed it.

anonymous on January 12, 2012:

Those crafts are so amazing

grnidlady on January 11, 2012:

very cool lens!

totorotube on January 11, 2012:

very good idea!

ptnjust007 on January 10, 2012:

nice lens

Clairissa from OREFIELD, PA on January 10, 2012:

Great Ideas here! I loved them all.

Blackspaniel1 on January 10, 2012:

Nice lens

curious0927 on January 10, 2012:

Love this lens! Thanks, am going to be back and start making my own! Blessed by and Angel!

curious0927 on January 10, 2012:

Love this lens! Thanks, am going to be back and start making my own! Blessed by and Angel!

JanezKranjski on January 10, 2012:

I didn't realized, that they are so easy to do. Superb tutorial.

girlfriendfactory on January 10, 2012:

That cracked mirror mosaic top is awesome and so is the paper leaf mirror! Sometimes 7 years bad luck might be worth it, huh? Awesome ideas you gathered! Love it!

wheresthekarma on January 09, 2012:

I abslutely love this lens, bookmarked it!

Deadicated LM on January 09, 2012:

Thanks for all the really cool ideas, I love your Lens.

Fay Favored from USA on January 09, 2012:

There are some really great ideas here. I think the mirror girl is very unique. For years I have used mirrors to decorate my house, and even used rounded full length mirrors on my livingroom walls I think there were 10). It created quite an beautiful look. Maybe I'll put it in something. Can't imagine what though.

DLeighAlexander on January 09, 2012:

Great ideas! I really like the depth that mirrors give and you show so many creative ways to decorate with mirrors. Nice lens! :)

Tjoedhilde on January 09, 2012:

Very nice DIY compilation. Nice job! :)

jeremykim2011 on January 08, 2012:

Wow! Great ideas! Thanks for sharing.

Godsgraciousgift on January 02, 2012:

nice lens

Harshitha LM on December 18, 2011:

Lovely ideas. I'm gonna try one of them for sure

WistaWren on November 11, 2011:

Great idea's ... there are at least 5 projects displayed here that I really want to try ... awesome collection ... 8o)

CreativeMind2011 on October 09, 2011:

Love the driftwood frame. It would be best for old photo effects like black and white. Such a creative lens!

Spikey64 on October 04, 2011:

The tree branch photo holder is brilliant thanks for the idea

Michelle77 LM on August 04, 2011:

There's a ton of great ideas here! ...i am aexcited to try some of these :) thank-u!

maizhanhui on August 02, 2011:

so great mirrors!

i like them!thank you for share!

gym mirrors