A well-placed mirror serves multiple purposes–transforming a space, and making a space appear larger than it is. Often mirrors are large and heavy, which is why it is important that mirrors are hung properly to ensure they don’t fall and break. Knowing how to hang a mirror will be dependent upon the type of mirror, size, location, and method of hanging. Framed mirrors are going to have different needs in order to hang than frameless mirrors, which we’ll discuss here.
Before you begin there are a few tools you’ll need to assemble in addition to your mirror, in order to safely hang any type of mirror:
How to Hang Framed Mirrors
Framed, decorative mirrors that you find in abundance at your local home decor store, thrift stores, or even ones where you’ve made the frame yourself, are easy to hang up on the wall. These statement pieces are not only for decoration, but they are also useful as they make a space feel bigger and brighter, along with letting you get one last look as you rush out the door. Because mirrors are versatile and important, it is imperative that they are hung properly so they don’t fall and break or cause injury.
One of the benefits of buying a framed mirror, is typically they will come with the necessary hanging hardware already installed on the back of the frame. With the necessary hardware included, you don’t have to worry about finding the right screws to hold the weight, hangers, and other hardware needed for the weight of your specific mirror. You are ready to hang your mirror on the wall!
If you are planning on hanging your new mirror above a piece of furniture, you’re going to want to make sure the mirror is centered over the furniture for maximum aesthetics. Do this by measuring the width of the furniture, and determining where the center is. This will tell you where the center of your mirror needs to be.
If you have an extra set of hands, this is where they can come in handy! Hold your mirror up to the approximate spot where you want it to hang, to get a good visual of what it will look like up on the wall before you begin to drill some holes into your walls. With your mirror held up to the height you want it to hang, take your pencil and make a small mark at the top of your frame, on the sides, so that you know where to place your nail/screws.
Turn your mirror over and measure the distance between the hanging hardware, along with the distance from the top of the mirror to the hardware as well. With these measurements, go back to the wall where you want to hang your mirror and measure the same distance down from your original mark. This will indicate where you need to drill your screw holes.
If you are screwing directly into studs, you are safe to drill and hang your mirror. If you aren’t screwing into studs, you’ll need to install quality drywall anchors first.
You are now ready to safely hang your framed mirror on the wall. If you’ve measured accurately, the hardware will fit perfectly over the screws you’ve installed. All that is left for you to do is to adjust your mirror till it looks perfect, then stand back and admire your handiwork.
If hanging a mirror yourself feels like a daunting task, contact Gordon's Glass to hand and install custom mirrors.
