DIY Driftwood Mirror: step by step tutorial

Loving the look of driftwood mirrors? Come see how to make your own driftwood mirror. It is a fun and easy craft project that doesn’t involve difficult steps or expensive tools.

Making a driftwood mirror is surprisingly easy and only needs basic materials and tools. Use found or bought driftwood sticks to frame a mirror that is attached to a larger background. It is best to use wood glue for attaching the driftwood sticks but hot glue could work too. Choose the design you like best, like a sunburst round driftwood mirror or go for a square mirror design.

If you hang around here more often you know I have two big loves in my decorating life. That is the color white and the coastal look. You only have to look at my Shop My Favorites Page to see my “beach cottage decorating with a boho farmhouse flair style” on display.

Whenever I can create a white, beachy craft I am in decorating heaven. Todays project made my heart sing, it combines all my decorating favs: white painted wood, more light bouncing around my home, providing a background with interest and texture, repurposing materials I already own, fun to make, quick and easy and truly personal and unique. what is there not to like.

I am in love with my little driftwood mirror project. It was so fun to make and it didn’t cost my a penny because I used up all kinds of materials I had lying around and wasn’t using. Obviously I went with a square driftwood mirror design. I love the big, sunburst mirrors too, but I wanted to combine my mirror with my little side table so I thought a smaller and square design would work best.

The square mirror tile asked for a bit more modern design. So I used the mirror as it was. I contemplated giving it a vintage look, like I had done in my new to vintage bedroom mirror project. But I went for quick and easy this time.

How to make a Driftwood mirror: 9 easy steps

The start of my project was a driftwood garland I had lying/hanging around that wasn’t really serving me anymore. I got to thinking what else I could do with it, because I love the texture of painted white wood, and anything that brings a beachy vibe to my decor is a winner in my book. Since I was looking for a little statement piece of wall decoration to pair with my little sidetable, the decision to make a mirror was easy. I had an old mirror tile in my stash that had been used as a place to set a candle from time to time. So that was my starting point.

[Check my video of this DIY Driftwood Mirror Project for more information about the DIY steps.]

Materials to make a Driftwood Mirror

• Driftwood sticks
• Mirror
• Leftover hardboard (or very sturdy cardboard)
• Paint (in the color of your driftwood)
• Wood glue
• Adhesive tape for mirrors
• Hanging hooks

Tools I used to Make my driftwood Mirror

• Wood saw (jigsaw or circle saw)
• Protective gear (glasses and ear muffs)
• Clamps

Steps and Instructions for making a square driftwood mirror

I cut some leftover hardboard into two squares. The big one had the size of the final mirror, the small one was exactly the size of the tile. By adding an extra layer underneath the mirror, the mirror was about the same height as the driftwood, otherwise the mirror would have been sunken into the frame. To measure the outer size of my mirror I played around with different arrangements first. When I had my desired outlay, I measured and marked my cuts on the hardboard. You can use any kind of saw to cut your hardboard. I used a small handheld circle saw. If you have a jigsaw that would work too. Setting up my sawing station and getting my protective gear in order took more time than the sawing itself. That was quick and easy.

Then came the fun part. Putting it all together. The two pieces of hardboard were glued together with wood glue. { special note: this would be the best time to attach your hook to the back of the hardboard too, I forgot that step here and had to improvise on how to attach it later, when the mirror was finished. Don’t be me, do better ? }

To attach the mirror tile to the center I used adhesive tape that is suitable for mirrors. My driftwood sticks were attached with basic wood glue. Wood glue has a stronger hold than hot glue, but that could work too. Wood glue needs some drying time so I took my time in between steps to get some tea and a piece of chocolate ?

You will thank yourself later, if you take the time to paint your background the same color as your driftwood. I used white painted driftwood so I painted the surface and the edges white. If you use natural or grey driftwood, it is wise to check if your background matches that color, and paint it greyish or brown to make it disappear more. It just makes the whole thing look so much better.

Next I simply worked my way around the mirror glueing on my little sticks and trying to avoid gaps as much as possible. It was a bit like making a jigsaw puzzle. Kind of as relaxing too.

Before moving on to the next step I made sure that the glue had sufficient time to dry. Luckily wood glue dries quickly, especially in a thin layer. So it only took about fifteen minutes drying time here, and then all my driftwood sticks were attached rock solid to the background and my driftwood mirror DIY was basically finished.

I just needed to do one more thing to perfect it. Since I had used driftwood sticks that used to be a garland, I had tiny holes showing everywhere. I simply used a bit of leftover white chalk paint to cover the holes and any scratches in the wood.

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More Easy and Fun DIY Projects to HANG ON YOUR WALL

<<<< DIY Yarn Wall Hanging >>>>

<<<< JUJU Hat Knockoff >>>>

<<<< Feather and Shells Beach Cottage Wreath >>>>

Decorating my Driftwood Mirror

Done! Time for the final and most gratifying step of all. Decorating a little corner in my home with my new DIY driftwood mirror.

I whipped up a small green wreath (using a tiny embroidery hoop and a strand from a faux plant) as a little extra. I think it looks nice and adds to the mirror. But I must admit I did it more for the picture taking than that the mirror needed the embellishment. Taking pictures of a mirror is hard because of the light settings and because of strange and unwanted reflections. With my little wreath, my camera had something to focus on. But anyway I think it looks lovely, so it is likely to stay.

I went with blue and white china decor because I love it so very much. These chinoiserie pots are a recent addition to my collection. Of course I also used a stack of books. After all Decorating with Books is a true and tried decorating essential.

Best Driftwood Mirrors to buy

My little side table and my mirror are a match made in heaven: just the perfect little pair. It is going to be fun, decorating that little sideboard in different styles, now that I have such a nice background to add texture and light.

Don’t forget to save this post for future reference!!